140 Years Ago - 1884

Christopher Bauernfeind of North Branch is erecting, for the convenience of the public, a large shed, 22x40.

John Fuhrer has purchased the farm of John Schoor of Pike Pond (Kenoza Lake). Consideration $1,200.

The fair at the Halfway House in the Town of Delaware was well attended. The best awards were as follows: Best matched team of horses, Matt Coots; best single horse, John Ludwig; best trotter, B. Ballard; best yoke of oxen, Mike Eggler; best 4-year-old steers, Mike Huebsch; best 3-year-old steers, yearling bull and cow, P. Hembdt; second best cow, Wm. Pfeifle.

C.G. Armstrong of Long Eddy will shut down his acid factory in about three weeks as it does not pay to manufacture acetate.

A large party was present at St. George’s Church Tuesday to witness the marriage of Miss Elavena Kohl of Jeffersonville to Frank Hoffman of Fremont.

Callicoon — During the winter months the postmaster has placed the elegant box office at the disposal of the public. Mail service has been but three times per week heretofore, but with the cooperation of the businessmen in Jeff and North Branch, the order for a daily service came.

130 Years Ago - 1894

F. W. Allington, formerly a clerk in the Erie ticket office here, is now conducting a mercantile business in Pond Eddy.

Valentine Brueckhauser of Brooklyn has returned to Jeffersonville for the summer. We have not learned whether Friend Brueckhauser will don a straw hat and brogans and work the Erdman farm, his recent acquisition, or continue at the same old stand, the Eagle Hotel, and punish buttermilk.

The four-year-old son of Theobald Becker died with kidney trouble on Friday. A girl six years old is also suffering with the same complaint. These children both had scarlet fever in Jersey City last winter, and in moving to this place a couple weeks ago in severe weather they suffered relapses, the kidneys becoming affected. There is little hope for the girl’s recovery.

Kenoza Lake — Considerable moving is going on in this village. Mr. Abplanalp has moved into part of Mr. Benedict’s house, another family is moving into a house owned by Mr. Benedict that has been unoccupied. Mr. Detlinger vacates the house in which he lived for many years – going into Mr. Moulthrop’s mill house – to make way for Ed Osterhout’s family. Some improvements are also being made. John Puerschner expects to enlarge his house and Elroy Moulthrop is building a piazza clear across the front of his.

Charles Homer has transplanted a large spruce tree from the bog on Swiss Hill to a spot on the south side of Eagle Hotel, next to the sidewalk, where it will afford welcome shade to the guests of the hostelry during the hot summer months, if it thrives.

We have another shoemaker in town. H. Baer, recently of New York, has his sign out at the residence of his late father-in-law, G. Marion.

120 Years Ago - 1904

Sitting in a buggy driving an immensely big bull in place of a horse, Lester Sprague, son of Marvin Sprague of near Roscoe, attracts more attention as he rides through the streets of Rockland than a circus parade. The bull is a pet and very gentle, and the young man has trained it since it was a calf. He hitches up the bull in regular horse harness except that instead of a bit he has the ends fastened to a ring in the bull’s nose.

Sparks from a  passing O&W engine set fire to a meadow on the Cyrus Mott farm, occupied by Joseph Purvis, near Livingston Manor, and about fifteen acres were burned off.

Last fall Louis Reichert left a pile of apples laying in his orchard to be used for cider. Snow came and covered them and they remained there all winter. Mr. Reichert last week picked from the bottom of the pile, three bushels of nice Greenings that were not in the least affected by the frost.

Will Durr, who not long ago bought the morning stage route to Callicoon Depot of Frank Dillmuth, has sold it to Peter Mootz of Sixteen, who took possession Saturday. Mr. Mootz will hire help on his farm.

A daughter was born to Donald McCluskey and his wife (nee Lottie Brog) of Atlantic City.

