140 Years Ago - 1883

A new method of raising money is currently used by some church societies known as break the jug. Just what “break the jug” means we have no way of knowing but such a game was used at Eldred on June 25, 1883, and the snug sum of $75 was realized for the local M.E. Church.

George Wood brought to the Record office in Jeff last Monday an oat head which measured fourteen inches and had 106 well developed kernels.

130 Years Ago - 1893

Judge Thornton did a staving business at Jeffersonville on Tuesday of last week. He held a special term of County Court and Surrogate’s Court at Jeffersonville and admitted to probate five wills, two proceedings for the sale of infant’s estates, two letters of administration with will annexed, two accountings and directed judgments in a mortgage foreclosure.

The following postmasters were appointed in Sullivan County last week: Fosterdale, Nicholah Diehl; Glen Spey, Edward McKenzie; Maplewood, William Hilliard; Oakland Valley, D.V. Chase; Tusten, William Bujlivant; Bethel, C.H. Acklam; Divine Corners, P.H. Eller; Grahamsville, F.V. Rush; Halls Mills, G.R. Teller; Mountaindale, James Carelen; Neversink, G.F. Freer; South Fallsburg, James Simpson.

It is rumored that several prominent citizens of Roscoe have come to the conclusion that their town needs a newspaper and that steps are being taken to accomplish the desired result.

120 Years Ago - 1903

U.S. Mail Inspector Moses Duryea went to Honesdale Monday to install free delivery service by carrier.

Mrs. Charles Lorch of Youngs-ville, while assisting in the hayfield yesterday, fell from a load of hay and dislocated her left shoulder.

The circuit races are held at Liberty driving park August 18 to 21, four days. This is Liberty’s first day in the circuit and, as the track is one of the best in the state, the races will be excellent. Many good horses are entered.

The Sullivan County Fair will be held four days, August 25 to 28.

The Jeffersonville Fair takes place on Labor Day, September 7.

At Callicoon Depot last week, J.H. Curtis was elected a member of the Board of Education. It was voted to hire a fourth teacher and place a furnace in the school building to replace the stoves.

Liberty School is likely to be condemned by the state department. Last week, the district discussed the erection of a new building at a cost of $ 40,000, with much opposition. It was finally voted to spend $400 to improve the ventilating system of the old building.

Manor Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, was instituted at Livingston Manor Saturday with 30 members.

110 Years Ago - 1913

C.G. Yager and family have moved into their new house on Center Street.

John L. Roesner has bought a new Metz roadster of F.H. Neuberger, the agent.

Jeffersonville will have coaching day on Thursday, August 14. The Jeffersonville Cornet Band and the Benton Egypt Drum Corps will be in the parade. There will be a band concert at 1 p.m. and a ball game at 10 a.m. Elaborate decorations are promised for both the parade and for houses along the line of march.

Police Inspector Donald Grant, who for many years owned a fine country residence near Bethel, has retired from the New York City Police Department after 37 years of service. Inspector Grant was demoted once under the Bingham administration in 1907.

The Park Hotel at Fremont Center, owned by Philip Orth of the Erie Hotel, Callicoon, and conducted by Jacob Kneel, was destroyed by fire at 2 a.m. on Sunday morning. The property was formerly owned by Philip Gerhardt.

Fully one thousand people attended the carnival at Kenoza Lake on Tuesday. The carnival featured water and land events. It was held under the direction of J.E . Jenkins and Harry Halstead, and the proceeds went to the Methodist Church.

100 Years Ago - 1923

Harry Gareiss, aged 13, was drowned in the Bronx River Wednesday afternoon last week and the body was recovered Thursday morning. He was a son of Harry Gareiss and Edith Diehl. The water where he went in the river was only three feet deep but there was a deep soft mud at the bottom. Unable to extricate himself from the mud, he sank in it until the mud was over his head and he was drowned. Searchers found his clothes and his bicycle on the shore next morning and his body was soon fished out of the river.

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gerow of Liberty are an old-fashioned couple, though still young. Mr. and Mrs. Ben have just welcomed their sixteenth child into their domicile. One of the sixteen is deceased, but they still have one for each town in the county – fifteen – seven girls and eight boys – a majority of one for the males, which in these days of equal suffrage will never do, Benjamin.

