130 Years Ago - 1896

Fosterdale, Nov. 2 – A handsome family monument was placed on Stephen Wormuth’s plot in the cemetery last week by the Liberty gravestone men.

Liberty, Oct. 28 – C.L. Beaumont has sold his handsome residence on Chestnut  Street to B.F. Green, one of Liberty’s leading merchants.

The marriage of Clarence Gardner of Callicoon Depot and Miss Katie Schmidt of North Branch took place at Kenoza Lake on November 1.

Youngsville, Nov. 1 – There was quite a large crowd at the Odd Fellow’s ball at the Maple Grove Hotel Friday night. Many people from Liberty were over.

120 Years Ago - 1906

A daughter was born to George Kropp and wife of Callicoon Center, October 21.

The Republicans held a rally at Eagle Hall Friday night. Frank S. Anderson of Callicoon, Chairman of the Republican County Committee, was one of the speakers.

Miss Grace E. Fulton, eldest daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Fulton of Kenoza Lake, and George W. Peters of Hortonville, were married on October 31 by Rev. Russell of Callicoon.

Mrs. Kate Huggler of Galeton, Pa., formerly Miss Kate Luchs of Jeffersonville, was married to Carl Gluns of the same place on October 17 at the Eagle Hotel in Addison.

Christian Urban of Callicoon Center and Adele Selzer of Buck Brook were married at Hortonville by Rev. Muery, October 28.

Col. Victor  A. Wilder of Warwick, Orange County, the Independence League and Democratic nominee for congressman in this district, spoke to a crowded house at Eagle Hall Monday was chairman of the meeting. Orchestra music was furnished by Messrs. Bietz, Ranft, Wilkin, Manny and Lieb.

J.G. Staib has a barn erected on his lot on Delaware Avenue and the new house is being constructed by Contractor Kohler’s force.

William H.E. Graham, son-in-law of John Knack of Hortonville, died on Sunday morning, aged 50 years.

Briscoe, Oct. 30 – A daughter was born to George L. Smith and wife, October 17.

George Stephenson is having his house painted and porch built in the rear.

110 Years Ago - 1916

Dr. Herman H. Robinson, who practiced medicine in Jeffersonville from 1860 to 1870, died in Westchester County in his 79th year Thursday afternoon.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bietz, son George and daughter Lillian, left on Monday for New York where they will remain for the winter. They went down in the car of W.J. Grishaber.

The golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Yaeger of Jeffersonville came on Friday, October 27. Members of the M.E. Ladies Aid gathered at the Yaeger home on Chapel Street and gave the couple a surprise. Mr. Yaeger and his wife, Katherine Gunglach, were married at Callicoon Center 50 years ago by Justice Fred Thuman.

Phil Hembdt, aged 73, a well-known resident of Jeffersonville, is very ill of heart trouble at his home in Delaware.

Miss Ada M. Moshier of Livinston Manor and Orville  S. Keeler, employed at the creamery at Roscoe, were married at the Presbyterian parsonage at Livingston Manor, October 24.

The deer hunting season opened in Sullivan County November 1 and continues for 15 days. Deer are said to be plentiful this year and have been seen in large numbers along the highways and in fields. Last season nearly 200 were killed in Sullivan County in 15 days.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Luchs of New York very appropriately celebrated their crystal wedding anniversary by entertaining a number of their friends and relatives at their home on October 22nd.

Mrs. Lucy Wagner and daughter Ciara, formerly of Jeffersonville, went to Liberty a couple of weeks ago, where they are now running the Manhattan Hotel.

100 Years Ago - 1926

During the past few weeks three vacant houses at Briscoe have been looted. The houses are the George Stephenson house, the Sam Periman house and the Segar homestead.

The first game of basketball will be played here tomorrow night at the Maple Theatre when the Youngsville Panthers will tackle the Jeffersonville Tigers. Among those mentioned to play for Jeff are Charles Hoffman, Earl Kohler, Charlie Joergle and Homer Ruppert.

William Hofer came down from Albany to vote for his friend, Al Smith, and also to shoot at a few deer.

Reorganization of the Callicoon Post of the American Legion will be undertaken at the dinner to be given by the county posts of the legion to all ex-servicemen in Callicoon and Jeffersonville and vicinity on November 17.

