Port Colborne buries present for city’s future
The population of Port Colborne in 50 years can look forward to finding out more about what was going on in the city in 2018 thanks to the efforts of the local museum.
At an event Saturday at Vale Health and Wellness Centre, one that included awards handed out by Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey to people making positive impacts on the community, a time capsule was buried with 70 items that reflect Port Colborne’s current climate, as well as the entire country’s, for people in 2067 to analyze and appreciate.
Stephanie Powell Baswick, curator and manager of Port Colborne Historical and Marine Museum, said the initiative starts a new cycle following the unearthing of a capsule that was placed at the same address as Vale Centre in 1967.
With many things to be proud of and excited about in Port Colborne, she said it’s appropriate timing to host such an event.
“We feel we’ve really improved since our last time capsule.”
The package unveiled last year consisted mostly of newspaper clippings, but the one placed in the ground on the weekend holds a “broad range” of items.
There were pieces submitted by local schools and service clubs, flags, a photo of the current local government, coins, letters from Mayor John Maloney and Badawey, items related to Canada 150, and much more.
“It’s all about watching future heritage, but also being a part of it,” Powell Baswick said.
Maloney said he was thrilled to be a part of the capsule planted at Vale Health and Wellness Centre, especially at an event celebrating its fifth year of operation.
“It’s a little vignette of Port Colborne history and we couldn’t do this on a better day.”
Both Maloney and Powell Baswick said the diversity contained in the capsule wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of Quintin Keddy, a former co- op student from Lakeshore Catholic High School who has graduated but still volunteered his time for the endeavour.
For the awards, Badawey’s office put out a call for nominees in the summer of 2017, Canada’s sesquicentennial 150th year since Confederation.
There were 181 nominations across his riding, which consists of Port Colborne, Welland, Wainfleet, Thorold and south St. Catharines.
Badawey said it was extremely difficult narrowing it down to 75 finalists.
“It was really hard. I wish we could have given them to everybody,” said Badawey.
“It’s so important that we simply take time to reflect and say thank you,” he said.
“We wouldn’t have the quality of life we do without these individuals.”
The recipients were awarded for community building and volunteerism, contributions to environment, business and education, and for youth and senior leadership.
The volunteers acknowledged by Badawey and his office range from age 12 to 92 and come from “all walks of life,” he said.