The will of Miranda Krupp, late of the Town of Rockland, was probated in Surrogate’s Court last week. $100 was given to Marcus Krupp, a son, whose whereabouts is unknown. If this son does not claim the legacy in 15 years, it goes to Evelyn M. Krupp, a granddaughter. The remainder of the property goes to George W. Krupp, a son, who is named executor.

Henry Kempf of Midway has purchased a new Ford car.

90 Years Ago - 1933

Thomas N. Hughes, who has made his home on Sixteen in Jeff for some years past, shares the estate of his mother, the late Mrs. Mary A. Hughes, who died in New York last January, leaving holdings appraised at over $88,000 according to the state transfer tax department. Tommy will have the income from about $23,000, the principal at his death,  to pass to his two sisters.

The post office department has approved a new schedule for a star route service between Callicoon and Roscoe.

Frank J. Miller, aged 50, of Youngsville, died in New York City in St. Catherine’s Hospital on July 26. On January 8, 1913, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Bossley Kalbfleisch who survives him and a daughter, Mrs. Charles Menges; also a son, John, at home.

Mrs. Roosevelt, wife of the president, drove from Hyde Park to Roscoe to visit Miss Grace Tully, private secretary, who is recuperating there.

Nearly two thousand properties were sold for taxes by the county treasurer last week. About one-third of them had to be bid in by the county. The unpaid tax amounted to $170,000.

The Town of Delaware will pay the N.Y. State Electric & Gas Corp. $452.50 a year for ten electric lights on the new concrete viaduct being erected on state road 3A in Callicoon.

80 Years Ago - 1943

William VonBerg, a bookkeeper and accountant, died at his home on August 6, following a stroke the night before. He began as a bookkeeper in the Corn Exchange Bank. He served as treasurer of the central school board and had been bookkeeper for the Markson Trucking Co. For the past few years, he served in a like capacity for the Delaware Valley Express Co. at Hankins.

A son, Donald Wilbur, was born August 3 at the Liberty Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Huter of Bethel. The mother is the former Ella Myers of Jeffersonville.

Frank P. Cuccia, a member of the Jeffersonville school faculty, has accepted a position to teach Industrial Arts at Manhasset on Long Island. While connected with the school in Jeffersonville, he assisted at coaching athletics, organized a dance band and was assistant schoolmaster. His wife, Emily E. Linke, will remain as school nurse.

Horse sheds and watering troughs were treated in the page on local history. 

Charles A. Fischer, aged 75, of Jersey City, who came here two weeks  ago with his brother, Oscar, to spend six weeks at the home of the latter’s son, Clarence Fischer, suffered a heart attack and died that night.

Mrs. Sarah Weidner Weyrauch died at her home in Liberty at the age of 79. She leaves two sons, Prof. Martin H. Weyrauch, formerly managing editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the New York Daily Graphic, and now professor in the Brooklyn Law School, and Henry W. Weyrauch of the U. S. Navy; and three daughters, Miss Ina of Liberty, Mrs. Frank Smith of Port Washington and Mrs. H. Arthur Lutzen of Freeport.

70 Years Ago - 1953

Frank Nolde of Jeffersonville appeared on the program given at the Youngs Gap Hotel on Tuesday in the benefit performances staged by the promoters of the Cerebral Palsy Fund. Frank is a talented young pianist and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Nolde.

The local synagogue has arranged for its fourth annual steak dinner at the Commodore at Swan Lake to be held August 30. Alfred E. Adler is in charge of arrangements.

The Village of Jeffersonville has been allocated $1,000 in State Aid for a recreation project for a 12-month period, the New York State Youth Commission announced today.

Ted Rittershausen, our hustling druggist, is spending a few days in bed. He’s been hustling too much and needs the rest.

Youngsville sees plenty of crushed stone hauled through to be used on the Shandelee Road construction and on the new road from Jeffersonville to Liberty.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Erskine went to Bucksport, Maine, last week to be at the Lobster Festival there. They returned Monday. Arthur Rittershausen made the trip with them.

Miss Dorothy Ann Cherry spent Saturday with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. A. Cherry Sr. in Jeffersonville.

Libby Manzo, fighting Tuesday night in a semi-final match against Tony Bianancello of Philadelphia in the Ridgewood Grove Arena, won by a decision. The fight was televised and many local persons saw it on television. Libby Manzo is the ring name of Libby Manzolillo.

60 Years Ago - 1963

Catherine Ann Segar of Jeffersonville and John C. Ellsworth of Willoughby, Ohio, were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Jeff on July 27.