Joseph Jackson of the Berghoefer farm north of Jeffersonville, left his horse untied at the residence of his father-in-law, Philip Hembdt. When the horse took French leave for home, increasing its speed as it passed through town, amid the shouts of people, the runaway was stopped at the post office by Chet Yager. No damage.

110 Years Ago - 1914

In response to the petition of the people, the Western Sullivan Telephone Company will institute a continuous service at their exchange stations at Callicoon, Jeffersonville, Lake Huntington and White Lake. This means the employment of extra operators and an increase in the telephone rentals. There are about four hundred subscribers on the line.

Dr. Howard  A. Moss of the Jamaica Hospital, who has performed successful operations on quite a number of persons from this section, intends to establish a hospital on the Royce farm north of Jeffersonville.

William Miller, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Miller of Beechwoods, has opened a butter and egg commission business in Greenwich St., New York City.

John L. Schmidt is making some improvements to his bowling alley, to make it more attractive to patrons. One of these is the erection of a cozy porch along the creek side on which refreshments will be served.

The Jeffersonville Spring Fair is scheduled as usual the first Monday in May. This is May Day for the people of this section, who take the occasion to get out and talk it over after being holed up all winter. The usual cash prizes are offered on horses and cattle and band concerts are promised during the afternoon.

Wm. P. Keegan of Kenoza Lake has bought the Blake Moulthrop farm of 100 acres at Kenoza Lake including some personal property and will take immediate possession. Mr. Moulthrop is in Chicago where he went a year ago.

100 Years Ago - 1924

The first hearing in the action brought by Kenoza Lake and Jeffersonville farmers, former patrons, against the Callicoon Co-op Dairy Association, was held in Callicoon Tuesday. The  farmers claim that the Association is owing them about $17,000 for milk delivered in June and July, 1920, at the time of withdrawal.

Edward F. Knack, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.E. Knack of Hortonville, and Mary Alice Stewart, daughter of Mrs. Louisa E. Stewart, were married at the Callicoon M.E. parsonage on Easter Sunday.

Hyman Abel has returned from the city to open his meat market in the new building just being completed on Main Street.

About fifteen couples from the village surprised Mr. and Mrs. George Hasenpflue at their home Thursday night, in honor of their twentieth wedding anniversary.

Miss Mildred Stephenson of Bethel and a former Jeffersonville high school student, and a fellow nurse, Miss Aida Wilcox of New York, drove a second-hand 1921 Ford from New York to Los Angeles, then to San Francisco. Their only guide and protection was an Airedale dog, “Sparkplug.” The girls camped all across the continent.

At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors the salary of the County Superintendent of Roads was fixed at $3,000 with no allowance for expenses. Heretofore, the salary has been $900 and the expenses upwards of $4,000.

90 Years Ago - 1934

Mr. and Mrs. George Puerschner and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Armbrust of Kenoza Lake celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversaries by taking a motor trip, a dinner, a show and winding up at a night club.

Mayor William L. Huff estimates that the work of old Jack Frost this past winter will cost the village of Jeffersonville $1,500 in thawing out frozen water pipes and the replacement of pipes that were rusted  by the frost.

The 20-room farm boarding house of August Nelson near Fremont was burned to the ground, together with all the furnishings except those on the first floor. The Callicoon firemen were called to the scene.

George, 4-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Winand of Delaware Avenue, Callicoon, lost his life in the waters of the Delaware River. The youngster was playing with several other children and fell into the river when he lost his balance.

The village authorities have been aroused by complaints of pedestrians whose lives have been endangered by the riding of bicycles on the sidewalks. Parents would do well to caution their children in case they would be subject to a suit for heavy damages.

The Board of Supervisors approved the construction of a federal and state highway from the Basket in the Town of Fremont to the Delaware County line, a distance of 3.69 miles. The estimated cost is $365,700.

80 Years Ago - 1944

A band of gypsies posing as “faith healers” robbed Addis Kohler of Roscoe of $21. Addis discovered the loss soon after he had talked with the gypsies and followed them to Walton, where the police made them return his money.

