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Down the Decades

March 14, 2023 Edition

Compiled by Lee Hermann, Muse, & Ruth Huggler
Posted 3/14/23

110 Years Ago - 1913

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Raum of Kenoza Lake on February 28.

John Brustman cut a tree measuring fifty-five feet in length and as straight as a string on the …

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Down the Decades

March 14, 2023 Edition

Posted

110 Years Ago - 1913

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Raum of Kenoza Lake on February 28.

John Brustman cut a tree measuring fifty-five feet in length and as straight as a string on the property of Henry Bohn. The stick will be used for a mast for the derrick in the Manny quarry.

The pump station at Livingston Manor, which pumps the water from the Willowemoc River into the railroad company’s tank, was totally destroyed by fire Friday morning. The fire originated from a spark, which worked its way into the rafters between the roof and chimney.

The Honesdale Footwear Co.’s factory on Park St., Honesdale, was destroyed by a fire that started 2 o’clock Friday morning a week ago. The loss is between $100,000 and $150,000 according to officers of the company. The building was a three-story structure and employed 50 to 75 hands. It will not be rebuilt.

Special Sale at the Callicoon Cash Store — Buy one sack of Glory Flour and receive one kitchen broom, one 8-qt. granite dish pan and one knife sharpener — all for $1.65. (The broom cannot be purchased any place for less than 30 cents; the dish pan is granite and is worth 20¢. Only one to a customer.)

Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Kays have issued invitations to a party which they will give tonight in honor of their son, Newman’s twenty-first birthday anniversary.

Harry LaValle is clerking for C.G. Armstrong & Son in Long Eddy.

100 Years Ago - 1923

Volney Skinner, native and lifelong resident of Milanville, died Monday evening, March 5, at the age of 92. A descendant of “Admiral” Skinner, he began to follow in his footsteps when he became a raftsman at the age of 13 and followed this occupation for more than fifty years. When only 18 years of age, he piloted his first raft down the river and then for 45 years he made from one to six trips down the river as a steersman. His last voyage was made in 1896. 

Miss Ruth Bauernfeind, who went to the city a few weeks ago in company with Harry Tiemann of Jeffersonville to visit, surprised her friends in North Branch as returning as the bride of Mr. Tiemann.

Frank Harding, 65, a native of Callicoon Center and long prominent in Middletown banking circles, died at his home in that city, March 2, after a week’s illness of pneumonia.

Robins were seen Saturday and Sunday in Lava.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kellam, February 19, a son, Charles Frederick, in Lookout, Pa.

The roof of the dining hall at Camp Swago has collapsed under the weight of the snow.

A.F. Beesmer of Long Eddy has been busy the past week cleaning and fixing up the new meat market. We wish him well.

Equinunk — Many of our radio fans listened to a concert Thursday evening by a former Equinunk resident, Charles DeLackner, who spoke from broadcasting station, WEAF, New York.

90 Years Ago - 1933

Last Saturday morning, just after all New York banks had opened for business, they were notified to close by Governor H.H. Lehman. This holiday was to extend through Monday but Sunday evening President Roosevelt issued a proclamation closing all of the banks until Friday. This action by these officials was made necessary by the fact that depositors in large banks were withdrawing currency, much of it in gold coin, thereby precipitating the banking crisis. The Callicoon bank reopened Tuesday but its only function is to make change for currency. In western Sullivan, the only noticeable effect was an almost complete stagnation of business, but businessmen believe that in a few days the proper arrangement will be made and business will begin to pick up appreciably.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Baum of Hortonville announce the engagement of their daughter, Dorothy, to Lester Krantz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Krantz of Kenoza Lake.

Mr. and Mrs.  James Brady of Monticello celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary Saturday night. He has been a magistrate 12 years, village attorney and for the last six years, clerk of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors, whereon, although a Republican, a Democratic board has re-elected him twice.

Uncle Sam’s official padlockers were callers in western Sullivan yesterday afternoon and according to reports most of the speakeasies in the section are closed by official padlocks.

The Sullivan County Democrat was reduced to four pages this week because of unavoidable handicaps. With the resumption of normal business next week, it is hoped that the standard eight-page issue will be printed.

