110 Years Ago - 1910

Wm. H. Gibbs of Hawley, Pa., is contemplating starting a glass cutting shop at Barryville which would employ from 50 to 60 men.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wizemann, January 25th, a son, in Callicoon… A son was born recently to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Mitchell of Waymart, Pa., former residents of this village.

Mrs. L.P. Faubel of Jeffersonville died suddenly and unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, January 29.

The Strasberg Honesty System Store has folded its lily white hands across its heaving bosom and turned its pink toes to the daisies, for it is no more and the thriving village of Callicoon is now blessed with but one clothing store. Julius Strasberg, who was formerly employed by W.I. Rubinowitch as a clerk, had visions of a fortune to be made here in opposition to Mr. Rubinowitch, and last May he opened a clothing and gent's furnishing store. He has no definite plans for the future.

Walter Diihr, who runs a saw mill near Liberty, has a log that measures five feet in diameter and is 16 feet long. Diihr claims this log is the most remarkable one he ever saw. The tree from which it was taken stood 100 feet high and will cut four similar logs, from each of which Diihr expects to realize 1,100 feet of lumber.

The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, reports a capital and surplus of $380,000.

Stage leaves Callicoon for Jeffersonville, North Branch and Hortonville at 10:21 a.m. or on the arrival of the milk train; for Jeffersonville and Kenoza Lake at 1:30 p.m.; for Callicoon Center and North Branch at 1:30 p.m.

100 Years Ago - 1920

One of Cochecton's most popular farmers, Sidney Tyler, in November was stricken with a very serious attack of appendicitis. But that isn't all he lost while a patient at the Deerpark Sanitarium in Port Jervis. The lucky lady was Miss Alberta VanWagner of Port Jervis who had been his nurse during his confinement.

Ernest William Ebert, 28, superintendent of the Sheffield Creamery at Hale's Eddy, died of influenza and pneumonia at his home there February 2. He was a son of John and Margaret Ebert of the town of Fremont. His parents, his wife who was Miss Clara Bivins of Willowemoc, and four children, Ruby, Harold, Lily and Ronald, survive as do a sister, Mrs. Charles Gorr of Fremont, and four brothers, Louis of Blooming Grove, Herman and Emil at home, and Charles in New York City.

Cochecton, Feb. 2 — Born to Mr. and Mrs. George Molusky, a daughter… Charles Sodawater, 13, a son of Mrs. Jessie Sodawater, sustained a broken leg in a coasting accident Saturday… Born January 29, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Brown, a son William Edward.

Lake Huntington, Feb. 2 — Thirteen pupils were entitled to take grade examinations. Of these the following will receive certificates: Dorothy Austin, Harland Calkins, George Merkenschlager, Percy Keesler, Henry Furk and George Milow. The others failed in one subject. The following pupils were not tardy for the first term: Carrie Merkenschlager, Eleanor Faber, Edna Keesler, Beatrice Brining, Dorothy and Helen Austin, Percy Keesler, Edwin Schmidt, Roland Langhorst, Archie Keesler, Frank Faber, August Merkenschlager, Walter Gettle and Kenneth Kraack.

Narrowsburg — Jack Frost having constructed a bridge across the Delaware, the farmers from the Keystone State are making good use of it. One party drew a load of hay across and some of our old settlers say it was the first they ever brought across on the ice.

Notes from “Stories of the Raftsmen” — Before the Civil War the fore and hind hands of a raft received $10 a trip to Easton and $15 to Trenton, including the expenses of the return home. While the steersmen were paid from $15 to $18 to Easton and $25 to Trenton, or $20 to Upper Blacks if an extra steersman was required through the Wellses. No expense for the return was paid a steersman. From Trenton to Bordentown of Philadelphia the services of two steersmen in a double raft were necessary. Usually the owners would combine rafts, making up a fleet of two or four double rafts, when the services of but a single extra steersman were needed. Boyd & Wood, lumbermen of Boyds Mills, did an immense business, sending hundreds of rafts down and employing tug boats extensively on the lower reaches of the river.

