As the Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC) headquarters undergoes its remodel, hidden in a wall, laid a relic of the past — a time capsule, awaiting to be unveiled.
The time capsule included a metal stud signed by past and present UEC employees along with a small container filled with memories from a past era.
A decade earlier in 2014, a minor lobby renovation occurred, adapting the space to the changing needs of our members. UEC employees used this opportunity to sign an exposed metal stud that once held as the center of the co-op. Also, during that time, Cindy Ruhl, UEC employee, and Vicki Zumwalt, a UEC retiree, put together memorabilia to hide in the wall.
Chervenell Construction, the contractor chosen to complete the current remodel, was working on demolition when the items were found by crews. After its discovery, excitement quickly spread through all departments, leading to an impromptu gathering of employees, both past and present.
The unveiling turned into an informal reunion, as former employees, some of whom had moved on to different careers, and long-serving retirees returned to capture a group photo. The group gathered safely in front of the construction site. After the photo was taken, Ruhl and Zumwalt revealed the contents in the small container to all who attended, each encapsulating a moment in time from a decade ago:
- Handwritten notes and predictions of UEC and personal goals
- Business cards, showcasing the roles that Ruhl and Zumwalt held at the time
- A penny, from the year the capsule was placed
- A UEC promotional magnet, shaped like a light bulb
“Vicki and I had worked together since 1986 so when we saw the opportunity to do a time capsule together and hide it in the wall at UEC, we took it!” said Ruhl.
The time capsule’s discovery has provided a unique opportunity to honor the past while looking forward to a bright future.
Plans are already underway to create a new time capsule, filled with artifacts that represent the current state of UEC and its aspirations for the future from all departments. This new capsule will serve as a message to future generations, encapsulating the present era’s vision.
