110 Years Ago - 1912

Percy Hadsell, 17, of Galilee, Pa., while fishing on Bush’s Pond with his cousin, Walter Hadsell of Jersey City, was thrown into the water when the boat overturned. He could not swim and sank immediately in about six feet of water.

George Myers, owner of the Seelyville Hotel, was crushed to death when a car containing four businessmen of Honesdale turned turtle while on the old towpath a mile this side of Barryville, and fell into the canal. With Mr. Myers were John Krantz, Fred Schoell, W.P. Feeney and Herman Myers. The men were on their way to visit Mr. Krantz’s glass manufacturing plant in Barryville. The towpath is a short cut to Barryville from Lackawaxen, and apparently the recent rains had soaked the sod and washed it away. The front tires passed over the bad spot but the rear wheel caused the soil to give way, causing the machine to turn completely over.

Henry Meyer Jr. of Jeffersonville, who recently graduated from the Ithaca Con­servatory of Music, has accepted a position as director of music in an asylum for the blind in Nashville, Tenn.

On Wednesday, Dermody Bros, liverymen of Cochecton, lost a valuable grey horse. It was one of the team which was used in Undertaker Valentine’s hearse and the pair were valued at $600.

100 Years Ago - 1922

John Davis of Milanville, Pa., killed 11 rattlesnakes along the Erie tracks near here. There seems to be a lot of them around.

Frank Stabbert of Obernburg reported on Sunday that he got his first eggs from his spring pullets. The birds were hatched four months ago and their laying at this time is a local record.

Bob Larkin landed the champion big fish Saturday when he took from the eddy at Old Cochecton a wall-eyed that measured 31 1/2 inches and weighed 8 1/2 pounds.

Another disastrous fire occurred at Damascus when the farm buildings of Frank Welsh, on the old B.C. Ross farm near Tyler Hill, Pa., went up in smoke, together with all the season’s crops, four horses, gasoline engine and thresher. The heat from the fire was so intense at one time that it was feared the large dwelling used as a summer boarding house might also ignite.

There are forty-six boarders at Horace Budd’s boarding house in Milanville.

Jud Canfield has taken the job of erecting concrete steps at the entrance of the Cochecton Presbyterian Church.

On behalf of the Cochecton village residents, we express the appreciation of the interest shown by our out-of-town friends in the opposition to the change of the name; we do not believe it will ever come about — Cochecton Corresp.

Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Demarest and Mrs. Fred Greenbaum of Cochecton went huckleberrying one day last week and picked 70 quarts.

90 Years Ago - 1932

The new Hancock Central School, under construction by the Irish Company, will have 18,000 square feet of Terrazzo marble floors. It is the kind of flooring used in modern fire-proof office buildings, and very enduring. All the corridors, toilets and locker rooms and public halls will be thus equipped. The 39 classrooms will have maple flooring.

David Barnes, Narrowsburg archaeologist, has just completed excavating on a site where he discovered an Indian fireplace and work shop. He reports he has obtained 452 pieces of pottery, etc.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Grund of Cochecton, a baby daughter, Wednesday afternoon; and 8 pound 13 ounce boy, Charles Edson, was born to Dr. and Mrs. George R. Mills Monday evening, both at the Callicoon Hospital.

The Monticello American Legion Post has purchased the large house at the corner of Wheeler Ave. and Liberty St. in the county seat to be used as a post home, paying about $5,000 for the place. There are 10 rooms and a garage.

Gersten Bros. of Callicoon and Monticello are having a removal sale, offering new fall dresses, reg. $4.95 and up – on sale for $2.95; men’s hose – 3 pr. for 25¢; children’s play suits – 9¢ each; bathing suits – $1.00; children’s wash dresses – 39¢.

At the Modern Theatre, Callicoon, Greta Garbo and Ernest Von Stroheim were playing in “As You Desire Me.” Adm. 25¢ and 40¢.

80 Years Ago - 1942

Former District Attorney of New York, Thomas Dewey, was nominated this week as the Republican candidate for Governor of New York State.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Keesler of Callicoon have announced the engagement of their daughter, Roberta Theresa, to Ernest Bortree of Bethany. The wedding will take place August 30 at the Conklin Hill Church.