90 Years Ago - 1930

Another new high school building has been erected and dedicated in Wayne County. On last Tuesday evening the recently completed Damascus High School building was formally dedicated with exercises in the auditorium of the new structure. The program was presided over by Miss Ruth Barnes, principal of the school.

Stephen Wormuth of Lake Huntington and George Siebert of Narrowsburg attended the 11th annual convention of the American Legion held at Albany on Tuesday of last week. Both were delegates.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Hess of Callicoon, on Tuesday, February 3, a daughter, Marjorie Ruth… A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Terrell of Galilee, Friday, January 31… A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Duane E. Hughs of Philadelphia. The mother is former Ethel Hanson of Rock Valley.

Carl Meyer, local expressman between Cochecton and Lake Huntington, was painfully injured one day last week when a large cake of ice slipped and fell on his left foot with painful results.

Dr. Frederick A. Cook, one time Callicoon resident who has been in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary for nearly five years on a stock fraud charge, will be released in February provided his parole is approved by Attorney General Mitchell.

At a recent meeting of the L.A.S. of Obernburg, Mrs. Frank Stabbert was elected president; Mrs. L. Black, vice president; Miss M.E. Denner, secretary and treasurer. The next meeting will take place February 6 at St. Mary's Hall in the form of a St. Valentine's Koffee Klatch.

Someone with a desire for destruction journeyed from Jeffersonville to Liberty Monday evening and on the trip tore down every mailbox along the route. Many of the boxes were smashed in an attempt to tear them loose and not one escaped his attention. The postal authorities are working on the case with Inspector Duryea in charge.

The annual meeting of the Callicoon Co-Operative Dairy Association was held at Kenney's Hall last Saturday p.m. A large number of dairymen were present and Frank E. Knack, president of the board, presided. A. Blake Hunt, manager of the plant, addressed the gathering regarding the necessity of producing clean milk. During the year 1929 the volume of business done increased $32,549.64; the amount received for 11,295,201 pounds of milk handled during the year was $377,687.98. Patrons during 1929 received $336,637.84 for their milk.

The Mountaindale Steam Rollers did not roll up their own score to a great extent and were defeated by St. Joe's to the tune of 31-17. The game was fast throughout and, rather rough at times, was played according to amateur rules and was refered by Charles Engert.

80 Years Ago - 1940

Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Wood of Long Eddy are rejoicing over the birth of twin daughters, Mary Elaine and Belinda Ann, born January 24 at the Hancock Hospital. They weighed four and five pounds respectively.

Richard Mackey, owner of the Millbrook Inn at Pond Eddy, and Carl Gadke, cook at the hotel, owe their lives to the bark of a pet dog, Dopey, which had aroused them at 3:30 a.m. one morning last week in time to escape from the burning inn. The hotel, once known as the Rixton House, was destroyed with a loss of about $15,000, partially covered by insurance. The thirteen room frame building had been operated by Mr. Mackey for three years. It had been moved about 200 yards from its former site in order to make room for construction of Route 97 through there. It contained a number of old pictures and antiques and Mr. Mackey told firemen that there was lost also a shotgun valued at $1,750. A defective chimney was believed to have caused the fire.

License to practice either as a professional or a practical nurse is mandatory after July 1 of this year according to the State Board of Nurse Examiners.

70 Years Ago - 1950

The plans and specifications for the new Delaware Valley Central School arrived here today. Next step in the proceedings is to obtain approval of the plans from the State Department of Education at Albany. A.T. Lacey & Son of Binghamton is the architect.

At the Callicoon Hospital, it was a girl for Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Lahm on January 30; a son for Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Fulton of Cochecton Center on January 27.

Goulds, Jan. 31 — Misfortune called on Lester Milk on Thursday evening when one of his horses became frightened in the stall and in her struggle broke her neck. She was a valuable animal.

A map has been prepared and presented for INCODEL (Interstate Commission on the Delaware River Basin) by Malcolm Pirnie, engineer. It shows the projected development of the Delaware watershed for the supply of drinking water for New York City, Philadelphia, Camden and other large centers of population. Just what effect development will have on Sullivan and Wayne County areas is not known.

