130 Years Ago - 1896

Callicoon – It looks as if the Erie Railroad were making preparations for the building of a new depot here.

Bethel – Oats and corn are the best they have been in years.

A disease is raging among the cattle in Cochecton Center. Every critter attacked dies. Peter Keesler has lost five and the sixth one is sick.

Briscoe – Will Wood is spending his vacation in old Sullivan as usual. He, together with his family, are staying with Calvin J. Fayerweather, his brother-in-law.

120 Years Ago - 1906

Mrs. Mary Donaldson, the oldest person in this part of the country, died at the age of 109 at Bethel Saturday evening.

Charles Scheidell has sold his square lot of about 5 acres on the hill adjoining the property of H. Kraut to the latter’s brother-in-law, Herman Beinken of Brooklyn, for $1,750.

Jacob Rutz, an old resident of Mileses, died there July 23 after a long illness.

The guests of the Sheridan House had a progressive euchre and dance last Tuesday evening.

Talk about midnight disturbances! We’ll put the Mansion House-Eagle Hotel combination, led by Gregorious, Beckman, Fink and Winkelhofer against any seventeen bands of Indians that ever went on the warpath. They are the unlimited and when they start a war dance it makes one sigh for a judge in some vast wilderness.

Mrs. Lottie Yaeger and Jennie and Arthur Huebsch of New York arrived at Fred Bietz’s Tuesday to spend the season.

The Kenoza Dell House held another one of its popular progressive euchres on July 26th.

Philip C. Saib of  Hackensack was in town from Friday to Sunday.

The picnic of the Presbyterian Sunday School in Union Park last Thursday was the most successful one held by that society in years.

110 Years Ago - 1916

The carnival committee have arranged with W.H. Lawrence, state road inspector, to have Main Street oiled from Manny’s blacksmith shop to the Mansion House for which thirty dollars have been subscribed by the people along the street.

The Jeffersonville Braves massacred the Liberty Athletic Club last Sunday afternoon 16 to 3. Lester Guischard, the southpaw Brave, had the invading warriors at his mercy with his underhand shots, and the hits made off him availed few tallies.

Mr. M. Kohler of Swiss Hill was prostrated by the intense heat and humidity last Thursday.

Fred. H. Chelius of New York, a Jeffersonville boy, has taken a half interest in Camp Warren Cafe at Camp Warren, South Beach, Staten Island.

William V. Hofer and Clarence A. Royce went to Binghamton in the former’s car Sunday and returned Tuesday. From Binghamton Mr. Royce went to Ithaca where he signed a contract to go on the road with a lyceum quintet as manager and reader for a term of 25 weeks, starting this fall. Mr. Royce is a graduate of the Ithaca Conservatory School of Election.

Mr. L. Howard Moss of Jamaica and Dr. J. Cameron Gain of Jeffersonville performed an operation for appendicitis on Clarence Kurtz, near the village last Saturday.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ernst H. Soule of Maple Avenue Friday night.

100 Years Ago - 1926

The first oil burner for home heating to be installed in Jeffersonville was put in the home of William Lieb last week by W.J. Grishaber & Son, plumbers. A bottled gas equipment was also installed, the gas to be used for starting the oil burner, and also for use in the kitchen and laundry. The oil burner is entirely automatic in operation through electrical equipment. 

So great has been the demand upon the facilities of the new Maimonides Hospital, which opened at Liberty recently, the Board of Directors is planning to erect a temporary annex to the hospital at once.

The annual school meeting of this district was held Tuesday evening with an attendance of about 20. Two members of the Board of Education were elected to fill the positions of those whose terms expired July 31. Charles O. Wilkin was re-elected and William L. Huff was chosen in place of Harvey W. Myers. The budget for the next year amounts to $22,432. The amount to be raised by tax is $8,359 as against $7,836.96 last year.

The firemen are planning a bid dance at the Delaware Inn on Wednesday, August 18. Three gold prizes will be given away.

