Years Ago

These moments in history are selected and edited by students enrolled in Kate 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

… in the Feb. 27, 2008 edition of The Skaneateles Press, an article was published with the title “Mobile Market Draws National Attention.” Three years before this article was published, Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans and left many people without homes or access to fresh produce. As a result, a service was created to help provide relief to hurricane victims by bringing fresh foods to people who did not have access to grocery stores. This article explains how this system was brought to Upstate New York to provide many neighborhoods with fresh produce when there was limited access to such foods. Another alternative to a lack of fresh produce is by growing it yourself. As spring approaches this year, many people are starting to buy seeds and other equipment to get ready for this year’s farming season. There are many benefits to growing your own food, such as having immediate access to the produce and knowing that it is fresh and healthy. One of the most popular businesses to buy seeds or plants in our area is Dickman Farms in Auburn which opens back up in March.

25 Years Ago

…  in The Skaneateles Press, an article was written about eleventh and twelfth grade Marcellus High School students spending an afternoon in Skaneateles talking to seventh grade students about self-esteem and how to think before you speak in a program called “Be Cool, Not Cruel”. The purpose of the program was to raise awareness to all students about the bullying and peer pressure that goes on during a school day. One senior from Marcellus said, “The younger we catch people, the easier it is to change their ways.” Current students working on a film project about Ellen DeGeneres, recently visited Mrs. Henry and Mrs. Herr’s first and third grade classes to talk about the importance of being nice to one another. Caroline Raymond, a sophomore at Skaneateles High School, reported, “All the kids know exactly how to make each other happy.” She said it was a very fun experience that she believes made an important impact on the young Skaneateles students.

50 Years Ago

… the rink in Austin Park, better known as “The Old Rink” was in its concept stage. After the plans for the park were laid down, Austin Park Development Committee members decided that there was enough room to add an ice rink. This was considered a modern complex at the time, and a nice addition to the town. Two years later, it was finally constructed, and became part of town life. Residents would go to the rink for activities, such as hockey and figure skating. Today, the rink has been retired for two years, and a replacement, called the Duke Schneider Rink, was added to the Skaneateles YMCA which already houses the Allyn Arena. The rink’s old lobby and locker rooms now comprise the Skaneateles Pre-School which serves children who are not yet old enough for Kindergarten. As for the actual rink, it is now available to be rented out for large events such as the Skaneateles Field Days. Although its past skating days are over, the Ice Pavilion still has a future in the life of Skaneateles and the development of the community.

75 Years Ago

… an article was published in The Skaneateles Press addressing the number of deaths that resulted from unintentional injury. Surprisingly, of the 90,000 accidental deaths in 1943, 22,500 were caused by home accidents. Today, about 135,958 deaths are caused by unintentional injury in the U.S. The top three causes include poisoning, motor vehicle crashes, and falls. To prevent injury from occurring, make sure to follow basic safety rules. These include throwing away old medication, not eating food past the best by date, lighting up rooms and hallways, properly setting up electric appliances, and putting firearms away from children. Help lower the numbers of deaths from unintentional injury by taking safety precautions and using common sense.

100 Years Ago

Have you been suffering with a cold or illness this winter season? You’re not the only one. Winter illnesses have been a recurring problem, even 100 years ago. An article published in the February 1918 Skaneateles Press explained the effects of colds on a person’s kidneys and back. Colds can weaken your kidneys and cause backaches. It advertised Doan’s Kidney Pills as an effective product for treating kidneys hurt by harmful colds. Today, most people use Tylenol, Advil, congestion relief, and other anti-inflammatory medicines to treat colds. Most cold medicines are over-the-counter drugs. The common cold spreads quickly by coughing, sneezing, and poor proper hygiene.  To prevent getting a cold, stay healthy this winter by washing your hands often, sneezing and coughing into your elbow, and getting enough sleep. These are the best natural remedies for sickness, which people have been practicing for over a century.