The Old Guard commemorated its 50th anniversary with the dedication of an oak tree and by burying a time capsule in West Hartford’s Fernridge Park.

By Ronni Newton

Two representatives of the Old Guard slowly lowered a stainless steel box into a hole that had earlier been dug on the grounds of West Hartford’s Fernridge Park  – a box intended to remain in place until 2066.

At noon Tuesday, Old Guard President Bob Hill presided over the ceremony which included the dedication of a young 14-foot oak tree and the burying of a time capsule to commemorate the organization’s 50th anniversary. The Old Guard worked with Friends of Fernridge Park, the non-profit group spearheading enhancement of the park, and West Hartford’s Department of Human and Leisure Services to incorporate the tree and a granite marker identifying the time capsule’s location into the park’s landscape.

“With the approach of the 50th anniversary, my thought was to have the tree in remembrance of those who have passed away. The time capsule is our optimism for the future,” Hill said.

Old Guard Publicity Director Don Kauke said that the act of burying of the time capsule will be in the organization’s minutes, with instructions to open it in 2066 when the group celebrates its 100th anniversary. “We will give that responsibility to one of our future officers,” Hill said.

The time capsule itself is airtight, crafted of stainless steel and sealed to withstand the next five decades underground. Hill said that member Lucien Dallaire carefully researched time capsules before selecting this model.

“All is in plastic or paper that will last 50 years,” Hill said regarding the contents of the time capsule. Materials in the capsule include photographs of Old Guard members and events, a list of this year’s speakers, the Wall Street Journal 2015 Year-End Performance, an Old Guard 50th anniversary ball cap and pin, a 2016 coin proof set, a copy of the proposed design enhancements to Fernridge Park, an Old Guard membership roster, and a commemorative proclamation issued by the Town of West Hartford.

“This is a quality group and you do so much for the community and you do it with grace and a sense of respect,” Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor said at the ceremony. “I hope we all treasure history as you do.”

“I hope that in another 50 years there will be a grateful and giving group to open this up,” Cantor said.

Town Manager Ron Van Winkle, who also attended the ceremony, said he is thankful for the granite marker. “We have 30 to 40 time capsules buried in West Hartford. We know where four are today,” he said.

Van Winkle also thanked the Old Guard for the group’s contribution. “The Old Guard is an incredibly wonderful group – it’s what West Hartford is all about. Your collective wisdom is amazing,” he said, and added that he hopes to have the opportunity to join when he retires.

The Old Guard currently has 247 members – retired or semi-retired executives and professionals who meet weekly to discuss timely issues and also provide volunteer service to the community. The oldest member is 97-year-old Ed Dayhill, who was at the group’s meeting earlier in the day but was not among the approximately 30 members who attended the noontime ceremony. Dayhill has been a member of the Old Guard since 1985.

The Old Guard’s major philanthropy is the West Hartford YMCA, with a focus on summer camp scholarships.

In a letter that was also buried in the time capsule, Hill wrote, “We are excited about passing this information on to you, the Old Guard of the future. If you want to make this a tradition, we think our capsule is designed for 100 years and could be reburied with your information for the 2116 Old Guard!!!”

Dallaire and Vice President/President-Elect Jeff Lee had the honor of lowering the time capsule into the ground.

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