Perhaps it’s because we are approaching the shortest day of the year, but the evenings seem excessively long and lonely. While I am discovering many advantages to living alone, the house sometimes feels achingly empty. I miss him. God, but I miss him. However, instead of focusing on what’s no more, I am determined to
There are piles of books in the Messeder residence, as the Resident Home Decorator often reminds me, especially when she enters my atelier – which is a French word for “studio,” itself a fancified substitute for “office,” which, to me, sounds too darned, well, officious. I’d much rather sit in my studio with a drink
by John L. Micek, Pennsylvania Capital-StarNovember 28, 2022 There was no mistaking the anger in President Joe Biden’s voice on Thanksgiving Day as he once again decried America’s fatal love affair with guns. “The idea we still allow semi-automatic weapons to be purchased is sick. Just sick,” Biden said, according to the Associated Press. In the wake of deadly shootings
According to the National Weather Service, the winter solstice, or the shortest day of the year, will be on Wednesday, December 21st. Other meteorologists will cite the first day of December as the first day of meteorologic winter. Either way, individuals who experience a seasonal pattern of depression already know that the days have become
Sun streaming through the bedroom window called me awake this morning. Not ready to get up, I snuggled deeper into my bed and began listing all the little things welcoming me into this new day. The feel of crisp clean sheets. Sunshine. A warm bedroom. Being able to wiggle my toes. The luxury of rolling
Undocumented immigrants pay federal taxes. Undocumented immigrants pay state taxes. Undocumented immigrants pay local taxes. Undocumented immigrants pay sales taxes. To know the above information is to accept boring truths – that people who live among us in the 13th Congressional District and pick our fruit, staff our tourism industry, prepare our food, maintain our
Webster’s Dictionary defines liberal arts as “college or university studies (such as language, philosophy, literature, abstract science) intended to provide chiefly general knowledge and to develop general intellectual capacities (such as reason and judgement) as opposed to professional or vocational skills.” Gettysburg College has long defined itself as such an institution. It was a liberal
I’ve been reading Erica Bauermeister’s delightful book, The Lost Art of Mixing. It’s not the greatest piece of literature ever written. The storyline is simple and uncomplicated, but her use of language and word pictures are heartwarming and vivid. The Lost Art of Mixing is one of those books that leaves you feeling hopeful about the future and
Our nation is divided. The PA House/Senate, the Federal House/Senate. The remarkable turnout in the midterms shows this clearly. This gives us (the people) two choices: 1. Let the leaders we elected continue to be middle school children and insult and score political points against the other party. Nothing will be done that will benefit
“Here we go again,” Granddaughter Kass said one Thanksgiving mealtime as I prepared to “say Grace.” She knew I didn’t normally subscribe to the pre-formatted version of my childhood: “Bless us, Oh Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ Our Lord, amen.” Past are the days
What a delight to witness the absence of candidate signs in the Gettysburg area. Leaving them upafter an election signifies either gloating or sour grapes; neither of which contributes to a community.
In view of November being National Caregivers Month, I respectfully submit the following letter. My Sweet Donna has dementia. In the last five years this condition has progressed to where I am unrecognized. But I don’t need Donna to know who I am. My reward comes when I am told, “You are the nicest man I
The older I get, the more grateful I become. The other night our little CoDa group worked on the 11th step. “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for God’s will for our lives and the courage to carry that out.” When I
Thursday, November 17, at 7 PM two members of the group Breaking the Silence will speak in Valentine Hall at United Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg. This free event is sponsored by the Middle East Justice and Peace Group of South Central PA. Come to hear former Israeli soldiers Becca and Amir share their experience of
One thing I’ve learned about dogs is, “don’t buy one.” The first dog to occupy my life was my mom’s, an English Setter named Devil, short for JAM’s Devil Dog (a story that is a dog for another bone.) I was about 12 when Devil came into my life. We romped and swam, and on
Democrat Beth Farnham ran a write-in campaign against incumbent Representative in Congress for the 13th District, Republican John Joyce. Preliminary numbers suggest she received about 3,000 votes although Joyce won the contest. This write-in campaign was always a long shot since its inception three weeks ago. However, my numbers would not be where they are today
I’m still pondering the who or whose “I am” question. Descartes said, “I think, therefore, I am.” I have no idea what that means. To be truthful, I can drive myself nuts asking questions such as, “who am I?” There are many ways to describe myself. I am female. I am a widow.
