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 Ago
10 years ago this week, a French exchange student, Marie-Annick Blanchard, was featured in the paper. Her host mother and the Rotary Club paid for a harp rental during her time in Skaneateles. Marie was a talented harp player, and worked with Mrs. Vervka, who still teaches music at the high school. Currently, there are four foreign exchange students enrolled at Skaneateles High School. They are Selma Winding, a junior from Denmark; Josep Ausio, a senior from Spain; Benjamin Mitterlehner, a senior from Austria; and Elisa Marie Riaud, a senior from France. Their varied interests include dance, athletics, piano, and culture, respectively.
25 Years Ago
In the month of October, 1991, the Skaneateles girls’ varsity cross country team had great success against school rivals, Jordan-Elbridge and Marcellus, on their home grounds. The three teams had gathered to compete for the OHSL championship title. By the end of the race, Skaneateles had accumulated an impressive winning score of only 20 points. Jordan Elbridge came in second with 23 points and Marcellus trailed behind with 38 points. This running season, the girls’ varsity cross country team has experienced similar success. Recently, they defeated Pulaski at their current home course, the polo fields. The team is hopeful to finish out the season strong.
50 Years Ago
50 years ago, a column similar to our Years Ago, ran in the Skaneateles Press, titled, “Looking Backwards.” Within the article, events from 25 to 100 years ago are mentioned, with dates relating back to 1866! One highlight of the article was from October, 1916, where the Syracuse University football team stayed overnight at the Packwood in Skaneateles. The team held a secret practice at Skaneateles High School in preparation for their match-up against the University of Pittsburgh.
75 Years Ago
Seventy-five years ago this week, the Press ran an advertisement for the Auburn Theatre that was showing two cinematic classics of 1941. The movies listed were the renowned musical comedy “It All Started Eve” and Orson Welles’ “Citizen Kane,” the Oscar-winning film that is often considered the greatest movie of all time. Today such famous films are still popular throughout the community, but Auburn now has even more to offer for entertainment. The Auburn Public Theatre now brings us plays, musicals, live music, stand-up comedy, and, although more well-known for its live performances, still features seasonal, cherished movies like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” to this day.
100 Years Ago
A century ago, a letter was written to the editor of the Skaneateles Free Press concerning the building of bonfires by children. These bonfires included the burning of leaves which caused the concern of the residents due to burning leaves floating throughout the air. Today the issue of burning leaves no longer stands because not only is there is a state law declaring that leaves cannot be burned, but also for the residents of the Village of Skaneateles, there is a fall brush pickup. The fortunate residents of the village do not have to remove fall leaves themselves; the village does it for them. Residents of the village: don’t forget to leave your brush and leaves on the curb before Oct. 17.
