Members of the Farmers Branch Senior Advisory Board discussed plans for a new time capsule for the Branch Connection, agreed to solicit contributions from members and programs, and set a Sept. 1 deadline for submissions so the capsule can be sealed at a September social program.

A staff member briefed the board that one item had already been proposed: a cut piece of the reopening ribbon that Renata asked to include. "No topics have been submitted at the time of this report. So far I've been approached by 1 person. Renata has asked that we put part of the ribbon that she got into the time capsule," the staff member said.

Board members recommended broad outreach to instructors, volunteers and activity groups so each program could contribute a representative item — examples discussed included a quilt photo from the quilting group, a list of books read by the book club in 2025, a puzzle piece, a small craft or a short biography for unidentified people in old photographs. Members discussed size limits for items and referenced the prior capsule’s size; one member said the old capsule was roughly 12 by 12 inches and suggested a similar limit for this capsule to ease storage and burial logistics.

The board agreed a deadline of Sept. 1 for submissions (to coincide with the center’s September breakfast) to allow staff time to assemble and seal the capsule at the social program on the second Friday in September. Members noted the previous capsule had been sealed for 25 years and discussed doing the same interval. Staff said they would publish submission details on the center website and in the newsletter and asked board members to promote the call for items in their classes.

The board asked staff to keep item descriptions short and labeled to avoid unidentified photographs or artifacts when the capsule is opened in the future. No formal vote was required; the group set deadlines and outreach plans by general agreement.