The Quinte West Chamber will celebrate its 70th anniversary next week and mark the occasion with some special events and initiatives.
That includes a time capsule, as well as drop-in visits with a chance to view old scrapbooks and other memories from the chamber’s first seven decades.
Chamber Manager Suzanne Andrews says, even in the midst of a global pandemic, it’s important to recognize everything the organization has achieved so far.
“I think it’s those things that really mark progress. We weren’t incorporated until 1950, we don’t have a direct connection to the things we’ve been involved in prior to that. But I do know that since 1950 onward we had lots of great volunteers who stepped forward to help grow the chamber, so it could help support local business.”
The time capsule will be filled with items to mark this period for local businesses and will be dug up on the chamber’s 100th anniversary in 2050.
Andrews says naturally, the capsule will not ignore everything local businesses have been through lately.
“We have to, of course, include things about the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously a mask, some signage, the types of things that we’ve all had to get used to seeing on a pretty regular basis. But I like to think that 30 years from now it’ll be something that people will not be dealing with.”
Anyone who wants to contribute items to the time capsule should drop them off by October 30, 2020.
Andrews added that the week-long celebration isn’t just about what the chamber has done for local businesses, but what those businesses have contributed to the community as a whole.
“We have helped with getting the hospital, the seniors centre, the rowing and paddling club, we started an arts group. All of these things have added to the quality of life in our community and I think it’s important to take a step back every now and then, to take a look at what you’ve accomplished, because it really does help to set some clear objectives for the future.”
You can click here for more information on how the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