Traditionally, when the vast majority of votes were cast on election day, there were states where it was possible to project most Senate and congressional races within an hour or so after polls closed and it was possible for an attentive viewer to forecast trends by perhaps 9:00, certainly 10:00 in the evening. The advent
I had the pleasure of attending the debate hosted by Gettysburg Connection, partnered with Gettysburg College and I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of my thoughts from that evening. As a voter in this district, the attendance of Mr. Neil Belliveau was greatly appreciated. To me, he provided an alternative choice for
It was like standing on the edge of a pool, watching the trees change color as the a river of fog flowed over the far ridge, filling the valley in front of me, flowing up the slope to gently, silently wrap itself around me. The fog condensed on the leaves of pines and Scarlet oaks,
Mary Davis has a simple formula for dynamic living. “Shine brightly. See beauty. Speak kindly. Create joyfully. Live thankfully.” If there ever was a time when there are good reasons for unhappiness and despair, it is now. Yet, precisely because these are challenging times, it is vitally important we implement Mary Davis’s suggestions. Negative thinking
When I evaluate a candidate, I look first at their basic character. Do they exhibit dignity, honesty, intelligence, and empathy? Then I look at their purpose in running. Candidates who demonstrate a commitment to public service win high marks. If they are running for office primarily to gain power, that is, for me, a major
Editor’s note: Beth Farnham has declared herself as a write-in candidate running against incumbent U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 13th congressional district, John Joyce. The 13th congressional district covers all of Adams County. John Joyce wants you to note his credentials. John Joyce wants you to forget his hateful positions. John Joyce wants you to keep
During the debate last week that included Republican incumbent Dan Moul and Democrat challenger Marty Qually, a question was asked about the state’s response to Covid. Qually pointed out the challenge of getting everyone to believe the science. “We’ve got to get to a point where we believe the people who are specialists in these
Articles from the news magazine Scientific American,have helped me understand (and resolve) many of my puzzlements concerning far-right conservative thinking, motivation and beliefs. Scientific American endorsed Joe Biden in 2020, after 175 years of political neutrality. In a recent article, Scientific American explained how brains heal following stroke and addressed the likely process of John Fetterman’s health
John 1 opens with, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him were all things made that were made, and the Word was the source of life, and this source brought light to all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
It has been said this election is about the soul of our democracy. I would agree. The events of January 6, 2021 demonstrate how real the threat is to that “soul.” I find there is no way to have a conversation with those who want to represent the other side of the issues. I view
Having been called out by name by Dan Moul at Wednesday night’s debate, I’d like to claim the privilege to respond. First, Dan Moul started his two-minute opening remarks criticizing opponent Marty Qually for having already gone negative. “I didn’t know we were going into the attack mode right off the bat – I was
I’ve been an eligible voter since 1972. I believed 2020 was by far the most important election of my lifetime. As November 8th approaches, I think this one is just as important as 2024 will be. In Pennsylvania, we have a gubernatorial candidate put forth by the (erstwhile) Party of Lincoln whose beliefs and actions
It’s fall in Adams County and the South Mountains of South Central Pennsylvania. A variety of native trees, like an artist’s brushes, color the land in oranges, yellows, and reds as though they had been spilled on an artist’s palette. As I stood talking with Pa. Forest Ranger Scott Greevy, acorns fell from the surrounding
Adams County Democratic Committee stands solidly behind Marty Qually as a candidate for Pennsylvania House District 91. It’s time for an 8-term incumbent who has not brought significant value back to Adams County to retire. Even his supporters do not mention a single accomplishment of the incumbent. There is a new generation and new influx
It has become obvious that [gubernatorial candidate] Doug Mastriano has a distorted view of United States history and the constitution. You can clearly see that in his view of religion and our government. Christians came to America because they were being persecuted by other Christians in their homeland. And even in America, Christians were still
I had lunch at The Upper Crust recently, and there was a surcharge of a little over 2.5 percent on the bill for using a credit card. When I asked, I was told that credit card company charges are in the neighborhood of 5 percent now. There are no words for my outrage, but in
