130 Years Ago - 1896

School was closed on Lincoln’s birthday, which was recently made a legal holiday in this state by the legislature.

Today is St. Valentine’s Day – the day when lovers express their affection in dainty little tokens of poetic sweetness; when children amuse themselves, and old fools gratify a silly whim or cowardly spite, by passing along the penny chromos. Are you one of them?

Roscoe, Feb. 10 – One hundred and fifty loads of logs passed by Ahira Green’s Wednesday of last week, en route for the mills in Roscoe.

Mrs. George Hawkins and Mrs. North have formed a partnership and will open a millinery and dress making business on an extensive scale in Rockland March 27th.

North Branch, Feb. 10 – Elmer Goodman and bride returned today from their wedding trip and the usual “skimmelton” ensued. Mr. and Mrs. Goodman intend to make their home in North Branch.

Louis Bauernfeind has had his barroom and dining room papered. Harvey and Nick slap it on by the rod.

120 Years Ago - 1906

On February 12, the Church of the Ascension, Broadway and 107th St., New York, was the scene of a pretty wedding when Miss Sarah Regina McGroddy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McGroddy  of New York, became the bride of George Hessinger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hessinger of Callicoon.

Mrs. Henry Fries died at her home in Callicoon February 7th, aged 49 years. Adam Ellmauer Jr. died at the old homestead on East Hill last Thursday morning, aged about 43 years.

Rudolph Gute of this place, one of the best rifle shots in the country in practice at his 75 foot range here this week made 2468 in 100 shots, tying the score of Jacob Ittel of Pittsburgh, who won the national championship from him last year by a narrow margin.

A son was born to Mike Klekin and wife of Swiss Hill on February 7th.

Fosterdale, Feb. 13 – Shoveling paths after our recent snowstorms is one of the pleasures of winter.

Youngsville – The little daughter of John Huff Jr. was christened Sunday by Rev. Muery, and was given the name of Sarah Ethel Florence.

110 Years Ago - 1916

On Monday, February 21, at noon, Miss Leila Lasser, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Silas L. Lasser of Callicoon, was married to Joel H. Wagner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Wagner of North Branch.

At the Presbyterian parsonage last night, Rev. J.K. Stadelmann married John J. Bischoff of Lake Huntington and Miss Mabel K. Lixfield.

Nearly two hundred people were fed at the M.E. supper at Union chapel last night. The supper cleared about $50.

At the morning service in the Presbyterian Church last Sunday William Kohler, Andrew M. Kohler and Philip Schmidt were installed elders, and John Bosley, Conrad Metzger, Charles O. Wilkin, L.J. Dietrich and Charles Wilfert, trustees of the church.

The annual convention of Free Masons of the Sixteenth District, Sullivan and Delaware counties, was held in the Masonic Hall in Walton last Thursday night. The convention was in charge of the hustling district deputy grand master, Nial C. Currey of Liberty. Callicoon Lodge of Jeffersonville finished the largest delegation of outside Masons. Those attending from here were Charles O. Wilkin, Master; Fred W. Schadt, senior warden; Luther Potts, junior warden; William C. Fuhrer, senior deacon; and William Knell, marshal.

100 Years Ago - 1926

Otto Baum, 47, of Jeffersonville was frozen to death one night last week in Liberty. He fell by the wayside, apparently on Wednesday, was overcome by the severe cold and the drifting snow covered his body quickly so that the body was not found until two days later.

Harry B. MacLaughlin of Liberty and Edward J. Norris of North White Lake have received their commissions for reappointment as postmasters.

George Henry, lifelong resident of Lake Huntington, died at his home there on February 13, aged 62 years. Wilmot Appley died in his 75th year at his home in Cochecton on February 3rd.

The Board of Supervisors recently held their first quarterly meeting. Bills were audited and committee appointments made.

Callicoon Center, Feb. 14 – The firemen’s dance last Thursday night was well attended and all had a good time, especially the older folks who turned out and danced the old-fashioned dances and felt young again. Billy’s Jazz Trio was unable to furnish the music, due to poor traveling conditions which turned them back when they were three-quarters of the way from Youngsville. However, sufficient music was furnished by the electric piano and accordions.

Cochecton, Feb. 15 – The first touring car to make its way through the newly opened road passed through on Friday morning last week.

