110 Years Ago - 1912

William Rau, the artist, returned Sunday from Omaha where he and his partner, Mr. Philipson of New York, have just completed a $5,000 job of mural paintings in the new million dollar project there. Mr. Rau closed his bungalow in Jeffersonville Wednesday and will reside in Hoboken, N.J., for the winter.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Seipp of Galilee, Pa., are the parents of a new baby boy.

Miss Margaret Ellen Cox and Arden Pintler, both of Briscoe, were married at the Stevensville parsonage by Rev. William on October 16.

At Belvidere, N.J., a week ago Sunday night, four people were drowned while crossing the Delaware River on a ferryboat. The ferryman was negligent in warning his passengers when a large raft came down the river and the ferry ran into it. The raft was owned and in charge of Arthur Mitchell of Callicoon and was steered by William Skinner of Milanville, one of the best raftsmen on the river today. It was the largest raft that had gone down in the Delaware in years and caused considerable comment on the way.

Friday night, Silas Lasser, William Kautz of Fremont and Otto Bergner Jr. of New York received their first degrees in the Masonic Lodge in Callicoon.

At 2 o’clock last Monday morning, the bakery of Abraham Cohan at South Fallsburg was discovered on fire. All efforts to distinguish the flames proved futile and the dwelling of S. Stein which adjoined the Cohan building, also caught fire. Both buildings were entirely destroyed at an estimated damage of $10,000. The exploding of a lamp in one of the bedrooms of the Waldorf House in Hurleyville Monday night caused considerable excitement and some damage was confined to one room.

The Lambert Lumber Co. of Scranton, Pa., has closed the deal with the Reilly Bros. of Cochecton paying $1,350 for all of the timber on the 1800-acre tract of land known as the “Big Island and Tamarack Swamp Tract.” The lumber will be used for railroad ties.

100 Years Ago - 1922

Mr. and Mrs.  Henry Steffens returned from their wedding trip on Tuesday and were serenaded Tuesday evening. — Rutledgedale Corresp.

Frank Stabbert is having electric lights put in his house and a chicken coop. — Obernburg Corresp.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapell Peake held a Halloween party Friday evening at the Shady Dell Cottage in Hankins for the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders.

The Misses Hattie and Elsie Buddenhagen returned to the Bethany Deaconness Hospital in Brooklyn where they are training for nurses Sunday after a week’s vacation spent with relatives in the North Branch area.

A son, George Norman, was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Schmidt of North Branch October 26.

The manager of the hotel at Narrowsburg has secured an electric moving picture machine of his own and will give shows on Tuesday and Saturday evenings.

90 Years Ago - 1932

Leonard Kransman, 7-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Kransman of Youngsville, received fatal injuries and several members of the family, including his parents, were badly hurt in an auto accident Friday morning. He died at the Hamilton Avenue Hospital in Monticello. It was reported by the police that the accident was caused by a faulty steering gear.

Mrs. Gertrude Waldvogel and John Cummings have announced their marriage as of December 5, 1931. He is a retired lawyer from Brooklyn.

Mrs. Abbie Cross of St. Tammany Chapter, Order of the Easter Star, has been appointed Grand Representative to the State of Maine. She was honored at the regular meeting of the Chapter last Friday evening.

Rev. Richard D. Minch, who had served the area communities as Baptist minister for about 25 years, died October 31 at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. He was operated on Friday night for appendicitis, a condition which was considered serious from the start.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Quick of Delaware Ave., Callicoon, were feted on the occasion of their 45th wedding anniversary at their home on Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. William Bennett Jr. of Cochecton are rejoicing over the birth of a son, Robert Ernest.

80 Years Ago - 1942

Frank Hessinger, Callicoon Center native but for the past six months a resident at the home of his sister, Mrs. Carrie Hornung in Callicoon, was killed here Saturday morning, October 24, when his car was struck by a fast freight on the Erie crossing in Callicoon. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Callicoon Hospital.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bauer of Hankins are the parents of a baby boy, born October 18; Mr. and Mrs. Carl Oestrich of Hortonville are parents of a girl, born October 22; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Knack of Callicoon are parents of a boy, born October 23; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Long of Callicoon are parents of a boy, born October 28, all at the Callicoon Hospital.

More than 50 registered for the Delaware Valley Christian Institute’s first session on Monday evening. Three classes are offered in each of the two class periods. Rev. L.C. Dibble of Callicoon is dean of the institute and Rev. Sydney Newhouse of Callicoon is the registrar.

