Exeter's Centennial celebration was a great success. We want to thank all of the volunteers and residents who helped make it a year we won't soon forget. Your generosity and community pride were the greatest factors in showcasing all that the beautiful town of Exeter has to offer. It doesn't have to stop, you're welcome, in fact, invited to keep the party going! The Exeter Centennial Committee |
January
Ted Macaulay steps in as mayor to fill the seat of retiring Mayor Leon Ooley. At 74, Ooley had served 10 years and on the City Council. Ooley said he looks forward to visiting family and friends more often as well as concentrating on the museum/gallery and upcoming Centennial celebration in March.
February
The Exeter Chamber of Commerce named the Centennial Year Award recipients at its annual banquet. Winners were: Man of the Year, Sepp Becker; Woman of the Year, Barbara Sally; Heritage Award, Leon Ooley and Vicky Maier; Beautification Award, Monet’s; Centennial Award, Dave and Phyllis Turner; Business of the Year, Orange Blossom Junction.
Banners are hung on the streets of Exeter stirring excitement about the upcoming Centennial Celebrations.
March
A Time Capsule Ceremony kicked off the Centennial celebration. Young and old gathered to watch as the capsule was buried in the round-a-bout on Pine, C and Rocky Hill Drive. Exeter Centennial Chairman Chris Brewer coordinated the event as well as provided all the historical information for the time capsule items. Items donated included those from all of the schools in the Exeter Elementary and Exeter Union High School districts, city records, city history, pictures, phone books, as well as letters to future city leaders from City Administrator Randy Groom, Police Chief Cliff Bush and Exeter Public Schools Superintendent Renee Whitson. The capsule will be opened 50 years on the 150th anniversary of incorporation on March 2, 2061.
In observance of Exeter's Centennial a new mural was unveiled on March 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Frosty King on D Street and Pine. The mural beautifully depicts a scene of Exeter's downtown in the early days in 1912. Kept under wraps until the unveiling, the mural was created from a photograph in the archives of Exeter Town Historian Chris Brewer. "Actually, the photo was in plain sight," said Brewer who pointed out the photograph in his downtown gallery shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Exeter -- David and Phyllis Turner -- served as grand marshalls of the Exeter Centennial Parade held on March 5th as part of the Exeter Centennial Celebration. The Exeter Chamber of Commerce presented David and Phyllis Turner the Exeter Centennial Award at their 88th Annual Award Banquet in February.