110 Years Ago - 1912

Born to Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Holiday of Callicoon, a girl, Sunday morning. . . Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Hogencamp, a boy, Friday afternoon. — Callicoon Corresp.
Billy Asimus and his Fremont Center vaudevillians were the attraction at Harmonie Hall on Saturday evening and the show was one of the best ever produced in this section, professional or amateur.
The Gould Lumber Co. of Long Eddy is rushed with orders and now employs twenty-four men. Their principal products are mattress frames, cot frames, cheese boxes and turned stock. At present they are filling a large order from Atlanta, Ga.
A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Grant of White Sulphur Springs on Wednesday… Rev. Williams delivered a sermon at the M.E. Church here last Sunday on the wreck of the Titanic. Mrs. Belle Lindsley read a beautiful poem composed by herself, and the choir furnished music appropriate for the occasion. — White Sulphur Springs Corresp.
Callicoon Meat Market advertises homemade bologna at 12 1/2 ¢ per pound… L.C. Vandervort in the Kautz Block, Callicoon, advertises white and cream wash voile waists with round neck and short sleeves, $1 and up; Kipplette - the new white wash material that needs no ironing. Very popular this season — 28 inches wide at 15¢ a yard … Spaulding’s Baseball Goods can be bought at Starck’s Bazaar; Gloves and mitts, 25¢ up to $2; Baseballs 5¢ up to $1.25; Ball clubs 10¢ up to 50¢. Orders taken for uniforms of all kinds.

100 Years Ago - 1922

Sullivan County furnished the young trees for the landscape ornaments on the grounds of the new Masonic Hospital in Utica. The Charles G. Curtis Nursery Co. of Callicoon filled the order a week ago for a number of young spruce, hemlock and pine trees to be used in beautifying the grounds.
Friday morning, ice two inches thick was frozen on a tub of water in Handsome Hollow.
Miss Irena Keesler of Honesdale, Pa., and John Weyant of West Point were married at the M.E. Church in Honesdale, by the Rev. Olver, on April 27.
Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gorr announce the marriage of their daughter, Adelaide Anna, to Ralph Martin Updike of Binghamton on April 15.
Miss Alma, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hughs of Long Eddy, was married to Darrel J. Westlake of Binghamton at a ceremony performed in Sayre, Pa.
The stork left a baby girl with Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Cole of South Branch, Pa., on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. John Bosser of East Cochecton announce the birth of a son.
Julia Victoria Bently, wife of Volney Skinner, 84 on March 3, died April 25 at their home in Milanville, Pa., where she went as a bride 64 years ago. She was a 66-year member of the Damascus Baptist Church.
Sid A. Brush, Frank E. Olver and Sarah D. Olver of Tyler Hill and Paul Griffith of Damascus attended the services of the Masonic Home at Utica. It was estimated that at least 30,000 people attended the service.

90 Years Ago - 1932

A 10 1/2 pound son, John Charles, was born to Mrs. Charles Horvath of Youngsville on April 27, at the Callicoon Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. William Friedenstine of Fremont Center celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary May 1.
The Highway Commission of the County for the rights of way on Route 3-A, consisting of several of the supervisors, was in Cochecton several days, securing rights of the construction of this new road.
George Germer of East Cochecton is a patient at Post Graduate Hospital where he will have a bone grafted in his skull where it was fractured.

80 Years Ago - 1942

The engagement of Barbara Cass to Warren H., son of Rev. and Mrs. Charles McClure of Callicoon, has been announced by her aunt, Mrs. J.M. Jones of Horseheads.
Explosion of a gas tank started the fire at the Eagle’s Nest Hotel in White Sulphur Springs last Tuesday afternoon, causing the 30-room structure to burn to the ground.
Mrs. Ruth Williams of Liberty and Royal Wray of Liberty have announced their engagement.
Irving Sparling, mail carrier on Route 1 out of Callicoon for 35 years until his retirement on Thursday, was the guest of honor at two parties given by the employees of the Callicoon Post Office, carriers and substitutes and their wives at the Olympia Hotel; the other by the Sullivan County Rural Mail Carriers’ Assoc. at their annual meeting at the Callicoon Firehouse.
A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Schmidt of North Branch on May 3rd at the Callicoon Hospital. She has been named Marylin Carol… Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Bryan of Youngsville are the parents of a baby boy born May 3, also at the Callicoon Hospital.