The Jeffersonville Home Bureau resumed monthly meetings and elected the following officers: Mrs. Ralph Meyers, chairman: Mrs. Harry Weber as vice-chairman; and Mrs. Edwin Weber, secretary-treasurer pro tem.

Dr. Floyd P. Hust of Jeffersonville, county veterinarian, has started testing cattle for tuberculosis in Liberty.

A pessimist is a politician, talking about the prospects of his opponent.

John Wolff, aged 83, died at his home in Jeffersonville on October 29th. He was born in New York City, the son of Anthony Wolff and Barbara Deckelman, natives of Germany.  He was married to Katherine Justin of the Beechwoods.

Miss Marie Kenny of Long Eddy and Arthur Geiselman of Callicoon were married on October 25th.

90 Years Ago - 1936

The 85th birthday anniversary of “Aunt Marthy” Scheidell was observed by a little family gathering last Saturday for supper and the evening. “Aunt Marthy” is still socially active and enjoys parties and visitors as much as ever.

Mrs. John Will of Callicoon Center is at the home of her son, Oscar, in Jeffersonville.

School will close this afternoon for the rest of the week to permit teachers to attend teachers’ conferences, some going to New York and others to regional conferences upstate.

Another W.P.A. road project has been started in this section, on the Swiss Hill Road in the Town of Delaware, running from the Jeffersonville cooperation line over the hill to Kenoza Lake.

On Saturday, October 25, the O&W Railroad discontinued all trains between Weehawken and Walton, except two, due to lack of passengers.

Burton L. Bogert, son of Lester and Marie Wehner Bogert of Callicoon Center, and Miss Lillian A. Bischoff, daughter of Fred and Florence Conklin Bischoff of Roscoe, were married at the Lutheran parsonage in Jeffersonville by Rev. Dr. Fred Foerster on October 22.

Kate Thoeni, wife of George H. Matthues, died of apoplexy at her home on Hillside Ave., Youngs­ville, following a stroke on October 26.

Sabrina Weidlein Dreher, wife of Jacob Dreher of the Gulf Road, Roscoe, died at her home October 22, after a few days of illness of pneumonia, at the age of 71. She was born in Germany.

80 Years Ago - 1946

Miss Elsie Marie Schaefer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar O. Schaefer of New York, and George Harding Anselm, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Anselm of New York, were married on October 26th.

Alfred P. Messmer, son of Jess W. Messmer, formerly of Fosterdale and the former Miss Pearl Wagner of North Branch, was married to Miss Marie Lucille Downey of Endicott last June 6th.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Schlicting, North Branch hotelkeepers, have announced the engagement of their daughter, Helen, to Charles Carmen Jr. of North Branch.

William A. Allgeier, aged 87, died on October 23 at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Gertrude R. Cummings in the Beechwoods, where he spent all of his life. He was born in Narrowsburg in 1859, the son of Frederick Allgeier and Augusta Baden, natives of Germany.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Hartman of Cochecton observed their golden wedding anniversary on October 5.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert  Hahn of Callicoon Center have announced the engagement of their daughter, Shirley Marie, to Richard C. Elmore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Udney of Walton.

70 Years Ago - 1956

Jeff captured the Western Sullivan League football championship by defeating Roscoe 26-25 on Saturday, their first championship in many years.

Over 500 people thronged the Jeff firehouse last night for the annual Halloween Party sponsored by the Lions. One note marred the festivities when vandals broke several street lights later in the evening.

The two-story residence of Mr. and Mrs. Bradford Amback of White Sulphur Springs was destroyed by fire early last Saturday, October 27, while the Ambacks were vacationing in New Jersey. Loss is estimated at $10,000.

About 170 people attended a testimonial dinner at Lake Jefferson Hotel last Saturday in honor of Thomas C. Brown, retiring Bethel Justice of the Peace. He was presented with a bronze plaque attesting to 36 years of service as a justice of the peace.

Mr. and Mrs. William Ackerman and son, John, and his mother, Mrs. Ruth Ackerman, have just returned from a two-week trip to Yellowstone National park, made by auto.

Sunday morning there was a special service at the Methodist  Church in North Branch to dedicate the new basement and relay the cornerstone. A large group was in attendance from neighboring towns.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hauschild celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on November 4th.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Mrs. Robert Intemann of Hankins was elected trustee from Sullivan County to succeed Mrs. Martha McGrath of Callicoon, on the board of Ramapo Catskill Library System.

