Years Ago
This column, contributed by Skaneateles Honors English students from the class of 2022, is written to connect the past to the present by revisiting articles from years ago. The students would like to thank the Skaneateles Historical Society for providing the archives and Eagle Newspapers for publishing their words.
20 Years Ago
… The Skaneateles High School drama program published an advertisement for its fall production: “The Wizard of Oz.” Directed by the now-retired Mickey Kringer with leads Bradley Benjamin as Dorothy Gale, Hillary Waite as the Wicked Witch of the West, and Matt Cappuccilli as the Wizard of Oz; the production was set to open on Thursday, Nov. 4, 1999. This year, opening on Nov. 1, the drama program is presenting “Little Shop of Horrors,” directed by Brian Franco. This will be his directing debut at Skaneateles High School. The show will also have a senior citizen performance on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. With leads Ben Kringer as Seymour, Sophia Wingfield as Audrey, and Frank DeRosalia as Mushnik, the show will have three performances during the first weekend of November; Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Come support the Skaneateles Drama Program this weekend!
40 Years Ago
An article written by the class officers of the 1981 graduating class was published, in which they thanked the people who helped to make the sophomore circus a success. The sophomore circus is a carnival that the sophomore class holds each year. This annual tradition is always a greatly anticipated event. In the past, as is evident by the date of the newspaper in which this article was published, the circus took place in the fall. However, in the last decade or so the circus has been taking place in the spring. The sophomore circus is a great way for students to raise money for the school and interact with different members of the community. Over the years, many different methods have been used to raise money. In the article, the sophomore class officers thank those who assisted them in finding puppies and a spinning wheel. While it is very disappointing that the sophomore circus no longer features puppies, the recent carnivals have featured new ways of raising funds. The sophomore circus is now scheduled the same night as the pasta dinner and silent auction which both benefit the senior class. For more information about the sophomore circus, visit the Skaneateles Central School District website.
60 Years Ago
… The Skaneateles Press published an article with the four finalists in the student Abroad Summer Program. Twenty-one juniors from Skaneateles High School had filled out the initial application. In 1959 the finalists included Jean Nichols, Kent Tabat, Sonja Taylor, and Barbara Weber. This program is still popular at Skaneateles High School today, and the application process is just as rigorous. Interested students write an essay with details about their life, why they want to travel abroad, and a world event that interests them. Since participating in the Rotary Exchange makes students a youth ambassador for the USA, there is also an interview where the student must demonstrate their knowledge of current events. There are many things to experience and learn from opportunities like this. One student, sophomore Ashlen Rossi, traveled to Spain this past summer. She said, “my favorite take away was probably that I got to experience someone else’s life for a month.” She also enjoyed encountering new cultural traditions and a different way of life. For more details visit the Rotary’s youth exchange website.
80 Years Ago
The Skaneateles Press published an article regarding the Junior Red Cross, a syndicate which provided people from different backgrounds with clothing, toys, furniture, and various entertainment and recreational programs at military camps and hospitals during World War II. The organization originated in 1884 after six children voluntarily raised 50 dollars – equivalent to a total of $1,282.16 today – which they donated to a struggling family in the United States. Similarly, another group, which was specifically mentioned in the article, raised the equivalent of $903,261 today and purchased medical supplies which they shipped to Poland where the American Red Cross distributed them while working alongside the British and French Red Cross organizations. Today, due to the lack of a war, there are less youths involved in aid services. Around 100,000 youth participate in school Red-Cross clubs and other humanitarian missions, where they organize blood drives, raise funds for vaccines, and help in community disaster shelters. Skaneateles itself runs a blood drive to aid others. The Junior Red Cross was developed over a hundred years ago, but its impact is still seen today. More than 25% of Red Cross members are 20 years of age or younger. It is important to see how we helped others in times of need and a reinforcement that we should continue to do so.
100 Years Ago
… there was an article written about the annual cost to keep a family of five in 1919, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The minimum cost of living for a family of five was $2,262. For five members of the family, food cost $773.93, clothing cost $513.72 (unless women tailored their own clothing), housing, fuel, and lights cost $428. Entertainment for the family was limited to $40, including magazines and newspapers, which often weren’t purchased, just borrowed from the public library. Families today have the ability to enjoy these luxuries for themselves. Today, a family of five spends roughly $2,564 on entertainment alone. According to the Consumer Expenditure Survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, housing for a family of five costs about $10,080, miscellaneous spending at $664, and $9,761 for transportation. Groceries today costs about $6,602. In total, a family of five, on average, spends $63,784 annually, including other costs like services, education, healthcare, taxes, etc.
