Picture Butte shares pieces of the past at time capsule opening

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Excitement and curiosity filled the air as hundreds of Picture Butte residents and visitors from across the region gathered for the town’s time capsule opening on Aug. 16, during its annual Jamboree Days. 

Picture Butte Mayor Cathy Moore welcomed everyone to the event and the weekend’s festivities that included a parade, kids activities, a street dance, fireworks, the time capsule opening and more. 

Master of Ceremonies for the time capsule opening were former Town of Picture Butte councillors Sandy Koenen and Vinko Nemecek.   

“Right here 25 years ago, people just like us – our friends, parents, teachers and some of ourselves, gathered to seal away a piece of time – a snapshot of Picture Butte at the turn of the new century,” Moore told the large crowd outside the North County Recreation Complex. “They tucked away letters, memories, hopes, maybe even a few jokes, and left it here for us to discover today.” 

In her remarks, Moore noted that a time capsule was “more than just a box of objects.” 

“It’s a message from the past, it’s a reminder of where we come from, how far we’ve come and how some things like this community spirit stands the test of time,” she said. “Now with excitement, curiosity and just a bit of nostalgia, let’s open this time capsule and see what stories the past has to share with us.” 

Some of the items inside the time capsule included a large photo of the Picture Butte town council in 2000, a pin from the Town of Picture Butte, a pin from the Walk on the Wildside Society, a menu from the Picture Butte hospital, a copy of a survey of the Village of Picture Butte from 1953, a Special Pikachu Edition of Nintendo’s Pokemon Game Boy, a VHS video from Bert’s A.G. Foods store, two copies of the Sunny South News, a Super Savers coupon book, a copy of the Lethbridge Real Estate Board Co-op, a Sears catalogue, a pair of The Lion King socks, and a pack of Export ‘A’ cigarettes, among other items.   

“It really brought the town together. I could not believe how many people showed up. It was really something to see, all the people that came,” said long-time Picture Butte resident Pat Bodnar, who has lived in town for 50 years and was at the event with friend Elizabeth Stroebe. “I would like to be back in 25 years to see what we (will) put in (the time capsule) now because so much has changed.”   

Following the ceremony, Moore said she was thrilled with the turnout and the overall success of the time capsule opening.  

“The turnout was phenomenal. I’m so happy and impressed with our community and the spirit that we have here, it’s amazing,” said Moore, noting the town will have the items from the time capsule on display at various locations over the next year. “It was an exciting time and we’ll let everybody in the community know where the first (viewing) is going to be so everybody can come and take a good look at them.”