CHAZY — An area family had a chance to step back in time recently as Chazy Lake Beach welcomed more than 50 members of the Emery-Brennan clan stretching from New York to California to open a time capsule buried there 25 years ago.
The original time capsule, which contained relics from approximately 30 members of the Emery-Brennan clan, was closed on July 4, 1999, with the intention of being opened every quarter century.
“Many people read about ‘noted’ people from history, but this is our family history, which is important.” Monica Emery said.
“This is local history.”
CAPSULE RELICS
Ken and Bill Brennan collected from the participants various items from the late 19th and 20th centuries including magazines, newspapers, cigars, a floppy disk, a bottle of Jim Beam Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky, a 25-year-old twinkie, personal letters and more.
On Sunday, June 30, family members and friends of the Emery-Brennan clan from San Francisco, to Chicago, to New York gathered at Chazy Lake Beach to uncover the capsule.
To ensure the safe-keeping and timely opening of the capsule, six trustees were enlisted to plan for this year’s opening ceremony.
“One of the things my dad, Ken, set up was the trustee infrastructure. He kept it simple. He appointed younger trustees who will be replaced by even younger trustees, ” Andrea Bortner, Ken’s daughter, said.
“I started planning last year so people can see it and save the date. It’s hard when people are so far away. Some are, I am, here from California, some Florida.”
TRUSTEE SYSTEM
Those trustees were Marcia Balzer, a Brennan; Matt Bigelow; Andrea Bortner, an Emery; Everett Emery, Michelly Kennedy and Aimee Ortega.
“I think this is a great idea to keep everyone connected,” Bigelow said.
“We don’t see each other like this often, so this is something to look forward to.”
The next set of trustees has already been chosen to carry the tradition forward into the next 25 years. Those trustees are Brenna Bortner, Everett Emery, Monti Emery, Shaemus Kennedy and Jack Wanzung.
“We were kind of thrown into this position, but in 25 years it will be cool,” Kennedy said.
WILL MEET AGAIN IN 2049
Plans for the next Time Capsule, to be closed on August 1, include a bigger trunk to fit the previous items, and the new items to-be-collected.
The next opening is scheduled for July 1, 2049.
THE HISTORY THEY CONVEY
Before opening the time capsule, Andrea Bortner gave some remarks about the significance and origins of the tradition.
“As you make your way through the papers, photos and other objects, take time to appreciate the history they convey. Reflect upon the experiences that have shaped nearly all of our lives 25 years later. Each piece had special meaning to the person who added it, some of whom are no longer with us,” she said.
“It is not just a simple reflection of time passed, but one of adventure, challenge, chaos, growth and joy of life.”
Monica Emery followed with some remarks, thanking the trustees for successfully carrying the tradition for its first opening and generations to come.
According to Monica, the youngest member of the family is 3 weeks old, and the oldest is Ken, who was born in 1937.
CRACKING IT OPEN
The first thing Ken pulled from the capsule was a bottle of Jim Beam with a note taped to it which read: “Celebrate the contents of this time capsule by sipping the contents of this fine bourbon. It will enhance the experience and fulfill a grand Chazy Lake tradition.”
Another highlight of the contents rediscovered within was a quarter-decade old Twinkie, entered by Karen Mucci, to put an old-myth about the Twinkies’ shelf life to the test.
The note with it read, “This is to put to rest once and for all the infamous question: Exactly how long does a Twinkie last?”
John Wanzung, a member of the Pittsburgh Emerys, volunteered to take a bite out of the original .89 cent Twinkie, followed by a few more daring individuals.
According to Wanzung, it was “surprisingly sweet,” but had a “bitter aftertaste.”
“I would not recommend it to anyone,” he said.
EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Many participants, in the 25 years since the capsule’s closing, forgot what they had entered in the time capsule.
“My husband and I could not remember what we put in the capsule,” Bortner said.
“Personally, I was a little anxious to see.”
Ken also created worksheets with questions and prompts for participants to answer and leave for their future selves.
People reminisced over old memories through pictures and personal letters.
“It’s very emotional, in a good way,” Bortner said.
Many participants needed more than a quick look at the contents of the time capsule to process what they left themselves.
“I need to take it home, sit, and absorb it.” Bortner said.
‘VERY REWARDING’
Ken and Monica strongly encourage other families to adopt this tradition in order to carry on family and local history.
According to Ken, a time capsule is a “learning experience,”
“It reveals something that isn’t captured in today’s way of communicating.” he said.
And Monica felt it was a “very rewarding,” and “encouraging,” experience.
“Once people are aware of the value of having a capsule, a family-capsule, there may be more understanding of why people are the way they are, for all kinds of reasons,” she said.
“I was surprised how many people were interested in magazines from the 1940s.”
It is a way to get the younger generation interested in family history.
“It’s not just for looking forward, but looking back and seeing where we have been,” Monica said.