Fred Faubel last week sold his home in the Delaware section of this village (Jeffersonville) to Dr. Max Epstein who, a couple of years ago, bought the Michael Doughty farm between Lake Huntington and Cochecton Center. It is understood that the purchaser will move in June 1 and take up the practice of medicine here.

Philip C. Staib, who was born in Callicoon Center of a pioneer family, was given a testimonial at the Hackensack Gold Club. It was a dinner long overdue a man whose good works are a matter of public knowledge.

Simon Sattinger, garageman here, enlisted in the Navy in New York this week, and will be called within thirty days. He will go in with the rank of Machinist’s Mate Second Class.

70 Years Ago - 1954

Miss Marjory Ann Coleman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hopkins of North Branch became the bride of Robert Knack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer C. Knack of Callicoon Center, in an afternoon ceremony performed by Rev. L. Hayes in St.  Joseph’s Seminary Chapel, Callicoon, on Sunday.

At the April directors meeting of Liberty-Loomis Hospital, Inc., Frederick W.V. Schadt of Jeffersonville was elected president in place of John H. Ernhout of Liberty, who died the 12th day of February.

Twenty-six Jeffersonville Central School Seniors, accompanied by their chaperones, Salvatore Princiotta and Mrs. Helen Graham, left Tuesday for a three-day stay in Washington.

The Town of Callicoon Democratic Club elected the following officers: President Jacob Yager, Vice President Joseph Westphal of Shandelee, Treasurer Ralph Wehner of Callicoon Center and Secretary Miss Eleanor Bayer of Jeffersonville.

Congressman Emanuel Cellar of Brooklyn will be the speaker at the Jeffersonian Dinner, May 10, according to County Democratic Chairman Harry Borden.

The Jeff Modernaires gave an outstanding performance at a concert presented this week and sponsored by the Jeff Lions Club. Included in the group are Tom Tegeler, Art Rittershausen, Norman Loeffel, Allan Sommer, Jack Eggler, Roy Sattinger, Joe Shaara and vocalist Virginia Shaara. Norman Loeffel played the tenor sax and the group was under the direction of Ray Shaara.

An estimated uniform price of $3.62 per hundredweight for milk deliveries was the forecast for  April.

A beautiful looking sight on Upper Main Street is the magnolia tree on the lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hess.

Richard Bihler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bihler, slipped while running from the central school in Jeffersonville Wednesday at noon time. Richard fell and broke two of his front teeth off close to the gum.

The estimated school budget for 1945-1946 totaled expenses as $253,102.50

60 Years Ago - 1964

ADV. — Grand Opening — Roeder’s Piano and Organ Showroom, Hortonville, N.Y.

Scheidell & Schmidt, Inc. of Jeffersonville have been designated as an Official World’s Fair Information Center. The public is invited to visit the center for free information concerning motels, hotels and dining accommodations near the fairgrounds, as well as fair tickets. More than 200 major exhibitors from throughout the world will participate in the fair which opened April 22.

Dr. W. Eugene Ross was appointed district principal of the Delaware Valley Central School by the Board of Education, to succeed Charles E. Lewis, who will retire at the close of the present school year.

It was learned this week that the Banner Market, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Garland Gates, will go out of business as of May 1. Mr. and Mrs. Gates plan to make apartments on the first floor of the building.

Teams of boys went out early Saturday morning to spread the message of the campaign to put lights on the Lions Field this summer. The campaign ends this Saturday with a dinner at the Jeff School and a dance at the firehouse.

Contestants are being sought for the first Sullivan County Dairy Princess contest. The queen will be chosen May 20th at Hermann Hall, the new community center at the Delaware Youth Center in Callicoon. The selection of the princess will be made after the annual VFW and American Legion parade. All contestants will appear at the Monticello Raceway on May 29th and at the annual parade at Fremont Center on the morning of Memorial Day.

