Russellville viewed eclipse with fewer crowds

<p>Democrat photo/Michelle Brooks</p><p>Wichita, Kansas, amateur photographer Dick Woo sets up his time-elapse camera waiting for the total solar eclipse in Russellville’s Railroad Park, as Janna Martin and daughter Maddy and Ruby, from Russellville, Arkansas, view the partial coverage of the sun by the moon through protective lenses, prior to the full event.</p>

Democrat photo/Michelle Brooks

Wichita, Kansas, amateur photographer Dick Woo sets up his time-elapse camera waiting for the total solar eclipse in Russellville’s Railroad Park, as Janna Martin and daughter Maddy and Ruby, from Russellville, Arkansas, view the partial coverage of the sun by the moon through protective lenses, prior to the full event.

RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - The less congested atmosphere of Russellville's Total Eclipse of the Park Monday provided amateur photographer Dick Woo with the perfect setting.

The Wichita, Kansas, engineer had been planning for more than a year to try his photography skills with Monday's total solar eclipse.

"I knew there'd be lots of crowds and really didn't want to deal with it," Woo said of the Jefferson City events. So, he grabbed a Mid-Missouri map and randomly chose Russellville.

He was pleased when they drove into town Monday morning and saw "event parking" signs along the highway.

"This is exactly what I was looking for," he said.

Other out-of-town visitors, like Janna Martin, chose Russellville deliberately.

The mother of two from Russellville, Arkansas, said she and her best friend, and mother of three, decided two months ago they wanted to view the total solar eclipse.

When they discovered their Missouri namesake was in the direct path, their travel plans were set, including camping overnight at Bennett Springs State Park.

Missionaries Less and Catherine DeRoos extended their visit with family in Russellville to take in the eclipse, which they doubted they would have seen in Haiti, where they have worked with orphanages for the last six years with Laborers With Christ.

Mayor Sharon Morgan said she was pleased with the turn out, bringing in "lots of different people from different places."

Several Russellville residents turned out too, including Heidi Loring and her children Kellanne, 5, and Emerick, 3.

Monday morning the family watched a few educational videos about the eclipse. And, to help the children protect their eyes, Loring taped the ISO protective lenses to cutout paper plates, for easier grip.

Loring said the outing was worth it, when she heard her five-year-old shout, "I see a crescent."