Ellen M. Berlin, wife of Irving Berlin, recently purchased about 80 acres in the Town of Rockland from John Clum of Livingston Manor.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hermann are the parents of a girl born Friday morning at the Callicoon Hospital.

Honesdale-made pajamas will keep warm Uncle Sam’s women in service this winter as the Katz Underwear Co. has just received a contract from the U.S. Government for a large number of flannelette sleeping garments for the Women’s Army Aux. Corps.

Spreading fan-wide from Monticello in a series of raids that lasted all day Saturday, more than a score of FBI agents, troopers and members of the Sheriff’s staff made 30 unexpected visits to premises of persons suspected of violation of the enemy alien laws. It was the first widespread search conducted in Sullivan County. Taken in custody were three enemy aliens who had failed to comply with the enemy alien registration law, but their names were not disclosed. They were taken to Ellis Island for detention.

The 10th annual beauty contest of Lake Huntington was held at Nat Levine’s August 24. Twelve entered the contest and Miss Harriet Wescourt, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Wescourt of the Nelson Colony, was declared the winner.

It is expected that the Flower Show which will be held next Wednesday at the Methodist Church in Callicoon will become an annual event. This is the first to be held in this part of Sullivan County. Victory gardens are being featured this year in order to encourage displays of vegetables and other produce.

70 Years Ago - 1952

Mrs. Malka Grossinger, 81, matriarch of the family which founded Grossinger’s Hotel and Country Club, died Saturday at the Catskill Mountain resort near Liberty. When Mrs. Grossinger’s health failed the couple moved to Ferndale where they purchased a farm house and tried their hands at chicken raising and market gardening. Failing in this venture, they decided to rent rooms in the seven-room farm house, purchased for $450, and during their first season took in nine boarders who paid $9 a week. By 1918, the business became so successful the couple set up tents in the back yard to take care of the increasing number of guests. Their daughter, Jennie, quit her job in the garment industry and came to the farm to help prepare meals and do chores. Her husband, Harry, remained in the city working in a clothing factory and spreading the word to city dwellers of the new boarding house in the Catskills.

Six members of two Roosa families of Woodbourne were killed in an automobile accident Sunday in Nevada as the result of a head-on crash. Killed were Archie Roosa, 56, a carpenter; his wife, Mabel Caston Roosa, 52; Mr. Roosa’s son, Raymond Sr., 30, a guard at the Woodbourne Correctional Institution; his wife, Teresa Marshalek Roosa, 30, and their two children, Mable, 10 years old, and Raymond Jr., 6.

Mrs. Margaret Specht announced the engagement of their daughter, Evelyn Marie, to Albert J. Schick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Schick, of Obernburg.

At the Callicoon Hospital, it was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Jerow Shepstone of Galilee, Pa., Aug. 18; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf Herrmann of Fremont Center, Aug. 16; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Edson Gregory of Yulan, Aug. 16; and a son to Mr. and Mrs. John Bowers of Roscoe, Aug. 20. A daughter, Kathy Lee, was born to Cpl. and Mrs. Fred W. Stabbert of Arlington, Va., on August 16. Mrs. Stabbert is the former Shirley Kohler of Jeffersonville and Cpl. Stabbert is the son of Democrat Publisher and Mrs. Fred Stabbert of Callicoon.

60 Years Ago - 1962

In the old-timers parade, held as part of the centennial celebration of the Wayne County Fair, Otto Tegeler of Tegeler’s Funeral Home in Damascus, Pa., sat beside Clyde Mills, driver of the horse-drawn hearse from the funeral home, in the parade.

Miss Anna Rita Rosenberger of Hortonville became the bride of Eugene Schildknecht on August 18, at the Holy Cross Church in Callicoon.

The Chopin Singing Society of Passaic, N.J., will sing at a High Mass honoring their deceased members at Holy Cross Church on September 18. They have twice been recipients of the Cardinal Hlond trophy, the most coveted prize of the national championships, held every three years, receiving the highest score in overall competition. Following Mass, the group will have dinner at Bekarciak’s Valley View House in Kenoza Lake.