John J. Knapp, owner of the Columbia Hotel and Ski Resort, was elected president of the Sullivan County Hotel Assoc., at the group’s annual meeting held last week in Monticello.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lemmo of Callicoon center celebrated their 25th anniversary with a party at the Callicoon Center Fire House on October 15.

Headquarters for Sullivan County citizens for Dow were set up on 5 Main St., Liberty, Sunday, October 16. Mr. Dow is running for re-election as Congressman in the 27th District.

Jeffersonville and Callicoon football fans got a fine workout on Saturday, October 15, when their teams met on the Jeff field in a scoreless tie.

Lt. Colonel Matthew J. Freda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Freda of Callicoon, has been promoted to the rank of Colonel, effective October 10.

Wayne Bright, 38, of Livingston Manor, passed away October 25. He was married to the former Frances Campbell.

Osmer J. Fink, 55 a lifetime Callicoon resident, passed away at the Albany Veteran’s Hospital October 19. He was married to the former Elverta Boehmer.

Miss Susan Carr of Hankins died at the Callicoon  Hospital, October 24.

A daughter was born October 21 to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Knack of Hankins, at the Callicoon Hospital.

A daughter was born at the same hospital on Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Shaffer of Narrowsburg.

50 Years Ago - 1976

Margaret Mary Hayes and William Roger Gerrity were married August 28 in the Pelham Manor. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gerrity of Narrowsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Deighton of Swago, Callicoon, R.D., were honored on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday, October 10, at the Galilee Grange Hall... Mr. and Mrs. Jim Hake of Lake Huntington were honored on October 14 in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary with a gathering of relatives at Sam and Al’s Place.

Ethel and George Rohrmann of Lake Huntington were honored on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary on Saturday. They were married October 14, 1951.

The former Victory Market on Broadway in Monticello became a “Great American” market on Tuesday along with two more former Victory Markets in the village and one in Liberty.

Bonnie Lee Hector of Bethel and Barry D. Lagoda of Fosterdale were married October 2 at the White Lake Presbyterian Church.

Rockwell “Rocky” Hill, employed at the Woodbourne Correctional Institute for 36 years, was honored at a retirement party on October 23 at the White Sulphur Springs Firehouse.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wood of Cochecton were given a surprise 50th wedding anniversary party at the Narrowsburg Community Hall by their children. Although their anniversary date is actually March 10, it was more convenient for some of the relatives to celebrate at this time.

Ricki Helene Kaplan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kaplan of Monticello, was married on Sunday at the Eldred Preserve to Glenn S. Rothfeld, M.D., son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Rothfeld of Floral Park.

Tech. Sgt. Steven E. Neuberger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Neuberger of Jeffersonville, has arrived for duty at Lindsey Air Station in Germany.

Workmen prepared the forms for the foundation slab of Sullivan County’s first McDonald’s (that’s where you get hamburgers and fries and stuff), going in next to the Holiday Inn on old Route 17 in Liberty.

Members of the Board of Supervisors wore carnation boutonnieres at their October meeting in honor of the 35th anniversary of the County Public Health Nursing Service. Also at the meeting, the official Sullivan County flag  was shown by Chairman of the Board David Kaufman, with Publicity Director Ben Kaplan.

40 Years Ago - 1986

At Eddie’s Famous Foods in Jeff, boneless eye round was selling for $2.29 a pound; lettuce was 49 cents a head; tangelos were 7/$1; and Pepperidge Farms cakes were $1.79.

The Lake Huntington Players performed at the annual volunteer recognition dinner at the Liberty High School, sponsored by the Sullivan County Office for the Aging’s Nutrition Department. Kay Bryda was dressed as a witch, Daniel Paradiso was “ghoulish,” and Willie Pointer was dressed in cowboy hat and black mask. Tony Haworth entertained on the accordion.

Village of Liberty officials are tight lipped concerning an offer to provide a site for a proposed new State Police barracks near the intersection of Route 52 and 17 in Liberty. The offer has tossed a road block in the tentative plan to relocate the barracks from Ferndale to a site near the intersection of Rt. 17 and 17B, close by Quickway Exit 104 in Monticello.

Cindy Riesenberg, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. Arthur Riesenberg of Liberty, was married September 6 to Dr. Donald R. Tanenbaum, son of Mrs. Ruth L. Tanenbaum of Roslyn Heights, at a ceremony performed at the Concord by Rabbi Mendel Greenberg.

