Time capsule unearthed after 25 years

There was a loud cheer from City of Brandon parks and recreation staff Friday morning after they dug deep and found the time capsule that had been buried almost 25 years ago in a flower bed outside city hall.

It was the moment Phyllis Elliott, 95, said she had been waiting for and counting down since the capsule was buried on Dec. 6, 2000 by UCT (United Commercial Travelers) Brandon.

“We were all actually excited because some didn’t have any idea what was in there, and for others — we can’t remember,” Elliott said as she laughed.

Elliott and dozens of other curious past and present UCT members gathered on the steps of city hall, along with former mayor Reg Atkinson and former councillor Beth Smale.

Everyone was curious to see what items were tucked inside the used artillery shell and wrapped in a plastic bag from Walmart.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett did the honours as he read aloud from several plasticized lists and held up collector pins.

“World Youth Baseball pin, millennium committee postcard, pin and tattoos, parks and recreation leisure guide — and oh hey, a James Ehnes CD,” Fawcett said, referring to Brandon-born Ehnes, who has become a world-renowned violinist.

There was also a Brandon city map with bus routes, a VHS tape of a news program and noon-hour show from defunct television station CKX, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba program brochures, and something that caught Atkinson’s attention — a 25-year-old brochure listing farm machinery.

“I was a farm equipment dealer,” Atkinson said, “and when you think about it, there’s been so much that has changed, especially a combine in that brochure. I remember the prices being 60 to 70 thousand (dollars). Now they’re pushing a million bucks.”

Members of the non-profit UCT came up with the idea for a time capsule and formed a millennium committee to make it happen after city council laid out a challenge in 1999.

“They asked the public and all community groups to plan something for the millennium,” Elliott said. “So, we got going. I was the chairman, and we had 11 people heading other committees. We planned a homecoming with high schools and made our UCT building on Richmond Avenue the headquarters.

“The last item on our list was the time capsule, and council approved it.”

Atkinson, even though he was mayor at the time, said he wasn’t present when the time capsule went in the ground.

“But I think this is great. People tell me I couldn’t make it because of a snowstorm,” he said, laughing at himself for not remembering.

“But we most likely won’t be around for another one, and that’s what makes this so interesting.”

Smale was councillor from 1998 to 2005. As she looked at the items displayed on long tables, she said, “I just read the regional health authority newsletter and saw some familiar names and faces.

“Think about how much the world has changed in 100 years, and just in 25 years it’s been speeding up,” Smale said.

“Maybe we should start putting things in a capsule now for another 25 years — like car keys. I’m seeing a commercial where you use your phone to start your car.”

Smale was featured in the Dec. 6, 2000 edition of The Brandon Sun when the time capsule was placed in the ground.

In the photo, Smale was holding a plaque that read, “Brandon 2000 Millennium Time Capsule To Be Opened July 1, 2025.”

A former city councillor, the late Marie Kotyk, was pictured with a shovel in her hand and UCT committee member Bernice Nerbas was standing next to the two, looking on.

“We were so surprised how excited everyone was,” Nerbas said.

“I’m 90 and she’s 95,” she said, pointing to Elliott. “And we were standing right here after getting the approval 25 years ago and we said, ‘We don’t need to worry about the opening of the capsule, because neither of us will be here.’ But we’re glad we are.”

UCT member Eldon Schmitz said the items will be laid out at the group’s annual corn roast scheduled for August. In the meantime, he is considering contacting the Brandon General Museum and Archives to gauge their interest in displaying some of the memorabilia.

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