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.

20 Years Ago

… an announcement in the Press detailed the marriage of Skaneateles High School alumnus Sharon Finnegan to George Azzam. They were married on June fifth at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church surrounded by their friends and family. After their marriage they took a honeymoon in Hawaii and then resided in Redondo Beach, California. Now, they have returned to Skaneateles to raise their four children: Hope, Nate, Keady, and Faith. Two of their children were later baptized by the same priest that married them, Father McGrath. Their children are all currently enrolled in Skaneateles schools and their oldest will be a high school senior next fall. They are still happily married and are planning to celebrate their twentieth anniversary with a vacation to Italy in the fall.

40 Years Ago

… an article was published in the Skaneateles Press recounting the victory of Skaneateles resident Dr. John Ayer in the National two-man Whitewater Canoe races held in Pulaski, NY. Dr. Ayer and his canoeing partner, John Rowe, were just two of the 180 participating canoers. Dr. Ayer, an accredited canoer, planned on participating in various other canoe races in the summer of 1979, including the Great Race held in Auburn.  The annual relay race includes biking, running, and canoeing or kayaking portions with teams of either two, three, or four people. This year, the event will be held August 11, 2019 at 9:30 AM and will mark the 42nd year in Great Race history. Start training, find a partner, sign-up, and be prepared for a fun-filled day of friendly competition! For more information, please visit, great-race.com/.

60 Years Ago

The effects of radioactive exposure have become a popular topic in recent years thanks to several studies, and even TV shows like HBO’s Chernobyl. 60 years ago, scientists like Dr. Gentry began to notice the long term consequences of radioactivity on the human body in areas as close as Northern New York. In the 1950s, not much was known about this particular topic, which prompted the United States Congress to donate $50,000 to Dr. Gentry to aid in his research. The reason for that was that apart from the short term consequences, the long term effects of radioactivity take years to accumulate. In Hiroshima, for example, survivors of the atomic bomb experienced an elevated cancer rate of 42% in the years following the drop of the atomic bomb (ncbi.gov). Other effects of irradiation include birth defects that appear in later generations due to mutated DNA. These long term repercussions were the reason Dr. Gentry began his research on congenital anomalies in infants; to find the source of radiation and determine the necessary precautions.

80 Years Ago

… the Press published an article highlighting a recent increase in fruit production from trees. The article states that the growing conditions have been perfect for fruit plants, with peach production having increased by 307,000 bushels from the previous year. In addition, cherry production was expected to be higher than in previous years, with an indication of 184,000 tons of cherries for the whole country. That’s the same weight as 33,455 elephants! With the fall harvest approaching, look out for fruits such as apples, grapes, pears, and cranberries as they come into season. If you are looking to purchase some fresh, delicious fruit, make sure to visit the Skaneateles Farmer’s Market. Located in the Austin Park Pavilion parking lot, the market is open on Thursdays from 3:30 to 6:30pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 1pm until mid-October. Take advantage of our wonderful locally grown fruits this coming fall harvest season.

100 Years Ago

… the Democrat published the heartbreaking story of a young girl who accidentally drowned in Skaneateles lake. The four year old girl was at home with her siblings and their nurse; as one of her siblings was sick the nurse was not aware of the girl’s absence. Today, safety precautions bring awareness to incidents like this. According to the New York Times, children at the age of 4 and over should get swimming lessons, such as a Red Cross approved swimming program. Another safety precaution is children under 13 having to wear a life vest on a boat, according to the US Boat Foundation. Hopefully, rules like these and increased awareness can help to prevent future tragedies. If you’re spending any time on the lake this summer, be sure to be aware of precautions and stay safe.