North Branch, Feb. 15 – Much praise is due to Pastor Hewitt who braved the storm last Sunday and held service in Fremont Center in the morning and here in the afternoon.

90 Years Ago - 1936

William J. Durr, who was born in Jeffersonville 58  years ago, has been elected president of the New York State Food Merchants Association. With his brother-in-law, William Knell, he bought the Mansion House 32 years ago, but withdrew from the business and went to New York some 10 years ago.

The store and apartment building of Mrs. Mable Hanofee in White Sulphur Springs was burned to the ground last Thursday at noon by a fire which started in the cellar from an oil stove that was used to keep the water pipes from freezing.

An open competitive examination has been ordered to fill the vacancy of postmaster in Jeffersonville. Fred W. Schadt was recently appointed acting postmaster.

Miss Fredericka Segar, 18-year-old daughter of Fred Segar of White Lake, is so ambitious to make her own way that she drives a flivver to Newburgh, 51 miles and back, two evenings a week to attend a business school there, regardless of the weather or traveling.

A daughter was born February 8 at Liberty Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Albert T. Decker of Liberty, formerly of Youngsville. The mother is the former Lillian Rittershausen.

The weather continues sharp and cold around the diggings, with mercury dropping to 20 below now and then. Snowdrifts are still blocking the side roads. Ice is being harvested with a good quality two feet in thickness.

Charles Maeder, 66, of Fosterdale, died February 1 at the Callicoon Hospital. Mrs. Catherine Damm Dorrer, widow of Peter W. Dorrer, died at the homestead near North Branch, aged nearly 90, on Saturday, February 8th. Arnold Zwigli, 86, an early resident of Jeffersonville, passed away in Brooklyn on February 6th. Philip Leins, 77, retired policeman, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home in Callicoon Center on February 10th.

80 Years Ago - 1946

William M. Ryan of Williston Park, L.I.,  has purchased the grocery business and real estate on Maple Avenue from Mrs. Samuel Katz, whose husband died a few months ago.

August Segar, the feed dealer, last week sold the Baim farm this side of Briscoe, which was acquired some years ago by his father, the late C.G. Segar to Nelson Edward Snyder, son of Fred Riemenschneider of East Hill.

Theodore Emr, who was discharged from service in January, and Miss Gene Weissman, a Canadian employed in the office of a contracting firm where Ted worked before entering the service, were married in New York on January 23rd.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Poley of Youngsville have announced the engagement of their daughter, Patricia, to Lester Paul Bingell, son of Mrs. Mary Bingell and the late William Bingell of Cleveland. Pat expects to be discharged from the WAVES in July.

A surprise party was given to Mr. and Mrs. John Biebel on their 19th wedding anniversary.

Miss Wanda Beiling, a student at Buffalo State Teachers College, is on the dean’s list for the third year.

The bronze star medal was presented to Irving F. Bernhardt of Kenoza Lake on February 6 for meritorious service in combat from October 24, 1944, to May 2, 1945, in Italy. He was a staff sergeant in the infantry.

John Antosh and his bride, the former Ida Brockner, who were married January 27, returned last Thursday from a wedding trip south.

Mr. and Mrs. Percy Kohler and daughter Shirley attended a lumber convention at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City recently.

70 Years Ago - 1956

Rev. John E. Straub, who served as pastor of the Reformed Churches of Callicoon Center, Youngsville, North Branch and  Hortonville for 42  years until his retirement in 1948, died on February 14th at Summit, N.J., at the age of 76. He came to Callicoon Center in 1906 for his first charge, and in the following year was very active in community affairs, and endeared himself to all who came to know him.

Becky Waldman of White Lake, sister of Alfred E. Adler, died suddenly on February 10th at Liberty-Loomis Hospital.

Miss Carol Elizabeth Peters, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Peters of Callicoon Center, became the bride of Michael Luciano on February 6th at Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, L.I.

Local insurance agents are in the news. Cono Manzolillo of the Tegeler Agency graduated from a special insurance course in Hartford. Arthur B. Hessinger of Scheidell-Schmidt was also in Hartford taking a comprehensive insurance course. Richard Krongel of the Krongel Insurance Agency took part in an Advanced Life Insurance Seminar in Hartford and has captured 13th place in the Travelers Insurance Company “Leader’s List” throughout the United States for the year 1955.

Joseph Schneider of Callicoon died at Callicoon Hospital at the age of 69.