A daughter was born at the Callicoon Hospital on Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fuchs of Damascus, Pa.

Miss Marion Rutledge won first place in the Art Sweepstakes at the Wayne County Fair. She is an art major at Marywood College in Scranton, Pa.

Savin Bros. is better than halfway through the excavation for the Livingston Manor by-pass and will be able to meet its contract date of January 1, 1964. The new section leading to DeBruce is already in use.

50 years ago - 1972

Less than two weeks after it opened in the former Purina Chow Store, the temporary Callicoon Pharmacy was burglarized Sunday night and, according to State Police, Keenan’s Pharmacy in Narrowsburg also fell victim the night before to thieves who removed a large supply of drugs, including some narcotics.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Reers Jr. of Narrowsburg are rejoicing over the birth of a son, Adam Rudolph, their first child, born August 19. At the Liberty Hospital, it was a son, Steven Michael, August 12, to Mr. and Mrs. William Brennan of Jeffersonville. August 14, it was a boy, Kyle Shermann, born to Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Banks of Liberty; August 15, a boy, William Thomas, was born the Mr. and Mrs. William Scott of Jeffersonville.

The first of four new buildings have been completed at the new Loch Sheldrake campus of the new Sullivan County Community College.

Susan Diehl and Rodney Mohn were married at the Methodist Church in Narrowsburg on August 19.

Nancy Long and Edward Sipple were married Friday evening at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Callicoon.

40 Years Ago - 1982

Octoberfest ‘82, sponsored by the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce, will be in its sixth year when it opens its doors on Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10.

The 12th annual Peddler’s Fair, sponsored by the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corps, has been scheduled for Saturday, August 21, at the Narrowsburg Town Hall, beginning at 10 a.m.

Plans have been completed for the 60th anniversary celebration of the Hebrew Congregation of Loch Sheldrake. A parade will begin the celebration on Sunday, August 22, starting at 10 a.m.

Mueller’s Auto of Port Jervis was the winner of the First Annual Eddie Collins Memorial Tournament held this past weekend at Mongaup Valley. Mr. Collins, who played on the Valley Inn team, died of viral pneumonia in April, 1981, at the age of 29. The Valley Inn team purchased the lot near the Valley Inn Restaurant and constructed the field named in Collin’s honor.

The Callicoon Center Band will be honored at the Sixth Annual Benefit Dinner and Concert fot the Sullivan county Arts Council, Inc., to be held at King’s Catering House in Livingston Manor on August 22. For several decades, the band has entertained at an outdoor concert in Callicoon Center Wednesday evening during the summer.

Alynn Roberta Kraft and Glenn Alan Van Pelt were united in marriage at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church on June 19... Patricia A. Lubniewski and Edie M. Morganstein were married in a double-ring ceremony at St. Peter’s Church in Monticello on June 19 ... Amy Lu Cupps and Lt. Michael Wagner, grandson of Margaret Wagner of Callicoon and Margaret Lohr of Mileses, were married August 14. He will be stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, Fairbanks, Alaska, after the first of the year. 

Gloria Smith of Monticello is training to participate in the international special olympics gymnastics competition to be held in the Netherlands next year.

Mike Stauch, son of Roger and Betty Stauch of Callicoon, earned a gold medal in the 5000 meter walk in the Empire State Games held last Friday in Syracuse.

30 Years Ago - 1992

Four generations of the Jesse P. Brown family met for the christening of his great-grandson, Jesse Robert Brown, son of Thomas and Donna Brown of Neversink, and grandson of Robert Brown. Jesse Robert is the grandson of Robert and Marguerite Brown of Kenoza Lake and Robert and Beverly Flynn of White Sulphur Springs. His great-grandparents are Jesse and Florence Brown of Kenoza Lake and Millicent Flynn of Roscoe.

