130 Years Ago - 1894

After his wagon repository is finished, A. Inderlied will also side and paint the blacksmith shop. This will be a decided improvement in that part of town.

We understand that Prof. F.A. Welch, the dancing master, intends to bring action against the Sullivan County Record. He was said to be in Liberty the other day looking for a good lawyer. Whoever heard of such a thing – suing a country newspaper for libel! Unless the professor wishes to accept payment for damages in cord wood or one or two bushels of potatoes which the editor has just taken in on subscriptions, he better keep his hounds off.

A horse belonging to E. Dorrer of North Branch got loose from his fastening in Scheidell’s barn in Jeffersonville and started forth at a pretty reckless gait. At Louis Faubel’s, it decided to take to the sidewalk and the cart collided with John Bossley’s one-horse platform wagon on one side and Faubel’s porch on the other. Bossley’s wagon and harness were damaged somewhat and his horse was knocked prostrate by the shock but was uninjured.

120 Years Ago - 1904

The Pit Club was entertained by William Lieb and wife Thursday night to mark the 11th anniversary of their marriage. Covers were laid for fourteen.

The farm boarding house of John Armstrong, known as the old Thomas Divine place, one mile from Ferndale, was burned last week with all its contents. In the excitement, Mr. Armstrong put on the wrong pair of trousers and by this error $150 in cash was lost.

Charles Homer has commenced the work of removing his hotel barn back sixty feet on the lot he bought of Charles Scheidell. He will have an underground hog pen under the barn and put on an addition for more horse stalls.

Adam Hauser of Callicoon had a wood bee Saturday. There were fifteen wood choppers and they made short work of the large pile of logs and enjoyed themselves to their hearts’ content, returning at a late hour. Henry Kraft Jr. and George Kohl were champion wood sawers.

About 50 masked people took part in the ball at the Eagle Hall Monday night. The opening march was led by E.A. Brand and Miss Barbara  Homer. One of the clowns who intended dropping down into the ballroom through the hole in the attic, missed his footing and came down through the plaster ceiling.

Fred  Bietz has bought of Fred Yager, an acre of land on the heights across the road from H. Kraut’s and is preparing the foundation for a barn.

110 Years Ago - 1914

Residents of West End Avenue have petitioned the town board of Delaware to macadamize the street from the top of the hill to Main Street. As this is a much traveled thoroughfare and the people at this end pay considerable of the town taxes, the request does not seem at all unreasonable.

On Sunday, Anna Julia, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Glassel of the Beechwoods was united in wedlock with William Henry Kratz of Youngsville.

The governor has signed a new law requiring all wagons to carry a light at night. If you violate this law you are liable to a fine of $5.

Henry Bacon has resigned as lineman for the West Sullivan Telephone Co., and Decker Chandler of Long Eddy is back on the job and has moved with his family into the Grishaber block.

Mrs. G.H. Raum and infant son and Miss Emma Puerschner of Kenoza Lake are recovering from measles, as are also W.P. Theiss and wife. Measles have had full swing here this spring.

Manager Schmidt of the alleys in Jeffersonville is endeavoring to start a tournament for two-man teams. The teams entered thus far are Ed Homer and Alan Lieb, John Huff and William Becker, Earl Arlington and Chester Yager, Charles Hossich and John Schmidt, and Floyd Hust and Will Lithan.

John L. Roesner and wife, who sold their confectionery business to Thomas C. Tormey, have stored their furniture at Christian Sanders and will go to the city on a visit.

The reinforced concrete building of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville enjoys the lowest insurance in these parts – 18¢ on $100. The rate on the Mansion House alongside the bank building is $2.50 per $100. Some difference!

100 Years Ago - 1924

John O. Weyrauch of Callicoon Center underwent an operation for amputation of the right foot last week in Vassar Hospital, Poughkeepsie.

B.E. Pudney, president of the village of Sidney and Editor Arthur Bird of the Sidney Record and formerly publisher of the Sullivan County Record, were arrested recently on charges of libel. The action grows out of the campaign preceding the Sidney village election.

Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Yeager entertained about fifty guests at a dinner at their home Sunday evening in celebration of the christening of their infant son, Daniel.

The First National Bank of Hankins was organized last Saturday. The directors have purchased the Manny bluestone office lot in Hankins and will erect a bluestone banking house on it as soon as possible. The bank will start with a capital stock of $25,000.

A thunder and lightning storm Saturday – a blizzard Tuesday. The two extremes.

