130 Years Ago - 1896

FOSTERDALE – Henry Bird of Jeffersonville has been employed by the year by our enterprising butcher, Paul Seelig.

BETHEL – Fred Gettel of Black Lake is laying sewer pipes for Chester Kinne of White Lake.

Orioles are with us again.

Philip Bietz, who recently sold his saloon at Mongaup Valley, has moved his family into the Weyrauch house just vacated by Robert Farquhar.

120 Years Ago - 1906

The Bon Air, Roscoe’s second largest boarding house, which would accommodate 200 people, was burned with its contents Wednesday night of last week.

A new Catholic Church to seat 200 people is being erected at DeBruce and will be completed by July.

Helen Louise, daughter of Mrs. Abbie Spielmann of Youngsville, and John Barbour Stewart, son of the late Thomas Stewart of Kenoza Lake, were married May 6 at the Kenoza Lake parsonage by Rev. N.C. Alger.

A monument was placed over the grave of the late John Holpp in the Reformed Cemetery last week by J.L. Kopp of Cochecton.

F.S. Anderson of Callicoon Depot was in town Sunday with his new Cadillac touring car. Frank is getting pretty handy with an auto, though he carries a chauffeur with him.

Franklin H. Neuberger closed his term of school in the Delaware district below Jeffersonville on Tuesday of last week. In the evening teacher and pupils gave an entertainment in the schoolhouse for the benefit of the organ fund.

110 Years Ago - 1916

Mamie Korth of New York, daughter of Mrs. Frederick Korth of Callicoon Center, and Robert G. Dorrer of Pittston, Pa., son of Mr. and Mrs. George Dorrer of North Branch, were married April 27 by the Rev. Schuman in New York.

Lena Yager, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Yager, and John Pietel of Utica were married there on April 28th.

Carl Zieres of North Branch and Edna Van Schoick of Cochecton  Center were married at the Callicoon Center parsonage by Rev. J.E. Straub on Sunday.

On Saturday night Thomas J. Conlin of Eagle Hotel, was presented with a good fountain pen by the Bantum basketball team in appreciation of the free use of Eagle Hall by the team.

C.G. Yager has delivered a Model 83 Overland car to John Brining of Lake Huntington.

Owen W. Bohan has been appointed Assistant District Attorney by District Attorney Swann of New York. “Bunt” used to visit Jeffersonville regularly but since he has become a busy lawyer and politician, it seems he doesn’t find time to get up here.

Ralph P. Bird, a Jeffersonville boy, now traffic solicitor for the Sante Fe Railroad, has just bought a fine home in East Orange, N.J.

100 Years Ago - 1926

The Tennanah Lake White House, on the farm of John Holpp at Tennanah, was destroyed by fire at noon last Sunday.

The village trustees have adopted an amendment to the traffic ordinances, limiting the parking of cars on Maple Avenue and on Main Street. They also voted to install telephones in the homes of village policemen and the town justice.

The Town of Bethel is stoning that part of Swiss Hill highway from this village lying in that town.

Mr. and Mrs. August Lott of Jeffersonville will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary at their home in Delaware today.

Public officials are first sworn in and then cussed out.

John Neiger, a native of this section, died recently at Mansfield, S.D.

George Hasenmuller, retired New York policeman, arrived at the Metzger farm in the Beechwoods this week for  his regular vacation. He was accompanied by his mother.

Straw votes are significant when the wind is blowing our way.

James D.W.M. Decker of Livingston Manor, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Conrad Kohler at Roscoe Thursday evening.

90 Years Ago - 1936

The U.S. Senate has confirmed the appointment of George W. Seibert, druggist, as postmaster at Narrowsburg.

Six thousand chicks, belonging to Sam Gain of Divine Corners, perished in flames last Friday when his large two-story brooder house burned. The house was new and built during the winter.

The Hebrew Ladies Auxiliary realized about $50 from their card party at the Delaware Inn on Tuesday night and appreciate very much the patronage extended.

Walter Lewis, aged 58, of Dahlia, has applied for retirement after teaching school for 37 years.

All those who walk, it is predicted will become automobile owners some day – if they don’t become angels first.

Charles Malcolm Hadden, 81, one of Fosterdale’s leading citizens, died April 25th.

Ester Pauline Bogert, widow of Miles Hardenburgh, died in her 98th year on  April 27th at her home near Youngsville.

Kenoza Lake – On Saturday night, April 25, a big celebration took place, it being the 17th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Armbrust and also Mr. and Mrs. George Puerschner.

Fosterdale – Eighty-five Grangers attended the fraternity chain meeting April 24 at the Grange Hall. On Monday night 23 members of the Fosterdale Grange took the fraternity chain to Woodbourne, where Midland Grange added their links.

80 Years Ago - 1946

On Saturday, April 27, Mr. and Mrs. William P. Krantz celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary.

Muriel J. Berberich, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Berberich of Youngsville, was married to Joseph Kutger, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kutger of Obernburg at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Callicoon, on Sunday, April 28, by Rev. Timothy Quinn.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Reum of Jeffersonville have announced the engagement of their daughter, Iola, to Warren Myers, son of Dr. and Mrs. Harry W. Myers of Jeffersonville.

