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

One decade ago, Creekside Books & Coffee was promoting a book reading by author and naturalist, John Weeks.  Weeks was sharing his new book, Nature’s Quiet Conversation, which describes the environment and human interaction with it across Central New York.  The awe-inspiring nature of our home truly deserves the appreciation.  Today, if you are interested in learning more about the local environment, you can pick up the “Postcard History” series by father and son, Charles and Paul Williams.  At the very least, just take a moment to appreciate this wonderful world of ours.

25 Years

Twenty-five years ago there was an advertisement for a first-class trip to Ireland called “Leprechauns to Ireland”. Leaving from Auburn, participants would spend twelve days visiting places such as Galway, Donegal, Dublin, and Waterford. A group of twenty-six students from Skaneateles High School will be taking a similar trip to Europe this coming July. The students will be travelling through Holland and England in order to experience the culture and learn about the history that inspired some of the greatest literary works. They’ll even watch a live Shakespearian performance in Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon.

50 Years

Fifty years ago this week, The Skaneateles Press printed an article regarding the Fresh Air Fund. The program allowed children from NYC to come to Skaneateles for a two week stay in the country during the summer months. The children, aged 5-12 were each assigned a host family. Today, the Fresh Air Fund is still very much a part of Skaneateles life. In the summer of 2015, the Ramsgard family opened their home to 9 year old Bronx native, Miguel Saavedra. Saavedra spent the summer on the lake with the Ramsgard family. He will not forget his experience, and has made life long relationships thanks to the program. Children have truly benefited from a stay in the area. A break from the city for some fresh country air is a wonderful experience for the participants.

75 Years

Seventy five Years Ago this week it was announced in the Skaneateles Press that the Looking Backward column was to be cancelled. Naturally this angered the community and people began protesting. Many said that it was imperative for younger generations to read about the past, it is our history after all. Throughout the years the column has been renewed several times and we are now fortunate to revitalize the column ourselves, as after reading about our communities’ history we felt as if it was necessary. Our current column, Years Ago is similar to Looking Backward as both highlight events occurring 10 to 100 years ago.

100 Years

A hundred years ago, Onondaga County gave 2,350 men to the draft for the American effort towards World War I. These individuals would be enlisted to the army and navy, thousands immediately deployed to fight in the European or Pacific theatre. Over a million New Yorkers between the ages of 21 and 30 were considered for selection, making the state’s contributions roughly 11 percent of American soldiers sent overseas. In modern times, the New York State Health Foundation reports that 85,000 veterans have returned home to the Empire State from the Afghan and Iraqi Wars and the state continues to contribute significant numbers to the United States armed forces.