Plains Twp. opens 1976 Bicentennial time capsule

PLAINS TWP. — A big crowd turned out for Friday’s opening of the time capsule that Plains Township buried 50 years ago during the country’s bicentennial celebration.

About 30 items were unearthed, but because of 50 years of groundwater seepage, the condition of most of them was not very good.

But that didn’t stop the celebration, as Plains Township Commissioner Rob Sax read the list of items and promised that when a new time capsule is buried in September, all precautions will be taken to ensure it is preserved for whoever opens it in 2076.

Items that have been identified from the capsule from 1976:

• Holy Bible

• Bicentennial banner for Plains Township

• Green ledger with 636 names of Plains Township residents

• Book of minutes for meetings held in 1975 and 1976

• “Reasons for Tears” from the Plains Narcotic Squad (Headed by Sgt. John Timko)

• 1977 Bell Telephone book

• History of Plains Township by M.V. Hughes (Plains Rotary Club)

• The 1972 Flood book and letter of greeting from Kaye and Walter Darling

• White Chevrolet model car and 1976 book of different model cars (Gene Lispi)

• 46 pictures of the 1976 Bicentennial Parade on July 2, 1976

• Empty Florio’s Pizza box

• One silver dollar (1976) $2 bill currency, .25 and .50 coins

• One dozen envelopes with different year stamps

• Stationary stamped with bicentennial corporate seal

• Calculator and adapter — Filippini Bus statement

• The Pennsylvania Manual (1974-1975) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Rep. Ray Musto)

• Legion life membership card Post 558 (Andy Walco)

• Signatures of bicentennial chairman, re-signing of the constitution in the Wyoming Valley Observer, 75 municipalities

• Emblem tag (Plains Rotary)

• Car tag from Plains Township Bicentennial Commission

• American Flag that was flown over the White House in Washington, D.C. (Plains Municipal firemen)

• The ARBK flag and the Benington, or Betsy Ross flag

• Ambulance car tags

• A letter of greeting

• Copy of original charter — corporation papers (1975-1976)

• Song book (Rev. Robert Wood)

• Bicentennial Corporate Seal Stamp for Plains Township (1975)

• Cylinder from Plains Fire Department with names of Fire Department members

• Plains Police Department arm patch of police and special police force

• Pictures of poem presentation to Luzerne County Commission and Plains Bicentennial Commission (True Spirit for Freedom) Versed by Rena Baldrica, bicentennial secretary.

“We had a great turnout for this hometown-proud event,” Sax said. “Our goal was to revisit the town of 50 years ago. No matter how big our town gets, we always want to keep that small-town feel intact.”

Sax thanked all the people who attended the ceremony, and he said he appreciated Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, who has represented the township for many years.

“We will do it right in September,” Sax said. “All the items unearthed today will go back in, plus items from today will be added. We haven’t determined what all of those will be.”

Plains Township Commission Peter Biscontini and Board Chairman Thomas Shubilla also attended the event.

“All I have to say is, Plains Proud,” Biscontini said. “I want to thank our wonderful residents — you came out in this scorching weather for such a cool event. Seeing all the people who attended reminds me of how close our Plains community is.”

Shubilla, with the assistance of township resident Luke Dinoski, 5, uncovered the container of 1976 artifacts during the unveiling of the long-buried time capsule.

The excavation and opening ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 3, on the grounds of the Plains Township Municipal Building on North Main Street.

The ceremony coincided with the ongoing community events surrounding the 250th birthday of the United States.

The time capsule was originally buried 50 years ago in 1976 by the Plains Township Bicentennial Committee to mark America’s 200th birthday.

After the contents are reviewed, officials plan to pack a new selection of modern mementos and reseal the capsule to be opened in the year 2076 for America’s Tricentennial.

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