My Sullivan County summer officially began, not off of a calendar date, the end of school, or even when the temperature finally hit 90, but on July 9 at exactly 8pm, when James Newton, as he has for more than half a century, raised his arms under a wood-framed pavilion and opened the 91st season of the Callicoon Center Band.” 

Each Wednesday, a mix of summer visitors and loyal locals sit on camp chairs, blankets or the available park benches under the towering pine trees at the corner of North Branch Callicoon Center and Anawanda Lake roads as a mixture of music teachers, professional people, craftsmen, retired folks and talented high schoolers, 28 in all, take direction under the watchful eye of Newton, a one-time band member himself who became band director and conductor in 1976.

About an hour before the concert, folks secure parking spaces, set up their chairs in familiar spots and then cross the road to the Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Department, where the ladies auxiliary sells refreshments (soda and water, peach cobbler and brownies) and raffle tickets for those most sought-after prizes: three home-made pies. Meanwhile, band members in white shirts and black pants make their own trip to the firehouse to pick up their chair and place it in the pavilion. 

Before the music starts, Newton gives the obligatory warning. Not about where the fire exits are. No, it’s to remind folks that if the fire alarm does go off, stay out of the road so the fire trucks can get out. Good to know.

With that, the band fills the warm country air with their rendition of the familiar “Recessional with American Patrol.” BOCES music teacher Kaleigh Gonzalez follows with a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner. She also sings “God Bless America” later in the concert, which featured 15 songs in the program. 

Everything about the Callicoon Center Band Night is a tradition that’s decades in the making.

It all started in 1934 with Clarence Krantz, who lived in Callicoon Center and founded the band. He played well into his 80s. Ray Shaara, conducted the band from 1935-76, often while playing the clarinet. In 1939, he even led the band when they were asked to play for the World’s Fair in Chicago. In 1976 Saara suffered a stroke and Newton was asked to step in and finish out that year. Since then, not much else has changed. 

Midway through the concert raffle winners are announced, pies are picked, then Lynn Burton, as she has for more years than she cares to say, goes around with a cigar box with veteran precision, making sure everyone has a chance to contribute. 

The band remains a mix of young and old members. Gary Siegel has been playing his trumpet for 51 years, having first joined his dad Lee Siegel who had been a longtime member. Newton remembers taking Gary to his first rehearsal at the Tumble Inn.

This year, four high school musicians have joined the band: Mason McGinnis from Monticello on saxophone; Anthony Heusel from Livingston Manor on bassoon; Connor Casey from Livingston Manor and Ethan Clark from Sullivan West, both on clarinet.

Unlike at most music venues, you don’t see anyone pulling out their cell phone, annoying everyone else as they video the concert. And unlike in the movie theater, there aren’t any announcements about shutting off your cell phone so as not to disturb folks. Most concert-goers just leave their phones in the car. It’s the nice part about not having cell service.

The night ends as it began with “Recessional with American Patrol.” Goodbyes are made, chairs folded and Sullivan County Sheriff Deputy Rogers makes sure cars and pedestrians don’t cross paths. 

That’s summer in Sullivan County. 

Barry Lewis is a longtime journalist and author who lives with his wife Bonnie in the Town of Neversink. He can be reached at      barrylewisscdemocrat@gmail.com.