70 Years Ago - 1952

The Narrowsburg Fire Department celebrated their 50th anniversary Thursday night to an overflowing crowd. The Beach Lake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary served a delicious dinner. Four charter members were present: L.G. Gebhardt and Paul E. Schneider of Narrowsburg, Fred Lipp of Hancock and William Rinn of Shohola.
Miss Geraldine Popolillo and Allen Minckler, both of Long Eddy, were united in marriage at the Full Gospel Assembly Church in Hankins on May 3.
Adolph Wagner has purchased a building from Peter Schmidt where he will conduct his egg business, known as Wagner Farms.
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rhodes of Boston, Mass., are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Rhodes Sr. of Long Eddy. The newlyweds were married in Boston April 27.
Miss Fred Neugebauer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Neugebauer of Narrowsburg RFD 1, became the bride of Frank Avery, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. William Avery of Beach Lake, Pa., on May 3.
Dr. George R. Mills of Callicoon has purchased the Narrowsburg Airport from William Theyson of Hasbrouck Heights. The airport was built by the late Malcolm Dexter of Narrowsburg.

60 Years Ago - 1962

Miss Judy Kastner of Jeffersonville and Elbert Marvin VanKeuren of Monticello were united in marriage on April 28 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jeffersonville.
Miss Arlene Kunze of Roscoe and Milton D. Highhouse of Hortonville were married April 14 at Gate of Heaven Church in Roscoe.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dowitsch of North Branch celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Monday evening.
A former Monticello boy, Harry Ostrov, a New York City attorney, will be elected as head of New York State Masons Thursday evening in New York City. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1922.
Miss Frances A. Polster of Callicoon and James J. Weishaupt of New Paltz and Kingston, were married April 28 in St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville.
Richard P. Bihler, Cadet 2nd Lieut., is a member of the 535th Cadet Group Air Force R.O.T.C. drill team of Syracuse University and recently took first place in the Syracuse area Civil Air Patrol Drill Meet.

50 years ago - 1972

Miss Jan Lewis, representing VFW Post 5808, Callicoon, was selected Miss Sullivan County VFW Loyalty Day Queen at a judging held in Woodbourne Saturday evening. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lewis of Callicoon and is a senior at the Delaware Valley Central School.
Monticello Raceway launched its 15th season Thursday night, scheduling 130 races for the coming season. All of the track’s 40 closed circuit television sets will relay up to the minute possible payoffs on multiple wagering events as the betting takes place.
The busiest day in Sullivan County fire history took place on Sunday when 35 companies answered 39 alarms.
For the second time in three years, the Liberty High School Junior Varsity Debating Team has again won the New York State championship. Eileen Pollack, Eric Seiler, Janet Malachowsky and Jon Beck bested 18 schools to compile a 9 wins-1 loss record to achieve victory in the competition held at SUNY Oneonta. All four students are sophomores.
The Town of Liberty’s unique and famed landmark, Hillig’s Castle, has been sold and will be completely restored as a private residence. Mrs. Jan Blair of Mohawk, N.Y., has purchased the property. She also owns the Gelstein Castle in Mohawk.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. Owen Baker surprised their parents with a silver wedding anniversary party at Gilbert’s Inn. Eighty relatives and friends were present to enjoy the music by Dave Sims’ Orchestra… Mr. and Mrs. Pat Stephenson and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Just also celebrated anniversaries recently. — Cochecton Corresp.
A 398-pound bear was trapped and tagged by the Environmental Conservation Dept. Personnel at the Monticello dump. It is part of the Catskill bear research project. It was determined that the bear is six years old.

40 Years Ago - 1982

An absentee baby shower was given April 13 for Melody Hector Adams at the Hogencamp home in White Sulphur Springs, hostessed by Sue Hogencamp and Gladys Bowers. At the close of the evening, the gifts were all re-wrapped and put in a big box to be sent to Lt. and Mrs. Adams who live in Enid, Okla.
Mr. and Mrs. James Fuller of Roscoe are the proud parents of a daughter, Rachel Louis, born at the Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton on Saturday, April 24.
Lillian Newman of Callicoon couldn’t help but reward herself with a chuckle as she watched the return of America’s space shuttle, Columbia, on TV. In 1956 she had written the lyrics to a song which she called “The Rocket Ride.” The lyrics are: “Let’s take a trip in a rocket ship… Let’s visit the planet called Mars… At a high rate of speed we should succeed and may even sail on the stars… We’ll be shot up to the air like a cannon warfare… Once I’m in outer space we can visit any place … the flight will be safe and the fastest found… In fact, we may even beat the speed of sound… Such a thrill to travel is hard to find and such achievement comes from a genius mind… We’ll soar like an eagle in the sky… And watch for a rainbow as we pass by… When in sight we again appear… The rocket will land safely… Have no fear… Just gather round there’s plenty to tell… For the people on Mars will treat us just swell.” Not that Lillian was impressed by the flight, but to her it was just an old fantasy that had finally come true.
The Delaware Valley Senior Citizens celebrated their 11th anniversary with a buffet lunch at the Youth Center in Callicoon. Lucille Engert is president, assisted by Erdman Sonntag, first vice-president; Mathilda Burkhardt, treasurer; and Pearl Kraay, secretary.
Monica Marie Paula Kean was feted at a bridal shower given in her honor by her sister-in-law, Arden Peck Kean, at the Kean home in Mongaup recently.
Mrs. June Marzani of Lake Winola and Mrs. William Schmitt of Beach Lake, Pa., spent Wednesday, April 21, with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Keesler, to help them celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Ernis Keesler of Bethel were Sunday afternoon callers. — Galilee Corresp.
Timothy Leroy of Jeffersonville caught his first trout Saturday, a 16-inch brown, near Dewitt Flats bridge between Jeffersonville and Youngsville.
Laurie Kelly, of the Monticello Gymnastic Team, took four medals in the New York State Class III Gymnastic Meet competition held at Huguenot and finished third best in the state overall. Other teammates competing were Laurie Goldsmith and Rachel Burday.

