Years Ago

Years Ago
This column, contributed by Skaneateles Honors English students from the class of 2022, is written to connect the past to the present by revisiting articles from years ago. The students would like to thank the Skaneateles Historical Society for providing the archives and Eagle Newspapers for publishing their words.
20 Years Ago
… The Skaneateles Press published an article regarding Valentine’s Day, which included people sending pictures and messages to their valentines, some of which were for their children while others were for significant others. Though no one knows the exact origins of Valentine’s Day, some credit the ancient Romans and Greeks for this holiday. It’s possibly a commemoration of the anniversary of St. Valentine’s death; however, it is most likely based on the pagan holiday, Lupercalia. To begin the festival of Lupercal, Roman priests would sacrifice a goat for fertility and a dog for purification. They would dip the animal’s hides into sacrificial blood, which would then be taken by men to the streets where they would gently hit women. This was welcomed by women since it was seen as a good omen of fertility for the coming year. They even sprinkled fields with the blood of the goat hide, which was to ensure a good growing season. Later in the day, some cities would place the names of young women in a large urn and partake in a “matchmaking lottery,” where most of the matches ended in marriage. In 2020, these ancient traditions have been updated and commercialized through the giving of cards, chocolates, and roses.
40 Years Ago
… an article was published in the Skaneateles Press that discussed Assemblyman Bill Bush’s urge to form an After-Use Committee dedicated to creating a plan for the Lake Placid Olympic facilities after the completion of the games. Held on Feb. 13 – 24, the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics are best known for the US beating the Soviet Union in hockey. Part of the $400,000 budget from the Dept. of Commerce (meant to promote business and industry in NY) would be used to fund the committee. Most of the facilities had already been claimed by multiple state agencies including the Departments of Correction and Environmental Conservation. However, no plans were made for the arena built in the center of Placid. To function the arena would cost the 3,000 residents of Lake Placid an exhausting $400,000 annually. The Village of Lake Placid believed that the arena should be established as a training site, and with the help of the After-Use Committee they could provide a plan and increase attractions. Today, the rinks are used for training of competitive figure skating, hockey and short track speed skating. If you are thinking about visiting, Olympic Site Passports are available for $40 per person. With the passport you can visit the Olympic facilities and get a 20% discount on activities such as the Skeleton Experience and the Lake Placid Bobsled Experience. It is available online at whiteface.com or in person at the ORDA store in the Olympic Center.
60 Years Ago
… two letters written by Abraham Lincoln were on display in the Skaneateles Library. The letters, written in 1855 and 1861, were on showcase to celebrate his 151 birthday. 2020 is the 211 anniversary of his birth, and his legacy still lives on. During his term, Lincoln managed to reunite a divided nation and end the atrocities of slavery. Lincoln was an extremely important figure not only in his time, but also today- even the smallest details about him are still present in the minds of the American people. The sixteenth president is famous for his tall top hat, which actually served several purposes. He often stored things like documents inside of his hat. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, the tallest president in history, his top hat made him seem like a giant back in the day. His birthday, February 12, is a nationally recognized holiday; however, is it observed as Presidents’ Day, which is on the third Monday of February. Presidents’ Day is officially called Washington’s Birthday, but this name is misleading as Washington’s actual birthday was on February 22. Many people are not aware that Presidents’ Day is a day meant for the celebration of just Washington’s birthday. Because Lincoln’s birthday also takes place in February, people tend to associate Presidents’ Day with him as well. Every year, events are held to celebrate our presidents. This year, The Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, in Syracuse, is hosting an event that allows children to learn more about our previous presidents- and their pets!
80 Years Ago
… In the Skaneateles newspaper, a milk advertisement was published stressing the importance and value of drinking milk. The advertisement discussed benefits such as helping skin complexion with calcium, a bountiful amount of vitamin A which prepares the immune system for winter colds, and alkaline to recover from fatigue. All of these health benefits remain true yet oddly enough Americans are drinking a lot less milk than they used to. The average person drinks 18 gallons a year while in the 1970s it was more like 30 gallons a year. This may be explained by a common misconception that alternative milk products such as almond milk or coconut milk provide the same health benefits without the lactose. To make almond milk a lot of water is used to cultivate the almonds which has a significant impact on the environment. Almond milk also lacks in providing the consumer with the protein that cow’s milk does. Many of the healthy vitamins and minerals found in almond milk are actual added artificially. One way the dairy industry marketed their product was through the use of big names. The 1940 Ad starred June Duprez, a famous movie actress of the time. The dairy industry turned to celebrities again in the 1993 “Got Milk?” advertisements featuring famous celebrities such as Tom Brady and Bobby Flay. Perhaps it’s time for milk to search for a new marketing strategy in order to ensure the sale of its healthful products.
100 Years Ago
… The Democrat published an article detailing the plan for a strike of 300,000 railroad employees. Some of these employees were from Skaneateles since there was a new railroad being built in the area. The Skaneateles Short Line Railroad started construction in the 1840s for only $1,500, which is $19,273 today. The railroad connected Skaneateles with the Erie Canal, and it was built with wooden rails since the town couldn’t afford iron. The railroad started at the current location of the Sherwood Inn and continued north for 5 miles. 6 steam engines ran along the railroad and served a total of 17 different industries. After the Civil War, the railroad was reconstructed in 1866 and a steam boat company was started along with it. The railroad discontinued operations on July 15, 1981 and was later abandoned. You can still see some of the abandoned railroad today on the Charlie Major Nature Trail. However, the steam boat company still exists in the form of the Mid-Lakes Navigation Company with cruises ranging from lunch to dinner trips, sightseeing, and moonlight rides. Visit their website, midlakesnav.com for more information or to book a cruise.