80 Years Ago - 1943

Mrs. Bertha Reddy of Narrowsburg received a telegram Monday afternoon informing her that her husband, Pvt. Michael J. Reddy, was missing in action in the North Africa area since February 17. He was a truck driver with a machine gun company. All wish for his safe keeping as it is not known if he was taken a prisoner of war or only has temporarily been disconnected from his outfit.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wilfert of Jeffersonville are the parents of a daughter, Dorothy Ann, born March 9.

Rita Lillian Moser and Leo James Kelly, both of Liberty, were united in holy matrimony on March 9 at St. Peter’s Church, Liberty.

Harold Krantz, in helping his wife’s aunt on the Erie with her luggage last Tuesday afternoon, failed to get off the train before it pulled out and was obliged to travel to Narrowsburg where the train made its first stop. This left Mrs. Krantz, who is unable to chauffeur a car, at the station with the car. Someone in Callicoon motored her to Narrowsburg to get her husband and they met him about two miles this side of Narrowsburg, he having already hired a taxi to bring him back. — Callicoon Center Corresp.

70 Years Ago - 1953

A set of Encyclopedia Brittanica has been donated to the Delaware Free Library in memory of the late Florida Rumble Glover, Henry W. Stengel and several early founders of the Women’s Literary Club of  Callicoon.

At the Callicoon Hospital it was a son, Sunday, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Zieres of North Branch; a daughter, Tuesday, to Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Conklin of North Branch; a son, Tuesday, to Mr. and Mrs. Carroll Meyer of Cochecton; a daughter, Thursday, to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McConnell of Narrowsburg; a son, Thursday, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Buvis of Cooks Falls.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis J. Buddenhagen of Hortonville celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Saturday, March 7.

The now famous Narrowsburg General Store, which has been viewed by millions at sports shows in New York and Philadelphia, and more millions up and down the east coast on a dozen TV shows, will be featured on a nationwide TV show next Wednesday. Jim Purcell, the storekeeper and small town philosopher, will appear with a collection of old store items on the Gary Moore Show which is fast becoming the biggest thing in television.

Therese Ann, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Meyer of Lake Huntington, was christened March 8 at Our Lady of the Lake Church by Rev. Father Dennis.

60 Years Ago - 1963

Mr. and Mrs. William Rosenberger of Hortonville have announced the engagement of their daughter, Janet, to Herman Von Ahnen of the Bronx. She is a music teacher at the Jeffersonville-Youngsville Central School and he is self-employed in Kearney, N.J.... The engagement of Barbara Pfaff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dirig of Hankins, to Ralph A. Moser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Mosher of Stalker, Pa., has been announced.

The Narrowsburg Theatre Group is presenting “Oklahoma” Friday and Saturday, under the direction of Williard “Bud” Slausenberg of Callicoon.

At the Callicoon Hospital, it was a son, Thursday, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hennig of Cochecton; a daughter, Thursday, to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Ohman of Cochecton RD; a son, Thursday, to Mr. and Mrs. Neal Proctor of Damascus, Pa.; a daughter, Friday, to Mr. and Mrs. William Staesser of Long Eddy; a daughter, Monday, to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Welsh of Galilee, Pa.; and a daughter, Wednesday, to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lockwood of Equinunk, Pa.

Lance Cpl. David Tobin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Tobin of Callicoon, returned to the U.S. on February 25 after having served in Okinawa since September, 1961. He expects to be stationed in California for 18 months.

 Mrs. Helen Milk of Callicoon was recently appointed bookkeeper for the new Family Court at Monticello. She is Sullivan County GOP vice-chairman, a position she has held for ten years.

Martin Stelling of Callicoon Center has been chosen as one of two county 4-H Club members to visit the State Capitol Monday and Tuesday. He will have breakfast with Assemblyman Hyman E. Mintz... George Baum was married to Miss Mary Falkenberg of Long Eddy last Saturday. The young couple are living in the Adler Apartment Building in Jeff. — Callicoon Center Corresp.

Miss Marian Ebert of North Branch and Earl Myers of Jeffersonville were married at Grace Lutheran Church on March 2.

