Years Ago

This week’s column was researched and written by Liliana Arias, Matheu Campbell and Eva Vitsaxaki.

10 Years Ago

On July 16, 2008, Paul Barbano wrote a simple informative article on summer plants and their usage in different teas. While not inherently significant today, it is an interesting reminder of what would take a prominent spot in print media of the past. This format and type of article is exactly the kind of writing that thrives on the internet in the form of blogs or casual articles now, and in the ten years since this article was written, this type of content has largely migrated to the new medium. The rapid advancement of technology means that industries and content producers are scrambling to keep up, and this trend will only continue in the coming years.

26 Years Ago

… the High School Skaneateles Environmental club decided to make a small difference to help our environment. Along with their president, Amrita Candela, the club cleaned up 200 yards of Skaneateles Creek from upstream of the Creamery. They spent two hours picking up debris such as tractor tires, cans and rusted metal from the stream and its banks. Today, we all acknowledge how important taking care of the environment is; especially considering how climate change is now affecting our Earth on a day to day basis. Therefore, it is important to encourage ourselves, our friends, family and most importantly our posterity to make even a small difference, just like those high school students did.

50 Years Ago

…  an article was published in the Skaneateles Press about an upcoming event called “Teasel Day.” This event was sponsored by the Skaneateles Historical Society, and it honored the former teasel industry in Skaneateles. The article also boasted fun things to do at this event, such as a teasel cutting contest. Teasels, tall prickly plants with spiny purple flower heads, were used in textile mills, and they were very important to the economy of Skaneateles during the Industrial Revolution. Nowadays, teasels are no longer commonly found in the fabric industry, but they serve a purpose helping people recover from Lyme Disease (WebMD), a disease that is commonly found in the Northeast. Skaneateles would not be what it is today without this plant.

75 Years Ago

Even though life 75 years ago was significantly different, people still enjoyed small pleasures such as swimming and shopping. In an advertisement that was published in 1943, Ceil’s Shop sold bathing suits for 1 to 3 dollars compared to the price of a swimsuit today which could range anywhere from 20-200 dollars. Although Ceil’s Shop’s prices seem very economical, we mustn’t forget price inflation. Three dollars in 1943 is equivalent to 43 dollars today which ends up to be a quite moderate price.

100 Years Ago

… the Skaneateles Press ran an advertisement for swimming caps to protect ladies’ hair while they were swimming. Plain caps were sold for either 25, 35, or 50 cents, while fancy caps went for either 40 cents, 75 cents, or one dollar. Unfortunately, prices have not remained that low. Today, the plainest caps on Swim Outlet, a popular swim gear website, are sold for about two dollars, while the fanciest swim caps can cost upwards of twenty! Although swim caps are still worn, most do not have a strap under the chin like those sold in the early 20th century, and they are no longer regarded as a piece of essential swimwear. Be thankful for that the next time you take a dip in the lake!