Local News

Capsule Celebration: Nearly 300 gather for village time capsule opening

FALCONER – Nearly 300 people of all ages gathered in Falconer recently for the opening of Falconer's 1976 time capsule with former residents and visitors traveling from across the United States to take part in a celebration of Falconer’s history.

The weekend’s events began the night before the unveiling when Village Historian Brenda Cavallaro led a guided walking tour through the village of Falconer. Twenty people participated, learning about many of the people, places, and events that have shaped the community over the years. The tour provided a fitting introduction to the weekend’s celebration by bringing Falconer’s history to life before the time capsule was opened the following day.

Guests gathered the day of the opening for two hours to visit with friends, neighbors and former classmates with refreshments provided by the Falconer Kiwanis Club. Music from the 1970s played throughout the afternoon, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that celebrated the era in which the time capsule was assembled.

Nearly 300 people attended the opening. The program began with a rendition of the National Anthem performed by a quartet from the Jamestown Harmony Express. Chris Schrader, a Falconer native and Falconer Central School teacher, served as master of ceremonies, welcoming the crowd and sharing the history of the village and the time capsule before guiding attendees through the opening ceremony.

Special guests included Falconer Mayor James Jaroszynski, Anthony "Skip" Cavallaro, Timothy Dunn and Alan Gustafson Jr., all members of the Falconer Village Board; David Kingsley, a former Falconer Village Board member and master of ceremonies; Larry Canaley, deputy county clerk; and Tim Black, Dee Dispenza, Steve Garvey, and Jim Roach, former Falconer Village Board members.

As the time capsule was opened,attendees viewed a remarkable collection of artifacts that preserved a snapshot of life in Falconer during the nation’s Bicentennial year.

Among the items that survived nearly 50 years were photographs, newspaper articles, memorabilia from the Falconer Rotary Club, Falconer Lions Club and Falconer Kiwanis Club, school projects and keepsakes from students representing each school in the Falconer Central School District, sports team photographs, and memorabilia from many village businesses. Together, the collection painted a vivid picture of every day life in Falconer in 1976.

One of the most meaningful discoveries was a Village of Falconer police officer’s uniform belonging to former Falconer Police Officer Randy Wilson, who attended the ceremony with his wife. Enclosed with the uniform were a handwritten note to his son, a copy of the 1976 village police officer’s employment contract, a 1976 calendar page, and a single bullet, offering a unique glimpse into both the professional and personal life of a Falconer police officer nearly five decades ago.

The event was organized by a committee that included Cavallaro, Ro Woodard, Falconer Central School board member and village resident; Melinda Russell, Falconer Central School teacher; and Alan Sr. and Nina Gustafson, village residents. In addition to Schrader, volunteers and sponsors included Cattaraugus County Bank, the Falconer Reunion Committee, the Falconer Kiwanis Club, Sue and Doug Seamans, and Falconer Printing, which offered limited-edition commemorative time capsule apparel for the occasion.

Following the ceremony, the time capsule and its contents were removed for preservation and future display.

“Today’s event was a success,” Cavallaro said. “The weather was perfect and it was so wonderful to see so many friends, old and new, and neighbors who wanted to be part of this historic occasion.”