Celebrating the time capsule at the Bassett Ah-Wa-Ga Center in Owego, N.Y.
Owego residents send time capsule greetings to 2115.
Pictured, are time capsule contents.
Pictured, the time capsule is packed.
Where will you be in 100 years? If you are like most of us you will be part of Owego’s rich past. On Oct. 25, local citizens gathered at the Bassett Ah-Wa-Ga Center at 34 1/2 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. to put together a time capsule with messages to the future and the citizens of Owego in 2115.
The idea behind the time capsule, according to Robert Clarke Bassett, president of the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation which operates the Ah-Wa-Ga Center, was to provide the opportunity to speak through writing and other creative means to those will who be living in Owego 100 years from now.
It was an optimistic bunch that gathered at the Center to place their personal letters to the future in the time capsule. Some expressed concern about the trends in social and community life and wondered if people in the future generations will value face to face communication or even have the skills to live together peacefully in unity with others in the community.
Owego elders Alice Smith and Eudora Shuler, both 92, agreed that times and trends will change but Owego will survive. Tom and Sally McEnteer expressed hope that citizens of future Owego will care about and work to preserve the unique qualities and rich heritage of Owego’s centuries of community life.
Roger Westgate carved an angel to place in the time capsule to look over it for the next century. Owego Free Academy student Decker Ayers wished that those in the future “remember to live with heart” even amidst an increasingly complex and fast paced world.
Over 30 cards and letters to the future were put in the time capsule from individuals living in eight different states across the country. All share a love of and interest in Owego.
Alice Smith prepares her time capsule card.
Other items placed in the time capsule included business cards, currency and coins, and other information about 2015 Owego including local government, churches, and shops.
Dave Dewey-Wright created a photo collection of buildings and businesses along Lake, Front and Main Streets to capture the look of Owego 2015 as it is today. Only time will tell what Owego will look like in 100 years. The official time capsule, #8352, was sealed after placing a signed greeting card to the future in it from those who were gathered.
The new Dr. Suess book, “What Pet Should I Get”, was signed and dedicated to the time capsule’s placement at the Ah-Wa-Ga Center. A nod was given to the many Basset Hound dog items and images, which adorn the Ah-Wa-Ga Center’s interior.
Roger Westgate is pictured with the angel that will look over the time capsule.
Just in case those in Owego 2115 who open the capsule are having an off day, a bottle of Owego made J & J Concord wine was placed in an adjacent container with the message, “Open this first”.
