Community honors Nevada on its 150th birthday

The Mayor’s NV150 Commission capped a year-long celebration of various events in Fallon with the lowering of a time capsule on Friday afternoon followed by an open house at the museum for visitors to see Then and Now projects and to buy autographed books with either Churchill County or Nevada themes.

“This raised the spirit and set the stage for the weekend,” said Michon Macedon, co-chairwoman for the mayor’s commission.

The Nevada Day parade on Saturday plus other events in Carson City concluded the statewide sesquicentennial activities.

The time capsule was stuffed with memorabilia — coins, medals, publications, photographs, artwork and other items — and once it was lowered, a cement lid was placed on top of its resting place. The next group of residents will be able to open the vault in 50 years when the state celebrates its 200th birthday.

Bob Getto, president of the Churchill County Museum Association, said the time capsule was a nice project for the museum.

“This was our contribution to the 150th birthday,” Getto told about 200 people gathered for the event. “We are able to do it for our community and the State of Nevada.”

Getto said the activities at the museum were part of the mayor’s vision to celebrate the sesquicentennial. He also thanked architect Frank Woodliff III, who designed the vault for the time capsule, and the contractors who donated their time and material to build it.

“They did an awesome job for us,” Getto added.

In addition to the ceremony, four students from the high school choir program — Sabrina Jimenez, Eric Sorensen, Thomas Robertson and Alison James — sang “Home Means Nevada” while 10-year-old Amber Aleck offered a prayer.

Scott Carey, a member of Gov. Brian Sandoval’s sesquicentennial committee, said Fallon did a good job in holding various events.

“The Fallon community was one of our most aggressive ones,” Carey said, adding that the community was a tremendous partner with the state.

“There were a variety of activities out here,” Carey said “There was such a community spirit that showed Nevada pride.”

Tedford agreed.

“It’s been fun,” Tedford said. “I knew Val (co-chairperson Valerie Serpa) and Michon would do a great job.”

“It’s been great for the community, and we (the mayor’s commission) increased the number of activities. Our events were spread out all year, and we did more things than other communities. That’s the way I like it.”

Tedford said events such as the sesquicentennial provided fun for the residents and improves the quality of life.

In addition to the time capsule ceremony, the winners for the Then and Now projects were announced, and a cake commemorating the 150th birthday was ceremonially cut by Tedford and Carl Erquiaga, chairman of the Churchill County Commissioners.

Mackedon and Serpa signed copies of their photo book, “Images of America: Fallon” while Linda Rasmussen and Fernando Rollano signed copies of “A State that Made a Nation Great.” Copies of “Churchill County Memories,” which was compiled by the museum and the Lahontan Valley News in 2009, were also sold.

The shift of activities moved to the Venturacci Park gym later that night where attendees were treated to a square dancing exhibition from the Oasis Squares and then did some dancing themselves in an event sponsored by the Fallon/Churchill Fire Department.