|
Boat / Transportation
Museum
Planned in
Skaneateles
In the latter part of the 19th and
early part of the 20th centuries, the Creamery was
a vital part of the Skaneateles community, providing
a centralized milk-processing facility for the area.
Over the years the Creamery was also a thriving butter-making
business, and an ice cream processor for the Best
Ice Cream Co. and later, the Borden Co. In the early
1990s, the Skaneateles Historical Society acquired
the nearly 100-year-old derelict building, renovated
it, and established a new home for the Society and
a museum for the community.
Today, the Creamery is one of Skaneateles' primary
cultural centers, housing a growing local history
museum, a busy community room, facilities for research
and care of historical records and archives, and the
site of monthly programs of local historical interest.
But the Society is rapidly outgrowing the Creamery.
Recently, through a generous donation, the Society
was able to acquire the Creamery's old boiler plant,
gaining much-needed space for expansion and growth.
That expansion will be used to reflect and preserve
the history of Skaneateles commerce and transportation,
highlighting local wooden boat design and manufacturing.
Architectural plans have been drawn up to renovate
the boiler plant, connect it to the Creamery via a
new wing, and generally enhance the local neighborhood
along Skaneateles Creek. Now, effort is underway to
generate funding, develop detailed renovation plans
and implement improvements as fundraising permits.
Contributions to the project are being sought from
all parts of the Skaneateles community. The Chapter's
Board of Directors has voted to make a $1500. contribution
to the project over the next three years. Individual
tax-deductible contributions can be made using the
enclosed donation form.
Sea Scouts of
SSS 23
Skaneateles'
fledgling Sea Scouts Ship 23 (SSS 23), BSA just completed
it inaugural year. Sea Scouts provides an opportunity
for area coed youth, ages 14 to 20, to enjoy maritime
safety, training and on-the-water recreational experiences.
SSS 23 conducted or participated in a number of activities
throughout 2007, including:
- Skaneateles WinterFest 2007 providing a maritime
Cold Weather Safety display; - Coordinating conduct
of NY Safe Boating Course, open to the community,
in which SSS 23 Sea Scouts earned their certificates;
-
Chamber of Commerce "Dock Days", helping install the
community slips in the spring, and removal and storage
this fall;
- Conducting scuba training orientation in Skaneateles
Community Center pool;
- Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show with a
tent display;
- Novice sail training using a donated "Pennant" sailboat;
- Motor boating training (several Sea Scouts completed
BSA merit badge qualifications);
- Enjoying the general fun of learning and doing on-the-water
activities.
The Sea Scouts' 2007 program culminated in SSS 23's
October Awards Dinner at which all current Sea Scouts
received certificates for achieving Apprentice Rank.
Sea Scout Ship 23 is now planning for 2008, and will
continue to meet and learn through the winter in its
year-round program. Planned winter activities include:
-
Renovation of a second donated sailboat, a CL16, which
will be used to train and race next season;
-
Building of several self-propelled wooden boats for
the children's pool at the Skaneateles Antique Boat
Show;
- Refurbishment of wooden gift boats used by the Skaneateles
Chamber for raffle prizes at the Boat Show.
SSS
23 also looks forward to participating again in the
major events and service projects as it did in 2007.
Skaneateles Sunrise Rotary Club serves as the chartered
organization for SSS 23, which also enjoys the support
of a number of local boating enthusiasts, the Finger
Lakes Chapter, ACBS, and other organizations and businesses
which have stepped forward to help SSS 23 build the
program and create additional youth opportunities.
For further information on Sea Scouts, call (315)
685-9511, or e-mail Advance.Concept@Adelphia.Net
|
|
|