At our CoDa meeting, last night, we talked about the 10th step. That’s the step in which we take time each day to review our successes and our failures. Unfortunately, most of us have been programmed to focus on our failures rather than our successes. We’ve learned how to blame and shame ourselves when we
Most people think they are in the minority in wanting to do something to slow, if not stop, climate warming and to protect our land, air, and water. Most people are wrong. The journal Nature Communications in August, quoting a recently released study, reported a “false social reality” in which about 80 percent of Americans support climate
There’s a phrase in the familiar version of the Lord’s Prayer that troubles me: “And lead us not into temptation.” How or why would a loving God deliberately lead us into temptation? It simply doesn’t make sense. In fact, the more I delve into theology and religious literature and the answers we humans have
The Connection is pleased to share this column from the blog of Gettysburg resident John Messeder, an award-winning ecology columnist and social anthropologist. More of John’s stories as well as his photography are available at his website, https://www.johnmesseder.com. He may be contacted at john@johnmesseder.com. When I was many years younger, I cut wood in summer, pulled it
I have this intense urge to go upstairs and hide in my sewing room. It’s a dreary day, following a series of dreary days, and my get up and go never got up with me this morning. I’ve been feeling this way since our discussion on crime and punishment at church yesterday. I’m bothered by
We can only say the world is changing in “unforeseen” ways if we haven’t been paying attention. We haven’t yet experienced widespread disruptions here in Adams County, but things like supply shortages, crop losses, property and infrastructure damage, and prolonged power outages, are becoming daily more conceivable in light of what we see happening in
Last month a retired gentleman came into my computer repair shop in Gettysburg. It was apparent he was not what you would call “tech savvy.” He had recently dialed a phone number on pop-up screen on his computer that advertised for Bitcoin. He sat in the chair in front of my desk and told me
I have never met a person who hasn’t hurt or disappointed me. In the same way, I have never met anyone I can’t love, if I really try. Granted, there are people I don’t like, but liking is different from loving. Loving is about respecting another’s right to live a full and rewarding life. There
Some mornings I wake up with an idea already percolating. Sometimes my morning walks bring things into focus. Sometimes I just sit and stare into space. That was this morning. As I stared out the window, I reached for one of my collections of sayings and read, “Writing is like driving a car at night.
Most mornings my friend and I walk the streets of Fairfield, waking our sleepy bodies by walking to great conversation. Yesterday we both attended the fall performance of the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra. It was an emotional experience for both of us. For me, the tribute to 9/11 brought memories of bodies jumping from those burning
My husband Athar’s brother and sister-in-law were visiting from Richmond Virginia over Labor Day weekend. Athar’s sister-in-law is Virginia senator Ghazala Hashmi. She had a phone interview on Sunday morning so we got to Lincoln Diner around 10:45. They selected the diner because they have had breakfast there once before and just loved it, including its setting and nostalgia, so that’s where they really wanted to
Last evening my granddaughter showed me a collection of photographs she’d taken. I was blown away. As we scrolled through her various collections of trees, marshes, water, and ocean sunrises, she’d often comment, ‘this one’s no good. It’s blurry,’ or “the light’s not right in this one. It almost hides that tree” or “this didn’t
The student debt crisis is largely one of the Republicans’ making. Among the main reasons college became so unaffordable is the slashed state contributions to their state college systems, started during the Reagan presidency, largely brought about because of the George Bush recession and engineered by Republican state legislatures. The average state spent $1,448, or
In our Western culture, we often think of the body’s health and the mind’s health as two distinct things. Back in 1975, Dr. Herbert Benson began to challenge that in The Relaxation Response. Around the same time, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn began helping patients with chronic pain and illness to cultivate mindfulness as a method of
When I first read about PA State Senate candidate John Fetterman renting a plane to tow a banner making fun of his opponent Mehmet Oz’s New Jersey home, I thought that was clever. And reinforcing it with an ad featuring reality star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi of MTV’s “Jersey Shore” jabbing at Oz for leaving his
With continuing gridlock in Washington and increased state legislative action on guns, election laws, abortion, and many other issues, state legislatures are more and more important. Republicans have had an advantage in state governments for a long time but this advantage grew significantly in 2010, when Democratic timidity in the face of the Obamacare backlash
