Story by Christine

Tibbetts

Photos by G. W. Tibbetts

tibbetts1@bellsouth.net

Been there, done that doesn’t always ring true when you’re considering a vacation, or even a day trip.

Two November days in a small city I’ve known for 30 years showed me so much impressive change that I guess from now on I’d better retrace my steps to other places I’ve been instead of dreaming about new destinations.

Albany, Ga., is 40 miles from my house and light years from what I thought I knew about it.

Much of the credit goes to outstanding new facilities with plenty of hands-on opportunities for visitors. Somebody from this population of 85,000 figured out how to raise money and spend it wisely.

How about a planetarium so fine only three have been made? This one opens Dec. 6, the second one might light up by New Year’s at Yale University and the third doesn’t have a buyer yet. Sounds cutting edge to me for a small city located on a river, but not an interstate.

Attached to the planetarium is a brand new Science Museum which geologist and resident historian Stephen Syfrett says “expands exponentially our science-teaching capabilities.”

This is rural Georgia, a town historically surrounded by plantations—seven of them local folks like to say. That means you get a broad look at lush fields, promising crops and agricultural technology any way you approach, and then a fascinating close-up look at history, science, wildlife and some fine music all over town.

The new Wetherbee Planetarium symbolizes more than the night sky. With a high definition system made by the Spitz Company, which creates optical equipment for Disney, Universal Studios, Imax and international destinations, the Albany planetarium offers the latest technology, according to director Tommy Gregors.

“We’ll be limited only by creativity and budget,” he says, “because of the options of this high definition, fully integrated technology.

“We can show the real-time sky, turn the sun off and show you the starry sky by day, or order up the sky on any date.”