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 Australian couple traveled to Skaneateles to see the annual Dickens Christmas. Judy Oliver, a tour manager from Australia, heard about the Skaneateles tradition while in Chicago, Illinois on a business trip. When she went back to Australia, she told her husband Mike about the village but forgot its name. When she remembered that the village was near Buffalo, New York, she was able to narrow her search and find Skaneateles. The couple flew to Los Angeles, California from Sydney, Australia and then took a four day train to Skaneateles. When they arrived, they were disappointed to find out that Dickens had ended a couple days earlier. Thankfully, they were able to contact the chairman of Dickens, Ted Davenport, and he met with the Oliver’s at the Sherwood with some of the Dickens actors in costume. The Oliver’s were very fascinated by the town lit up with Christmas lights. “We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Judy Oliver. “In hot weather no one puts lights on.” They were also impressed by the amount of shops that got into the holiday spirit, and with the shopkeepers that were helpful in making the Olivers feel at home. This past year in 2019, Dickens Christmas celebrated its 26 year anniversary.
40 Years Ago
The lunch menu for the Skaneateles School district was published in the newspaper. Throughout the week, the students were given the choice of many different entrées including pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, chicken rolls, and fish. In addition, all children could have salad, soup, and their choice of fruit along with the main dish. According to verywellfamily.com, there was a federal regulation passed called the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 which included guidelines that all schools had to follow. These guidelines required all bread to be at least 50 percent whole grain, green vegetables to be served everyday, and all milk must be nonfat or 1 percent. Looking back at the 1980 lunch menu, it is clear that Skaneateles Schools has given their students healthy lunches, regardless of the law, for many years.
60 Years Ago
A section in the Press discussed what teenagers in the town of Skaneateles were doing over Christmas break. All of the teens who contributed talked of having parties, including a dance at American Legion where the electricity went off for two hours and the get together was lit only by candle light, with jazz music played by Craig Tabat and Dick Bertling. Other parties hosted by teens included a hen party where party-goers played cards and sang music. Two other teens, Neilia Hunter and Sally Acheson, hosted a tea dance at Owasco Country Club on New Years Day. The party was from 4-8 and there was even a couple television sets for the kids to watch Syracuse football play the Texas Longhorns. Today, many teenagers tend to leave town during a school break. Some said they were going to areas around the state like the Adirondacks and New York City. Others mentioned that they’re going a bit further such as Nashville, Tennessee. Those who do stay home are sure to gather with their friends.
80 Years Ago
An article was described a hockey match between Skaneateles and Baldwinsville. The game ended in a tie, but more interesting was the fact that the Skaneateles team was called the Orange throughout the article. That’s right, instead of the well known Skaneateles Lakers, they were being referred to as Skaneateles Orange. No one we talked to in our school knew about this fact and we found it interesting to bring it to light, as part of the history of Skaneateles High. Who came up with the name Skaneateles Orange in the first place? Who decided to switch the name from Orange to Lakers? What inspired the school to change their mind about the name? Honestly, we don’t know. We have been unable to find any information or person that knows the reason. But, maybe you or someone you know does! If you have any information as to why the Skaneateles Lakers used to be called Skaneateles Orange, email Marty McNeil ([email protected]).
100 Years Ago
The Democrat published an article endorsing thrift because poverty was a big issue in the 1920s. According to BBC 60% of Americans were living under the poverty line. Citizens were also trying to preserve materials for the war effort. In today’s world, especially in first world countries, this concept is not widely used. This has led to lots of wasted materials and pollution. According to the Berkeley Student Environmental Research Center, Americans throw away 10.5 millions tons of clothes per year. Mass produced clothing is heavily dyed and can pollute water supplies which are then dumped into lakes and rivers. Over time, big companies continue to mass produce and damage the environment. By thrifting people can make a big difference for our environment. You can help by adapting your habits, and those of your family, in order to save money and prevent pollution. There are many non-profit thrift stores that you can shop at including Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Housing Works (mic.com). Donating clothing and upcycling will make a positive impact on the planet.