More than 50 emergency workers responded when a van, carrying campers from the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, veered off a sharp curve on Route 52 in Kenoza Lake, causing all 12 passengers to be taken to Community General Hospital in Harris. One camper remained at the hospital but is reported to be in stable condition.

More than 120 years ago, the area around Kiamesha Lake was called Camp Holley, and it was there that a Sullivan County unit of the Union Army trained for services in the Civil War. Last weekend, Civil War Re-enactors from as far away as Virginia travelled to the slopes of Walnut Mountain near Liberty to engage their enemies from so long ago, bringing the spectacle of the bloodiest conflict in American history to Sullivan County backyards. “Camp Holley was as close to the Civil War as our county ever got,” said one re-enactor.

Chris Campiglia has opened the Amapro Mini Golf Course on Route 17 just west of Liberty. The fairways are between 35 and 40 feet in length with multilevels, waterfalls, fountains, a huge pond, a windmill, Statue of Liberty, gazebo, smaller ponds and streams located throughout the course.

More than 500 original works of art are on display at the Sullivan County Government Center through the efforts of Bob and Sandee Pointer of Callicoon, who serve as pro-bono curators. Some of the works are for sale and offer an outlet for local artists.

20 Years Ago - 2002

Past and present mixed at the Sullivan County Historical Society’s annual dinner at Bernie’s Restaurant in Rock Hill Sunday, August 11, when the group honored the late Jennie Grossinger and County Historian John Conway.

The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum has announced this year’s dates for the East Coast Cane Rod Makers Gathering which is held annually at the Museum’s Educational Building and Pavilion in Livingston Manor. This year the Rod Makers are honoring Hiram L. Leonard of Central Valley, whom many consider to be the “Father of the Bamboo Fly Rod.”

Miss Julie Ehrets and Mr. Van Furman were married on May 25, 2002, at the Gardens at Catlin Creek in Slate Hill. Pastor Dave McCarthy, pastor of the Liberty Free Methodist Church, performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Steve and Sandy Ehrets of Hurleyville. The groom is the son of Pete and Carol Furman of Grahamsville.

The Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville recently received a congratulatory letter from First Lady Laura Bush. An outspoken proponent of public libraries, the First Lady offered her congratulations on the “community’s successful efforts to raise funds for the addition to the Daniel Pierce Library.” For over a year now, the library has been conducting a Building Fund Campaign, which is already at the halfway point.

Lauren Dooley, daughter of Frank and Linda Dooley of Tyler Hill, Pa., became the bride of Eric Hargraves, son of Jeff and Ginger Hargraves, in a garden ceremony at the Central House in Beach Lake, Pa., on August 9. During the reception, a video of “This Is Your Life” was shown of Lauren and Eric from babyhood up to the day of his proposal and was greatly enjoyed by the guests.

10 Years Ago - 2012

After being cancelled by Hurricane Irene last year, the Hortonville Volunteer Firemen’s Field Day returned to the hamlet this past Saturday, a departure from tradition; the previous 77 ones had been held on Sundays. A parade began the festivities at noon and fire companies from as far as Pine Bush and Middletown participated. 

DEATHS: Floyd Harrison Cook, Jr. was born in 1912 in Middletown. He died peacefully in his sleep on August 23, 2012. He was 100.... Ralph L. Keysaw of Jeffersonville, a former assistant manager at The Stevensville Country Club in Swan Lake, NY, died Sunday, August 26, 2012 at his home.... Wayne C. Fountain, age 59, of Glen Spey, passed away Sunday, August 26, 2012.

Congratulations to Barbara and Richard Sush on becoming grandparents to Brennan Holbrook Sush, son of Darren Sush and Stephanie Holbrook. — South Fallsburg correspondent.

Bethel Town Clerk Rita Sheehan and Forestburgh Town Clerk Joanne Nagoda attended the 2012 Cornell Municipal Clerks Institute (CMCI) at Cornell University in Ithaca. Both Sheehan and Nagoda were awarded scholarships from the NYS Town Clerks Association. In addition, Sheehan was awarded a scholarship from the International Municipal Clerks Education Foundation, making her attendance as a second year student cost-free to her town.