Measures for improving overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Sullivan County Jail, Monticello, were discussed in New York Tuesday by a delegation from Sullivan County at a meeting held at the office of the Corrections Commission. Representing Sullivan County at the closed meeting were Sheriff Harry M. Borden, Supervisor Lawrence Milk, Blake Washington, clerk of the Board of Supervisors, and seven members of the Board. Conditions at the jail were criticized in a State Inspector’s report earlier this month.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Swords of North Branch very quietly celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary October 26.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Oestrich of Fernwood are the proud parents of a daughter, Ethel Ann, born October 24, at the Roscoe Hospital.

70 Years Ago - 1952

Frank S. Bury has sold his store property in Fremont Center to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Elwood of Cooks Falls. Mr. Bury has operated a general store in Fremont Center for the past 46 years and has been forced to retire because of his health.

The Regal Lingerie Factory at Callicoon will open November 10 and will be located in the old school house on Academy St.

The new Delaware Valley Central School, located on Route 97 between Callicoon and Hankins, will be officially dedicated on November 10.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bennett of Callicoon on Saturday at the Callicoon Hospital.

Joseph Steinhauser, 19, of Callicoon Center, was accidentally killed in a construction accident near Amster-dam on October 19. 

New York motorists are expected to have permanent license plates in 1955. The plates will be conditioned to last 8 to 10 years.

Miss Eleanor Smith of Livingston Manor and John Menges of Youngsville were united in marriage on October 18 at St. Francis R.C. Church in Youngsville.

60 Years Ago - 1962

Mrs. Joseph Willis of Cochecton has been elected president of the Sullivan County Extension Service Association. She succeeds Fred Hessinger of Callicoon Center and will serve with Herman Reinshagen, vice president, and James Wood, secretary. A total of 750 attended the annual barbecue and meeting of the extension service on October 23.

Mr. and Mrs. Arden Pintler of Swan Lake were given a 50th wedding anniversary celebration by Mr. and Mrs. Jeris Miller at the Miller’s Rio home on Sunday. 

A daughter, Alynn Roberta, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen Kraft of Hankins on October 21 at Read Memorial Hospital in Hancock.

Miss Helene Hartmann, a member of St. Joseph’s CYO, has been selected to receive the Cardinal Spellman Youth Medal in recognition of her outstanding contributions of service to the organization.

Miss Kathy Slausenberg was named Horsemanship Champ-ion at the Delaware Valley Horse Show on October 28.

At the Callicoon Hospital, it was a daughter Wednesday to Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Plain of Tyler Hill, Pa.; a son, Monday, to Mr. and Mrs. John Firmstone of Honesdale, Pa.

Robert Schultz of Callicoon has been named to the publicity committee for the annual Alpha Clionan and Delta Kappa Tau weekend at the State University of Geneseo on November 9-11.

Mrs. Charles W. McClure left Saturday to make her home with her son, Herbert McClure in Clinton. Mrs. McClure, nee Katherine Persbacker, has lived the greater part of her life on the Fremont Road corner of Callicoon.

50 Years Ago - 1972

Eight members of the original football team of 1931 will be on hand for Liberty’s First Homecoming this weekend which will be climaxed with the dedication of the football field in honor of Liberty’s first coach, William G. Ross. Mr. Ross will be on hand also. On the team were Bob Travis, Paul Grossinger, Duke Reinshagen, Doc Goodman, Rocky Hill, Bob Steenrod, Steve Wilson and Captain Babe Fisk.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Paul VanGinhoven who were married at Roscoe on Saturday with a reception at the Little Texas Ranch. —Obernburg Corresp.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Menges Sr. of Youngsville were guests of honor at a dinner given by their children in observance of their 40th wedding anniversary at the Antrim Lodge in Roscoe.

Edwin Chellis of Jeffersonville was awarded a Senior Trophy at the Antique Automobile Club of America Show October 5-8 in Hershey, Pa. The Senior Trophy is the highest award given by this association. The winning car is a 1932 Chevrolet Sport Coupe which Ed restored about a year ago.

Almost 700 attended the annual Sullivan County Extension chicken barbecue at the Jeffersonville Firehouse on October 24.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Buehl of Hankins celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary November 1.

Harold Bjorklund has been installed as president of the Callicoon Kiwanis Club at a dinner held at the Villa Roma on October 23.

Miss Carla Ann Sauer became the bride of Steven Edward Casterline on October 7…Linda J. Hartmann became the bride of William C. Krantz of Jeffersonville on October 14.

