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
On May 12, 2007, the fourth annual William H. Seward Oratory contest was held at the Auburn Public Theater. Students in grades 3-12 were invited to research and recite speeches from Seward along with other prominent historic figures from the time of his political career (1840-1860). Although this event isn’t held today, The American Legion offers state and local oratory contests that all students are welcome to participate in.
25 Years
An ad was published in the Skaneateles Press in the year of 1992 regarding the Rescue Mission. The ad promoted clothing donations to Thrifty Stores. “Give old clothes a new life”. Someone else’s old coat, pants, or shirt could be new for someone else. The Rescue Mission not only redistributes old clothes, they serve meals, facilitate housing placements, and offer employment counseling. They have served 276,976 meals, placed 948 people in houses, provided overnight stays for 141,716 people, and employed 386 people. Many members of our community are involved with the Rescue Mission by helping to host events and donate goods. Consider joining them.
50 Years
Ice cream is a favorite treat for many in the summer time. Fifty years ago, Marble Farms advertised that they would deliver ice cream right to your door! The ice cream shop was a hotspot in Syracuse and Marcellus, popular for their ice cream, cheese, and other dairy products. Unfortunately, in recent years, the owners, Eddy and Sharline Laubscher closed Marble Farms. Though you can’t get ice cream delivered to your door anymore, you can still get this delicious treat we all love and crave at our three local ice cream parlors: Skaneateles Skoops, Doug’s Fish Fry, and Skanellus. On a hot sunny day be sure to check them out!
75 Years
Skaneateles High School students are usually given assignments in their English classes that include writing creative pieces. It’s pretty amazing however, when your poem gets published in the newspaper for the whole town to read. 75 years ago, Mary Clark, a Skaneateles High School student, wrote a poem that describes spring in central New York and the wild weather that comes with it. The poem reads;
Wild Weather
“The mad March wind tore shrieking by,
I felt it call.
The storm clouds that gathered in the sky,
Said rain would fall.
I felt the wind tug at my clothes,
Pulling and twisting.
I felt the mud under my toes,
Soft and unresisting.
I love the wind so wild and strong,
It has no fear.
Though winter seemed to last so long
Now spring is here.”
This poem really does describe how the weather is this time of year, even 75 years later, especially with the ups and downs in recent temperatures. The student, Mary Clark, was involved in many school activities, including drama, sports, Red Cross, as well as being the class vice president.
100 Years
A century ago in the midst of our first world war, a sense of nationalism existed in the United States that had never been seen before. Along with these patriotic beliefs came the first official code of rules for flag etiquette, which for the most part is still used today to show respect and pride in our county. Some of these rules were put in place to discourage damage toward the American flag, such as not allowing it to touch the ground nor be fastened in a way where it could be torn. Other rules, though still in place today, are lesser known and often broken by citizens and companies. These include not using the flag for “wearing apparel” or advertisement, and not displaying it before sunrise or after sunset. According to these guidelines, a flag that is tattered and can no longer be used as a symbol of our country must be burned. Though in today’s world these rules aren’t always followed or enforced, they do reflect the patriotism that existed in America 100 years ago.
