110 years ago - 1912

The Erie has a large force of men at Narrowsburg blasting the ice in the big eddy so there will be no damage done when the ice goes out.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Merton Pease of White Sulphur Springs on February 18.

Adolphus Newman of Cochecton Center was found dead in bed by his wife a week ago Sunday morning. He was a neighbor of Mr. Gutesite and was a pallbearer at the latter’s funeral only two days before he himself was stricken. He was 64 years old.

A new creamery is about to be erected at Briscoe by Sam Perlman of Briscoe and Max Jaffery of New York. The new building will be 30x46 and will cost $1200. Skimming stations will be established at Campbell Mill and Briscoe.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fulton on the 2nd inst. at Kenoza Lake.

During the storms on Monday night, the barn belonging to Rudolph Heinle of Cochecton Center was struck by lightning and entirely consumed. There was no stock in the barn at the time but a quantity of hay was lost. The lightning struck sometime during the night without the Heinle family realizing it until Tuesday morning when they saw the mass of ruins.

100 years ago - 1922

The bodies of 4,155 men who died in service during the World War have been returned to New York State.

The egg shipment at the Erie station in Cochecton reached 100 cases on Monday.

Elmer Knack of Callicoon, who purchased one of the many automobiles reported stolen, has retained possession of his car. Its former owner failed to identify the car as his property which he reported stolen last January.

On Thursday afternoon two unusually large flocks of wild geese were seen in northern flight. Others report having seen flocks of wild ducks going northward. These birds seldom make a miss on their interpretations of the weather conditions.

Twenty automobiles were destroyed when fire completely destroyed the garage of N.S. Behringer on Main St., Liberty Thursday morning. A barn and a storage house of H.J. Sarles were completely destroyed also. The cars, 10 Fords, 1 Dodge, 1 Oakland, 2 Nashes, 3 Buicks, a Chandler, a Cadillac and a Packard were valued at $30,000 of which Mr. Behringer’s personal loss was estimated at $9,000. He carried between $1,000 and $1,500 in insurance coverage. Mr. Behringer says he suffered a greater loss in 1916 when he was burned out in Roscoe.

According to an announcement of State Highway Department last week, the Hancock end of the Delaware Valley state highway will be let this fall. For this piece of work there is now available and appropriated for the purpose the sum of $180,000. The contract has already been let for the construction of the lower end between Mongaup and Pond Eddy and Assemblyman Cross has a bill in the legislature to restore the intervening piece, that between Pond Eddy and Long Eddy, to the state map for highway improvement.

90 years ago - 1932

About 75 guests attended a musical given at the home of Miss Edith Helen Curtis, Callicoon, Saturday by the Women’s Literary Club. Miss Gladys V. Lyons of Callicoon, teacher of piano, was the program chairman. Included in the program were presentations by Anne Stabbert, Robert Ives, Claire Lovell, Mary Davidson, Vivien Schultheiss, Elaine Dodge, Telleta Bourne, Gladys V. Lyons, Mortimer Roth, Thomas Fair, Basil Hick, Herbert Fair, Alexander Roth and Vickko Makenin.

State Police found a car on the Loch Sheldrake road recently that had been carefully dismantled before it was set on fire. Tires and battery had been removed, but the license plates had been overlooked. They bore the number 9K74-02 indicating that the car came from Brooklyn.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Kautz and Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Curtis returned from a week spent in New York City and Washington, D.C. While in Washington, they witnessed the ceremonies incident to the celebration of the bi-centennial of George Washington’s birth.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Edwards of Abrahamsville, a daughter, Sunday night. Mother and babe are at a hospital in New York City.

Ralph Sipple has moved to his newly purchased farm near Oneonta. His mother, Mrs. S. Sipple, accompanied him and will remain for some time. Mrs. B. Cargin has taken over duties as postmistress during Mrs. Sipple’s absence. – Mileses Corresp.

It has come to note that it has been 30 years on the 1st of March since the flood of 1902 when the John C. Porr family was saved by clinging to a tree. What a contrast to this year with not a sign of ice on the river and no anxiety of a flood.

80 year ago - 1942

Nial Sherwood, 23, Liberty, moved one step closer to his coveted Navy “wings” last week when he was appointed an aviation cadet at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla.

Seven cars of an eastbound Erie fast freight train were derailed early last Friday near Tusten, tying up main line traffic for several hours. No one was injured as the derailed cars, in the middle of the train, tipped up nearly one-half mile of track.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Borden are the proud parents of a daughter born February 26th at the Liberty Loomis Hospital. She is the former Katherine Hauser of Callicoon Center.

Pete Schmidt of Callicoon Center has put on two extra trucks recently for drawing supplies for defense from New York City upstate. His trucks have also been bringing up equipment for the Sky Top School at North Branch.
Last Friday afternoon a trailer load of game brought through Honesdale, Pa., by George Ryman, Shohola, Pa., caused considerable interest among local sportsmen. The game, which had been kept in cold storage in Canada since it was shot last fall, included a large moose, a bear and a deer.

