Years Ago
This column is a revitalized weekly addition to the paper. The following moments in history are selected, researched, and edited by Skaneateles High School students enrolled in Kate Hardy’s 10th grade Honors English class. For the next school year they hope to celebrate the past and remember the days from years ago. Thank you to the Skaneateles Library and the Historical Society for providing the Press archives.
10 Years
Ten years ago, the sports column in the Skaneateles Press informed readers that the boys’ lacrosse team lost to CBA, but defeated Lafayette. The 2007 team had a successful season, led by a strong group of players including Devin Lynch and Jeff Donigan. This year’s team experienced similar circumstances, beating Lafayette and losing to CBA. The Lakers are currently having an impressive season with another group of skilled players.
25 Years
Two and a half decades ago the Skaneateles Press issued an article, written by the Skaneateles Historical Society, regarding the Creamery’s re-opening. The Creamery was built in 1899, as a place for farmers to sell milk. This was the purpose until 1948 when it closed and was used to store farming equipment. In the fall of 1989, the Creamery was returned to the Village of Skaneateles. Now it is a museum that attracts both tourists, and residents. On April 26th, Mrs. Hardy took her Honors English students to the Creamery for a tour. The students learned about the building, and its role in the Village throughout history. We would like to thank all of the Creamery staff and volunteers for their work. Congratulations on 25 successful years!
50 Years
Fifty years ago this week an advertisement was published in the Skaneateles Press for the Mother’s Day Buffet Brunch and Dinner at The Sherwood Inn. Currently The Sherwood still serves the Mother’s Day Brunch and Dinner, including some of the 1967 menu items like chef’s salads, carved meats, and a various array of desserts. The price of the Buffet in 1967 for adults was $1.35 and children were $1.00, compared to today’s price of $35 for adults and $15 for children. As of this year The Sherwood Inn has been open for 212 year.
75 Years
Seventy-five years ago this week, the Press ran an article advising the public about starting and maintaining a victory garden which grew in popularity in the Skaneateles area. Established as a means to grow produce to ship to the war effort overseas, victory gardens could be as simple as window boxes and front lawn gardens to benefit American troops, the Victory Garden Council for Onondaga County stated. The article encouraging victory garden caretaking published several tips to help new gardeners, such as growing foods that can be eaten fresh from the soil, raising a surplus, and planning to grow many green and yellow vegetables. Today, a conflict the scale of WWII does not need to be supplemented with domestic produce, but the goal of locally grown foods remains. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a modern method of growing full gardens and everyone should join just in time for spring.
100 Years
One century ago, the Halls were going to court for an annulment. An annulment is a judgement that a marriage is invalid. This was not just any annulment, but an annulment for their 15 year old son. Earl Russel Hall, at age 15, married Miss Cora Newkirk, who was 21. Grace Cameron, a family friend, tried to argue that the marriage was invalid in the Supreme Court because Earl was too young to have proper judgement. To prevent this from happening today, the U.S. government requires that people be of the age 18 before marrying in most cases. Commit, don’t quit.
