130 Years Ago - 1896

YOUNGSVILLE – O.E. Inderlied is moving his platform in the woods to the orchard aside of his hotel, which will make it very convenient to the hall in case of showers.

Harry E. Smith of Wilcox, Arizona, has purchased his father’s farm, and will come here with his family in a few weeks.

FOSTERDALE – Fred Diehl and Oliver Calkins each lost a horse last week.

“Dan,” the well-known Redgrave horse, started and ran away from in front of N. Diehl’s store with Mrs. Elwell and little son in the wagon.  He ran as far as the M.E. Church where John Cabat stopped him when he was going at his best. Consequently no one was hurt and no damage done.

Luther Potts came home last week from New Paltz normal school.

120 Years Ago - 1906

W.G. Wilson of Kenoza Lake, who was the foreman in a paint shop in Montclair, N.J., has returned to his former position as foreman of the Erie painters on the Delaware division.

Miss Susie Hartz of Pump Station, near Cochecton, and John Wosnick of Port Jervis, a brakeman on the Erie, were married at Hortonville by Rev. S. Meury on June 21.

Bertha M., youngest daughter of William Liebla of Barryville, was married to John S. Quick of Hillside, N.J., on June 20.

George Louis Specha and Katherine Quick of Acidalia were married at Roscoe June 20th by Rev. Keeler.

Horatio B. Klein of Callicoon Depot and Miss Hannah Dilgard of North Branch were married yesterday.

Dr. Northway Meyer accompanied by his wife and A.E. Rudolph, were in town Sunday with his twenty-horse power Rambler touring car.

Val Scheidell expects to receive his Maxwell run-about this week. Chester Yager, who is building an auto, hasn’t received all the parts yet. When Chet, Val and Doc Rice all get on the street, we will behoove the defenseless pedestrian to shin up a convenient tree or telegraph pole.

J.G. Staib and wife of Lake Huntington have leased the new house of Fred Bietz in Jeff and took possession on Monday.

M.A.  Hoffman and family of New York are migrating this week to their summer residence in Obernburg.

Prof. Attila of New York is spending a few days with his family here. They have a large talking machine which entertains the neighborhood nightly with all the latest selections.

110 Years Ago - 1916

Dr. A.H. Schonger of North Branch recently took a week’s special course for health officers.

The Board of Education last night accepted the bid of Elmer E. Miller of Kenoza Lake for the new schoolhouse bonds at a premium of $4.50 on $100. There are 22 bonds of $500 each, drawing 5 percent interest.

Among the graduates of the Liberty teachers training class this year are Miss Bertha Schmidt of Jeffersonville and Miss Anna Myers of Kenoza Lake, both graduates of Jeffersonville High School last year.

Mamie Susan, daughter of Mrs. Kate Boxberger of Youngsville, was married to Harry Charles Trent, an accountant of New York, by Rev. J.E. Straub of Callicoon  Center last Sunday afternoon.

Miss Hazel V. Brand, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. A. Brand of New York City, became the bride of George Charles Groth of New York last night.

Will Ray, the artist, whose parental home is at Jeffersonville, has left the Phillipson Decorating Co. in New York and opened a studio at 15 East 14th Street.

Jeffersonville was again precipitated into total darkness Tuesday night, about 8:30, when lightning put the power plant at Livingston Manor out of business. They got the plant in operation again at 2:30 Wednesday morning. Youngsville, Livingston Manor and Roscoe were also affected by the trouble of Tuesday night.

The Misses Carrie C. Huff, Grace H. Anderson and Marie Wilfert of Jeffersonville, Freda Baudendistel of  Youngsville and Mary Weyrauch of Callicoon Center will attend the Cortland summer school for teachers.

100 Years Ago - 1926

The post offices of White Lake, North Branch and White Sulphur Springs will be advanced from fourth to third class July 1.

Mrs. Harvey Martin of Jeffersonville and Mrs. Ethel A. Scheidell of Liberty have opened a tea room in Liberty under the name of “The Sign of the  Smile.”

Among 47 persons admitted to citizenship last week at the Supreme Court in  Sullivan County were Sam Katz of Jeffersonville and Morris Fersht of Youngsville.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Fimpel Sr. of Brooklyn have reopened their cottage here for the summer season.

Fred Hubbert, who formerly occupied the Sherwood farm on East Hill, has leased the  Bauernfeind Hotel at North Branch of Smith and Scheidell, who were compelled to take the hotel again in default of the purchaser. Hubbert is now running the hotel.