Miss Marilyn Belle Karasik of Monticello has been chosen Miss Sullivan County Catskills in a contest held July 27 at the Monticello Raceway.

Vivian Graby and Philip Hillriegel once again were high placers at the Ulster, Sullivan, Orange County Black and White Registered Holstein Show held at the Middletown Fair Grounds on July 27.

A propane gas explosion at Sungas Products Co. that rocked the Cold Spring Road area near Monticello shortly before one p.m. on Thursday, destroyed a highway tractor, three automobiles, several hundred gallons of propane and damaged a building and eight other autos. Monticello firemen were credited with preventing a major catastrophe, due to their quick action and heroic efforts in their fight against time.

The Monticello Elks have set their annual clam bake for September 15 at Bailey’s Lake near Monticello. Luddington Stratton heads the committee and bakemaster will be Fred Albrecht.

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse S. Conklin of Marathon, former residents of Callicoon, cele-brated their 25th wedding anniversary July 21 at home with 38 relatives and friends attending.

50 Years Ago - 1973

Barbara Martin of Narrowsburg was crowned Queen of the 6th Annual Upper Delaware Canoe Regatta at the Western Hotel last Friday night. She received a crown, a trophy and a bouquet of carnations.

The United National Bank announced the opening of a new office on the banks of another river — the Neversink — in Cuddebackville, on August 1.

Miss Linda Turnbull became the bride of Robert Flynn at an outdoor ceremony held in Colonial Williamsburg, Va., on July 22. After visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Flynn of North Branch, they will return to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where he is employed by Hertz.

Continuing the ongoing effort to promote safety amongst the many people who boat on the Delaware, the Sullivan County Department of Public Works has recently erected eight large signs carrying the message — “Wear Life Jackets - Stay Alive.”

P. Rodney Bult, a student in Springfield Bible Baptist College, will preach at the Full Gospel Baptist Church on the Pennsylvania side of Callicoon, August 5. His father, Rev. Peter L. Bult, is pastor of the church.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital, July 21, a girl, Brandy Lee, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles McAdams of Ferndale; July 22, a girl, Brenda Lisa, to Mr. and Mrs. John McGuire of Woodbourne; July 23, a son, Harvey Frederick Jr., to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Baker of Callicoon Center.

40 Years Ago - 1983

Ribbon cutting was the order of the day this past week. At the Rockland Summer Youth Camp, opened recently at the site of the Paradise Lake Bungalow Colony in Livingston Manor, facilities became available for 200 young people, aged 20 to 29. The summer program will include alcohol and drug abuse counseling and arts and crafts. . . A project at the Pines Country Estates townhouse development in South Fallsburg will total 84 houses ranging in price from $59,000 to $69,900 when the project is completed. . . Steve Sacks of Liberty has opened a 24-hour photo developing service in Liberty called Northern Light.

Eight Sullivan County youth left on Sunday for Norwich where they will attend a free one-week summer ranch program sponsored by the New York State Sheriff’s Association. They were Roger Geer, 11, of Long Eddy; Joseph Loughrey, 13, of Monticello; Jacqueline Bruno, 14, and Susan Curry, both of Bloomingburg; Theresa Somers, 13, of Neversink;  Jack Sheppard, 13, of Jeffersonville;  Stephen Myers, 12, of Eldred; and Susan Eldred of Narrowsburg. Upon completion of their visit to the ranch, all students are to be awarded a diploma for their participation.

Rev. Kim Bosley, a native of Morgantown, W.V., has been appointed to the Callicoon United Methodist Parish.

Greg Sheer, of Lordville, and Dave Peterson, of Equinunk, Pa., were first to finish the race in Old Rafting Days held this weekend in Equinunk. The event was sponsored by the Equinunk Historical Society.

Miss Elizabeth Brkal and Mr. Reynald Wojdat were united in marriage at the United Church in Roscoe on June 18. . . Amy Jill Berkowitz and Dr. Eli Katz were married July 3 in Temple Shalom with Rabbi Daniel Freelander officiating. A reception was held at Bernie’s Holiday Restaurant in Rock Hill.

Construction on the multi-million dollar Monticello sewer plant is progressing ahead of schedule and is expected to be in operation by mid-1984. The new plant adjoins the present operation site off Waverly Ave., adjacent to the county landfill.

