By Rachel Basinger

Published: Monday, March 26, 2007

Under a slight drizzle Saturday, dozens of Connellsville residents marched from Paul G. Fink Funeral Home to city hall for the burial of the Bicentennial Time Capsule.

Following music and fanfare from the Connellsville Joint Veterans Commission Colorguard, trombonist Harold Betters, singer Blake Michaux, bagpiper Vinnie Traynor and the Molinaro Band, officials thanked the crowd for taking a part in the event.

"Fifty years from now a future generation will open the capsule and instantly travel back to 2006 and get a first hand look at the events that took place during the city's bicentennial," said Dennis Heath, funeral director at Paul G. Fink Funeral Home, which donated the vault and coordinated the burial.

Heath said the capsule not only includes bicentennial items, but historical items, including yearbooks from the 1930s to present, restaurant menus, club and church membership rosters, photographs, sealed items for particular recipients, and a banner from the Bicentennial Parade.

"This will be a valuable history lesson for future generations," he said. "Today we bury the present so that future generations can have a true glimpse of life in the city during the bicentennial."

Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed presented a proclamation declaring the bicentennial and its celebration concluded with the burying of the time capsule.

"Whereas this is a unique burial of the time capsule, it will remain in the memory of everyone here today," she said.

State Rep. Deberah Kula said the day will be a fond memory for the children involved.

"I hope these young people will vividly remember this day so they can tell their children and grandchildren about it some day," she said. "Fifty years from now, when this is opened, you can say you were here when it was buried."

The vault will remain buried until 2056, when many of the children present will be grandparents. Reed is hoping someone will donate a site marker.

1. NHL insider: Penguins’ Shero seems ready to move Letang
2. Pitt gets commits from QB, local RB
3. Pirates notebook: Beanballs escalate tension against Reds
4. Morton, quick start propel Pirates past Reds
5. Penguins notebook: Pens talking with Dupuis’ reps
6. Munhall manager resigns
7. Pirates announce signing of first-round pick McGuire
8. Everson council working on new garbage contract
9. Munhall police update abandoned-homes list
10. Norwin Junior Legion has call to arms
11. Former president of Derry Area Football Boosters Club charged with stealing $27,000 from group

Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.