Herman Rieber of Barryville was elected president of the Sullivan County Liquor Dealers Assoc. at their annual meeting held at Fred Schlichting's North Branch Inn the end of January.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Alfast of Tyler Hill, Pa., celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with an open house on Sunday afternoon. Nearly 150 relatives and friends visited their home to extend congratulations… Mr. and Mrs. Edward Luther of Conklin Hill, Pa., celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at Pippo's in Hortonville. Mrs. Fred Stabbert of Callicoon made and decorated the cake.… Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Abplanalp marked their 51st anniversary last Thursday in their home in Youngsville.

The Hortonville Presbyterian Church is planning to celebrate their centennial and needs pictures and documents pertaining to church history.

The 3rd Annual Dinner of the Democratic Executive Committee of the town of Delaware was held at Callicoon on Saturday evening. Atty. Irving Bershader was toastmaster and Assemblyman James G. Lyons was the guest speaker. An engraved wrist watch was presented Fred A. Hust of Kenoza Lake by Fred W. Stabbert, president of the committee, in recognition of his many years of distinguished and faithful service.

Shirley and Bruce Miller, children of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Miller of Harris, were able to return home on December 23 in time to catch Rudolph Red-Nose on Christmas Eve. They were stricken with infantile paralysis on August 8, 1949, and have been treated at the Reconstruction Hospital at Haverstraw through funds provided by the Sullivan County Polio Fund. The March of Dimes Fund Drive helps support the center.

A safe stolen from the office of the Gonzales Motor Sales Co. in Monticello early last Monday was found lying in the underbrush alongside Route 6 in South Centerville Sunday afternoon, its door torn and its contents looted.

At the Victory Foods Stores: Chuck Roast, 49¢ lb.; Kellogg's Corn Flakes, 2 lb. pkgs., 35¢; Firm Fresh Broccoli, 21¢ a bunch; Sunshine Hydrox cookies, 6 oz. pkg., 29¢; N.Y. State Aged Cheese, 63¢ lb.

60 Years Ago - 1960

Harold Roeder, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Roeder Sr. of Hortonville, recently appeared as piano soloist in a recital by music students at Ithaca College.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Bayer observed their 50th wedding anniversary at the North Branch Reformed Church where they had been married in 1910. Mrs. Elizabeth Hust and Harry Quick were their honor attendants and attended the celebration.

Donna Rae Cross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Cross of Hurleyville, was given top award in the 4-H apple pie contest on Thursday, January 28, at the Kingston Armory. Last year she placed fourth in the contest.

Tournament prizes for the forthcoming Sixth Annual Bowling Tournament for the benefit of Our Lady of the Angels School in Jeffersonville, are expected to hit $1,000, according to a recent announcement by Fr. Joel Munzing.

Plans are going forward at an accelerated rate for the refurbishing job at the Monticello Courthouse. Three offices will be made out of the present rooms occupied by the sheriff, when he moves to the new jail addition.

The owners of Dyberry Kennels in Indian Orchard, Pa., have received work from Fort Benning in Georgia that they are the largest supplier of German Shepherd guard dogs to the Army at that post. The dog raisers are Mr. and Mrs. Henry vonStemm who sold 14 “police” dogs to the Army for its K-9 corps during 1959.

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Tyler celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on February 2.

Edwin Ferber, dairy farmer leader from Callicoon, was recently elected to the executive committee of the Mutual Federation of Independent Cooperatives.

The DVC Rifle Team, under the direction of Wm. Milk, out-shot the local deerslayers in a match at the school Monday evening, January 25. The young Daniel Boones were found to have piled up a score of 913 while the self-named “Callicoon Hot Shots” trailed in competition with 883.

50 years ago - 1970

At a special meeting of the Narrowsburg Fire Department, held at the Community House club rooms Monday evening, it was voted to lease a portion of the firemen's field in Narrowsburg to Ten Mile River Enterprises, Inc., Robert Lander, president.

A fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed Schwartz Motor Sales in Livingston Manor early Wednesday morning, February 4. First estimates of the loss are that it will exceed $250,000.

Saturday Night Special — All the spaghetti you can eat! 99¢ at Ginger's Country Store, Long Eddy. — ADV.

At the Liberty Loomis Hospital it was a boy, Harold, for Mr. and Mrs. William Ross of Liberty, on January 23; a girl, January 25, Cherie Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Manzolillo of Jeffersonville; and a boy, January 27, Christopher, for Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ehlenberger of Livingston Manor.

Mrs. Valentine Scheidell was 90 years young on January 27. She was guest of honor at a roast beef dinner at the Pine Grove Restaurant in Youngsville.

The eleven chairmen of the State's water resource planning agencies have been appointed New York State delegates to the National Rivers and Harbors Congress at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington on March 17-20. Among those receiving an appointment was Sullivan County Planning Administrator Joseph M. Purcell, chairman of the Upper Delaware River Water Resources Planning Board.

Keith A. Krauss, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Krauss of Fosterdale, returned from Vietnam and was released from active duty from the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis, Washington, on January 8.

Mortimer Sunshine of Ferndale and Irving Shapiro of Liberty were recently designated as co-chairmen of the Sullivan County Publicity Promotion and Industrial Development Commission. Both had served as members of this non-salaried agency since its formation in January 1968 by the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Sunshine is general manager of Grossinger's and Mr. Shapiro is owner-operator of Sullivan's, a Liberty department store. Other members of the commission are Valleau Curtis of Callicoon, Milton Kutsher of Monticello, John Knapp of Hurleyville, W. Kimball Sprague of Roscoe and Robert Parker of Kiamesha Lake.

40 Years Ago - 1980

Grossinger's Hotel in Liberty may be sold to a non-family owner after 63 years of continual operation by the Grossinger family.

Two new postmasters were appointed in Sullivan County this week. They are Sonja E. Sniffenfor Highland Lake and Philip J. Speer for Ferndale.

A large old farmhouse in North Branch was leveled by flames Sunday afternoon leaving the George Schoonmaker family homeless. Located on Buck Brook Road, flames were spotted in the farmhouse at about 3 p.m. in the afternoon. There were no injuries. Fire companies from Callicoon Center, Jeffersonville, Liberty and Hortonville assisted North Branch in battling the blaze. On standby duty were Callicoon, Youngsville and Hankins fire departments… The Hilltop Bar in Harris burned on January 29. Monticello firefighters received help from the Hurleyville and Liberty Fire Companies. Extensive damage was done to the building.

Approximately 300 people enjoyed snowmobiling, ice skating, snowmobile races and shuffleboard on Lake Huntington last Sunday afternoon when they attended the Cochecton Winter Carnival. Contest winners were: Snowmobiles, Fred Smith, Brian Poirette and Carla Dovcele; Speed Skating, Stanley Rembish, R.R. Scheuren and Dawn Scheuren; Ice Bowling, Richard Huebner and Kim Nelson. The snowmobile races, as set up by Howie Murns, were quite a challenge.

David Cohen of Liberty recently announced the publication of a new book titled, “Admit the Act and Win the Criminal Case.” Mr. Cohen, who has written two previous trial manuals for defense lawyers, has been involved in general law practice, criminal defense law, and has served as assistant district attorney during his more than twenty years in the field of law.

Mary Welsh of Tyler Hill observed her 90th birthday in December.

“The passing of the pins” recently took place at the Jeffersonville Alleys when possession of the business was transferred from Vern and Shirley VanOrden to the new owners, Nancy and Ed McGowan.

Dina Ann DeFazio, daughter of Donald and the late Frances DeFazio of Bethel, became the bride of Charles Richard Tyler of Liberty at the United Methodist Church in Kauneonga Lake on January 26.

Bryan J. Sims, son of Mrs. June Repko of Liberty, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force's Delayed Enlistment Program. A 1980 graduate of Liberty High School, he is scheduled for enlistment in the regular Air Force on September 25 and is to receive technical training in the Aircraft Armament Systems Field following a six-week basic training course.

