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 John Weeks, environmental educator, was to give animal demonstrations at the Great Swamp Conservancy’s Spring Migration Nature Art Festival. A few of the planned activities were: live animal demonstrations, environmental and conservation displays, wagon rides, trail walks, children’s crafts, games, and live musical performances. John Weeks was invited to participate in a book signing, a new tradition that year. Professional artists (painters, sculptors, photographers), and environmentalists were among the many who attended the event along with Weeks. The Great Swamp Conservancy, located in Canastota, holds events like this one semi-annually. One is held in the spring, and one in the fall. Keep your eye out for news of a spring festival at the Great Swamp Conservancy; this event is sure to be a fun, family friendly time.
25 Years
A quarter of a century ago, there was an eye-catching advertisement in the Skaneateles Press for a soothing waterbed. It stated that their beds felt like “sleeping on water, the way nature intended.” Looking back, I think it’s safe to say waterbeds are on the long list of strange fads that have come and gone. Today, the latest in bed technology includes conforming, adjustable beds. One brand with beds featuring these niceties is Tempur-Pedic, with one model costing over $4,000. Our apologies if you are now discontent with your average mattress after learning of the wonders of the waterbed and Tempur-Pedic.
50 Years
Fifty years ago, a pictorial map of Skaneateles by L.R. Burleigh was featured for sale. Originally drawn in 1884, the map is very different from current day Skaneateles. The map highlighted a number of churches, the public school, and many other significant landmarks. Some major differences between then and now are the absence of Austin Park, the inclusion of a railroad station, and a few different street names. Back then, Leitch Avenue was referred to as John Street and State Street was called Syracuse Street. Who knows how much Skaneateles will change in the future?
75 Years
Seventy five years ago an article in the Skaneateles Press stated that more than 100,000 people were unemployed in New York State. During February of 1942, a total of $4,681,592 in Jobless Checks was distributed in NYS. The unemployment rate in 1942 for New York State was estimated to be at .8% compared to today’s estimated rate of 4.6 percent. The lower rate of unemployment back then was due to people participating in war time efforts, meaning more people had jobs in order to produce war materials.
100 Years
One hundred years ago the Press issued “Topics of the Time” which brought comedy, peculiarity and humor to the Skaneateles residents. One story included a hardworking waiter, Henry Zebussy, who was forced to give his wages to his wife. One night, Henry thought he would indulge himself with a quarter. He found himself in domestic relations court, pleading to the judge that his wife had seized him and “gave him a good spanking”. Another story also included a unique court dispute, as a man was found guilty for distilling moonshine. The judge was lenient, for the man was a father to 28 children and had many responsibilities at home.