Florence R. Kaplan, daughter of the late Sam Kaplan of Jeffersonville, and Mac Ginsberg of New York were married on March 31 at the Club 400 in New York.

Henry A. Knack is operating a taxi business in Jeff.

Barbara Eve Bauernfeind, widow of Louis  Bauernfeind, died at her home in North Branch on April 25, aged 71

Caroline Josephine Neiger, aged 77, passed away at her home at Kenoza Lake on April 27.

70 Years Ago - 1956

Miss Karin Kelting, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Karl Kelting of Obernburg, and Mr. Albert Meyer, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Meyer of Callicoon, were married at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon on April 29th.

Modernization of the former Workmen’s Circle Sanitorium property in Liberty will begin about June 1st and will cost about $233,000. It will be used as a Sullivan County Welfare Home and Infirmary.

At the annual school district meeting on May 1, Millard Bury, Peter Stelling and Edwin VonBergen were elected trustees. A budget of $284,410 was approved by the voters.

The Jeffersonville Central School Junior Rifle Club won the first place trophy in the Western Sullivan League, losing only one match.

County Judge Lawrence H. Cooke will handle all “youthful offender” cases in the county when the new law signed by Gov.  Harriman goes into effect next February.

Obituaries: Frederick Chelius, 75, Jeffersonville native, died at Jersey City; Richard Gordon Flaherty, 49, co-owner with his wife of the Band Box in Callicoon, died in New York City; Pearl  Froehlich, 56, died at her home in Callicoon; Edward F. Korth, 70, of Fremont, died at Roswell Park Institute; and George Schmidt, 80, died at his home in Kenoza Lake.

Equipment is being installed at White Lake Telephone Company office, increasing its capacity by one third.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Zieres of North Branch were honored Sunday, May 1, at the North Branch Methodist Church in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Sydney Peters of Callicoon scored an upset victory over incumbent school board president Alfred Long of Hortonville at the annual meeting of the Delaware Valley Central School District on Tuesday.

The Women’s Literary Club of Callicoon, one of the oldest and smallest of the clubs in the New York Federation of Women’s Clubs, received the organization’s highest award for community improvement on April 27. Mrs. Edmund Rumble and Mrs. Valleau Curtis accepted the $300 award for the 23-member club at the annual convention in Buffalo.

The home of Wilbur Wagner of  Callicoon was razed last week to make way for a new home to be built on the lot by Wilbur’s brother, Joel, who recently retired and moved to Callicoon.

George F. Molusky, retired signal maintainer for the Erie, along with his son, Donald, have opened Donald’s new restaurant, Autumn Inn, in Callicoon. “Pop” Molusky is responsible for the fine renovating job done on the old restaurant.

Mr. and Mrs. William Dorr, former residents of Callicoon, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in Cleveland, Ohio.

50 Years Ago - 1976

Mrs. Nancy Seaman, who will be 105 years of age on May 13, was given a place of honor in the Loyalty Day Parade in Liberty on Sunday. A resident of Liberty-Loomis Hospital since 1974 when she broke her hip, Mrs. Seaman is in extremely good health. She was born May 13, 1871, in Grahamsville, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Tillson. She ran a general store in Neversink for over 50 years and pumped gas until her 100th birthday. More than 10,000 marchers and spectators jammed Liberty on Saturday, despite driving rain and temperatures on the cool side, to salute the nation’s bicentennial year.

St. Joseph’s Seminary, a landmark in Callicoon, observed the 75th anniversary of its founding with a special Mass on Saturday morning, May 1.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Kuebler of Callicoon Center announce the engagement of their daughter, Arlene, to John S. Siska, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Siska of Jeffersonville.

The West Point Military Academy Band will appear in a free concert at the Delaware Valley Central School on May 7. As a sidelight of the evening the Town of Delaware will be presented with its official Bicentennial flag, designating the Town of Delaware as a New York Bicentennial Community.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Wilmer E. Sipple, Rockland Town Historian, reports that the research for the comprehensive book on acid factories of the Delaware Valley is almost complete. Information and pictures are still needed for the Cadosia Keery Company plant and the Roscoe Finch Plants near Yorktown and the Spring Brook Road.

The skies grew dark and then a black funnel headed from Callicoon through Hortonville, blowing down two large pine trees and causing extensive damage along the way. Outside Frank Hahn’s home a pine tree was knocked over, landing on a pickup truck, and just missed the house. In Hortonville, Byrnes Kurtz found a large tree uprooted and blown onto the house.

Liberty Fire Chief Donald Kortright was honored at a testimonial dinner Saturday night in recognition of his many years of service to the fire department.

An information booth at the Jamesway Mall in Monticello will be manned weekends by Dorothy Wagner during May and June to promote the activities in Sullivan County. Beginning July 1, Mrs. Wagner and Ben Kaplan will be on hand to keep the booth open daily. The area  has been billed as “America’s 3rd largest resort area.”

