Both the old and the new were topics discussed this past Monday during a meeting of the Slatington 150th Planning Commission, which was formed to develop yearlong events for the borough's upcoming sesquicentennial anniversary in 2014.

Member Jon Rinker said it had recently been brought to his attention that a 50-year-old time capsule placed in the old Acme building on West Church Street during the borough's 100th anniversary in 1964 had apparently been forgotten and never opened during the borough's 125th celebration in 1989.Rinker said he spoke with Kevin Geist, the owner of the current company located there, Dorward Electric, and that together they had discovered a slate that needs to be broken in order to access the time capsule. Rinker suggested that a ceremony be held next year during the week of the sesquicentennial to open it.Meanwhile, all of co-chairman Christy Haydt's big announcements revolved around what was brand-new, such as a storefront on Main Street, next to Mama's Pizza, having recently been donated in which to sell 150th anniversary items."It's a good spot … and we're hoping we can be in by next Wednesday," said Haydt, adding that the store hours will be Wednesdays from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Haydt added that Bryon Reed, the building's owner and a member of borough council, had donated the storefront. In regard to it, Haydt said that "it's one of the nice things about a small town, when people work together."For his own part Reed, who stopped by the meeting just after it had adjourned, said only that he wanted to contribute something for the sesquicentennial because he's from Slatington. He also mentioned that his great-great grandfather, Owen Jones, was the person who had discovered slate in what is now known as the "Tunnel Quarry" back in 1845.In addition to commemorative items already available with the Slatington 150 logo, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts and slates from the Penn Big Bed Slate Company and Pennsylvania Slate Craft, Haydt announced more items would also soon be available. He said these new items, from Tri-County Team Wear of Slatington, would include steins, a silver plate, mugs, pot holders and more.In fact, Tri-County Team Wear co-owner Tina Sargent noted Tuesday that those items, plus license plates, garden flags and more, will also be available at the company's store, with all profits going to the sesquicentennial planning commission.Haydt added that something else new was the announcement that very evening of yet another charter, Lehigh Engineering Associates. He said the total number of charters now stands at 26.As Rinker pointed out at the Oct. 7 meeting, in order to become a charter, a business or social group need only pay a $50 contribution and agree to hold a fundraising event.In return, they get mentioned throughout next year's festivities, including in the main program schedule, and can have a float in next August's parade.Haydt said the next 150th Planning Committee Commission meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, downstairs at the Vigilant Fire Company, 110 S. Walnut St. The meeting is open to the public and new volunteers are both welcome and greatly appreciated, Haydt said.