Years Ago
by Patrick Hackler and Michael Lovier
10 Years Ago
A decade ago, the Skaneateles Press article portrayed Phil Blackwell’s opinion on the upcoming NFL season in a piece titled “Random Thoughts”. Blackwell, an acclaimed sports writer, separated his column by each division throughout the National Football League. He spoke highly about many teams including the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and San Diego Bolts (currently the Los Angeles Chargers). However, no team matched Phil Blackwell’s praise like the New Orleans Saints, who he predicted to win Super Bowl XLII, when in fact our own state’s New York Giants won that year. As always, this year’s NFL season should be very interesting and exciting for fans… no matter the team they cheer for.
25 Years Ago
Twenty five years ago, Community Newspapers had a unique advertisement to acquire newspaper carriers throughout Central New York. The headline “Wanted Alive” focused on young readers, ages 11-16, to gain responsibility and earn money while working for the Newspaper. Furthermore, “suspects” received monthly payments and bonuses for every new subscriber that was added. The job explanation illustrated the responsibility young adolescents had in 1992. So young readers, ask yourself “Did you have a productive summer?”
50 Years Ago
Fifty years ago, the Skaneateles football team was in preparation for the season. The newspaper highlighted some Skaneateles football players including quarterback, Marc Kortright, as well as captains, Kevin Berry and Alan Shipman… all gathered around Head Coach Lee Rittenmeyer. When the paper interviewed Coach Rittenmeyer, he told the Press that he believed the team had lots of young talent that should make for a pretty good season. Today, with school right around the corner, many people are preparing for the oncoming football season. Currently the quarterback is Patrick Hackler, who said he has similar beliefs to those of Coach Rittenmeyer 50 years ago.
75 Years Ago
The anticipation and excitement over the first day of school may bring about the question: How many students are enrolled in Skaneateles? 75 years ago, 643 students were registered to attend Skaneateles Central Schools in the fall. In 1942, the distribution of students in the district was rather scattered. The fewest number of pupils were enrolled in 5th Grade, with a total of 25. While the highest total was 82 students enrolled in the 9th Grade… a total of 291 were in the high school. The Great Depression may have had a significant impact on when children were born. Today, the district has almost doubled in enrollment. The entire district consists of 1271 students, 490 of them within the high school.
100 Years Ago
A century ago at the peak of WWI, many things were going wrong for many people throughout London, England. In the middle of an air raid, one British man who had been blind for over four years was suddenly able to see again. The article in the Skaneateles Press claimed that the stress and commotion from the bombardment caused the restoration of his sight. Although his name was never released, he kept in contact with the paper and his sight was restored indefinitely. Upon being able to see, he exclaimed, “Mother, I can see again.” Readers, always look on the bright side for you never know what tomorrow may bring.
