By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – In 50 years, the residents of Reserve will get a special glimpse into what their town was like in 2010.

At the fitting location of Riverlands Christian Center, where the original Our Lady of Grace church was housed, the Reserve150 group buried a time capsule Saturday. The event is one of the last of this year’s Reserve sesquicentennial celebration.

Locals gathered to place items including photographs, letters and mementos of the year’s events in the weatherproof box.

As everyone tried to dodge the scattered raindrops, moving musical tributes from Pastor Steven Perrilloux as well as the East St. John High School band kept spectators swaying in their seats. In between musical numbers, lifelong community members told stories about growing up in Reserve and the changes the region has witnessed over the years.

“We know that our future will resemble our past,” said Jamey Boudreaux.

Dudley Beadle was also recognized for the models of historic local buildings he has constructed since 1990. Beadle said he started when he learned that the old rail depot was to be demolished.

“I was interested mostly in the older buildings that disappeared,” he said. “I just did the best I could with my own thoughts of how it would have been.”

The program was closed out with a proclamation from Parish President Natalie Robottom acknowledging the 150th anniversary of Reserve and the hard work of everyone involved in planning the celebratory activities.

As Sylvia Clayton and Kelly Curtis sang “Ave Maria,” and the rain began to come down, the box was sealed and lowered into the ground before the historic church and covered with dirt that will remain undisturbed for the next half century.

Afterward, many scampered inside the church not only to escape the rain but also to view an updated version of the Reserve150 documentary.

There is one more formal event left of the Reserve150 celebrations. On Christmas Eve, the group will light a bonfire in front of Phil’s Barber Shop on River Road.