On Wednesday of last week a testimonial party was given Pastor and Mrs. Reynolds at the church hall in Kenoza Lake. There was a big gathering, an excellent feast and a general good time.

The concrete docking just below the small bridge in front of John VonBergen’s gave way last Thursday due to the water which had been undermining it for some time.

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hahn of Callicoon Center celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home last Friday. A delightful evening was spent by those present.

90 Years Ago - 1934

A daughter, Ellen, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Kautz of the Beechwoods on March 31.

The fourteen room boarding house and home of Charles Stewart in the Town of Fremont, two miles from Hortonville, was destroyed early Saturday morning by a fire which was supposed to have started in the chimney. When the Stewarts awoke the entire roof of the house was in flames and it was all the parents and five children could do to escape from the burning building.

The work of resurfacing Main Street in the village of Jeffersonville, which was put off last fall, will be taken up next week. People who want to repair or replace their water pipes in the street had better do so without delay.

Simon Sattinger of Jeffersonville, and Miss Ruth M. Leave, daughter of Mrs. Maud Leave of Medway, Mass., were married last week at Medway, Mass. The couple expect to set up housekeeping in the Harry Mathern Bungalow in Delaware.

Ferdinand Steinhauser, retired hotelkeeper at Callicoon Center, died Saturday. He was taken ill with pneumonia and complications developed. He was an organizer of the local fire department and a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, a substantial citizen and a help to his community.

Harry Weber has sold his farm of  over 100 acres, formerly the Peter Wormuth farm and one of the first farms settled in this town, to George Hanslmaier. Mr. Weber retains some of the land and the bungalow adjoining, where he will devote more of his time to his GLF feed business here in Jeff.

With the nice weather, Easter morning was a gala day in Jeffersonville with crowds attending all church services, which were enshrined in flowers, the symbol of new life and hope.

J. Irving Wagner and Theodore Emr returned home last week after serving about 4 months in CCC camps. The boys gained in weight and strength.

80 Years Ago - 1944

PFC John B. Waldron of Fosterdale was one of fifteen American soldiers to receive the Croix de Guerre for action with the French forces in the Cassino area under the command of General Alphonse Guin.

The fire company in Jeffersonville gave a farewell party at Bucky’s Inn to a number of their members who are scheduled to enter the military service. Among the number are, Edwin Backer, Edwin Tegeler, Edward Steffans, Leonard Hess and Elmer LeRoy.

A surprise party was given for Guenther Huebler by his mother at the Armbrust home. At midnight a luncheon was served to the guests by hostesses Mrs. Huebler and Mrs. Armbrust. Among the guests were Alvin and Blanche Plotkin, Florence Mueller, Beverly Becker, Jane Reynolds, Ernest and Art Terwilliger, PFC Leslie Harvey, Bill Fulton, Alfred and Philip Schaefer, Willis and Edna Armbrust.

George l. Baumgardt is able to hobble around now after being laid up ten weeks, due to his left foot being crushed by a tree falling on it. Neighbors and friends turned out last week and held a wood bee for George and his family.

Walter Roemer of Hortonville is tearing down the old mill on the property of Mrs. Nellie Hill at Callicoon Center and moving what lumber he can salvage to his farm, where he will build a garage and chicken house.

William Abplanalp of Youngsville received a letter praising the good work and leadership of his son, Glenn, from an office in his company.

County Court was opened at Monticello Monday with Judge George L. Cooke presiding. The trial of Jack Drucker of Brooklyn for the murder of Walter Sage in July 1937 was set for April 17. Sage’s body, found strapped to a slot machine frame, was fished out of a Sullivan County Lake where it had been thrown by the killers who worked for Murder, Inc., of Brooklyn. Drucker was captured a few weeks ago and is now in the county jail.

70 Years Ago - 1954

William Theobald Knell died at the Liberty-Loomis Hospital Tuesday morning at the age of 91. 

Peter Hyatt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hyatt, celebrated his eighth birthday Tuesday. A party with ice cream was served in the Loomis Hospital so that his grandfather, Joseph Beiling, could take part in the celebration.

Monsignor John Maguire, Vicar General of the Archdiocese, Monsignors Gustav and Schulthiess, chairman of the Archdiocesan Building Commission and Mr. Holt, consulting architect, visited Jeffersonville last week and have set the final approval of plans for the new parochial school on the Briscoe Road. According to Father Edward McGuire, the school will definitely open in September and it is expected to have four grades.

Fifteen members were present at the Home Bureau meeting held at the home of Mrs. E. VonBergen. Elected officers were Catherine Baum, Margaret Pesci, Carrie Myers and Grace Weiss.