Attorney William Deckelman yesterday brought his brother, Frank, home from the city where he was under treatment.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Wohltjen are vacationing at the John Huberts.

Philip Bietz went to Brooklyn Monday to attend the funeral of his brother, Henry.

90 Years Ago - 1936

William Green, aged 52, Youngsville blacksmith, was thrown from a car which ditched in front of the Wassin place near White Sulphur Springs last Friday night, returning from Liberty, and he died in the Liberty hospital shortly after from his injuries.

The increasing scarcity of water in Jeffersonville is becoming alarming and creates a fire hazard that all should carefully consider. The supply in the village reservoir is about exhausted, with very little coming in, and it is necessary to pump water from the creeks into the main.

Late Sunday afternoon Chief August Lott got out the local firemen to stop a fire which threatened the Shady Lawn House at Rubinsky and Rastutsky (formerly the Casper Von Berger place) near Kenoza Lake.

Adam Bernhardt and Miss Vera McKay have leased rooms in the August Schmidt house with matrimonial intentions. Miss McKay is employed in the bank and Mr. Bernhardt is working for Elliott Moran, coal and ice dealer.

The Democratic County Committee at Monticello Monday night designated Otto Hillig, Liberty photographer, as candidate for the Assembly.

Margaret Kettamann, aged 62, and wife of Michael Laurer, died at her home on the Callicoon road Tuesday, July 28, following a stroke last week.

Roland Gorr, son of Mrs. John Gorr of Tennanah and Miss Clara Moshier, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Moshier of Livingston Manor, were married at the Callicoon Center parsonage by Rev. J.E. Straub on Saturday evening, July 18.

Austin Barringer, 86, died at his home in Youngsville Tuesday, July 28.

80 Years Ago - 1946

The Sullivan County Record, published at Jeffersonville by William Lieb since 1891, changed hands for the first time in 44 years when it was sold by Mr. Lieb to the Goshen Publishing and Printing Company, the principal owners of which are Thomas J.V. Cullen of Chester, and Joseph Roesch of Stony Point. Charles Zaimes will be editor of the Record under the new ownership.

Mrs. Marie Schonger has contracted to sell her real estate and business in North Branch to Mrs. Elizabeth Meckle of Newburgh. The business consists of a confectionary store and newsstand.

Mr. and Mrs. William Mueller of Kenoza Lake have announced the engagement of their daughter,  Claire, to Harold Schlesser of Richmond Hill, L.I. Claire is a graduate of J.C.S. and employed by the Equitable Insurance Co. in the city. Mr. Schlesser is a veteran engaged in the home construction business on Long Island.

Sergeant Harold Sprague, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Sprague, and Miss Ann Wright, daughter of Harry Wright, both of Liberty, were married on July 20th.

Mrs. John Antosh (Ida Brock­ner) is spending her vacation with relatives here.

George L. Seibert was home over the weekend from Columbia University, where he is taking a course in pharmacy.

William C. Forsbach, 22, village police officer here this summer,  has resigned his job and gone to Monticello to take an appointment as jailer under Sheriff Harry Borden.

John Biecke, 78, died at his home in Callicoon yesterday. Harry S. Burr, 67, lifetime resident of the Town of Bethel, died at his residence at West Bethel on July 23rd.

70 Years Ago - 1956

T/Sgt. Allan E. Boband, 824th Operations Squadron, and son of Mrs. Gerner Gurtner of Youngsville, received an Outstanding Unit Award from the Air Force. Sgt. Boband operated a radio station in support of the 456th Troop Carrier Wing in Alaska from November 1955 to March 1966. He is a Youngsville Central School graduate and has been in the Air Force over nine years.

Frank Sprague of Liberty made one of the prize catches of the season, a seven pound brown trout taken from Lake Anawanda last  Sunday. It measured 26 1/2 inches in length and 16 inches around the middle.

Linda Sempf of Nutley, N.J., and Cono Manzolillo of Jeffersonville were crowned Queen and King of the Midsummer Mardi Gras of the Jeff Unit of the Liberty-Loomis Auxiliary on Tuesday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Si Sattinger and sons, Roy and Stanley, left Monday for their home in Florida.