By Tom McCarey Member, National Motorists Association Giving RADAR to municipal police will result in an epidemic of speed traps. Speed limits are not set using highway safety engineering standards. Instead, they are set by local bureaucrats who use their feelings to set speed limits. They think they are so smart that they know which
Earlier this morning my neighbor, who was walking his dog, stopped to chat. He reported reading an article in the New York Times about the correlation of dogs with depression and dementia and exercise. Once we had exhausted that topic we explored that topic of plants. “You know plants have feelings,” he said. “Scientists are
For parents, students, and school staff across the county, the last few weeks have gone by in a blur. Parents’ calendars have been full of new enrollments, registrations, haircuts, clothes and shoes shopping, and doctor’s appointments, while school board members, teachers, and staff members were busy planning open houses, school orientations, “Meet the Teacher” nights,
I’ve been missing him more lately. Perhaps it comes from visiting family and scattering some of his ashes at the foot of his parents’ gravestone. Perhaps it’s the letdown following a very positive family gathering. Perhaps it was celebrating his birthday with the children and grandchildren by each eating a bowl of coffee ice cream (his
It’s been six months since he died. It’s time to move on, to pull myself up by my invisible bootstraps. Time to make a new bucket list, to embrace my new reality; do my best to make the most of each and every day. Years ago one of my counselors asked me, “What would you
Editor’s Note: Robin Wall Kimmerer, Author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, a 2013 nonfiction book that explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land, with a focus on the role of plants and botany in both Native American and Western traditions, will be speaking in Gettysburg on Monday,
Worrying has never solved anything or helped anyone succeed in life. Being concerned is different than worrying. Being concerned acknowledges there are needs and issues to be rationally addressed. Worrying, on the other hand, is like having a gerbil wheel running nonstop in one’s head. It’s worry that robs us of our sleep and keeps
Gratitude is everything. Without gratitude life has little meaning. Without gratitude we are less than we were created to be. Gratitude allows us to see with new eyes, to hear with new ears, and to perceive with new understanding. Gratitude is loving with abandon and joy. Gratitude inspires us to stop and thank the
I’ve been warned that anniversaries are difficult times following a loved one’s death., so I woke up promising myself that I will not feel sorry for myself today. Instead I will celebrate this day in as many ways as I can by focusing on being grateful – not just for what was, but for what
I think it was Charles Swindoll who said, “ Your success or failure in life will not be determined by the number of setbacks you encounter, but rather how you react to them.” The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change
Attitude, it’s been said, makes a big difference in life’s outcomes. No matter how difficult or easy the situations and people with whom we are dealing, our attitude will be a determining factor in what happens and how we react. One of my favorite Native American folk tales is the one in which a
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I grew up believing that I, as a good little Mennonite girl, should always put others first. My role in life, I believed, was to be compliant and attentive to others, to adopt the servant role in all I do, and to always put others first,
When I first broke into the U.S. government consulting business, in 1981, I worked briefly on the continuity of government (COG) program. In particular, I worked on the part of it that was concerned with maintaining the presidential line of succession. I was impressed with the number of statements I signed promising not to breathe
The question, “what is my purpose?” has been rattling around in my head since my spouse died. This morning, while walking several buckets of weeds and table scraps to my neighbors compost pile, an idea popped into my mind. “What if my purpose in life is simply to do no harm? What if it is
As I look back over this past year and the final days with my husband, I have a new appreciation for the phrase “Golden Years.” I think I’ve always thought one’s golden years were more about financial security and being free to come and go, relax, travel, read, volunteer, etc. Yet, after this weekend I
It’s been three months since he died and my friends and family are starting to worry about me. Shouldn’t I be snapping out of this malaise? Why my lack of interest in things I had formerly cared about? In the past, I’ve been able to talk myself out of self pity and resentment when things veered off
If I hear one more person call for more thoughts and prayers in response to gun violence, I think I’ll scream. Thoughts and prayers are worse than meaningless, especially when they are intended to substitute for corrective action. Nor is God going to step in and save us from ourselves. God, you see, has this