Frank Nolde of Jeffersonville and Harold Roeder of Callicoon, students of Mrs. Fred Glassel, will play Mozart Concerto with two pianos as a feature of the annual spring concert to be performed at the Jeffersonville Central School. The concert will be under the direction of John C. Atwood.

Those who received their citizenship at the Naturalization Court in Monticello on Monday were Mrs. Katherine Kurzweil, Callicoon, housewife, Romania; her husband, Joseph Kurzweil, Callicoon, farmer, Romania; and Jack Sandell, Swan Lake, tinsmith, Poland.

More people die from a fork in the mouth than a knife in the back.

60 Years Ago - 1964

Congratulations to the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Emery, who were married on Saturday in the Community Reformed Church in Youngsville. The bride is the former Joyce Frey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Frey. On Thursday evening she was a guest of honor at a shower held at the home of Mrs. Margaret Rogler. Linda Beaver was hostess for a shower on Wednesday given by Joyce’s classmates.

Some 100 antique cars will be on display at the Monticello Raceway May 17th in a program sponsored by the Monticello Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with members of the American Antique Car Association.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Cina on the birth of twin daughters at Maimonides Hospital on Easter Sunday, March 29. They also have two sons.

Almost 300 instrumentalists and vocalists from a half dozen Sullivan County schools will appear on Sullivan County Day May 11th at the World’s Fair in New York. Keith Mayers of St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, county winner and state finalist in the American Legion oratorical contest, will speak at the Fair. The two largest delegations will be the Fallsburg Central School symphonic band of 88, directed by Joseph LaRuffa, and 87 in the Monticello School Concert and Stage bands, under Arnold Hughs. There will be 65 in the Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School band under Mrs. Nora Arquit. Roscoe Central School Band, directed by Boden Chlypavka, will total 37; Liberty Central School band, under Ronald C. Theriault, will send 17 in a dance band and “Sweet Sixteen” vocal group; and Tri-Valley School will have an instrumental vocal group under Arlington Visscher and Robin Litton.

The Special Events Committee from Sullivan County for the World’s Fair named by Assemblyman Mintz consists of Ben Kaplan, Monticello, and Helen Milk, Callicoon, co-chairmen; Vera T. Nannery of Roscoe, Ruth G. Olcutt of Wurtsboro and George A. Yeager of Liberty.

Attorney Jacob J.  Epstein has been appointed by Orison S. Marden, president of the New York State Bar Association, to the Committee on Mental Hygiene. He will serve with thirteen members.

50 Years Ago - 1974

Ground breaking ceremonies for a new Walnut Mtn. Nursing Home at the corner of Carrier and Hope Streets in Liberty were made last Saturday with Liberty Mayor Robert Klugman turning over the first spadeful of earth.

Former District Attorney Emmanuel Gellman of Monticello was appointed as Sullivan County District Attorney last Friday night by Governor Malcolm Wilson. He replaces Robert C. Williams who has been appointed Supreme Court Justice.

Seven members of Troop 95, Liberty, were given the rank of Eagle Scout at ceremonies held last Saturday evening at the United Methodist Church. They are Michael Kiang, Harold Reichman, Jean-Jacques Heffley, Kurt York, Stephen Katz, Philip Emden and Jeffrey Katz.

The Monticello Rotary Club was honored for 50 years of service at a dinner hosted by the club at the Raleigh Hotel in Fallsburg. During the ceremonies the Liberty Rotary Club presented a 50-year banner to its “parent” club with president Rev. Ralph Anderson making the presentation to H. Leo Davidoff, Monticello club president.

40 Years Ago - 1984

Harold DePuy of Liberty marked his 87th birthday on Wednesday. His wife will celebrate her 90th birthday in December. A turkey dinner was prepared by Mrs. Houtalin who cares for the DePuys in their Liberty home and was shared by Chester DePuy, Charles and Mabel Withers, and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Harris and Rachel.

Frieda Rapp of Monticello and Florence Bonnel of Liberty were named winners in the recent cinnamon bun baking contest staged by Pomono Grange.

Rehabilitation projects on both the Callicoon and Basket Creek viaducts on Route 97 are expected to start within the next two years. According to Harry Carlson, regional design engineer with the Department of Transporation, the reconstruction of the 968-foot long Callicoon viaduct is still on the drawing board and waiting for information from a Town of Delaware consulting firm and comments from DOT’s main office in Albany. “One thing we’re looking for is some information from the consulting firm who is designing a sewage treatment plant in Callicoon,” Carlson said. The price of the reconstruction is planned to cost anywhere between $3.8 and $4.7 million dollars and take two years to compete.