Gertrude, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chapell Peake of Hankins, was one of the student nurses who were capped at impressive ceremonies at St. Luke’s Hospital last Friday. Gertrude had a high standing in her class.

The Cochecton Center Guild at Cochecton Center sponsored a shower last Friday night for Mr. and Mrs. Harry Dewing who recently lost their home and all their belongings in a fire.

70 years ago - 1952

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kurzweil of Callicoon announce the engagement of their daughter, Anna Marie, to Ronald Campbell of Binghamton.

Mrs. Fred Esslemann of Kenoza Lake announces the engagement of her daughter, Betty, to Oscar Girrbach, also of Kenoza Lake.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward McCormick of Narrowsburg are the parents of a daughter, born Thursday; Mr. and Mrs. George Marks of Roscoe are the parents of a daughter born Friday; Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hellerer of Jeffersonville are the parents of a daughter, born Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Deckelman of North Branch are the parents of twin boys, born Tuesday, all at the Callicoon Hospital.

William F. Kille has resigned as financial secretary of the Big Eddy Telephone Co. in Narrowsburg, effective February 28. Willard C. Dillmuth of Milanville has assumed the duties of general manager, and all troubles should be reported to him or the local operator.

The fire in the Dolly Madison Shoppe, Jeffersonville, Wednesday, did considerable damage. They can’t account for it, unless it might have been crumpled cellophane, which might have caused friction and started the blaze. Edw. Knack has the job of repairing the damage.

At the recent conference of Methodist churches in White Sulphur Springs and Harris, Rev. V.T. Barnett, pastor, received a unanimous invitation to return to the charge for another year.

Students of the Delaware Valley Central School moved into their new building midway between Callicoon and Hankins on Tuesday, February 24, at the conclusion of the Washington’s birthday vacation. For the first time since centralization in 1939, the district has all its students under one roof. Student volunteers helped with the move over the weekend. An open house is planned for the weekend giving visitors a view of the new facility.

60 years ago - 1962

John Ferrara, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emanual Ferrara of Callicoon, and Creighton Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Miller of Hortonville, have been announced as Regents Scholarship winners at Delaware Valley Central School.

William Hawerkamp, meter reader for the NYSEG, was honored at a retirement dinner at the Lenape Hotel, Liberty, on February 15.

Rumors of a possible operation of the Sherwood ten-pin mill at Livingston Manor under full production were heard at Monticello yesterday. A call to Burr Sherwood, owner of the mill, brought information that “some people are interested.” However, Mr. Sherwood, who has operated the plant over a half century, said he could give no further details at this time.

Carl Kaempfer, florist and owner of Hillside Greenhouses in Liberty, died February 25 at Liberty-Loomis Hospital.

Dorothy Hubert, a student at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing, Elmira, received her cap at the annual capping ceremonies on February 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Mitchell of Honesdale, Pa., celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 21.

On February 20, Col. John H. Glenn made a historic flight into space successfully. According to the County Clerk’s office at Monticello, it was one of the slowest days on record since only eight business papers were filed.

It was a boy Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Houghtaling at the Callicoon Hospital.

Miss Joanne Stecker and Roy C. Sattinger, both of Jeffersonville, were married in a candlelight ceremony at the home of the bride on February 23.
Bob Quinn of Middletown, bowling on Our Lady of the Angels Tournament at George’s Colonial Inn, Jeffersonville, last Sunday racked up games of 213, 203 and 299, for a total of 715. Quinn had 11 strikes in his last game, only to leave the 10 pin standing on the last ball.

50 years ago - 1972

The old Hortonville Firehouse has taken on a new appearance with the remodeling done by the Town of Delaware to make it suitable for a town clerk’s office, court room for town justices and a meeting room for the town board. The work was done by Hortonville Builders.

Sullivan County gained its first Leap Year baby in at least eight years on Tuesday when a daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Julius Lymon of Monticello at Monticello Community General Hospital. In 1964, a daughter, Colleen Marion, was born to former Liberty Village Trustee and Mrs. Thomas Masterson Jr. She was the last Leap Year baby born in Sullivan County.

His Eminence, Cardinal Terrence Cooke, presided at the Installation Concelebrated Mass held Sunday at St. Peter’s Church, Liberty, when Msgr. Robert Brown was created Apostolic Vicar of Sullivan County.

Ockle E. Johnson, a senior at St. Joseph’s Franciscan Seminary, Callicoon, has become a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. He is from Neptune, N.J.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Noetzel of North Branch have announced the engagement of their daughter, Cheryl, to Douglas J. French of Richfield Springs. An August 1973 wedding is planned.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital, it was a girl, February 18, to Mr. and Mrs. Jose Marrero of Liberty; a boy, February 25, to Mr. and Mrs. Guy Carlson of Livingston Manor. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frances Porter of Long Eddy on February 26.

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Tremper of White Sulphur Springs celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on February 19.

Donald Mootz of Jeffersonville and Miss Brenda Hempstead of Lake Como, Pa., were married on February 26 at the Lake Como Methodist Church. They are both in the service and stationed at Nellis Air Force Base.