Fred Duttweiler has added a new deluxe car to his Liberty bus line. The car holds 19 passengers and is equipped with reversible seats, smoking and sleeping compartments. The car set Fred’s bank account back the price of a good-sized farm.

Trying to get even very often makes a man seem odd.

Community doesn’t go forward when a majority of the citizens go backwards.

The season of semi-professional baseball in Jeffersonville will be started off on Sunday, July 4th, with a game between the well-known Antlers of Newburgh and the Riverside of Edgewater, N.J.

Heading the fourth year high school class on the school honor roll are Henrietta Scheidell and Inez Fulton.

90 Years Ago - 1936

The lightning, thunder and rain of last Saturday night did not stay or mar the outstanding social event of the past week – the wedding of Robert Kaplan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam H. Kaplan, and Miss Helen Abel, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hyman Abel of Jeffersonville, which took place at the Lorraine Hotel of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Ferber in Lake Huntington. Rev. Abram Ginsburg of Jeffersonville officiated at the ceremony attended by over 300. William Lieb acted as toastmaster at the dinner.

Miss Frieda Neuberger of the school faculty spent the weekend in Albany where she received a B.S. degree in education from the New York State College for Teachers.

Rev. Frank R. Wildon, pastor of Grace Episcopal Church in Hyde Park, the church which President Roosevelt and his family attended, was the speaker at the commencement exercises in Jeff last Monday night. Robert Sly was Salutatorian and William G. VonBerg was the valedictorian. The class dance was held at the Edgemere Casino, Kenoza Lake.

Margaret Barbara Wagner, 73, and wife of Ernest Fimpel, died at her home in Jeff early Tuesday morning, June 23. She was born in New York in 1863, the daughter of Henry Wagner and Barbara Schlosser, natives of Germany. She was married to Mr. Fimpel in 1887. The Fimpels first came to Jeffersonville for their vacations in 1884, before they were married, stopping at the home of her uncle, Peter Wagner. In 1891, Mrs. Fimpel’s parents sold their Brooklyn grocery and moved here, buying the Katz place. Mrs. Fimpel was the last of her family, two brothers having preceded her in death.

80 Years Ago - 1946

School closing exercises started at the Jeff central school last Friday night with the eighth grade graduation. About 200 attended the baccaulaureate services Sunday evening. On Monday  night over 600 attended the senior class graduation. Georgia Miller gave the salutatory, “The United Nations.” The valedictorian, Joan Peterson, titled her address “Unity Out of Chaos.”

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Schumacher (Josephine Banuat) have bought and moved to the Martha Spliesgart house on Briscoe Road.

Betty Lois Knack, older daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knack, Jeffersonville, was graduated from Cornell University June 23. She plans to start a course in journalism in the fall at Columbia University.

Mr. and Mrs. John Yaun of Liberty celebrated their 50th anniversary June 17. Mrs. Yaun was formerly a teacher in Youngsville.

The Charles Waldrons of Fosterdale celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary last Saturday.

R.A. Schrumpf is having a cellar built under his store in order to install a heating furnace.

John Clifford, 17, of Jeffersonville, and Paul Bryan, 21, of Youngsville, have enlisted in the  Army and will be sworn in July 8.

70 Years Ago - 1956

At the graduation exercises on Monday, twenty-seven JCS seniors received their diplomas. Judith  Ann Gute was valedictorian and Joyce Ann Rupp salutatorian.

Today was the first day of the three-day grand opening of Ted Rittershausen’s newly enlarged Pharmacy and Ted’s Restaurant.

The body of a 43-year-old chambermaid at the Concord Hotel was found in the underbrush along the secluded road at Kiamesha Lake last Friday. Sheldon Woolridge, 24, of New York City, was brought back to the county by state police, and confessed to the murder.

Miss Loretta, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Scheibling of Narrowsburg, and Donald Maas, son of Mr. and Mrs.  Harold Maas of Lake Huntington, were married on Sunday at St. Francis Church in Narrowsburg.

Edward Bisland Sr., 85, former Sullivan County Assemblyman and Supervisor of Lumberland for a total of 26 years at various times, died Saturday morning at his Glen Spey home.

Mr. and Mrs. Burton Bogert of Callicoon Center have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jean, to John Andreassen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andreassen of Swan Lake. They plan a fall wedding.