50 Years Ago - 1974

Ten thousand chickens were lost through suffocation but the coop in which they were housed at the Donald Sherwood farm in Galilee, Pa., was saved Monday night, thanks to the joint efforts of Callicoon and Equinunk firemen who had to don Scott Airpacks to fight the murky and smokey blaze. Callicoon Fire Chief William Schultz credited the clear-thinking of Equinunk Chief Lynn Snyder in playing a major role in saving the structure, one of several one-story 200-foot long coops on the Sherwood property. Equinunk men and equipment were first to arrive on the scene but Snyder would not let his men open the building until the arrival of the Callicoon firemen, thus insuring an adequate water supply.

Jeffersonville’s newest business is O’Toole’s Outdoor World, which sells International Harvester lawn and garden equipment. It is located in the former Earl Kohler garage on Route 52.

A new business in Narrowsburg is the C & C Pizzeria and Restaurant which opened this week on Main St. Marty Christon and Bernie Creamer will serve daily meals and Sunday, as well as the specialty of the house, pizza.

On Easter Sunday, Anthony and Margaret Banuat celebrated their 40th anniversary with a buffet lunch served by their children at their home in Obernburg. About 50 attended.

Miss Pamela Kelly of Liberty and David Mootz of Jeffersonville were married April 13 in the Liberty Methodist Church.

40 Years Ago - 1984

Sullivan County and six other southeastern counties in lower New York State were declared disaster areas following heavy rains in a recent storm which poured as much as four inches of water on some areas. As Sullivan County Civil Defense Director, C. Albert Sharkey did a large amount of work in filling out the necessary applications. An advantage to the heavy rains in the first three weeks of April is that the water storage levels in the Neversink, Cannonsville and Pepacton Reservoirs are at more than capacity with all three flowing over their spillways as of Monday, April 23.

Charles A. Slutsky of Ellenville, known throughout the region as one of the finest men to have been involved in horse racing and breeding, and as a gentleman, died Tuesday in Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie after a short illness. He was 44 years of age. Mr. Slutsky was the owner of the Nevele  Country Club in Ellenville.

The heart-warming story of Robert Olsen of Liberty, who gave his life-saving kidney for his daughter, Christine of Vero Beach, Fla., was told on “Good Morning, America,” which was broadcast on April 12. The father and daughter had not seen each other in 17 years.

Frank Hall of Liberty, a resident at the Walnut Mountain Nursing Home, celebrated his 100th birthday Monday. Sharing the occasion with him were his daughter, Helen Muhlig of Liberty, her daughter, Barbara Roser, and her daughter, Elizabeth Marie Roser of Woodbourne. Mr. Hall had nine children, eight of whom are surviving, and has 38 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

“Then and Now” is the theme set for the 100th annual Memorial Day Parade in Fremont Center which will be held on May 28. Hon. Judge Lawrence H. Cooke, Chief Justice of the New York State Court of Appeals, will be the guest speaker.

The Delaware Valley Twirlers topped the field at a recent competition in Binghamton as they gained two first place trophies and three medals for individual performances. They are instructed by Anne Marie Lohr with Phyllis Metz as assistant.

During a tour through Sullivan County, Archbishop John J. O’Connor of the New York Archdioceses conducted services at Monticello, Liberty and Jeffersonville.

30 Years Ago - 1994

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sausmikat of Glenville announce the birth of a second daughter, Rebekah Elaine, born April 12. She has an older sister, Rita Renee. Mr. and Mrs. Francis Karkkainen of Long Eddy and Mrs. Janet Doetsch of Callicoon and the late Warren Sausmikat are the grandparents. Kathryn Kille of Liberty and Mary Sausmikat of Hortonville are the great-grandmothers... A daughter, Rebecca Grace, was born to George J. Wood and Lisa J. Mason of Kauneonga Lake on March 19. Maternal grandparents are Peter J. and Lois A. Motl of Rock Hill. Paternal grandparents are George J. and Jenelle M. Wood of White Lake... at the Community General Hospital in Harris, it was a boy, Shawn William, born April 1 to Dawn and Shawn Edwards of Liberty; a girl, Jessica Travis, born April 7, to Tobylee DeGraw and Gordon Travis of Fallsburg; a girl, Jaitza Ivette Rodriguez, born April 16 to Wanda Y. Torres and Serafin Rodriguez Jr. of Monticello; and a boy, Shawn, born April 19, to Mary and Kevin McClure of Roscoe.