Carl Topp has bought the former Peter Weber farm from William Burns.

Susan and Nancy Kohler spent last week with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Smith of Grahamsville. The girls camped out on a small island on the Smith property.

Erwin L. Baker, County Commander and Val Hessinger of Callicoon Center, first vice-commander of the Emmett Turner Post were among those from Sullivan County attending the 38th annual New York State convention of the American Legion, held at Rochester last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Martin B. McKeneally of Newburgh was elected State Commander.

A $100,000 fire destroyed the main building of the New Lakeside Inn at Ferndale near Grossingers, last Saturday morning. About 100 guests were evacuated from the building, fortunately without serious injury.

Father Angelus A. DeMarco, OFM, former pastor of St. Francis Church, Youngsville, received a Master of Arts degree in the field of Sacred Liturgy from Notre Dame University.

William H. Wahl, 74, of Teaneck, N.J., formerly of the Beechwoods, near Jeffersonville, died Saturday of a heart attack.

On Friday evening Mrs. Helen Manouse of Callicoon was tended a housewarming by members of the H. Russell Kenyon Ladies Auxiliary #5808. She is a member of the auxiliary.

Mr. and Mrs. William Burns and family of New Jersey have moved into the home they recently purchased from Mrs. Bessie Krongel.

Milton Lindsley is adding a second floor to the living quarters of his barbershop building on Main St.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Mr. and Mrs. George Class of Binghamton have announced the engagement of their daughter, Toni Louise Boatwright of Long Eddy, to Charles M. Esolen of Hancock. Mr. Esolen is the son of Mrs. Helen Esolen of Liberty and Michael Esolen of New York City.

Two pedestrian accidents within two days last week claimed the life of a Livingston Manor girl, but spared serious injury to a Callicoon  youth. The fatal accident occurred on Thursday, July 21, when Cynthia Edwards, 13, was killed when she ran into the path of a car driven by Hiram Frank of North  Branch. Her eight-month old sister, whom she was carrying, suffered serious injury. Trooper Joseph Lynch who investigated the accident said no blame could be attributed to the driver, who, he said, took the “proper evasive action.” The Callicoon youth, Dennis Bizzoco, 13, of the Beechwoods, suffered a concussion Saturday, July 23, when he ran into a car driven by Carl Oestrich of Callicoon. This accident was also termed pedestrian’s action.

Francis J. Freda of Callicoon is in receipt of a letter from Congressman John Dow detailing the locations and times of hearings on the proposed discontinuance of Erie-Lackawanna trains No. 21 and 22 between Binghamton and Hoboken, N.J. Rumor in the railroad towns along the Delaware River is that the hearings have deliberately been scheduled for locations that are inconvenient for local residents.

Mrs. Eleanor Scott and her sons, Russell and Donald, of RD 2, Callicoon, suffered a serious loss early Saturday morning, July 23, when a barn and a three-car garage on their property was destroyed by fire. It is estimated that between 115 and 120 tons of hay were lost along with several pieces of farm machinery. The loss was only partially covered by insurance.

Lily Gardner, 77, widow of Henry F. Gardner, died at the Liberty Maimonides Hospital Thursday, July 21, after a short illness.

Minnie Layman, 71, of Jeffersonville, died Wednesday, July 20, after a short illness at the Hamilton Ave. Hospital, Monticello. She was the wife of Louis Layman.

Steven Douglas Immoor, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Immoor, was baptized at the Callicoon Methodist Church. Miss Lana Irland of Middlesex, N.J., and Clarence Feigenbutz of Obernburg were the sponsors. A buffet for about 40 guests was served at the home of his parents.

Charles Sommers, 65, of North Branch died at his home on Tuesday, July 26.

