China bicentennial committee to bury time capsule

Bicentennial coordinator Neil Farrington shows off the time capsule that will be buried on June 9, to be recovered 100 years from now.

Neil Farrington, China’s bicentennial coordinator has announced that on Saturday, June 9, at 10 a.m., they will be burying a time capsule for 100 years. The capsule will contain a paper scroll with China grammar school children’s thoughts written in cursive. They will tell what it’s like in the world today and what they imagine life will be like in 100 years.

Why the children? They have an untainted view with their limited knowledge of adult life. They are brutally honest and will not second guess if they are politically correct. Hopefully, with the advancement in medicine and increased longevity, they will be alive to witness the opening of this capsule.

The monument above will celebrate the bicentennial with a granite symbol of the incorporation as the town of China by the Massachusetts Legislators on February 5, 1818. It also shows how the south end (Harlem) joined China in March 1822 and “The Gore” part, of Palermo, in March 1830. On the front will celebrate the first settled date of 1774.

Finally, on a black plaque, it will show the slogan, “The friendliest town in Maine,” and identifying the four distinct villages: China, South China, Weeks Mills and Branch Mills. At the front bottom are instructions to open the time capsule on the first day of summer 2118.

Farrington stated, “Please join in our celebration and enjoy some BBQ chicken cooked by the South China American Legion. The meal and cake are free but only 120 meals will be cooked. Show everyone that we truly are ‘The friendliest town in Maine.’”