Mrs. Harold Smith and Mrs. Gloria Hemmer were sponsors to a surprise bridal shower in honor of Miss Helen Scardefield on Saturday night. She will become the bride of Malcolm Back on April 13.

50 Years Ago - 1973

Roger Bisland was named and sworn in as Supervisor of the Town of Lumberland to succeed his father, Edward Bisland, who died February 26. Roger is a Sergeant on the Monticello Police Force. Mr. Bisland is the third generation to have served as Lumberland’s Supervisor and was unanimously selected to fill the position.

Six-year-old Sue Ann Porter, daughter of Stanley and Linda Porter of Long Eddy, was drowned Monday afternoon when she fell through the ice on a pond located on the Silas Tompkin Road, 150 yards from her home. She was a first grade student at the Delaware Valley Central School.

Mr. and Mrs. William Coe of Damascus, Pa., recently returned from spending a vacation with their daughter and husband, the William Blanchards in Rodondo Beach, Calif. Among their experiences was an earthquake which was quite different for them. They say they are glad to be back home.

Mr. and Mrs. John Weiss of Youngsville are the parents of a son, born February 21.

40 Years Ago - 1983

The new Sullivan County Chapter of Disabled American Veterans is to be named for two World War II heroes who were killed in action. Lt. Milton Ratner and Ensign Thomas J. Kelly have been selected for the honor.

The Delaware Valley Eagles defeated Sugar Loaf, 45-37, to capture the Section 9 Class D championship Saturday night, after Sugar Loaf defeated the Jeffersonville Trojans in the last game to be coached by retiring Paul Zintel. The Liberty Indians successfully defended their Class Crown for the second straight year.

Rubin Pollack, Sullivan County District Superintendent of Schools and executive officer of BOCES since 1974, plans to retire in January, 1984. Recruitment will begin in the spring for his replacement.

Anna Krzysik of Clifton, N.J., became the bride of Ronald Meyer, son of Joseph and Maria Meyer of Narrowsburg, on November 10, 1982, at a ceremony performed at St. Cyril & Methodius Church in New Jersey.

Angeles Sicilia-Perez of Madrid, Spain, and Sgt. Eric Meyer, U.S.A.F., son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Meyer of Callicoon, were married on January 31, 1983, in Spain. They recently returned to the United States where he will be stationed in Texas.

The Central United Methodist Church in Honesdale, Pa., was the scene of the wedding of Lisa G. Newport, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence E. Newport of Equinunk, Pa., and William R. Thompson of Honesdale, Pa., on January 22, 1983.

Barbara DeWire and John F. Walter, president of Sullivan County Community College, were married on February 19, at the Duck Cedar Inn in Tuxedo.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Berry of Liberty have announced the engagement of their daughter, Justine, to Jon Sutherland, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Sutherland, also of Liberty.

Mr. and Mrs. Burt Brown of Edison, N.J., have announced the engagement of their daughter, Arlen, to Howard A. Siegel, son of Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Siegel of Monticello. He is vice president of the Irwin Siegel Agency, Inc.

James Avery, 27-year-old carhop at Grossinger’s Hotel, has announced that he will challenge Liberty’s Mayor Ida “Skippy” Frankel in her bid for a fifth term in the March 15 election.

Gwen McRae led a contingent of Monticello girls indoor track and field stars in the Girls Eastern States Invitational Meet at Harvard University in Cambridge Saturday, as she placed fifth in the prestigious meet.

30 Years Ago - 1993

Stanley Kobylenski of Hortonville, a retired DVCS athletic director, died March 3, 1993, at the age of 71. He was admired by his peers for his coaching abilities. At an earlier age, he  was asked to try out for the Brooklyn Dodgers but the outbreak of World War II caused him to enter the Air Force instead. “Koby” was inducted into the Sullivan County Hall of Fame in 1991 in recognition of his contributions to sports in the Western Sullivan League.

More than $4,917 in pledges benefited the Delaware Youth Center as the result of the 8th skate-a-thon held at the center. Peter LaFleur is the chairman for fundraising.

