Bee photographer aids in finding Modesto school's time capsule

MODESTO -- Alberta Martone Elementary School found its time capsule — in time for the 25th anniversary celebration, when its contents will be revealed.

Bee photographer Debbie Noda, who photographed the capsule when it was buried Dec. 1, 1987, helped in the hunt. Noda found the original negatives she shot and was able to scan and enlarge the images of staff members digging by a tiny tree by a sidewalk leading to a freshly constructed building.

"It did help. We were going off the lines in the cement," said Martone staffer Dinah Henschel, who is helping organize the anniversary event.

The tree had grown in the intervening years and digging up the capsule meant diving under a portion of the roots, Henschel said.

The school contacted The Bee earlier this year seeking publicity to help find the capsule.

Henschel said the school is inviting retired and transferred teachers or administrators from the school's early years to the anniversary celebration, and alumni are welcome.

The Alberta Martone Elementary 25th anniversary celebration will be at 9:30 a.m. April 29.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339, on Twitter, @NanAustin, www.modbee.com/ education.