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CITY OF SANIBEL
Parking map for the Sanibel Time Capsule: Honoring Our Past, Charting Our Future on Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon in front of City Hall on Sanibel.
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CITY OF SANIBEL
Commemorative postcard that the community can fill out for inclusion in the new time capsule.
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The city of Sanibel will mark the end of its 18-month celebration honoring its 50th anniversary.
Presented and sponsored by the city and Bank of the Islands, Sanibel Time Capsule: Honoring Our Past, Charting Our Future will take place on Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon in front of City Hall.
Recreation Department Director Andrea Miller explained that the celebration recognizing the city’s incorporation began on Nov. 5, 2024, when city officials and the 50th Anniversary Workgroup unearthed a time capsule placed in the ground at City Hall — on the same day, some 40 years prior.
“As a conclusion, we have a new time capsule that will have some previous things from the original time capsule, as well as some new things,” she said, adding that the new one will be reopened in 2049 on the city’s 75th anniversary.
The celebration ceremony will kick off with a welcome from City Manager Dana Souza, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by The Sanibel School National Junior Honor Society member Ava Wodjeski and the national anthem performed by the BIG ARTS Community Chorus. The Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss, rector at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, will offer the innovation.
The “Voices of Today, Echoes for Tomorrow” part of the program will feature remarks from island school National Junior Honor Society President Mason Fase and Sanibel Captiva Young Professionals representatives, along with a performance by the Children’s Education Center of the Islands students.
Roots in Resilience volunteer and City Councilmember John Henshaw will say a few words, in addition to Mayor Mike Miller. The ceremony will conclude with the council sealing up the new time capsule for installation and then bank President Robbie Roepstorff offering the closing remarks.
Miller explained that the wrap-up celebration and new capsule focus a little more on Sanibel’s future.
“One thing that was in the original time capsule was a junonia shell, so that will be put back in,” she said, adding that old causeway tickets once needed to cross over the bridge and other certain items from the original capsule were selected for placement in the new one to preserve that history of the island.
The city also did an all call to Sanibel nonprofits and organizations for submissions.
“Those will be enclosed in the new time capsule,” Miller said, noting that there will be a portion of a brick from the Sanibel Lighthouse keeper’s cottages that were lost in Hurricane Ian, with a plaque.
“An ode to the past and what we hope for the future, but also recognizing what the island has been through the past five years or so,” she added.
The community has the opportunity to share their own words, hopes and reflections.
A total of 250 postcards are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Sanibel Recreation Center and bank. Participants will complete the postcard by beginning their message with “My future wish for Sanibel is …” and include their full name. Postcards must be returned no later than Jan. 8.
“People can write a message for their hopes, their vision for the city,” Miller said. “We will put as many of them as we can into the time capsule.”
Celebration attendees will receive a commemorative button.
Following the ceremony and program, Lunch & Legacy: Together At The Table will be held behind City Hall. Free and open to the community, it will feature feature food, festivities and fellowship.
“Bank of the Islands is honored to stand with our community as we celebrate Sanibel’s history and invest in its future,” Roepstorff said. “Supporting this milestone event reflects our deep commitment to this island, its people and the legacy we are helping preserve for the next generation.”
Danny Morgan will provide entertainment from noon to 2 p.m.
The following partners will have table set up with a variety of activities: A Little Adventure, Alair Homes, Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and Aquarium, Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, FPRestoration, Hendrick & Co., Intersport, Key West Express, MacIntosh Books + Paper, Minnesota Twins, Pool Escapes, Saint Michael and All Angels, San Cap Pink Project, SanCap Chamber, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Historical Village and Museum, Sanibel Public Library, Sanibel Skin Spa, Santiva Islanders, Simple Social, and Timeless Ties Permanent Jewelry.
There will also be games like cornhole, giant Jenga and a large Connect 4.
Bailey’s will provide hot dogs and bratwursts, with the food truck Tacos La Isla on site. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille will supply chips, ice tea and lemonade, while Jerry’s Foods will have custom-made cookies for the special occasion. Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream will serve up its ice cream.
The public is invited to come out.
“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of Sanibel’s history in a lot of ways,” Miller said, adding that it will entail reflecting back on the past and looking forward to the future. “As we have younger members of the community, we want them to understand the core values that make Sanibel a special place.”
For more information, contact the rec center at 239-472-0345.
City Hall is at 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Sanibel Time Capsule: Honoring Our Past, Charting Our Future
When
Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon
Where
City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public
…..
IF YOU GO
What
Lunch & Legacy: Together At The Table
When
Jan. 10 from noon to 2 p.m.
Where
Behind City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel
Details
Free and open to public