A housewarming was given to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Ardizzone in their newly purchased home in Kohlertown. A $100,000 fire raged along Main Street in Livingston Manor on Saturday, destroying the Central Pharmacy and Victory market, heavily damaging the warehouse of Jacobs Home Appliances and slightly damaging the roof of the Manor Theatre. Firemen fought for two hours to control the blaze.

The Sullivan County Pastors Association visited St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary at Callicoon on June 12 and were given a tour by Father Cyprian, who also gave them a history of the Franciscan Order and explained the educational and religious program of the Seminary.

Thirty-six children graduated from kindergarten in ceremonies at the Jeff school.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Dr. Richard K. Greenfield, who has served as the president of Sullivan County Community College since its founding, has announced his resignation effective with the end of the school year.

Terence Tobin won a new Mustang convertible as a door prize in the Mustang Road Rallye held June 18 which culminated at the Concord Hotel. Terry and James Gottschalk of Hankins were entered from Carl’s Motor Sales in Callicoon.

The Rev. Newton B. Ford of the Callicoon Methodist Parish was ordained a deacon of the Methodist Church on June 19 at the United Church of Christ in Bridgeport, Conn. Rev. Ford will be returning to the Callicoon Parish for his fifth year. Rev. Stanley Risch will be starting his sixth year on the Kenoza Lake, Jeffersonville, Fosterdale and Cochecton charge.

Saturday, June 18, marked the unveiling of the historic marker commemorating the Old Mine Road and D&H Canal on Route 209 in Wurtsboro. Sullivan County Historian Manville Wakefield participated in the ceremonies.

William C. Pfeifer received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University at the conclusion of the 1966 Spring Semester. Graduation exercises were held June 5. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Constant Pfeifer of Callicoon.

James Richner of Damascus, Pa., was a participant in the 1966 Summer NDEA Institute for Advanced Study in English at the State University college at Potsdam. Mr. Richner is a teacher in DVCS.

50 Years Ago - 1976

Sylvia Mitterwager, cashier, and John K. Lowe, Assistant Vice-President of the United National Bank, graduated on June 18 from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Community General Hospital, Grover M. Hermann Division, in Callicoon is pleased to announce that effective July 1st Dr. Shantilal Shah and Dr. Ahmad Zokaie will open practice at the hospital.

Mrs. Eleanor C. Knack of North Branch was elected president of the New York State Association of RSVP Directors at their annual meeting in Albany.

The 15th annual graduation of Mrs. Janet Sausmikat’s Nursery School was held June 14 at the Callicoon Methodist Church Hall.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Joseph Purcell, Sullivan County Clerk, welcomed Harry Bohner to Sullivan County during the recent Firemen’s Convention at the Concord  Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake. Mr. Bohner is the executive director of the New York State Association of Firemen, representing more than 10,000 members. He said this convention is the largest such gathering of firemen in the world and that over 50 percent of all the fire equipment in the United States is located within 500 miles of the Concord.

Kristen and Jana Kodet of Callicoon were presented with an American flag in honor of their Americanization which took place on June 5. The Kodets came from Prague to the U.S. in 1979 and moved to Callicoon five years ago. Making the presentation were State Publicity Chairman Sandra Flynn and Past President Leota S. Hermann, members of the H. Russell Kenyon Auxiliary #5808, Veterans of Foreign Wars. They were joined by James Johnson, commander of Post 5808.

In order to stay open, staff members of the  Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville will now have to volunteer their services. Low funds is the primary factor in the decision.

Alan O’Keefe, an 11-year member of the school board, and Frances Mitchell Branning, retiring gym teacher at Livingston Manor Central School, were honored at a testimonial dinner June 21 at King’s Catering House in recognition of their distinguished service to the school.

Twenty-two Sullivan County United Methodist pastors and lay members attended the four-day session of the New York Annual Methodist Conference in Bridgeport, Conn. Returned to churches in Sullivan County and their designated churches were: Rev. Kimberly A. Bosley, Callicoon, Fremont, Hankins and North Branch; Rev. Allen R. MacGhee Jr., Grahamsville and Sundown; Rev. Nancy C. Bixler, Hurleyville; Rev. Duane D. Buddle, Liberty; Rev. William S. Robertson, Monticello; Rev. Robert H. Pionto, Rock Hill; Rev. Arlene Penney, White Sulphur Springs, Harris and Jeffersonville; Rev. Louise D. Piere, Kenoza Lake, Cochecton Center, Fosterdale and Narrowsburg; Rev. Edna M. Felter, Kauneonga Lake and Mongaup Valley; Rev. Richard D. Blake to Wurtsboro; and Rev. Richard Moore, Westbrookville.