The annual Pilgrimage Day at the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany was attended by Mrs. Edna Woolley and her two granddaughters, Mrs. Helen Rosenberger, Mrs. Julia Lundy, Mrs. Leota Hermann, Mrs. Clara Kerbs and daughter, Kathy, Mrs. Winifred Neunzig and Susie. While there the ladies visited Mrs. Arabella Schultz, a former Callicoon resident, now making her home at the Eastern Star facility.

Mr. and Mrs. Artur Sawall of Waterloo, purchased the Tumble Inn at Callicoon Center from Lee Henry on June 21.

A daughter, Diane Hanslmaier,  was born July 29 to Helen and Charles Hanslmaier at the Loomis Hospital in Liberty.

50 Years Ago - 1976

It is estimated that over 2,000 persons enjoyed a perfect summer day at the Ninth Annual Canoe Regatta in Callicoon on Sunday, July 25. The committee reports 800 portions of barbecued chicken, 400 steak sandwiches and 500 pizzas were consumed, together with 40 kegs of beer and oceans of soda. A sidewalk sale was conducted by local merchants on Friday, July 23. Jeanne Manzolillo, daughter of Joyce and Cono Manzolillo of Callicoon, presided as Queen of the Regatta.

Irwin Sasnowitz has been appointed postmaster at Swan Lake.

Miss Brenda Minckler of Long Eddy was guest of honor at a bridal shower on Sunday evening, July 25. She will become the bride of Robert Sykes of Hortonville in August.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Over one hundred persons including dignitaries and congressional representatives attended the ceremonies Sunday as the Town of Mamakating officially broke ground for their new town hall, senior citizens complex located just west of Wurtsboro on Route 209 South. The $1.2 million project is partially funded by a $270,000 federal grant and a windfall of $220,000 from the New York Power Authority’s Marcy-South line which reimburses at the rate of $55,000 for each mile crossed.

The old car wash building on Route 97 in Long Eddy has undertaken a drastic makeover to become the home of the Upper Basket Historical Society. Work is expected to be completed soon. The Society was formed in 1980 under the leadership of Jack Niflot, editor of the Echo, a newsletter featuring articles of historical interest, when he invited all those interested in preserving the history of the area to a meeting. The roster now includes more than 200 family names including several in Maine, California, Florida, Wyoming and one in Peru.

Diane Jamieson of Youngsville recently took top honors in the Catskill Bass Club’s third tournament at Swan Lake with a bass that weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz.

Andy Karadontes of Jeffersonville placed second in the Grand National Flat Track Championship race held in Binghamton last Saturday. He’s the current point leader in both the Open and 500 Divisions at Accord Speedway. This is the first year Karadontes has taken part in the national championships because in the past the competition has been held in California and the Midwest.

Sykes Farm Team has won the tug-o-war for the third consecutive year at the Annual Callicoon Volunteer Firemen’s Field Day, out-pulling Dutton’s Trucking Sunday.

Drew Chellis of Jeffersonville is making his mark at Monticello and the Meadowlands both. He has a .477 universal driver rating and he has won two races and had three seconds at the Meadowlands in only 16 starts. Chellis is the son of Ed and Marilyn Chellis of Jeffersonville.

A serious accident was avoided in Liberty Thursday afternoon when Joseph Alvarez of Narrowsburg steered his runaway Narrowsburg Lumber Co. truck into a utility pole. Nearly 900 NYSEG customers were without electricity for nearly four hours and traffic had to reroute throughout the village.

Doreen Drollinger, 18, of Lake Huntington, representing the Lava Fire Department, was named Miss Field Day on Sunday at activities sponsored by the Lake Huntington Fire Department. Miss Lake Huntington, Maria Toscano, was named first runner-up and Faith Anne Foster, as Miss Kauneonga Lake, was second runner-up.

Jeffersonville Realtor Hugo Pfanstiel and the Pfanstiel Real Estate Agency have purchased the well-known Tegeler Real Estate Agency and the Tegeler building on Main Street.

High jumps, whirling turns and heel-clicking moves were all part of the 11th annual Verkhovyna Dance Workshop held in Glen Spey this weekend. 