Ron Scheuren, a teacher for more than 30 years at Narrowsburg Central School, who in addition to teaching coached numerous sports, will be tended a retirement dinner at the Central House in Beach Lake on May 7, sponsored by the Narrowsburg Teachers Association.

The New Budoff Corp., opened a new assembly plant in the former Inter-County Co-op Building in Woodridge, which has stood empty for a number of years. The Budoff Company manufactures classic Adirondack-style furniture and has been experiencing an increase of demand for their products over the last several years.

Janelle Benson of North Branch was guest of honor at a “Sweet 16” party hosted by her mother, Jane, at the firehouse Saturday evening for about 50 guests.

Cable 6 TV has been nominated for a national award in recognition of its nightly news broadcast. The nominations recognizes the local station as one of the top five cable television broadcasts in the country. Awards will be announced May 24.

Former President Richard M. Nixon passed away Friday night in New York City. Funeral services will be held in California. “His tragic fall from power overshadowed his tremendous accomplishments which shaped today’s world...a trip to China and to Moscow to end the Cold War and welcome the enemy to the Western World.” (taken from Steven Kurlander’s column, “In My Opinion,” in the April 26, 1994 issue of the Democrat.)

20 Years Ago - 2004

A 90th birthday party was recently given for a longtime Sullivan County resident Ruth Segar. Her actual birthday was April 9, and it was celebrated by her children, grandchildren and her many long-time friends, at the First Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville.

The Forestburgh Playhouse is installing air conditioning at the barn playhouse and extending the length of its season in 2004, producer Norman Duttweiler announced recently.

Jessica Katz of Germantown, Md., daughter of David and Marlene Shulman of Harris, and Jeffrey Punshon of Germantown, Md., son of Gordon and Shirley Punshon of Tallahassee, Fla., were married on December 21, 2003. 

A son, Titus John, was born March 16, 2004, to Edward and Heather Homenick of Wurtsboro, at the Horton campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown.

Barbara and Frank Teichs of Parksville announce the engagement of their daughter, Brandi Teichs of Yonkers, to Samuel DeLeon of the Bronx. He is the son of Haydee Ramirez of Yauco, Puerto Rico and the late Luis Deleon.

10 Years Ago - 2014

Metal gates and plastic barriers were put in place at either end of Kutsher Road near Monticello this month, in preparation for demolitions work at the former Kutsher’s resort. The new owner, Veria, plans to remove most of the buildings and strip the main hotel to its steel skeleton, then re-create the complex as a health and wellness destination resort. Kutsher Road, however, is a public thoroughfare owned by the Town of Thompson, whose highway superintendent, Rich Benjamin, gave Veria officials permission to close the road during demolitions work, on account of safety concerns.

Adam Braun’s dream has resulted in more than 200 new schools built around the world. Born into an affluent Jewish family in Connecticut, Braun was also a grandson of struggle, as his paternal grandmother had survived the Holocaust. Indeed, the acknowledgements in “The Promise of a Pencil” pay direct tribute to Braun’s two grandmothers: Eva Braun, who lost most of her family in the Holocaust, and Dorothy Shapiro, a Liberty resident whose generosity is local legend. The first school was built in Laos, followed by over 200 more in Asia, Africa and South America. According to Pencils of Promise, a new school is now built every 90 hours.

Shapiro is delighted her grandson is “passing it forward.” Shapiro has been passing out copies of Braun’s hardcover book to libraries and friends, and it’s also available in bookstores and online.