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 Skaneateles Press archives.
20 Years Ago
… despite chilly weather, the Laker Boys Track and Field team managed to crush opponents at the Arcaro Memorial Invitational, along with breaking a school record in the distance medley relay. The meet is held in memory of John H. Arcaro, who, according to SUNY Cortland Athletics, was an extraordinary former Baldwinsville coach who was named National “Coach of the Year” in 1981. This year, both the girls and boys track and field team will attend this now biannual event, which is planned to take place on May 10 in Baldwinsville. For more information, please visit ScheduleGalaxy. Go Lakers!
40 Years Ago
… the Press published a series of advertisements detailing various Mother’s Day activities around the community. The ads included several dining options at restaurants including The Krebs, The Pioneer, and others. As Mother’s Day approaches, it’s not too early to make plans to celebrate locally. Whether you plan on eating out, or spending the day with your Mother around the community, Skaneateles has you covered. There are numerous dining options today including The Krebs, Sherwood, Mirbeau, and many others. There is also a delightful array of floral attractions presented at Sycamore Hill Gardens and now is the perfect time to buy your tickets. If preordered, you can get your tickets at half price, for just $6.00, and kids 8 and younger are free!
60 Years Ago
… the Skaneateles School Board was concerned with the safety of their students‒ especially on their way to and from school. As advertised in a Skaneateles Press article, the school board encouraged attendance at an upcoming board meeting to discuss school bus transportation. They proposed all students to have the opportunity to take a bus to and from school, to avoid walking on busy and dangerous roads. Today, our school district tries to promote safety at all hours of the day. With pressure from recent events, school safety has become a prominent issue in communities throughout America. So far, Skaneateles has installed security cameras, two experienced security guards, and other small but possibly crucial measures to help keep Skaneateles safe. Furthermore, our most important defense against tragedy in Skaneateles is awareness and the aspiration to keep our small community safe.
80 Years Ago
… the Onondaga Skeet and Trap Club held a shooting competition. For those that are unfamiliar with the sport, skeet shooting is a recreational and competitive activity where participants, using shotguns, attempt to break clay targets mechanically flung into the air from two fixed stations at high speed from a variety of angles. On May 5, 1939, the Onondaga Skeet and Trap Club had a firework display to celebrate the 10th annual contest. With the help of the New York State Skeet Association, this competition was sure to be the best annual open shooting experience for the members of the club. They hoped to draw in more future participants for years to come. There are still participants in the sport today; Skaneateles High School has a school-run trap team that is designed to teach students about responsible gun ownership and gun use. It also teaches participants discipline, focus, as well as team work. According to John King, one of the school’s trap club coaches, around 25-30 kids are involved in the club this year. This opportunity for students was offered last year for those interested in learning how to shoot and has gained more and more local support. Thanks to this support, the high school trap team will be able continue for years to come.
100 Years Ago
In 1919, the Skaneateles Press featured three full pages promoting citizens helping with the war effort, more specifically advertising “liberty bonds”. In order to help finance the war and build patriotism, the U.S. Treasury issued these liberty bonds. These goals were met, especially on the topic of patriotism. Americans were proud of their country, which had won The Great War. As of today, that feeling of patriotism has diminished. Controversial political views have separated the country severely. According to a recent article, a poll found that 77% of Americans see the country as “greatly divided when it comes to the most important values”. We thought that this was a very interesting statistic and prompted us to conduct a poll of our own. Of the 36 students and staff we asked around Skaneateles High School, we found that 100% of them would agree with the statement from the previous poll. It is quite alarming looking at these statistics, especially when comparing them to the impressive American morale associated with World War I and the era following. It prompts one to ask difficult questions. If there were to be another large scale atrocity like the World Wars, would we as the United States of America be able to come together as one nation? Would another war be the only thing large enough to jar us back into unity?