Step Five is the step where you share your story with someone you trust. In many ways Step Five is the freedom step. This is “swallow your pride and walk into the light of truth and honesty step.” It’s human nature to try to hide things about ourselves. We’ve all done things for which
Over the past weeks, months, and years, the prospect of change has had residents of the Keystone State sanguine for a foretaste of better days to come. It’s no secret the sudden changes in these last years have been strenuous for everyone and have taken their toll without regard for who you are — gender,
Blogging eluded me yesterday. I simply didn’t have the energy or will power to develop a coherent theme. At this stage of life, blogging has become an important way of helping me reinforce the tools I need to get through my days. It also makes a good vehicle with which to share my 12
By Marcia Wilson, Chair, Adams County Democratic Committee Pennsylvania’s closed Primary Election allows only registered Democrats or registered Republicans to vote for their respective party’s candidates. Republican voters have numerous choices for their US Senate, Pennsylvania Governor and Lt. Governor candidates in the fall. Democratic voters have fewer candidates running for those offices, and it’s
I’ve been experiencing blogger’s block. For the past few days each time I sit down to write, pray, or meditate all I experience is emptiness, an emotional and spiritual void. So I fiddle with this and mess with that, hoping something will emerge from waiting. It’s not that I’m unhappy. In fact, the days are
A new concern emerges now that I am alone…I could easily become absorbed in me. My grief. My sadness. My concerns. My feelings. As each day passes I’m becoming more aware of how easily I could slip into self pity. I started attending 12 step meetings many years ago because our teens had gotten caught
With so many people running for leading offices in our state during the upcoming primary, several of whom are not even Pennsylvanians, I would like to call attention to Austin Davis, a Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor. At least 48 state representatives support his candidacy. And Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is now running for Governor, has
You are running because you care about your community and believe you can make a difference in Harrisburg. But what you probably don’t know is that, if you are elected, the first two votes you take on January 3, 2023 will determine whether you can truly represent us. Less than 24 hours before that day
The Green Gettysburg Book Club first met on Valentine’s Day in 2020. When the pandemic hit, we went online and have been riding high on Zoom once a week ever since. Along with attempting to become a little better informed about the practical things we can do to protect the environment, we have also been
Since he died, I find myself asking the same question each morning when I awake. “What’s the point of getting up? Where do I now find my meaning and purpose in life?” Up until now I was the wind beneath his wings as he was mine. Now that he is gone, I am faced with
Routines are important. Routines give structure to one’s day, awaken one’s mental juices, help jump start the morning. One of the hardest things about adjusting to my husband’s death is the disruption of long established routines. Most of our meaningful discussions came while getting dressed in the morning and eating breakfast. I recall a
Well, this is it. My new life. Over the weekend we buried his ashes in a puddle of watery mud and had his memorial service. Family and friends who came for his service have returned to their everyday lives. Everywhere I look I see reminders that reduce me to a tearful ball of gratitude. I
The focus statement in Sunday’s bulletin read: “As we seek God’s way, we move from an understanding of power that grasps for control over others to an understanding that power comes from working with and for others.” That idea was further developed in the Call to Worship. “Together we seek the way of God, a
By Sue Cipperly, Gettysburg The Waste Management contract for Gettysburg begins today, April 1. WM trucks are out delivering trash receptacles to those who have had them, or requested them, based on records provided by the borough. If folks don’t get a bin, they can follow the instructions on the borough website – www.gettysburgpa.gov — to
An oft repeated 12 step saying is “Fake it till you make it.” I find that excellent advice as I set about creating my new life as a widow. No matter what challenge faces any of us – death, addiction, recovery, losing a job, divorce, business failure, debt, an empty nest, starting a business, getting
The Borough Council was asked to consider a change to the zoning ordinance for the Elm Street Overlay area, which lies between Middle Street and South Street, and between Franklin Street and Court Alley (the Methodist Church) on West High Street. (See map) This area has been dubbed “Olde Getty Place”. The change request is
It’s been a week. A long short forever week since he died. To paraphrase Edna St Vincent Milay, “Life goes on though good men die. Life goes on. It’s time to discover why.” My aching body and broken heart isn’t ready to move on, but remembering his courage in face of his disabilities and illnesses,