Ruth Ward and Michael Landon, both students at the Roscoe Central School, have been named Teenagers of the Month by the Liberty Elks Lodge #1545.

Word  has been received of the death of Hilda Vindigni, wife of Ernest Vindigni of Jeffersonville. The Vindignis were owners and operators of the Villa Roma Country Club in the Beechwoods until several years ago and built it from a small boarding house to a popular summer resort.

Pamela Moore-Epstein, an English lady auctioneer of Liberty, has been named by the New Jersey Auctioneers Society as Auctioneer of the Year for 1983.

30 Years Ago - 1994

George and Lois Hansen celebrated their 50th anniversary with a surprise party given to them by their friends at the home of Leon and Jean Harrold. Mr. Hansen is a retired science teacher at the Liberty High School, and Mrs. Hansen is a former school secretary and substitute elementary school teacher.

A fire of unknown cause gutted the business and large inventory of security and specialty video cameras at the Santech Instruments in Parksville early in the morning of March 26. The owners, John and Delores Sanders, have indicated their intention to relocate and resume their business.

Brent Lawrence has been named police chief in South Fallsburg. He is a 20-year veteran of the force and replaces former Chief Bob Robertson who resigned recently to become the new town manager. In his new position, Lawrence will oversee 20 full-time officers and four dispatchers.

Michele’s Continental Sauces was awarded top prize for the “Best New Product of the Year” at the recent Eastern Dairy and Deli Association food show. Michele and Barry Schuchman own and operate Michele’s Restaurant on Main Street in Callicoon. It is the first time in the history of EDDA that a new business has been awarded the Tiffany Award. Their line of frozen and fat-free topping sauces number six in all and are supplied to organic and health food stores.

Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new Community General Hospital Ambulatory Services Building adjoining the Seelig Division in Harris will be held April 8. State Senator Charles Cook (R-40) and Assemblyman Jake Gunther (D-98) are expected to speak. The 30,000-square-foot, three story building is part of the hospital’s $67 1/4 million refinancing and reconstruction project, scheduled to be completed by November.

20 Years Ago - 2004

Trooper Dan Mitchell  has seen animal cruelty cases before, but he’s never seen a case like River’s. The dog was shoved in a crate too small for his 2-year-old frame. Aching from the open sores that covered his body, the tiny pup was rescued Friday in Bloomingburg by the SPCA on orders from the New York State Police. His owners were arrested.

Liberty High School students, working with Cornell University’s Liberty Economic Action Project, addressed the Liberty Parks and Recreation Board on Monday regarding their plans for a skate park. Board members said they needed more concrete information on site proposals, cost, timeline, size, rules and regulations before passing on the measure to the town board.

Four generations gathered at Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility in Liberty to celebrate the 95th birthday of Mary Oestrich on March 16, 2004. Among those joining Mrs. Oestrich for the celebration were her daughter, Linda Kutschera; granddaughter Sondra Brooks and great-granddaughter Amelia Brooks.

The annual Two-Headed Trout Dinner hosted by the Roscoe-Rockland Chamber of Commerce was held at the Rockland House Saturday night.

For the seventh consecutive year, Kauneonga Speedway owners David and Joanne Rocket will swing open the gates for opening day in the month of April.

10 Years Ago - 2014

A press conference announcing the launch of the 2nd Annual Bagel Festival in Monticello (The Bagel Capital) will be held in Monticello. Last year’s inaugural Bagel Festival was an outstanding event with thousands of visitors converging on the Village of Monticello to celebrate the edible splendor of the bagel. Vendors lined both sides of the main street of the village and the bagel ruled supreme that day in the Crossroads of the Catskills. 

When former County Planning Commissioner Bill Pammer (2004-2009) took up telemark skiing more than 10 years ago, he literally freed himself to explore a whole new way of skiing. Pammer was raised in the Town of Thompson and has been skiing for close to 40 years. Recently Pammer picked up a silver medal in the telemark Masters Division of the 29th annual Kare Anderson Telemark Ski Race at Bromely Mountain in Peru, Vermont. 

The annual “First Cast,” officially kicking off the 2014 fly fishing season, went off without a hitch Saturday morning at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) on Willowemoc Creek. Country singer Ryan Broshear made the trip all the way from Nashville to throw out the “first cast” at a ceremony at the famed Junction Pool in Roscoe.