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.
20 Years Ago
…. the Skaneateles Press published an article regarding a high profile visitor. They wrote that then President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea, dined at the Sherwood Inn during their vacation. This article mainly focused on the first families’ security and how they managed the swarming crowds who were trying to take as many pictures as they could. Last August of 2018, more celebrities were spotted in Skaneateles: Justin Beiber and Hayley Baldwin with her family. The young couple also encountered fans eager for photo opportunities. Celebrities and politicians alike seem drawn to the quaint village situated on Skaneateles Lake. We urge readers to allow them the peace they’re here to seek by treating them like any other visitor to our town.
40 Years Ago
… the Skaneateles Press published an article about local resident Herman Mau and his peculiar occupation. Mau owned a boat launch on Skaneateles lake called Mau’s Marineland. The property is still up and running by Mau’s family, now going by the name Sevey’s Boatyard. Mau worked as a mechanic on boats, but to take it to a new level, he ran a seaplane and made house calls to “ailing planes.” While house calls aren’t made anymore, Sevey’s boatyard still offers a wide variety of services from boat repair to storage. The boatyard is located on the beautiful Skaneateles Lake in the hamlet of New Hope. More information can be found on their website seveys.com/. Family owned businesses are what maintain a local culture and connect generations. Residents should keep our enriched hometown the way it is for posterity and visitors alike to enjoy.
60 Years Ago
… the students of Skaneateles High School entered a new school year on Sept. 9. The new schedule expected kids in grades 7-12 to be at school at 8:27 a.m. Elementary students were to be at school by 9 a.m. While the time for elementary has not changed much over the years, high school students now begin school at 7:50. Not only has the time changed, but this past school year, homeroom was removed from the schedule. There is a warning bell at 7:48 and first period begins right at 7:50, leaving students with little time to settle into the school day. In addition to start time, the 1959 article announced that 17 new teachers and administrators would be joining the staff of 87. This year, the district is expected to welcome less than 10 new members to the now approximately 160 teaching and administrative staff. Hopefully the whole district rolled out of bed on time to make it to their early start.
80 Years Ago
… a 24 year old local resident passed away, a dearly loved cat. The cat, known as Tommy, was internationally famous. Tommy lived 10 miles south of Seneca Falls, on the west shore boulevard of Cayuga Lake. 24 years is an impressive life span for a cat, yet it’s far from the Guinness world record of 38 years. While researching, an article titled “International Cat Day: A timeline of the world’s most fascinating feline record breakers” was encountered. As the name suggests, there are many interesting records made by cats. For example, the world’s fattest cat weighed in at about 46 pounds. In China, the oldest cat cafe in existence can be found, about 15 cats are members of the cafe. The largest collection of cat-related items is owned by a woman in Guatemala by the name of Carmen de Aldana. Who knew cats could be such a large topic in the record books.
100 Years Ago
… several articles in The Democrat focused on milk. On the practical side, one article notified readers of an expected price increase from 14 cents to 15 cents a quart. A second article indicated that a “champion milk bottle collector” had been discovered when 1,100 glass milk bottles were found in the attic of his Geneva residence. Lastly, and most fascinating, The Democrat reported that “unusual crops of blueberries in Oneida County, Wisconsin [were] not pleasing farmers” as they led to the production of blue-tinted milk! Today, you should know that milk is the official beverage of New York State after having been designated as such in 1981.
