To the editor:

Today marks the 159th birthday of Lawrence. Just nine years ago, our town celebrated our sesquicentennial and presented Sesquicentennial Point as a marker of our 150th birthday.

This year, there has been a thoughtful commemoration of the burning of Lawrence, an event that has marked our history forever. Congratulations to all those who planned activities to help us honor those who died and remember those who brought Lawrence back to life. Thank you.

Phase 1 of The Point is complete. A plaza introduces a Walk Through Time to 2004. Now we are working to complete Phase II of this beautiful space. Someday, the Walk through Time will go the rest of the way down the hill to 2054, so that, on the bicentennial of Lawrence, there will be a walking history of Lawrence with an amphitheater for outdoor events. In 2054, Lawrence residents will be invited to open the time capsule and see what people valued in 2004.

Happy 159th birthday, Lawrence. There are many groups and organizations that will celebrate their sesquicentennial year between now and 2054. I hope that each one of them will want to sponsor their special year with a stone in the Walk Through Time.

Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., some of us who are working for the future of The Point will be at the site. Drive out Clinton Parkway until it dead-ends at the dam. Follow the signs to Eagle Bend and the off-leash dog park. You will see signs for Sesquicentennial Point.