30 Years Ago - 1990

Daniel L. Briggs, treasurer of Sullivan County, has been awarded a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting by the 11,500-member Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The prestigious award is given out every two years and is the highest form of recognition in the area of government accounting and financial reporting the county could receive.

Rosemary DeCamp, a 27-year Rhulen veteran and former assistant vice president, has been promoted to the position of vice president. In her new position, Ms. DeCamp is head of Rhulen's Hospitality Division which markets liquor law liability coverages in New York and Pennsylvania.

Seven fire companies in eastern Sullivan County battled a mid-day blaze at the Hotel Gibber on February 5 that destroyed the resort's main building. No injuries were reported. The hotel has been closed for two years.

The 12th Annual Heart-a-Thon raised more than $40,000. The event was held at Kutsher's under the direction of Chris Cunningham, Sullivan County Division Director of the American Heart Association.

For the third Sunday in a row, the Rotary Ice Carnival in Livingston Manor was cancelled because of the unsuitable weather. At this time, it will not be rescheduled for this year. Said Chairman Gary Siegel, “You can't fight Mother Nature.” He said it will be held next year.

Margaret and John Jammer of Livingston Manor celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at the Liberty Methodist Church. A reception was held in their honor in Memorial Hall afterwards for more than 75 friends and relatives.

20 Years Ago - 2000

A proposal for shuttle bus service in and around Monticello is likely to come under strong fire Monday when the state Department of Transportation holds a public hearing on the issue at the county government center. Likely to be voicing some objections are Monticello village trustees and village taxi companies and officials from Shortline bus company which provide some similar services in Monticello.

Fifty-thousand dollars was the total raised in pledges at the 22nd annual Heart-a-Thon held at Kutsher's Country Club just outside Monticello this past Saturday. Time for the 9-hour radio broadcast over WSUL was given by station owner Bill Reynolds, who also served as one of the coordinators of the event.

County legislators are mulling over a proposal for a mobile spay/neuter van dealing exclusively with cats at a cost of $175,000 over the next five years and which would provide the service for $35 per animal. The proposal calls for Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties to each contribute $35,000 per year for the next five years to subsidize the van's operation. The van could handle about 35 to 40 operations per day and would be in each county two days per week.

The Monticello High School debate team and its 45 members have won dozens of trophies this year at tournaments throughout the Northeast. The team's coach and advisor is Rose Joyce-Turner.

The Golden Park Seniors Club of Liberty celebrated its 25th anniversary Wednesday afternoon in grand style with a luncheon in the Sullivan County BOCES dining room. Among other activities, the group knits scarves, hats and mittens for area agencies and schools, and makes donations to organizations such as local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.

10 Years Ago - 2010

“Major,” Howard Schwell and Callicoon's famous Miniature Pinscher participated in the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Show at Madison Square Garden. “Major” is currently ranked the No.1 Miniature Pinscher in the world, having won the breed at last year's Westminster's Show.

CNN covered Beach Lake Bread owner, Jennifer Hason, making use of Job Corps' students for a segment for CNNMoney.com in its small business category. Free labor from participants in a job training program has helped keep bakery costs down as the poor economy resulted in a big plunge in sales in the fall of 2008. When Hason retooled her business to add prepared foods it helped sales but the workload increased as well. Hason then started hiring Job Corp students for her business from the program to “expand her staff without spending extra dough.”

The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2010. The Boy Scouts of America, Hudson Valley Council, currently serves more than 8,600 young people through Scouting and Learning for Life Programs. At the end of 2009, the Hudson Valley Council had 2,963 Boy Scouts.

Columbia University Professor Richard Plunz and his students have been studying the information from the Delaware River Valley region for two studies dealing with the NYRI powerline's and gas drilling potential impacts on the fertile ground the region is known for. Plunz and his students from Columbia's Urban Design Lab got a firsthand look at the challenges and rewards of the soil in Sullivan County courtesy of area farmers and Catskill Mountainkeeper, which obtained the grant to fund the publication of a stud about the “foodshed” surrounding New York City.