1973 Time Capsule Reveals Message for Today’s Arthur Newspaper

1973 Scarlet Belles: Standing: left to right: Luann Sentel, Mrs. David Rohr, Charity Dixon, Tianna Daugherty, Debbie Galey, Mrs. Charles Goodman, Mrs. Tilford Roberts, Mrs. June Dixon, Mrs. Lorene Casperson, Mary Kay Laughead, Mrs. Denny Laughead, Mrs. Loyd (Gale) Daugherty. Seated: left to right: Mrs. William Brown, Mrs. Glen Willoughby, Mrs. Walter Galey, Mrs. Robert Helm, Mrs. Wally Willoughby. Members not pictured: Mrs. Ron Cornwell, Mrs. Keith Phillips, Mrs. Larry Maxedon, Mrs. William Oesch, Mrs. Ron Phillips, Mrs. Harold Cornwell, Mrs. Chet Strohecker, Nancy Strohecker, Alice Oesch, Susan Ritchie, Jane Tinnon, Mrs. James Brown, Mrs. Dean Wince, Mrs. Edwin Sentel, Mrs. C.M. Freese and Mrs. Ora Mentzer.

By SALLY McCARTHY
Staff Writer

At the conclusion of the Sesquicentennial Founders’ Day Dinner on Saturday, September 2 the Time Capsule from the 1973 Centennial Celebration was opened and items were distributed to various families and organizations. One of the envelopes was addressed to the Arthur Newspaper of 2023 from the Scarlet Belles. This group was one of many centennial clubs formed by groups of men and women during the 1973 Centennial Celebration.

The handwritten letter stated: “We would appreciate it if you would publish the following information and print the accompanying picture for friends and relatives to enjoy and as a remembrance of the 1973 Arthur Centennial.” It was signed, The Scarlet Belles.

This was the information in the letter. “The Chapter of the Scarlet Belles was formed in early June at a coffee at the home of Mrs. Robert Helm. Officers were elected and were: High Bustle: Mrs. Robert Helm, Secretary: Mrs. Charles Goodman, Treasurer: Mrs. Gale Daugherty, and Sheriffs: Tianna Daugherty and Charity Dixon.

The Scarlet Belles had many enjoyable activities throughout the summer. Several coffees were held, an old-fashioned picnic for the entire family was held at Eberhardt Park in June. Sack races and relay games were enjoyed at this event. An ice cream social was enjoyed in July for all the family. It was held in the yards of Gale Daugherty and Bill Brown on West Parkview.

Some of the members sang at the Arthur Home for the Belles there. Other singing events included singing in Atwood, singing for one of the Promenade evenings uptown, and an old fashion sing at the Sugar Bowl Cafeteria.

One Tuesday, members went to Tuscola for lunch and visited businesses in that town, advertising the Centennial.

One of the highlights of the summer came in August when many of the members worked selling tickets in Arthur and surrounding communities for the Scarlet Belles’ queen contestant, Mrs. Ted (Glen) Willoughby. Through their efforts, Ted was honored by being the First Princess-runner-up to the queen. We were proud of her because she and her family worked hard as well as other members of the chapter. In addition, we were able to promote the Arthurama pageant and our community which we are all proud of. Signed: Mrs. Robert Helm, High Bustle (President)”

Hopefully this letter and picture will be read by some members of the group or their friends and relatives. The Time Capsule contained lots of items and there will be more about those in the future.

An opportunity to place something in the Time Capsule from 2023 the year of the Sesquicentennial, that will be opened at Arthur’s Bicenntennial in 2073, will take place sometime this fall. Stay tuned for more information.