The Scriba Historian

08/29/2026

All town flags are flying at half-staff. A flag at half-staff is a way to show mourning, respect, and remembrance.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower established official rules for lowering the American flag in 1954. This is a tangible display of a country united to honor important individuals and mark significant losses.

Today, our flags are flying at half-staff to remember Dolly Parton. Her songwriting, music, generosity, and philanthropy touched millions of lives. Flags will be flown at half-staff until September 1 by order of President Donald Trump.

Here in Scriba, we remember Dolly—and we’re continuing our own work of remembrance.

Our Buildings & Grounds team is getting Scriba Veterans Memorial Park ready for three memorial bluestones that will be placed to honor our World War II veterans. The foundations and framework are coming together, and soon bronze plaques will display the names of Scriba residents who served.

A community remembers. A legacy lives on. 🇺🇸

08/20/2026

Did you know?

08/18/2026

THEY GAVE THEIR TIME. THEY GAVE THEIR SERVICE. SOME GAVE EVERYTHING.

Now, we are making sure they will never be forgotten.

Something deeply meaningful is taking shape for a WWII Veterans Memorial in Scriba, NY.

For more than a year, we have been working behind the scenes—researching, planning, coordinating, securing funding, and bringing together the people needed to make this vision a reality.

This fall, three large blue stone monuments with bronze plaques honoring Scriba’s World War II veterans will become part of the memorial. They will stand among new landscaping and existing memorial stones, creating a place of beauty and remembrance.

This work continues the vision of Charles Young, who served as Scriba Town Historian for more than 30 years. His vision deserves to be carried forward—and we are honored to do so.

🇺🇸 *Our goal is to complete this project and dedicate it to our veterans by Veterans Day, November 11, 2026.*

But the story won't end here.

As funding allows, we hope to continue adding memorials honoring *Scriba residents who served in conflicts throughout our nation's history.* There is more work to do, and more stories to tell.

The goal of our park is simple: *to create a beautiful place where Scriba remembers, honors, and preserves the legacy of those who served our country.*

Because behind every name is a person.

A family.

A story.

A sacrifice.

And a reason to remember.

Scriba remembers.
*Scriba honors.**
*Scriba will never forget. 🇺🇸

08/18/2026

A Little Lesson I Learned Today 🇺🇸

Today, while grocery shopping, I struck up a conversation with a gentleman wearing a Vietnam Veteran hat. His name is Tom, and he shared something with me that I was surprised I had never been taught.
Like so many of us, when we see a veteran, we often say, “Thank you for your service.” And Tom told me that, while he certainly appreciates those words, there is something else he would like people to say to Vietnam veterans:
“Welcome home.”

We talked a little longer, and I told Tom how much I appreciated him taking the time to educate me. I had honestly been unaware of the significance of those two words.

For many Vietnam veterans, coming home was nothing like the welcome our veterans receive today. The war was deeply unpopular, and our country was experiencing enormous social and political unrest. Many young men and women were drafted and sent to serve in a war they did not choose.
When they came home, many were met not with gratitude, but with anger, protest, misunderstanding and, in far too many cases, silence. Their pain, trauma and sacrifices often went unrecognized for years.
So today, I learned something important from Tom.

The next time I see a Vietnam veteran, I will still say “Thank you for your service.”
But I will also look them in the eye and say:
“Welcome home.”
And perhaps we can all do the same.

🇺🇸 Welcome home, Vietnam veterans. We see you. We remember you. And we are grateful for your service. 🇺🇸

08/17/2026

# # # A Young Vision for the Future

On Tuesday evening, August 11th, I had the pleasure of attending the Scriba Historical Society's inspiring presentation from **Bruce Pecorella**, a young man with a big vision for the future.

Bruce, who will be entering his freshman year in the Oswego High School this fall, presented his research and vision for bringing **Future Farmers of America (FFA)** to our local schools. This is a project he has been working on for quite some time, and his passion for agriculture and education was evident throughout his presentation.

Bruce is already putting his passion into practice. He grows vegetables at home, raises chickens, and sells eggs. He also shared the personal connection that his family has with FFA, telling the story of his father and grandmother's involvement downstate and proudly displaying awards his father received during his FFA experience in his youth.

His presentation gave those attending a wonderful glimpse into the many opportunities FFA can provide young people—from agriculture and leadership to hands-on learning and community involvement.

Bruce understands that making his vision a reality will require the support of faculty members and a commitment from the Board of Education to incorporate FFA into the school curriculum. He also understands something equally important: **big ideas often begin with one person who is willing to believe in them.**

The room was filled with encouragement from the audience that included residents, teachers, Historical Society members, family members and community leaders.

Those in attendance were proud to offer Bruce support and willing to help him move this vision forward.

**Hey, Bruce, keep dreaming big! Your vision has already begun to inspire others.**

Please join the Scriba Historical Society in encouraging this young man as he works to bring new opportunities in agriculture, education, and leadership to the young people of our community. 🌱

08/10/2026

A Surprise Visitor & A Special Connection to Our Town’s History

Last week, I had the wonderful surprise of being greeted by a very special visitor—Mr. Weston Scriba.

At 81 years old, Mr. Scriba is one of the last remaining original Scriba family members connected to those who settled in this area. He grew up in arguably one of the oldest homes in Oswego County-the Scriba mansion in Constantia, NY.

He has also proudly served more than 16 years in the Armed Forces and is now retired, having relocated in Central New York.

Weston stopped by simply to say hello and introduce himself, but his visit quickly became so much more than that. It was an honor and a privilege to spend some time with him and hear a little about his connection to our community.

During our conversation, Weston reaffirmed something that has been passed down through our town’s history: the name Scriba was chosen as a namesake of our founder, George Scriba. He also shared that, at the time, many residents did not want the town to carry the name Scriba, but the county ultimately made the decision to give the town that name.

Today, our town remains one of the few places that has continued to carry its original name from the time of its founding through generations to the present day.

There is something very special about sitting across from someone whose family is woven directly into the history of our community. These are the stories that cannot always be found in books or records—they live in the memories and experiences of the people who came before us.

Weston has graciously agreed to come back for another visit, and I look forward to sitting down with him for a longer conversation. Perhaps, in time, we can arrange an opportunity for him to share some of his memories and knowledge with our residents as well.

Thank you, Mr. Scriba, for stopping in to say hello. It was truly an honor to meet you, and we look forward to welcoming you back to our Town Office and our community.

Sometimes, history has a way of simply walking through your door. ❤️

08/06/2026