Miss Kathleen Newman and Donald Knapp were married last Sunday at the Callicoon United Methodist church.

Postmaster and Mrs. John Joyner of White Sulphur Springs left New York City by National Airlines for a Florida vacation.

Ethel and Michael Viserta returned to Jeffersonville after an absence of three years and have opened a remnant shop in the Brownstein building.

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Sauer of Cochecton are the proud parents of a daughter, Donna Susan, born last week at the Callicoon Hospital.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Miss Rosemary DeCamp of Smallwood was crowned White Lake Sno-Queen Saturday night after being selected by the judges from among 24 Sullivan County beauties (sponsored by Sullivan County fire companies).

Harry P. Metzger, Callicoon, was recently honored by officials of the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) upon the completion of forty years service.

Headline: Record Number of Bears Killed – 648 Taken in State: Sullivan County Take was 32.

Miss Mary Diehl and Ernest Rutledge of Tyler Hill,  Pa., were married Saturday at the Damascus Methodist church.

Supreme Court Justice Lawrence H. Cooke will be the speaker at the 75th anniversary dinner of the Manor Hose Company at the Chan-Al Hotel, Shandelee.

From the ads: Carl’s Motor Sales, Callicoon, offers a Mercury Comet Custom Sports Coupe for $2314.

Top Sullivan County Community College students are: Paul Brague of Eldred, Emily Burns of Liberty and Alan Deutsch of Swan Lake, with a 3.80 average each.

50 Years Ago - 1976

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Wagner of Callicoon will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary on St. Valentine’s Day. They were married by Rev. John Straub in 1916 in her family homestead, upon which site their present home now stands. They returned from New Jersey ten years ago, upon his retirement and share their home with his elder brother, Wilbur.

Livingston Manor’s largest employer, Manor  Poultry, has been sold to Max Bresky’s company, Falls Poultry of South Fallsburg. Both companies are engaged in selling cleaned and frozen kosher poultry on the New York market.

Louis Short, 80 years of age, died Saturday morning as a result of accidental inhalation of carbon monoxide gas in his garage.

Charles and Eleanor Zieres of North Branch celebrated their golden Anniversary with 150 neighbors and friends joining the celebration planned by their daughters, Anna Mathern and Eleanor Glassel.

Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Noetzel of North Branch were honored January 31 on the occasion of their silver anniversary by a party given by their children at the Callicoon Center Fire Hall. About 80 guests attended.

Andrew Neiderman has written a 104-page hard-cover book outlining the 150 year history of the town of Fallsburg. Called “The Sesquicentennial History of Fallsburg Township 1826-1976,” it can be purchased for $5 a copy.

Ida “Skippy” Frankel, mayor of the Village of Liberty, has been appointed to the 1976 Legislative Committee of the New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sorge of Callicoon Center are the proud parents of a baby boy, Michael Frederick, born January 29th at Community General Hospital.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Three hundred fifty workers have been laid off at Grossinger’s for what is reported as a two-month renovation of the property located just below Liberty. Tuesday morning it was reported that the employees are expected to take the new hotel owners, Hotels International, Inc., to court to stop management from forcing the workers out of the homes they occupy on hotel grounds. Hotel Manager Bernard Roth was unavailable for comment.

Tiffany Jane Peters of Monticello has been accepted at the U.S.M.A. at West Point. She will begin her studies there in July.

Helen Milk, a retired Sullivan County Commissioner of Juries and a longtime area resident, died unexpectedly Saturday, February 8, at her home in Callicoon. Her late husband, Lawrence, was a former Supervisor of the Town of Delaware.

June and William Schulte of Grahamsville celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a party at their home the end of January.

Announcement has been made of the engagement of Patricia Cronk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cronk, and Kim DeVoe, son of Mrs. Doris DeVoe and the late Victor DeVoe, all of Liberty.

Monticello’s Dave Price and Clint Walker were double winners and Monticello’s Steve Jackson and Tri-Valley’s Clay Gorton were individual winners in the Section 9, Class B Indoor Track and Field championships at Rockland County Community College on Saturday.

30 Years Ago - 1996

Flood damage estimates to homes, roads, businesses, bridges and public buildings are pouring into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) office in Albany from 39 counties and more than a million dollars in restoration money has already been sent to stricken homeowners, but it will be six months to a year before federal disaster funds make their way to counties and municipalities which suffered losses, a spokesman for the federal disaster assistance office said Tuesday. 

