Thanksgiving Table Eclipse Talking Points
by Debra Ross
Chair of Rochester's Eclipse Task Force and Publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com & BeyondTheNest.com
Thanksgiving presents an excellent opportunity to spread the word about the eclipse AND avoid those awkward topics you always dread during family gatherings! There's everything great and nothing negative about an eclipse... nothing to tiptoe around... with so much fun stuff to talk about that even your pugnacious Uncle Ed will find it charming. So just let it dominate the conversation! Your friends and family are going to want to be here on April 8, and they need to be prepared. So consider yourself deputized! These Thanksgiving Table Talking Points will help you regardless of whether you're hosting Thanksgiving in Rochester or traveling outside the path of totality to someone else's table.
Thanksgiving Table Talking Points for Rochester
- #TakeTuesdayToo: The traffic immediately following the eclipse after it ends at approximately 3:24pm will be extremely challenging. You might not need to take the day off Tuesday, April 9 because you live here, but your visitors traveling here from any significant distance will not make it back for school or work the following day, so advise them now to #TakeTuesdayToo (here's a 30-second public service announcement you can show them).
- Dispel clouds about clouds: We have a greater-than-50% chance of sun at 3:20pm on Monday, April 8, and of course we're all rooting for that. However, if it is cloudy, it will still be amazing: The profound darkness of the world around you will be unlike anything you've experienced.
- Talk about how our area has something for everyone: Every age, every interest, not just Eclipse Day, but for the whole weekend and even the whole week before.
- Plan fun eclipse celebrations for your family, friends, and colleagues for the whole weekend: Whether you and your guests want a "Me" eclipse or a "We" eclipse experience, a little creative planning together makes it all even more memorable. Name your event, too: Puns are definitely welcome!
- Remind local friends & family to plan to take April 8 off work if possible. You want to be with people you love!
- Alert everyone local to avoid appointments and unnecessary travel (shopping, gas purchasing, etc.) on April 8. Block it on your calendar now to make sure!
- Be in the know about basic eclipse science: this link from the American Astronomical Society educates you with a surreptitious glance at your phone under the table. One quick scroll gives you the major points.
- Only 137 more days until the eclipse!
Happy Thanksgiving!