30 Years Ago - 1992

The waters in local rivers and streams have warmed up considerably since the opening day of trout fishing, making for better catches.
More voters than expected, 267, turned out last Tuesday to decide whether the Delaware Valley Central School District should be authorized to raise a tax for the sole purpose of providing annual support to the Delaware Free Library, located in Callicoon. After all the votes were tallied, including absentee ballots, 167 taxpayers approved the proposition, and 123 said no.
With the advent of warmer spring weather, residents and businesses in Callicoon have started hooking up to the new sewer plant which was put on line late last year. The work is being done by R & H Gorr Construction Company.
Students at the Liberty Central School earned second place in a computer contest held at the Sullivan County Community College on Wednesday.
Myrtle and Adolph Hellerer of Jeffersonville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a family gathering at the Rockland House. President and Mrs. George Bush sent greetings.
Glenn Woodell, music teacher and fine arts instructor in Jeffersonville, has the distinction of being a moderator for a panel discussion at a recent First International Film Music Conference in Universal City, Calif. The conference was sponsored by the Society for Preservation of Film Music and was attended by an outstanding group of professors.
Frank Cappiello was the dinner chairman at the annual recognition and awards dinner of the Nava-Len Boy Scout District held at Mr. Willy’s in Monticello. The dinner recognized nearly 100 area volunteers who have contributed their time and energy to the scouting movement.

20 Years Ago - 2002

The American Legion Ambulance Corps in Eldred will dedicate their first permanent home in 54 years on May 19 with an open house. Special guests are slated to attend and a few surprises are planned for the day.
Citing a need to take care of family commitments, Jeffersonville Mayor Sue Hemmer tendered her resignation effective May 1.
The Sullivan County Legislature has decided to vote on a new chair before the next full board meeting on Thursday, June 20. While many names have surfaced for the seat, only one has publicly stated that he wants it — Sullivan County Republican Party Chair Greg Goldstein.
Youth and preparing for the future was the theme of Sullivan County’s first Youth Summit held on Tuesday at the Day’s Inn in Liberty. The summit was one of the initiatives suggested in the annual State of the County Address delivered by Sullivan County Legislature Chair, Rusty Pomeroy, in February. Another youth summit is expected to take place later in the year.
Donna Akerley, deputy town clerk of Fallsburg, won the Democrat’s Secretary Salute Contest, receiving a lovely bouquet from Monticello Greenhouse.

10 Years Ago - 2012

A Rock Hill resident perished in a plane crash on Saturday near Honesdale, PA. Authorities said Jeffrey Gilbert, 67, was practicing takeoffs and landings at Cherry Ridge Airport when the plane nose-dived into trees near the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.
The price of gasoline is currently about $4 per gallon.
The Town of Forestburgh celebrated 175 years on May 2. The board held its regular May meeting inside the old town hall – and wrapped it up in quick fashion, since there was no electricity and thus very little light and heat. Still, there was time for Supervisor Bill Sipos’ granddaughter, Kaylynn Champagne, 12, to read from the town’s Sesquicentennial Journal. Though delicious, the town’s birthday cake was missing a key letter: the “h” in Forestburgh. So Supervisor Sipos made do with a famous image of late Town Historian Elsie Winterberger holding a gigantic “H” – a literal sign of her passion in promoting the traditional spelling of the township’s name. Current Town Historian Mary Ann Toomey, Supervisor Sipos and Councilman Mike Creegan unveiled a new Register of Historic Places plaque which now graces a stone next to the old town hall on County Route 48 (Hartwood Road).