Morgan to reunite with friends

MCCALL -- Homecoming week continues for Idaho’s teacher turned astronaut Barbara Morgan.

Tonight, she's really going home to McCall where she taught elementary school for several years. The community is staging a big celebration for their hometown hero.

This is a big deal for McCall -- it was front page news on the local paper and hundreds are expected to gather at McCall-Donnelly High School tonight for a rally.

Barbara Morgan was teaching school here in 1985 when she was selected to be part of the teacher-in-space program.

That dream finally came true 22 years later when Morgan and her fellow astronauts launched into outer space in July.

Now, back on Earth and back home for the first time in years, Morgan is excited to reunite with old friends.

NewsChannel 7 talked to her right before she embarked for McCall this afternoon.

"I’m looking forward to getting up the road, you know the drive is always so beautiful, we couldn't pick a prettier to day to head on up and I look forward to seeing all our buddies back in McCall," said Morgan.

Some of the celebrations planned for Morgan in McCall include the mayor presenting her with the key to the city and a ceremony to name the district's new grade school -- Barbara Morgan Elementary School.

All the events kick off at 7 p.m. -- the first of a weeklong celebration for this now famous school teacher from McCall.