40 years ago - 1982

A hard worker, historian, politician and family man, Seth Eltz, at age 88, has finally decided to retire from his career as a Star Route driver for the Monticello Post Office. He is a World War I veteran and worked for the post office more than 20 years.

Liberty won their second straight mid-Hudson Athletic League title with a slam-dunk by Maurice Martin when the Indians beat Marlboro, 56044. Martin led all scorers with 33 points.

Lawrence H. Cooke of Monticello, the Chief Judge of the State of New York, has announced at a news conference in New York City, the formation of an 18-member committee to utilize services of retired judges and named former New York City Mayor, John V. Lindsay, chairman of the group. He asked the committee to explore ways in which the services and talents of retired judges may be put to good use in the judicial process.

Ethel Rohrmann was named queen and Bruce Snyder was named king of the recent WCCC Mardi Gras Carnival held in Lake Huntington.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Skolnicks of Monticello recently celebrated 70 years of marriage. He is a former undersheriff of Sullivan County and was a Town of Bethel constable for 22 years. In the words of the Skolnicks, “We lived together for 70 years. We like each other quite a lot.”

Work on preliminary land clearing for a major New York State Department of Transportation garage and work center along Old Route 17, east of Monticello, has begun. When completed the state work force is expected to assume many highway snow clearing and sanding operations of the Sullivan County Highway Department, cutting into the county’s near million dollar state contract.

30 Years Ago - 1992

The Sullivan County Charter Commission last week solidified the stance on creating a governmental charter that would maintain the board of supervisors and provide for an appointed chief administrator or manager.

Reversing its course, the City of New York announced that it was scrapping the watershed regulations it had proposed for farms in its 2,000-square-mile watershed.

In terms of tax increases over the past three years, Sullivan County ranks among the highest in the state, but County Administrator Paul A. Rouis, Jr. advised that the projected tax increase in 1992 is expected to be in the single digit range and to remain relatively stable.

Joyce A. Salimeno, CPCU, has been recognized in the American Institute for Property and Liability Underwriters and the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters for completing the necessary requirements in the Continuing Professional Development Program.

Ruth Huggler and Michael Vreeland of Youngsville welcomed a son, Benjamin Vreeland, on January 9... Kelly and David Raponi of Forestburgh welcomed twins, Chelsey and Benjamin, on February 9.

20 Years Ago - 2002

The trial of Ronald Caruso should begin within a few weeks. Caruso, 18, a Callicoon resident, is going on trial for charges stemming from the August 28 murder of his step-uncle, Gary Kays. Jury selection is scheduled to begin March 14.

For the last few months, a great deal of talk has centered around the future of the Village of Monticello. Will the village be dissolved? Will the village merge with the Town of Thompson to form a city? Village Mayor Gary Sommers agrees with the New York State Department of State and the New York State Department of Rural Development, that it would not be a good idea to dissolve the village.

The performing arts center planned for the Woodstock site in Bethel was one step closer to reality when the Gerry Foundation filed its Draft Generic Environmental Impact statement (DEIS) with the Bethel Town and Planning boards.

In what promises to be an even more exciting event than last year, 31 communities tossed their hat in the ring on Tuesday for this year’s Sullivan Renaissance Beautification grants. First in, was the Callicoon Creek project, and last out was Fran Gager of Forestburgh.

10 Years Ago - 2012

The split decision by the County Legislature to bid out the duties of the Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) continues to reverberate. Despite opposition during the preceding public comment, five of the nine legislators assented to issuing a request for proposals (RFP) from eligible non-profit agencies interested in promoting tourism in the county.

Democrats Scott Samuelson, Kathy LaBuda, Gene Benson, Cora Edwards and Cindy Gieger were in favor, while Democrats Jonathan Rouis and Ira Steingart and Republicans Alan Sorensen and Kitty Vetter were opposed. A motion by Vetter to initially table the vote failed by a similar split. The matter had not been previously discussed in public, and charges of politicking emerged when SCVA supporters revealed that three prominent local Democrats had formed a non-profit tourism agency in December, called Sullivan County Tourism and Promotion.

Last Tuesday, Sustainability Policy Committee Chair Cindy Gieger convened several of the county’s top government, economic development and agriculture officials to discuss a unified vision for local ag. A co-founder of the Sullivan County Farm Network, Gieger explained that interest in ag initiatives is growing locally, from alpaca farms to fiber mills to hydroponics operations. As a result, there is the potential for significant economic growth.

NYS Environmental Conservation Police Officer Scott Steingart brought his K-9 partner “Buck,” a seven-year-old German Shepherd into the Livingston Manor Central School auditorium Tuesday morning to show eighth and ninth graders at their Career Day how a police dog tracks down gunpowder and how the dog is trained to apprehend and bring down a bad guy. Scott and “Buck” are part of a group of Environmental Conservation Officer (ECOs) stationed throughout the state and each team is made up of a handler and his dog.

The Sullivan West Bulldogs are in. With a win Friday night against non-league opponent Tuxedo, the Bulldogs upped their season record to 9-4, thereby earning an invite to the Section IX playoffs. Coach Nober said he was happy his team earned a spot so early in the season, but his team could have been a little sharper against Tuxedo.