The annual Upper Delaware Canoe Regatta, for 18 years the highlight of the racing season on the Delaware, will not be held this year. Lack of manpower is cited as the cause for the cancellation.

The cannon is back on the Sullivan County Courthouse lawn. It was put back in place Wednesday afternoon by county employees of the Department of Public Works.

Edwin M. Block, director of group sales at Kutsher’s Country Club in Monticello, died unexpectedly May 5 at Community General Hospital in Harris. He was 45  years old.

More than 200 friends and family honored Audley Dorrer of Callicoon at a testimonial dinner Saturday night held at the Delaware Community Center. Mr. Dorrer was presented his 60 year membership pin in the local fire department. He joined the local firefighters on March 2, 1926 as a member of the Delaware Hose Company which later merged with the Terwilliger Hose/Anderson Hook and Ladder Company to form what is today the Callicoon Volunteer Fire Department. Yes, firefighting has changed, but never the enthusiasm Mr. Dorrer has as a fireman.

30 Years Ago - 1996

The proposed Sullivan County Performing Arts Center at Sackett Lake, considered one of the keystones of the county’s economic and cultural revival, appears to be moving forward.

A 22-vote margin at Delaware Valley Central School precipitated the only defeat in voting on school district budgets May 8.

Assemblyman Jake Gunther (98th District) announced that he will run for re-election for a third term.

Trout Unlimited conducted a recent survey which indicates trout fishing in the two watersheds is worth about $10 million per year to the local economy.

It was a marvelous weekend to adopt a pet, according to Sullivan County SPCA President Wendy Blocker. Over 20 animals were adopted locally during the national Adopt-a-thon ‘96, including one rooster, at the Rock Hill facility.

Efforts are underway to restore an historic cemetery located near the Four Corners on Stony Road between Lake Huntington and Cochecton Center. The cemetery dates back in history to the mid-1800s.

Gordon “Chris” and Helen Griffin of Liberty celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary May 2nd at The Griffin House in Jeffersonville.

The engagement of Linda Meewes of Middletown, N.J. and Michael Shapiro, son of Max and Elita Shapiro of Kauneonga Lake, has been  announced by George Meewes, the father of the future bride. A May 1997 wedding is planned.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ristics of Damascus, Pa. announce the engagement of their daughter, Heather Lynn, to Robert Taylor of Callicoon. The wedding date has been set for June 1996.

20 Years Ago - 2006

Laura Sewall and Craig Fisher of Jeffersonville were united in marriage on September 24, 2005 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Deposit. Laura is the daughter of Michael and the late Barbara Sewall of Whitesboro and Craig is the son of Dan and Carol Fisher of Jeffersonville.

An early morning fire claimed the life of Gail Beemer of Lake Huntington on Sunday. After calling 911 from a neighbor’s home, it appears that she may have rushed back into the fire to rescue her pets.

Margaret Washington of Monticello, a former Town Clerk for the Town of Thompson, died May 6, 2006 in Harris at the age of 86.

A day after finishing its first season after a two-decade hiatus, the Sullivan County Community College baseball team, the Generals, began its preparations for 2007. Last Wednesday afternoon, Mike Prunka, a senior at Eldred Central School and a pitcher for the Yellowjackets’ baseball team, became the newest member of the Generals.

10 Years Ago - 2016

The shattered headstones of two Sullivan County heroes and dozens of others in an old graveyard on Old Route 17 are experiencing renewed life thanks to volunteer Dennis Schaefer of Jeffersonville and his wife Katherine. Schaefer, who has similarly restored headstones at the Methodist, Lutheran and Presbyterian cemeteries in Jeffersonville, first seeks approval from any existing church and from town officials before moving in to unearth broken headstone pieces, glue them together and reset them on bases. That’s what he started doing last July and continued this April at the old Strongtown Cemetery near the Ferndale-Harris line. Certainly one of the oldest gravestones is that of John Garrett, “Soldier of the Revolution” who “Departed this life” on Oct. 21, 1811 at age 89. Schaefer, who was assisted in his Strongtown work by friend Mike Popolillo of Lake Huntington, uses the website Find-a-Grave to learn more about the cemeteries he tries to restore.

More than 850 runners and walkers  from all over the county and beyond participated in the fifth annual Allyson Whitney 5K this past Saturday morning in Kauneonga Lake. Part of the race entry fees benefit The Allyson Whitney Foundation (AWF) which works to pursue Whitney’s wishes to help and empower other young adults battling rare cancers and to help raise funds for further research. Since its inception, AWF has provided close to $100,000 in “Life Interrupted” grants to young patients between the ages of 15 and 35 who are battling rare forms of cancer. The grants help to cover the unanticipated expenses of treatment, such as transportation, hotels, wigs and integrative therapies. To date, AWF has also donated $35,000 to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas for innovative research on small cell cancers.  Monticello cross country coach Tim Billias was the first runner across the finish line in 18:02. Liz McKay was the first female runner to cross the finish line at 22 minutes and 45 seconds. McKay finished in 19th place overall closely followed by friend, Emily Casey, with a time of 24 minutes and 23 seconds.