30 Years Ago - 1996

As the 27th anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival approaches in two weeks, annual visitors and the curious will find their way to the former Yasgur’s Field blocked by concrete barriers and ditches at the corner of West Shore and Hurd roads in Bethel this summer courtesy of the Town of Bethel Highway Department, acting on orders from the New York State Police to bar entrance to the site. The owner of the 38-acre property, June Gelish of Brooklyn, made her request for the police to enforce a no-trespassing edict in time for the agency to act this year.

Photographer Joseph Montagna will exhibit “Dreams Along the Delaware” a photographic and literary expose capturing life along the Delaware River, at the Sullivan County Museum in Hurleyville.

“The Heights House Mystery” will be part of the dinner fare at Home at Roy’s restaurant in Fosterdale August 3 presented by Rachel Jones and The Mountain Artisans. It features the acting talent of Aaron DiMunno, Chellie Norris, Rebekah Lee-Cahill, and Lynn Nalven.

Elizabeth Muller, daughter of Ed and Bettie Muller of Hortonville, and Jim Hazen, son of Mary and Alan Hazen of Equinunk, Pa., were united in marriage on July 6, 1996, at the Grace Lutheran Church in North Branch. Pastor Keith Campbell officiated at the double-ring ceremony.

Matthew Carl Riley, son of John and Mary Helen Riley of Liberty, was one of the 439 members of the class of 1996 at LeMoyne College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English.

Thirty-five students of Youngs’ Tae Kwon Do Martial Arts School in Woodbourne recently attended the National Tae Kwon Do championships held in Buffalo from July 2-6.

Sheila Reyes, 29, of Newburgh, was chosen as Ms. Monticello Raceway 1996.

20 Years Ago - 2006

Descendants of George and Anna Hillriegel met on Saturday, July 22 for a family reunion at the home of Bill and Betty Freiden­stine in Fremont Center. There were 82 attendees. Altogether, George and Anna had eight children, five boys and three girls. Surviving are Arthur, Helen, Anna and Lester, plus two surviving sisters-in-law. During the past year, there have been six weddings, one death and one birth. A bounteous buffet was shared.

A memorial service was held last Sunday at Catskill Regional Medical Center for Dr. J. Arthur Riesenberg, a medical practitioner who went beyond the call of duty for his patients.

Rebecca Steele and Edward Butler were married on June 10, 2016 at St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg with Father Gus Richardson, OFM, officiating.

Rachel Krantz of Lehighton, Pa. became the bride of Brent Atwood, also of Lehighton, Pa., on June 24, 2006 at the First Church of Christ in Binghamton.

Proud grandparents Sal and Helene Indelicato of Cochecton Center recently welcomed a new granddaughter, Isabella Indelicato, to the world. She is the daughter of Lisa and Sal Indelicato II, and joins her older sister, Nicole, at home.

10 Years Ago - 2016

WJFF will hold its very first Awards Night on Saturday, August 20. Two individuals, Elaine Giguere and Sandra Oxford, will be honored. Giguere, who will be honored with the WJFF Community Leader Award, is the Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA), and along with her husband, its original founder in 1976. She has served as Executive Director for 38 years and will be retiring this coming year. Oxford will receive the WJFF Community Ally Award in recognition of her committed volunteer service on countless not-for-profit boards in both Sullivan and Ulster Counties dedicated to the health and legal representation for the indigent, youth services and immigrant advocacy.

U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Dauch passed away July 30, 2016. He was Past Commander of the White Lake VFW Post 5499 and a former commander and chief of the White Lake Fire Dept.

The Sullivan County Democrat’s Richard Ross – who had open heart surgery in March 2015 – swam his 100th mile post-surgery on April 23 at the Woodloch Springs Sports Complex in Hawley, Pa.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo  signed a new law allowing minors in New York State to wear fluorescent pink rather than the traditional orange when hunting. The current law requires hunters between the ages of 14 and 15 and those accompanying them  to display 250 square inches of solid or patterned fluorescent orange material. Now fluorescent pink is allowed as well.