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

An article was published by the Skaneateles Press depicting important events that occurred during the 1990s in Skaneateles. The article contains nine years of celebration for the decade. In 1990 Brian and Christina Gorden opened Brian’s Creekside Inn. During 1991 a committee was formed to look at the possibility of constructing a new bus garage. Dickens Christmas, which is a major attraction to this day, started in 1993. With the decade of 2010 also coming to an end, there are many notable events to look back on. In 2010 Syracuse’s Mens’ basketball was undefeated. Citizens also took a frigid swim in the first ever Polar Bear Plunge. In 2013, President Obama passed through Skaneateles. In 2014, hundreds of people circled Austin Park for the Ice Bucket Challenge in support of a Skaneateles citizen. The annual Haunted Hallways took a short break in 2014, but in 2015 it was moved to the High School and has stayed there since. In 2017 Skaneateles Lake had its first reported algal bloom. In 2018 Justin Bieber visited Skaneateles with his wife Haily Bieber. As community members we are looking forward to the amazing memories we will make in the 2020s.

40 Years Ago

An article published by the Skaneateles Press described the Skaneateles Auburn boys varsity hockey game on Tuesday, Dec. 18. This Dec. 18 was also the date of the 2019 Skaneateles Auburn hockey game. 40 years ago Skaneateles beat Auburn 6-4; this year they went into overtime and ended with a 1-1 tie. Skaneateles goalie Adam Casper saved 5 of the 6 shots, Auburn’s one goal being made early in the first period. Skaneateles had 35 shots, the Auburn goalie saving 34 of them. The one goal for Skaneateles was scored by junior Charlie Russell assisted by sophomore Jack Henry. This was the first game in the 2019 season that Skaneateles didn’t bring home the win. At the game in 1979 Auburn fans participated in unsportsmanlike activities like throwing pennies on the ice and spitting on people. Now there is significantly more supervision to prevent fans from interfering with the game. The focus of the fights this year were on the ice: players from both teams were suspended for two games after a brawl. As the season goes on keep an eye out for signs around town announcing when and where you can catch the next game.

60 Years Ago

The Skaneateles Press published an article containing residents’ plans for the holidays. This column was called “Mandana Newsletter” and included information about Christmas plans and decorations from locals around town. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGraw decorated their house and driveway with colored lights, and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cross decorated a large tree on the lake. A few residents enjoyed Christmas at home with friends and family; gathered at the Faatz home for the holiday were all their children and grandchildren, from Norwich, Fairport, and Auburn. An early Christmas present to residents Mr. and Mrs. Curtis S. Fullmer was a baby girl, Lynda Marie. This year, Skaneateles high school students have also shared their plans for Christmas. Some families have planned trips near and far. The Soderbergs are taking a trip to Hawaii,  the McNeil’s are leaving for France, and the Danforth’s are having an annual family reunion in Lake Placid. A few students have also shared that they will be spending the holidays at home. Ellie Torrisi will be making cookies and spending quality time with her family. Wherever, or however you spending your holidays, we hope it’s a good one and wish you a Merry Christmas!

80 Years Ago

Is there really a Santa Clause? 80 years ago the Skaneateles Press stressed the importance of the presence of Santa Clause in Skaneateles. The article read, “Santa Clause was in Skaneateles. We didn’t see him or his galloping reindeers, nor his bright red sleigh laden with dolls and toys of every kind, and hosts of good things for little boys and girls, but nevertheless we knew he was there.” Although the author of the 1939 article wanted readers to understand how Santa Claus is real in the sense that the spirit of joy and happiness comes every Christmas day, the legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years ago to a monk named St. Nicholas. An article titled “Santa Claus” on the History website states, “St. Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick.” The history of Saint Nicholas plays an important part in the current presence of Santa Claus. The 1939 Press also stated, “It is the spirit of the Christ Child that warms the heart of humanity, and so long as we observe Christmas there will always be a Santa Claus.”

100 Years Ago

There was a national paper shortage in the U.S. that caused the government to require newspapers to reduce their size. Smaller papers were at a disadvantage because they didn’t have enough money to stock up on paper, unlike the larger newspaper companies. The opinion of Representative Randall of California was that if newspapers eliminated the advertising of cigarettes, then the problem would be solved. Our local newpaper’s solution to this problem was to reduce the size of their publication once a month from eight pages to four pages. Today, the newspaper business of actually printing a paper is declining. In the past 30 years, total daily newspaper circulation has decreased by half, from 60 million to 30 million. This decline has come largely due to digital newspapers. Many more people are getting their news online because it is easier and quicker to access for them. For the same reason, many newspaper companies are now available both in print and on the web, much like the Skaneateles Press. You can read the Skaneateles Press Online at eaglenewsonline.com/pubs/skaneateles-press/.