(Whitewater Valley)--Thousands of people from near and far were awe-struck by Monday’s total solar eclipse.  Our area caught a huge break with nearly clear skies that provided a perfect view of four minutes of totality.  And when that moment of totality came, people who had gathered in groups all across the Whitewater Valley had the same awe-struck reaction of cheering.  Wayne County leaders had prepared extensively for Monday’s eclipse and none reported any significant issues.  If you’re excited for the next local eclipse, you’ve got a while.  If you are 20 years old today, you’ll be 95 when you can see the next one here.  There are no estimates from law enforcement or other groups about the number of out-of-towners who came to the area for Monday’s eclipse.  Predictions were for as many as 100,000 visitors in Wayne County.  That number clearly did not happen, but all Richmond hotels were booked and full of people from as far away as California.  The predicted road congestion also never materialized; if anything, traffic on I-70 through the area Monday was lighter than normal.  There were no accidents reported anywhere in the Whitewater Valley that significantly impeded traffic.  If you’re wondering what to do with your eclipse glasses now, you can still put them to good use.  In Eaton, eclipse glasses are being collected at the city building to be sent to children in Latin America.  A total solar eclipse will occur there this coming August.