Attorney Kristin Rice spoke about racism in the legal system at an online “Mission Moment” meeting last week. The presentation was sponsored by the YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams County. Rice said she spoke not in her official capacity, but rather as a “student of criminal justice and race.” Rice has been working in the
Last evening my companion and lover embarked on life’s greatest adventure …exploring the afterlife. I’m feeling; well I’m not sure what I am feeling. Numb. Abandoned. Relieved. Anxious. Angry. Exhausted. Lonely. Afraid. Once again, I find myself taking a first step; admitting over and over that I am powerless over almost everything that matters. Like
There is something in us that clings to life. We do a lot of grumbling and complaining, but when push comes to shove, we hang on with every ounce of our being. My spouse of 63 years is finally taking his leave. He’s no longer eating or drinking. At times he’s been agitated. He mumbles
I haven’t wanted to blog the past few days as I have been running on automatic pilot. Reality is closing in even as it seems very distant and unreal. I am fascinated by the way we create our own reality. Ukraine provoked war with Russia? Russia is so threatened the West it is going on
Guilt, it’s been said, is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s the 2nd part of the 12 step saying “pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.” We all experience pain and guilt. They are both inevitable with guilt being one of our basic human responses to much in life. Without guilt we’d never learn,
In the forward to my book, Steps to Hope, I wrote: “To my four wonderful children. You taught me in unforgettable ways that we can either be “bitter” about our trials in life, or “better” because of them. Together we learned that the difference between bitterness and betterment is one letter and one person. I.” My
My first month as Mayor of Gettysburg has been a busy one. Community safety is a top priority, and I have been working with the police department toward that end. I have spoken with each of the officers and spent a lot of time discussing department operations with Chief Glenny. My goal of listening to the variety
My name is Jessica Laganosky, and I am the branch director at the Jean Barnett Trone Memorial Library of East Berlin. The Trone Memorial Library has served the East Berlin community for over forty-five years. In 2016, the library building expanded in size to provide more community space for browsing of library materials; space for
Here we are, amid winter, a tenacious virus and moping about trying to fend off the blues. Well, have you ever thought of looking closely at a snowflake? It’s a unique structure of water and cosmic particles, yielding the most exceptional beauty. Science says that the odds of two snowflakes being exactly alike are about
When climate scientist and evangelical Christian Katharine Hayhoe was scheduled to give a talk at a West Texas Rotary Club luncheon, she was a little unsure about how to connect with her audience despite being a longtime Texas resident herself. Climate change and its human causes, she figured, might well be a hard sell with
I learned to love books as a kid. Born before TV and technology came on the scene, a crank telephone hanging from the wall and a big console radio were all that connected us to the distant world. I was in college before my folks got their first television set so my childhood centered around
A new year brings new goals and Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority has several plans this year to improve and update several areas around the rec park. One of these goals has already been completed this year thanks to Cumberland Township. There were multiple trees around the dog park and path surrounding the dog park that
This being one of those days where life just keeps disrupting my carefully laid plans, I reached for my 12 step file and flipped through the pages until I found what I needed to detach from my to do list. I am connected to others and the world around me, both the positive and
There is something about watching an amaryllis bulb grow and unfold during these dark winter days that speaks to me of hope and beauty. I admit that I am easily discouraged with all the negative energy polluting our emotional and social air waves and environment, that our self limiting fears and suspicions are far more
Letting go is a vitally important 12 step principle, for without our willingness to let go, nothing can change. Step One tells us that we have to let go of what was before so we can enter into what can be; that which will liberate and heal us. Nor is Step One a once and
It is my privilege to serve as the current president of the Adams County Library System Board of Trustees. Like many residents of Adams County, I got my first library card as a small child and have enjoyed the library’s materials, programs, and services my whole life. Where else can you borrow the current best
I’ve been captivated by the journey of the James Webb Space Telescope since its launch on Christmas Day. The whole project is astonishing and a bit surreal in the sense that it involves the unfolding and rigging of a football-field sized scientific instrument that was crammed into the nose cone of an Ariane rocket. No