Parents in the Delaware Valley Central School District came to Tuesday’s meeting to vent their anger and frustration about decisions made by school officials during the January 19 floods.

After losing their preacher, being stripped of their cadre of certified lay ministers and facing the possibility of lawsuits from the Methodist Conference, members of the diminutive congregation of a breakaway church persevered in efforts to keep the flame of faith burning in their small rural community. On June 14, the Delaware Hudson District of the Methodist Conference officially closed the 132-year-old church in Fremont Center because membership had diminished to the point where they could no longer pay the required annual dues of approximately $2,000 per year and their share of the minister’s salary and upkeep of the rectory.

Eric Nystrom will serve as the Town of Delaware’s supervisor after being unanimously appointed by the board Wednesday night to a one-year term.  Nystrom will fill the vacancy that was created when his 1996 election opponent, Jack Sattler, refused to take office, despite his victory at the polls.

A nationwide search for women who embody the spirit of Betty Crocker has led straight to the kitchen of a Parksville resident – and she didn’t even have to bake one of her trademark desserts to win. Joyce Muthig was selected among 75 winners across the United States whose image will be used in composite as the new face of Betty Crocker.

Leila Lott of Jeffersonville, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died February 6, 1996, at her home. She was 83 years of age. The daughter of the late Peter and Sophie Will Wahl, she was born in Callicoon.

20 Years Ago - 2006

John E. Washington of Monticello, a councilman for the Town of Thompson, died February 7, 2006 in Albany at the age of 58. He was also a former Historian and Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Thompson.

Mercedes Manzolillo and Craig Gorton of Kauneonga Lake were united in marriage on August 20,  at the Gardens on Catlin Creek in Slate Hill.

Neil Sedaka, the man who brought the world “Laughter in the Rain” still owns property in Sullivan County and credits the same with starting him on the path to a six-decade career in show business.

Alice Ellmauer of Youngsville celebrated her 102nd birthday on January 29. Born and raised on the family farm, she married William Ellmauer, and together they had six children, four daughters and twin sons.

Monticello High School senior Anthony Ng was honored with a special ceremony to commemorate the fact that he recently broke the school record for the most career varsity wins. The previous record of 104 victories was held by Marcus Hutchins. Ng has been wrestling in the varsity squad since the eighth grade. His record is now at 108 wins and counting.

10 Years Ago - 2016

A boiler failure Saturday ultimately led to the temporary closure of the hospital in Callicoon Sunday. According to Sullivan County Public Safety Commissioner Dick Martinkovic, one of the hospital’s boilers failed during Saturday’s deep freeze, allowing cold air to seep in and crack the boiler’s coils. The hospital’s six inpatients were evacuated – four were taken to CRMC’s Harris hospital by volunteer ambulance corps, and two were well enough to go home. With temperatures well below zero, patient safety was paramount, and personnel worked quickly to load patients into ambulances waiting outside the emergency room. MobileMedic is maintaining an ambulance at the facility for any emergencies. A security officer is also on site.

Firefighters arrived at Tuthill Road in Pond Eddy Saturday evening to find a home fully engulfed. The young family was not home at the time the fire was called in by a neighbor. Firefighters from Lumberland, Highland Lake, Forestburgh, Yulan, Lava and Shohola, Pa. (with White Lake and Sparrowbush on standby) battled below-zero temperatures, according to Sullivan County Deputy Fire Coordinator Joe Mellan. According to the Lumberland FD’s Facebook page, gear and trucks kept freezing up. No one was injured, however, and investigators believe either the coalstove or auxiliary heating units sparked the fire.

On Saturday, January 30, sometime before midnight, there were several reports made to police and even to 911, that “sonic booms” were being heard near the Swinging Bridge Lake/Monticello area, also reportedly in Liberty, Grahamsville, Rock Hill, and even Cuddebackville. On January 28, thousands of people from Connecticut, New Jersey, Long Island and New York City, reported hearing shattering booms around one o’clock in the afternoon. A geology professor in Tennessee said it could have been a cryoseism, which can happen when freezing temperatures are quickly followed by warm temperatures, in which an exploding sound can be heard. People are skeptical, as similar sounds are being heard in a large range of states.