Years Ago
These moments in history are selected and edited by students enrolled in Mrs. Hardy’s tenth grade Honors English class. Thank you to the Skaneateles Library and the Historical Society for providing the Press Archives.
10 Years Ago
Ten years ago, Rock n’ Skate at the YMCA was just starting up. It was a fun family activity for Friday nights. It took place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and included a live DJ and strobe lights! Members had free admission and non-members paid the small price of $5.50. This family-friendly event brought many together for wholesome fun. This tradition was discontinued, but today, skating is still available at the YMCA. If you are interested, the YMCA website lists open skate times for the upcoming months. Admission is free for members, $10 for the general public, or $25 for families. If you’re looking for an activity with a little more pizzaz, the Cedar House offers Rock n’ Bowl on Friday nights!
25 Years Ago
Twenty five years ago, the Skaneateles Press had a ‘town talk’ section in their newspaper where they interviewed town members about current topics. In 1989, the question of the week asked community members what their favorite sandwich was in honor of National Sandwich Day which occurred on Nov. 1. The results of this question ranged from a traditional ham and cheese sandwich to a pizza sub. Coming up this week are National Men Make Dinner Day on Nov. 2, National Sandwich Day on Nov. 3, National Book Lovers Day on November 4th, and National Gunpowder Day on November 5th. We hope you will be able to celebrate one of these various holidays.
50 Years Ago
Half a century ago, there was a massive fire on Otisco Lake at the Amber Inn. The fire completely destroyed the lnn burning it to the ground. All night, firemen were fighting the fire with help from surrounding fire stations. Mrs. Cleveland, who lived above the Inn, lost everything she owned including her pet parrot. Luckily, Mrs. Cleveland was not present during the fire. Although the Inn was destroyed, it was eventually rebuilt and is now back in business. The Inn is now a successful restaurant. It is open 3pm-2am Monday-Friday and 12pm-2am Saturdays and Sundays. Check it out the next time you are looking for a place to eat in the Otisco area!
75 Years Ago
Seventy five years ago the Presbyterian Church of Skaneateles presented Miss Harriet Halsey. Miss Halsey was an American missionary who spent 20 years with the African Inland Mission, spreading Christianity throughout Africa. Halsey was aboard the Zamzam on her way to Africa in the spring of 1941 when the ship was hit by nine shells, fired by the German Raider, Atlantis. After the Germans realized the ship they hit was not the enemy they thought it was, they quickly sent relief boats to rescue the 321 passengers who were now struggling to stay afloat in the South Atlantic Ocean. All passengers survived and were brought back to Germany safely. After returning home, to Skaneateles, Miss Halsey shared her incredible story with friends and family, along with speaking to groups. Charles McCarthy was another local man aboard the Zamzam who grew up in Auburn. Mr. McCarthy was going to serve for the Free French Forces in Africa when the Zamzam sunk. He was lucky enough to be sent back to America without being forced into German war camps, like other men aboard the ship. Overall, Miss Halsey and Mr. McCarthy’s stories were riveting to readers of the Press in 1942 and still interesting to this day.
100 Years Ago
One hundred years ago on Oct. 30, 1917 an article was published regarding women’s jobs during World War I. When men were drafted into the war, women had to leave their duties as housewives to takeover jobs that were thought to be suited for men. They worked in factories and small businesses to keep them running while their husbands were off in war. This article explained the probability that women would be forced to return to their roles as housewives when men returned from war. Today, women are given mostly equal opportunities for employment. Women are still only receiving 77 percent of what men earn, but now have the opportunity to work in all fields.
