Correspondent photo / Nancilynn Gatta A blank cassette tape and photos were on display in the Hubbard Public Library community room during the opening ceremony of the reveal of the more than 1,000 items contained in the 1976 time capsule.

HUBBARD — A lot happened in the United States in 50 years.

There were three wars in the Middle East, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, the USA Men’s Olympic Hockey team won a gold medal in the “Miracle on Ice” and, again, 46 years later, while the Women’s Hockey Team won three gold medals.

Locally, the steel mills and General Motors Lordstown closed, causing residents to move out of the area. Many are now returning thanks in part to revitalized downtowns in Youngstown and Warren, small businesses thriving and arts programs expanding.

On Saturday, an opening ceremony for the public to view items from the Hubbard Public Library’s 1976 time capsule included a history of the city by library trustee William Tucciarone, Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle and opening ceremony committee member Jamie Hall.

Tucciarone began his talk with a joke that many men can relate to: “In 1976, I had hair.” He also mentioned the difference in the number of students attending Hubbard schools.

“In 1976, there were 1,200 students in Hubbard schools. Today, there are around 600. We still have one of the finest school systems in the area,” Tucciarone said.

Mayor Ben Kyle discussed the founding of Hubbard. Originally a farming community, it became a coal area. He also noted the city’s past challenges and positive aspects.

“We have had tough times here — the closing of the mills, the tornado in 1985, the floods in 2000,” Kyle said. “I was telling my son about the history of our area and what a large impact it has had outside of here.”

Some of the notable citizens who lived in Hubbard included Phil Keaggy, guitarist and vocalist in classic rock legends Glass Harp; General Opdycke, a prominent union general in the Civil War whose regiment, known as Opdycke’s Tigers, fought in key battles; Anthony Smith, former NFL safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers and other teams; and Capri Cafaro, former Democratic politician, cookbook author and television personality.

Referencing the items that were in the time capsule, Kyle said, “We honor the men and women who may not be here with us today, but they put their hearts and souls into the project.”

One of the participants in the 1976 time capsule who is still among us is Elaine Hughes of Hubbard.

“I remember that I donated an item for the project. I think it was a cassette. I saw three cassettes, but it is not what I think I donated,” she said.

Because of shifting soil and groundwater, some of the items in the time capsule were destroyed beyond viewing. All of the more than 1,000 items on display at the library’s Community Room and lobby received some damage, which caused a musty smell.

The time capsule objects included baseball cards, wedding announcements, class photos, cassette tapes, letters, grocery store ad and a Fonzie poster from the television show “Happy Days.”

Paulette Darko and the Hubbard Ukulele Ladies performed the “Hubbard Ohio song,” which was written by Hubbard resident Dorothy Bullock for the 200th anniversary of the United States in 1976.

Concerning the exhibit, which will run through the summer, Kyle said, “Remember the past and look forward to the future.”

Opening the Hubbard Public Library’s 1976 time capsule showed how much has changed, yet some things remain the same such as the sense of community and family bonding that were displayed at the opening ceremony.

The Hubbard Library is seeking items for a new time capsule that will be opened for the country’s tricentennial in 2076. For more information, call 330-534-3512.

The 1976 time capsule items can be viewed during regular library hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday throughout the summer.