On the Book Front:

Community Time Capsule project

The following column was written by Karin Thomas, Director of the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, located at 106 First St. in Odessa.

The Southern Tier Library System has launched a new project -- “Messages From Our Orbit: A Community Time Capsule” -- that the Dutton S. Peterson Library is excited to participate in.

In the spirit of “America 250,” library staff are collecting stories, artwork, and photographs from our residents in and around the Odessa, Cayuta, and Alpine areas that celebrate the past, present, and future of our communities. The submissions will be packed away in a time capsule at the library to be opened 50 years from now.

Need inspiration?

Some helpful writing prompts are as follows:

--Write about current events and how it feels to live in the present. What would you like to share with someone reading this in 50 years?

--What is a notable historical event or fact from the past 250 years that you think is important to remember?

--Open Book: Write about anything you’d like to share with future generations.

Some drawing prompts include:

--What will you look like in 50 years? What will your town look like? How will you or your community change?

--How do you picture libraries in 2076? What will be the same? What will be different?

--Open Book: Draw anything you’d like to share with members of your community 50 years from now.

Photographs are excellent additions to the time capsule, as well. Please include your name, date of photo, and photo description.

The time capsule project made its debut at Odessa Community Day on July 25th and will continue accepting submissions until August 31st, 2026. All ages are encouraged to participate. Submissions can be dropped off at the library during business hours, or in the book-drop after hours.

If you missed Community Day, there is another chance to participate while catching up with friends and neighbors at the 2nd Annual Pot-Luck Picnic inside the Village of Odessa Community Room on August 30th from 2-4pm. Bring a dish to pass, and enjoy music with local favorite Nuthin' Special. This year, a Pie Bake-Off will be the featured competition. Have a family-favorite pie recipe you’d like to showcase? Call the library at (607)594-2791 to register.