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin “Butch” Carney of New Fairfield, Conn., came to visit their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Bright of Gainesville, Ga., while the Brights were visiting in Callicoon. They brought their hot air balloon, Mon Reve, with them and set it up on the grounds of the Delware Community Center, attracting about 75 curious onlookers. Rides were offered by pilot Nancy. Her husband is working for his pilot’s license and now serves as groundsman.

An itinerant kitchen worker, Raymond Jackson, 20, was killed early Sunday morning after a blaze engulfed a staff workers’ building at the Stevensville Hotel in Swan Lake. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Five other workers living in other rooms at the staff quarters were able to escape the quick moving flames.

Dr. Duane Buddle, pastor of the Liberty United Methodist Church received his Doctor of Ministry degree Friday from Drew University School of theology at Madison, N.J. Members of the Liberty church donated toward the purchase of a new robe with Doctor’s chevrons on the sleeves to present to him in honor of his achievement.

30 Years Ago - 1996

John Kulick of Callicoon was presented with the Conspicuous Service Cross award by John Bridges, assistant director of the Sullivan County Veterans’ Service Agency. The award was authorized by Governor George Pataki.

In celebration of the 6th annual National Make A Difference Day (Oct. 26) the students in Mrs. Krause’s fourth grade class at Delaware Valley Central School organized a schoolwide drive to collect dog and cat food for the Sullivan County SPCA in Rock Hill. Make A Difference Day is promoted by the Points of Light Foundation.

Jeffersonville Corresp. – Connor Mullally, son of Michael and Joann Mullally, was christened at St. James R.C. Church in Cazenovia Oct. 6. Attending from here were Grandmother Winifred Mullally, and uncles Timothy Mullally and Brian Mullally and families.

Goodman “Goody” Fox, 91, of Liberty, a retired owner and operator of Goody’s Restaurant and a longtime area resident, died October 28, 1996 at the Nyack Hospital…Grace M. Knack of Liberty, 74, a homemaker and longtime area resident, died Thursday, October 31, 1996 at her home.

A son, Justin Charles, was born to Donna and John LoTurro of Huntington Bay on October 15, 1996. Donna is a graduate of the Monticello School. The happy maternal grandparents are Jerry and Lorraine Bogursky and the maternal great-grandmother is Bella Bogursky, all of Glen Wild.

For the second time in three years Sullivan County Community College has won the Region XV Championship, earning a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III championship.

20 Years Ago - 2006

A 90-year-old Town of Delaware dairy farm was devastated by fire late Saturday night as 125 firemen from 8 companies battled long into the cold, windy night to save three nearby houses and several outbuildings from the destructive blazes. The Henke Farm’s main barn caught fire just minutes before 11 p.m. 

Debbie Reinshagen Bennet, formerly of Bethel and daughter of Minerva Reinshagen of Bethel, was a contestant on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Daughter Christine, 14, shot the video of their dog, Gretyl, a German Wirehaired Pointer. Her twin sister, Amanda, sent the tape to the show in February, and the show aired October 15. The clip featured Gretyl’s talent at reaching snacks on the kitchen counter with her forepaw. Her clip came in second place.

10 Years Ago - 2016

The inaugural Catskills Farm and Food Conference demonstrated that agriculturally based food production is on the upswing in Sullivan County. Over three dozen producers gathered at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Liberty (the host) on October 21 to gather vital tips on marketing, packaging, distributing, labeling and processing their products – and to tour the newly revamped Catskills Kitchen, where they can prepare a wide range of ingredients in a profession- ally outfitted facility.

Both the Democratic and Republican committee chairs agree: election sign stealing is at a ridiculous level.

In recognition of Hispanic Latino Heritage Month, the Sullivan County Human Rights Commission recognized three outstanding Hispanic residents during the October 20 County Legislature meeting. Damaris Gonzalez of PathStone – a Section 8 assistance agency in Monticello – was lauded for ensuring renters get the support they need. Carmen Mangual of Fidelis – a health insurer – was recognized for her diligence in obtaining affordable health insurance for residents, including more than 1,000 Latino families. Allen Weir of the Sullivan County Dept. of Social Services (and the founder of the Latino Alliance) was honored for prioritizing support for the Latino community in education, health and housing.