At the DVCS annual sports award dinner, Amy Poley was presented a #1 Fan award. Amy is an enthusiastic supporter of all the sports teams and credit is given to her family for their outstanding efforts in getting her to the games.

The fourth grade officers of Mrs. Heinle’s class at J-YCS planted flower boxes at the school as part of their community project.

Tom Miller Jr. of Woodbourne received the William T. Hornaday Award from the Hudson-Delaware Council of the Boy Scouts of America at the annual recognition dinner held at King’s in the Manor on Saturday night. His mother, Constance, won a Woodbadge award, and his father, Tom Miller Sr. is the council commissioner.

Lynn Orr and Karl M. Stahl, both of Liberty, were married on May 30 at an outdoor ceremony held on the lawn of the Charles Tyler residence in Liberty.

Cynthia Sauchuk and Thomas McKenna were married May 3 in an outdoor ceremony held at the residence of the bride’s parents, John and Louise Sauchuk of Grahamsville.

30 Years Ago - 1996

The New York State Police held an open house Friday for the general public and put on display an array of special units for the second year at the new barracks location in Liberty.

The Greater Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce reached out to thank and recognize several individuals and businesses that have contributed to the revival of the “Spirit of Liberty” during the fourth annual Community Awards dinner. Delbert Van Etten was “Citizen of the Year” for his longtime dedication and devotion to Liberty’s history.

As dairy farms go in Sullivan County, “Cloverbloom,” the Raymond family farm on the Wintertown Road just south of Bloomingburg, is one of the best. On appearance alone, it was named a “Dairy Farm of Distinction” this year and, with at least 100 registered Holstein milking cows, it remains one of the top producers in the county where, unfortunately, dairy farms continue to decline.

The Town of Fallsburg Lions Club celebrated its 45th charter anniversary with a gala awards and installation dinner at Bernie’s Holiday restaurant in Rock Hill.

Two graduating seniors, Christina Vogler of Delaware Valley Central School and Jaime L. Tellman of Liberty Central School, were awarded grants-in-aid from Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization of women teachers.

The Weekend of Chamber Music will hold its second annual Early Summer Benefit on  June 30 at noon at a private home in Bethel. Festivities begin with “Music in the Barn” given by director and flutist Judith Pearce, well-known singer Annie Hat and friends.

The new larger Rock Hill post office was recently dedicated.

The Catskill Cougars lost three straight games over the weekend to drop into the North Atlantic Baseball League’s cellar.

20 Years Ago - 2006

Recently celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary were Carolyn and Win Barley of Liberty with their three children, Karen John and Cynthia, grandchildren Melissa, Allison, Amanda, Heather and great-grandson Jacob.

Fred H. and Rosa Sardonia Albrecht celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on December 30, 2005. They have been residents of Sullivan County all their lives.

The seventh annual Samuel Goldberg & Sons Foundation Prize for Fiction has been awarded to Kevin Haworth for his debut novel, “The Discontinuity of Small Things.” Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, the novel tracks the course of the 1943 German occupation. Kevin is the son of Andy Weil and Eileen Haworth Weil of Summitville.

On Father’s Day, Mort Malkin of Milanville, Pa., started out in Narrowsburg on a 30-mile walk to Liberty in hopes of raising peace awareness.

10 Years Ago - 2016

On Sunday, tears were shed for Sam Yasgur, three days after he passed way from bone cancer at the age of 74. Sam may have been best known as the son of Max Yasgur – the beloved farmer who welcomed the masses to the 1969 Woodstock music festival – but to family, friends and associates, he was better known as a witty, fun-loving motorcyclist and a skilled, fiercely passionate litigator. Sam was forking hay years before he was writing legal briefs. Yet he almost didn’t become an attorney. In a speech to the Sullivan County Historical Society in 2004, Sam remembered the 1963 fire that claimed Max’s main barn. After saving the 127 cows within, Sam visited his father in a Monticello hospital – the day before he was supposed to start law school in Chicago. Sam had postponed his plans, but Max insisted he go right away, threatening to sell the farm if Sam did not.

Aldona Harder was born before the U.S. had even entered World War I. Before the noisy flapper era, before automobiles were the chosen mode of travel, baby Aldona arrived in the now far-off world of 1916. But Harder, age 100 as of June 30, proceeded to live a rich life of love, adventure and accomplishment. And the Youngsville resident continues to relish her daily existence to the fullest.