Skaters at Skater’s World in Ferndale raised $1,042.39 for the Monticello Middle School SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving).

At the 7th annual Community Resource Center dinner, held at The Paramount in Parksville Saturday evening, Gretchen Beseth was presented with a gift noting her 25 years of employment at the center.

The Monticello Kennel Club sponsored a dog show at the Monticello Raceway in which 1,700 purebred dogs from throughout the nation competed for awards in their own breed and then in their own group, hoping to win the coveted Best in Show at the 15th annual All-Breed Dog Show and Obedience Trial. A boxer, Woods End Million Heir, owned by Patricia Billhardt and handled by Carmen Skinner, walked away with the coveted prize. Because it has grown so large over the past 15 years, entries in the show are limited to 1,700. The show is one of the most prestigious shows in the Northeast and has been acclaimed to be in a close tie with the AKC Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden — the Wimbledon of dog shows.

More than 400 exhibitors were on hand at Rockland Community College on March 3-7 for the 15th Annual World Outdoor Hunting and Fishing Expo. Many exhibitors came from Sullivan County, including the Sullivan County Democrat which handed out copies of its award-winning Catskill-Delaware magazine.

20 years ago - 2003

Come April, the Village of Liberty will have a new mayor. The current mayor, Republican Ed Pankonin, has opted not to seek re-election for the seat in the Tuesday, March 18 election. Current board members Stephen Lavelle and William “Rube” Smith are vying for the seat.

Monticello Village Building Inspector Jim Artale, 62, died unexpectedly Saturday at Valley Hospital. Artale had suffered a serious heart attack last week and had been scheduled for bypass surgery this week.

Frank T. Dale, a freelance writer and local historian, is the author of “Bridges Over the Delaware River: A History of Crossings” (Rutgers University Press, 2003), a book chronicling 35 of the most historic bridges crossing the Delaware, some of which have served the residents of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York for almost two centuries. He is also the author of “Delaware Diaries: Episodes in the life of a River” (Rutgers).

A new, state-of-the-art audio system is now bringing a new dimension to cinema sound in Sullivan County at the Callicoon Theater in Callicoon. Jim and Barbara Kayton, owners and operators since 1986 of the 55-year-old, 380-seat single-screen theater, will inaugurate the system on March 14 with the screening of “Chicago.”

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hixon Hanson of Wapiti, Wyo., announce the engagement of their daughter, Karen, to Clinton Logan Percy, son of Kent and Mary Percy of Powder Springs, Ga., and Lucinda and Walter Krudop of Houston, Tex. Miss Hanson is the granddaughter of the late Sydney and Edith Peters of Callicoon. A summer wedding is planned.

10 Years Ago - 2013

Lori Kestler of White Lake can now strike from her Bucket List experiencing a close encounter with our national bird, which she did at Lake Superior State Park in Bethel in late February. She was about 50 yards away [with her camera]. According to the Delaware Eagle Institute, which is now partnered with the Delaware Highlands Conservancy: “Every winter up to 150-200 bald eagles migrate to this region. They are seeking a reliable food source and undisturbed habitat so they can survive the cold winter months. ...Some bald eagles will fly nearly 900 miles from their breeding ground to winter in this region.” 

Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Terri Ward is seeing a lot of pink these days after the birth of her second child, Tera Diane. Terri and her husband Tim brought home Tera on Thursday. She joins a brother, Tanner, at home. Maternal grandparents are Diane Hess and Jim McElroy of North Branch and Jim Hess and Sue Clifford of South Carolina. Paternal grandparents are Mike and Ellen Ward of Loch Sheldrake. Great-grandparents include Dorothy Osterhout and Christa Ward-Bedell, both of Loch Sheldrake.

For Mayor Ed Justus of Jeffersonville, the most extraordinary event of his tenure had to have been the Town Haul TV show filmed on the streets of the village in 2004. But the happiest times were the many weddings over which the mayor presided. And the worst occasions? Hands down: the devastating and too numerous floods. Justus will step down from his flood-watching, gavel-pounding duties this month after serving the village as public servant since 1993, first as trustee and then, beginning in 2003, as mayor.

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