30 Years Ago - 1993

The new administration building at Frost Valley has been named in honor of Edmund R. Tomb in recognition of his  “guiding spirit” through the development of the Frost Valley YMCA complex during the last 40 years. Mr. Tomb was joined by his wife, Elsie, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Charles “Zeke” Boyle and Todd Janowski have begun the work of carefully dismantling the old Cochecton train station. The boards will be stored until the 140-year-old station is reconstructed on another site, on five acres of land and donated by John Austin, located on Route 97 north of the village.

The Gary A. Bradley Memorial Field in White Sulphur Springs will be the site of the 12th annual Sullivan County Democrat modified pitch softball tournament this weekend. It is held in conjunction with the WSS firemen’s barbecue and will feature teams from Liberty, Monticello and Lumberland.

More than 3,000 attended the second annual Jeff Jamboree held last weekend. A drawing was held for the benefit of musician Jimmy Geiger who was badly burned a week ago. Also going on was the 13th annual Callicoon Street Fair. While attending the above two affairs, folks could attend the Down on the Farm exhibits in Kenoza Lake. David Rockefeller was seen at the Down on the Farm Day and movie star Debra Winger was seen on the street at Callicoon.

In celebration of five years of staff participation by the Prince’s Trust Volunteers from Great Britain, campers at the Liberty Catskill Camp for the developmentally disabled enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, Welsh cookies, fruit and sticky buns, arranged by camp counselors.

Water from Leisure Time Ice in Monticello, will be shipped to the flood stricken residents of the state of Iowa.

20 years ago - 2003

Miss Sullivan County Pre-Teen 2002 Taylor Welch- O’Connor, Miss Sullivan County Teenager 2002 Cassandra Boyd, and Young Miss Sullivan County 2002 Laura Heslop will be on hand when the 2003 Miss Sullivan County Pageant takes place.

Deborah Manley of Liberty and Albert Rosa of Monticello announce the engagement of their son, David, to Danielle McKinney, daughter of Gail and Timothy McKinney of Breezy Point. A July 2004 wedding is planned.

Robert and Frances O’Connell of New City recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception at Terrace on the Hudson in Haverstraw with family and friends. The couple were married June 20, 1953 at St. George’s R.C. Church in Jeffersonville. 

What has been speculated for weeks will be confirmed today. Aileen Gunther is expected to announce today that she will be the Democratic candidate to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Jake Gunther III, of the 98th Assembly District Seat. There is a year remaining in her late husband’s term.

The 2003 Sullivan County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association Parade was hosted by Station 18, the Livingston Manor Fire Department, on Saturday.

Saturday morning’s powerwashing of St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville provided excitement. Jim Hemmer, owner of Tri-State Power-washing, strapped himself into a bucket so he could rise some 100 feet to clean the church’s slate steeple. He was hoisted into the air by a huge crane which was operated by Steve Siegel of Liberty Iron Works. Hemmer’s assistant, Nick Huggler, gently tugged the tethered ropes to guide Hemmer like a big kite. The work took all morning.

Jason and Melissa Hellerer of Liberty announce the birth of a daughter, Corinne Marie, on July 28, 2003. She joins a brother, Jarod Thomas, at home.

Larry Hoell celebrated his 80th birthday on July 20 with a surprise party at the Western Hotel in Callicoon, sponsored by his children, Larry and Mary Ellen Hoell and Lynne and Anthony Martino. The party continued at the home of Muriel and Larry Hoell in Callicoon.

10 Years Ago - 2013

Carol and Walt Sipple sat in their Mileses home last Wednesday, July 31, watching the ever-popular game show Jeopardy. That is probably a pretty common occurrence across the county, but this night Walt and Carol were watching with special interest as their grandnephew, Thomas Hurley III of Newtown, CT, was competing in the Kids Week division.

Highland Supervisor Andy Boyar presented Awinita Teran Stasilli II with a Certificate of Achievement at the recent board meeting. Stasilli received her Girl Scout Gold Award for a project where she restored a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery in Forestburgh. Teran Stasilli is the third member of her family to receive the highest award in scouting. Her brother Neil achieved Eagle Scout and her sister Ana Lucia also received a Girl Scout’s Gold Award. 

The greens are cut and rolled, the fairways are lush, the rough is thick in spots. The Villa Roma’s par 71 layout is ready for the 32nd Annual Sullivan County Dem-ocrat Golf Tourney which tees off today.