I have been practicing blogging this weekend and have perfected some of my skills. I should get better as time goes by.

We are a Real Estate team working at Gallinger RealtyUSA in Skaneateles. Although we have always been a part of Skaneateles, the challenge of buying a home in Skaneateles for ourselves and other members of our family motivated us to join a real estate firm and learn about the market. It has been a great way to meet fine people and learn about Skaneateles and the people who live here. It has motivated Marion to try blogging. Thank you to Chris and Meg for initiating a meeting for individuals interested in blogging on Skaneateles talk.

Marion Wiles Krauter and Annette Krauter Pickup

PickupKrauterTeam.com

Marion’s first connection to Skaneateles.

I have now learned how to add pictures so I thought I would give it a try.

The first property I knew in Skaneateles was the Pump House on East Lake Road. This was bought by my grandfather, Judge Ben Wiles. He bought this property to be a summer home for his family of 6 children. His wife’s name was Barbara Stickley Wiles. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 62. “Budge” as she was called visited Skaneateles into her 90’s. Barb needed a little help in the summer. Therefore, many of her grandchildren were sent to “the camp” to do light housework and prepare simple luncheons for her bridge partners. Barb was the best bridge player but her grandchildren mostly remember her competitive nature at the Scrabble table. Just before you won, she would say, “Great Job” and then proudly put on the last word which would give her the top count!

Judge Ben and Barbara still reside on the lake. They are the two boats on Skaneateles run by Mid-Lakes Navigation. The Judge commands the leadership role with 2 levels of seating and a great dinner cruise. Barbara is the smaller boat which does luncheon cruises and follows the Judge when the bookings warrant the extra seating. Go to Skaneateles.com and look for them in the virtual tour. Their namesakes were part of the generation with the vision of Skaneateles as a place to go in the summer for health, recreation, and social gathering.