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 wrote about the up and coming 25th anniversary of the Empire State Games (ESG). In 2000 the Games were returning to their roots by taking place in Central NY on various college and university campuses. Many athletes from the US Olympic team have attended and participated in the ESGs. THe Empire State Winter Games continue to produce Olympic athletes and attract large crowds. This year was the 40th year of the competition, which brought together over 2100 athletes from across New York state and beyond, including 15 states and three countries to compete in over 30 winter sports events. Many student athletes from central New York have competed in the events, including Skaneateles sophomore Holly Teasdale-Edwards who competed in the figure skating event for this competition. If you would like to register for next year’s games or find out more information go to empirestatewintergames.com

40 Years Ago
…The Skaneateles Press dedicated several pages to a Bride Guide. Following different articles of the bride guide were advertisements for various bridal stores and wedding destinations such as Fleur De Lis Floral Design; Aurora Inn; The Hawley Photography Studio; Manlius Publishing Corp. Wedding Invitations; and The Muggleton Gallery, a jewelry store that made custom wedding bands. A few of these places are still open today such as the Aurora Inn, a beautiful hotel and wedding venue on Cayuga Lake. The Inn was built in 1833, restored in 2003 and continues to be a perfect wedding spot. With Spring just around the corner many couples have started to plan their wedding. Just recently a new bridal shop opened up in Skaneateles called Gee June Bridal. The store provides specialty wedding dress and gown alteration services, cleaning, and pressing. The owner, Layne Dann, started her company as a side gig in 2010 and in 2015 her side job became full time when she designed a collection for the New York Fashion Week presentation. If you’re looking to find the perfect dress you can stop by the newly opened store, Gee June Bridal, or visit their website at geejunebridal.com.

60 Years Ago
…During the weekend of the 20 and 21 of February, 1960 there was 23 inches of snowfall. That 23 inches was added to a 20 inch “deposit” from the previous weekend. This enormous amount of snowfall was enough to cancel school, cancel a village caucus, take out telephone lines, and interrupt bus and mail routes. Large amounts of snowfall in Central New York is not anything unusual. The average annual snowfall in Syracuse is right around 104 inches. That makes us the snowiest city in all of New York, which is the eighth snowiest state in the US. However, this year has been a rather mild one. Nearing the end of February we are sitting between 50 and 60 inches. Having a small amount of snow in a given year isn’t necessarily uncommon, that said climate change could be a factor. In 2015 we reached a record low at 40 inches, then in 2016 shot back up to 110 inches. Since then the inches have gradually declined each year. The sporadic changes and gradual decline of precipitation are both signs of climate change. Then again, we live in Central New York, you never know what the weather could do next.

80 Years Ago
… In the Feb. 23, 1940 issue of The Skaneateles Press an article was written commemorating the 51st anniversary of use of the historical Library building. The original dedication of the building was met with much fanfare, though the Library Association had been in service for 10 years prior. The building has gone through little change since it’s construction, save for the annexing of the adjoined law office, now the children’s room, and the building of the Barrow Art Gallery behind the main building. Today, the library is going through more change. Discussion on the need for a more usable and accessible building better adapted to serving the public reached a consensus in September, and in December it was decided that a new building altogether would be the most effective option. This would solve the problems of many patrons of the library such as a lack of event and meeting space, elevators for people unable to use stairs, as well as much needed space for new books and a parking lot for those outside walking distance. If you are interested in learning more, the library board meets primarily on the second Tuesday of each month, and the meetings are open to the public.

100 Years Ago
…The Democrat discussed American wheat exports during the year 1919. Wheat was mainly exported to Europe to help with post-war food shortages, with England, Italy, and France being the biggest buyers. The total amount exported that year was just over 4 million metric tons. Overall, wheat production has increased since 1919, likely due to new farming technologies and a growing population worldwide. According to statista.com, the United States is the fifth largest exporter of wheat, and over 27 million metric tons were exported in 2019 alone. That’s over six times the amount shipped away in 1919. The countries importing American wheat are also different today. According to beef2live.com, Mexico buys the most, followed by the Philippines and Japan. The state of New York produces about 0.6% of the country’s exported wheat, with 171,457 metric tons being produced per year. Overall, the farming industry has gone through many changes in the last 100 years in order to meet the needs of growing world populations.