Editorials 175th Lancaster anniversary dinner By Lee Chowaniec / Gary Howell Sep 23, 2008, 00:28 Email this article  Printer friendly page Near 400 Lancaster residents, officials and invited dignitaries attended a dinner this past Tuesday at Salvatores Italian Gardens to celebrate Lancaster’s 175th anniversary. The event culminated six months of planning and celebration activities that began in mid May. Some of the events that took place and were coordinated through the town and the work of the 175th anniversary committee were: Dunn Tire Raceway (free admission to Lancaster residents) Hull House Ice Cream Musicale, special concert by the Lancaster Town Band, the Fourth of July celebration, the Taste of Lancaster, the opening of the Town Hall cornerstone to retrieve a 1984 time capsule, Arts in the Village and a Lancaster Rural Cemetery tour. Retrieving the old time capsule The time capsule had been retrieved from a cornerstone in the Lancaster Town Hall sometime in June. The contents had been kept secret from the public until such time they could be extracted and preserved and presented at the anniversary dinner. Supervisor Robert Giza had come across a photograph of a group of workers who appeared to be placing a metal box in a cornerstone of Town Hall during its construction 114 years ago. Despite concerns that the metal container may contain nothing more than a worker’s lunch, he decided it befitting to retrieve and open the container for the 175th anniversary occasion. Supervisor Giza admits then when he first touched the deteriorating metal box, “I almost shook.” Supervisor Giza and 175th anniversary Chair Kim Chiarmonte retrieving old time capsule - June 2008 Time capsule retrieved from Town Hall cornerstone - June 2008 New time capsule Supervisor Giza and retrieved old time capsule Time capsule with committee members Dinner Celebration Cocktails, music and hors D’oeuvres were provided from 6 pm to 7pm. Prior to the dinner serving an invocation was given by Town Historian Ben Maryniak who was dressed in period attire. Historian Ben Maryniak Proclamations were offered by Lancaster Village Mayor William G. Cansdale, Erie County Executive Chris Collins, Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst, NYS Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, NYS Senator Dale Volker and Governor David Patterson. Legislator Kathy Konst presenting proclamation Lancaster Village Mayor William Cansdale presenting proclamation State Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak presents proclamation to Supervisor Robert Giza Preceding and during the five-course dinner, guests were entertained by the Victorian Dance Society of the Amherst Museum, again in period costumes and music of that era. The dancers began their event with a grand march which in that era was the beginning of the ball and gave the ladies an opportunity to check out each other’s garments and accessories. Amherst Victorian dancers After dinner came the featured attraction of the evening, the revealing of the time capsule contents, along with a Power Point presentation by Buffalo State College Professor Elizabeth Pena and Associate Professor Judith Walsh, on how the contents of the box were extracted and preserved (covered with Mylar). Although some of the materials are in poor shape and indistinguishable, many of the discovered materials were removed and restored. The box held several index-sized business cards and 29 other items; a trolley car schedule, two pennies dating back to the 1890’s and photographs. The items were on display Tuesday evening for the guests and will be displayed for all residents and visitors to examine at the Clark Street Historical Society building. A new cornerstone time capsule container, sized larger than the old one, will have near 50 items placed in it. Time capsule - Historic Cards Time capsule - Historic Cartoon Time capsule - Rival political gardeners Planning Board Chair Stanley J. Keysa asked for some time to present a brief history on the founding and settlement of Lancaster. Supervisor Giza told Keysa, “We’ll give you five minutes. We know you will take more, but remember, we have a big hook.” Keysa retorted, “Impossible, I will need 15 minutes.” Wagers were being made as to how long Keysa would take. The individual who picked 24 minutes was the winner. However, Keysa was excellent as usual in presenting his knowledge on Lancaster’s past history and had the undivided attention of all attendees. Stanley J. Keysa After the presentation of the Supervisor’s plague, 175th anniversary committee chairperson Kim S. Chiarmonte introduced the committee members and thanked all who participated in making all the summer events and the anniversary dinner successful. Supervisor Robert Giza accepting Supervisor's Plaque Committee members: Joyce Bascom Jennifer Benzel Patricia Blackett Lee Chowaniec Gary Costello Ann Detzler Jeanette Dickinson Phyllis Dickenson Supervisor Robert Giza Kenneth Graber Cristen Gregory Gary Howell Darlene Humphrey Lisa Johnson Kathy Konst Vickie Lang Bonnie Negron Diane Savatteri Karl Schurkus Milly Wittaker © Copyright 2008 by Speakupwny.com Top of Page

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