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 Press printed an advertisement about memberships at Gold’s Gym. The membership cost as low as $19 per month. With the New Year starting many people have resolutions to become more physically active. Although there isn’t a Gold’s Gym in the immediate area, there are plenty of other options. One of them is the Ultimate Goal located in Marcellus which offers great exercise options such as many soccer and lacrosse leagues offered for kids 9 and up as well as adult leagues. There is also Skaneateles Strength and Conditioning gym that offers classes for young kids age 13 to adults 80 years of age. They offer individual classes for personalized exercise circuits. Another local option right in Skaneateles is The YMCA. The Y offers an amazing workout gym with your choice of weights or running machines, a swimming pool, two ice rinks, and basketball courts for any use. It also offers many different classes ranging from yoga to aquatic fitness for any age. If any of these options interest you, check their websites for more information and class schedules.
40 Years Ago
… The Skaneateles Press published an article regarding a plastic firm and its extensive production in the 1980s. Statistics reported that the firm was getting more and more workers, allowing the business to flourish and expand. This indicates how habitually plastic was utilized, and how people at the time failed to comprehend the negative impacts it could have on the atmosphere. This widespread use of plastic has impacted the Earth to the present date. Not only does it pollute the oceans, but it also plays a direct part in the death of marine wildlife. According to biologicaldiversity.org, studies estimate there are now 15 to 51 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans. Currently, many countries in the world have instigated acts outlawing plastic in order to eradicate the negative impacts on the environment. The United States, in particular, has banned single use plastic bags in at least ten states, including Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Wisconsin, and most recently New York, where the ban will formally start in March of this year. Acts like this proliferate the message of eliminating plastic so that our community and environment is safe from the potentially toxic substances it produces. One third of all plastic ends up in soils and freshwater, which impacts wildlife and disintegrates the ecosystem. In New York, the fine for having to use a paper bag while shopping is 5 cents per bag. When shopping, don’t forget to bring a reusable bag to save money and the environment.
60 Years Ago
… an article published in the Jan. 22 Press informed the readers about the growing interest in upcoming ice fishing events. Contests held by the Otisco Rod and Gun Club intrigued fishermen of all generations. The Club is committed to providing a wide variety of educational opportunities and provides a solid foundation for safe and efficient gun and rod use. Today the Club continues to hold events in January and February when lake activity is at its apex. Otisco Lake tends to be more common for ice fishing over Skaneateles due to its depth. At 315 feet (over 250 feet deeper than Otisco) it takes longer for Skaneateles to freeze over, shortening the season. Other popular events that have continued to interest new members include the Winter Rifle League and Derby Day. Prizes are given out to the largest pickerel, pike, calico bass, or perch. If you are interested in any of the upcoming events, tickets are available at the Marcellus Moondance just call 315- 673-1135.
80 Years Ago
…The Skaneateles Fire Department and volunteers were called in to fight five fires in one weekend. In the week leading up to these calls, Onondaga County faced the most severe storm of the winter. It knocked down a lot of trees and was credited with starting the fires. After battling the flames for three hours, the firemen were able to stop the fires. While at the time five fires in two days seemed like a big deal, in the last few years fires have been featured on the news frequently. For months, forest fires raged in California and more recently Australia has been suffering from the same fate. There have been a reported 136 bushfires which are causing widespread destruction to both the land and the local animal population. Over half a billion animals have died as a result of these fires. To help fight this issue, over 2,700 people have volunteered. According to CNN, smoke from these fires has resulted in an air quality in Sydney that is 11 times the hazard level. Due to the level of destruction, the Australian Prime Minister revealed a 1.3 billion dollar fund to help fight and recover from these fires. These bushfires have led to 27 deaths and the destruction of over 2,000 homes. Hopefully the media coverage that these fires are receiving leads to more awareness and help for Australia.
100 Years Ago
…In the 1920s there was a coal strike which slowed down shipments of Ford vehicles. Strikes like these have hampered transportation for at least a century. Ford vehicles had recently been released in 1903, making them extremely popular and in huge demand. The lack of shipments affected many people’s daily lives. Everyone wanted to have this new product so they could travel freely. Recently, throughout the month of December 2019 to the first month of the new year a transportation strike has been in effect in Paris, France. Citizens are rightfully frustrated with the President of France who have denied them adequate public transport and has talked about changing worker pensions. For several weeks citizens have avoided using public transportation, and recent negotiations have failed. According to some French sources, the president has had a privileged life and has rarely used public transportation which has led her to undermining its importance. Today, we take public transportation and all transportation for granted. Up until recent times we have had the luxury of being able to go anywhere we please at all times. Especially in big cities like Paris and New York, public transportation is a necessity to get to work without being in traffic for hours. Transportation strikes have been happening throughout the world for as long as 100 years and have affected the lives of many.
Follow-up: According to the helpful researchers at the Skaneateles Historical Society, the 1939 yearbook indicates that the Skaneateles school colors were black and orange. Then in the 1950s they changed to the current colors; however, instead of being referred to as Lakers, the school was called Lakeshore.