Two teachers of the Delaware Valley Central School, Penny Sorosky and John Jurchak have become engaged…Terri Ezratty of Liberty and Charles J. Barbuti III, also of Liberty, have become engaged. No date has been set for the wedding…Helen Head of Callicoon and Bernard Lohmann of Lava are planning a November 25 wedding.

James G. Lyons Sr., 64, of Monticello, former Sullivan County Assemblyman, died unexpectedly Thursday night, October 26, at his home. He was appointed in 1955 by Gov. Averell W. Harriman as New York State Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.

40 Years Ago - 1982

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Menges were guests of honor at a 50th wedding anniversary party at the Youngsville Firehouse.

 Mrs. Matilda Cuomo, wife of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mario Cuomo, rolled across central Sullivan County Wednesday in a 15-car motorcade to drum up support for her husband’s election November 1.

“Magic Glenn” Hestor of Callicoon entertained at the October 30 Halloween party held at the Delaware Youth Center. Soup and sandwiches were served on November 2, Election Day, as a fund raiser for the Center.

Mamie and Tom Day took Hazel Peak of Equinunk, Pa., on a surprise surrey ride to celebrate her 90th birthday. Bob Flynn drove the rig.

Ralph LaPolt retired Friday as postmaster of the Smallwood Post Office after 15 years service. Irene Savage of Monticello will be the new officer in charge.

The Tri-Valley Industrial Arts Class of Grahamsville has constructed a simulated thermometer to record the donations given to “Project Wheels,” a senior citizen self-help program to raise money for a new bus.

The Delaware Valley girls’ soccer team took its first step in the Section 9, Class C-D sections by edging Roscoe, 2-1, in overtime Friday afternoon.

30 Years Ago - 1992

Repairs to the steps at the main entrance to the Sullivan County Courthouse in Monticello are now underway, as county workers have started to replace the old steps which were removed in the summer. Prior to the removal of the old steps, wooden frames had been placed over the steps for more than one year due to their deteriorated condition. The old steps will be replaced by pink granite, which has already been delivered to the work site.

Arthur Hawker of Narrowsburg has been promoted to captain in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. A 1968 graduate of Narrowsburg Central School and a resident of that village with his wife, Patricia, and four children, he has been with the state police since 1977 and joined the BCI in 1982. He is in charge of a five-county region which includes Sullivan, Orange, Ulster, Greene and Rockland.

Sullivan County Community College Associate Professor Randall Colman has been awarded the Nabisco  Foods Company prize in the 1991-92 Grey Poupon Mustard Recipe Contest for his entry, “Mustard and Magic Pork Roulades.” The contest was held at the Florida Community College in Jacksonville, Institute of the South for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

An open house for the new Liberty Free Methodist Church, located on Route 52W, has been scheduled for November 8. Knowing that “no dreams come true until you wake up and go to work,” parishioners started the process 25 months ago to have a new sanctuary and to improve their Christian education facilities for both Sunday School and the new Light & Life Christian School. The former sanctuary has been remodeled into a combined nursery school, fellowship area for 150 people, four portable partition classrooms and a new kitchen.

The bow and arrow season has brought about the taking of several black bear: Skip Bowers of Roscoe shot a 165-lb. bear, the first one he ever saw, and Clarence Decker of Monticello displayed one he got in a 15-yard shot. Glenn Rosenberger of Hortonville and Joe McFadden of Cochecton each got an 8-point buck.

Protection Hose Co. #1 of the Jeffersonville Fire Department recorded 1,700 dinners served at their October 17  dinner/dance, plus dinners for the help.

20 years ago - 2002

Late last week it was announced that  Harry and Jennifer Rhulen gave the Sullivan County Federation for the Homeless the Monticello Arts and Cultural Center (formerly known as the Foothills and the Jewish Community Center) for their headquarters and the soup kitchen.

Assemblyman Jacob E. Gunther III, (D/C-Forestburgh) has secured $50,000 in funding from the 2002-3 state budget for the Sullivan Renaissance project, which is dedicated to the cleanup and enhancement of Sullivan County.

Caroline Grace Hueber, daughter of Gus and Julie Hueber, was baptized October 27 at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in East Northport, L.I. She was born September 18 and joins a sister, Emily, and a brother, Gus, at home. She is the granddaughter of Tom and Mary Bennis of Long Eddy and Gustave and Rosemary Hueber of Greenlawn.

Catherine Ann LeRoy, daughter of Paul H. and Peggy A. LeRoy of Liberty, and Jon Robert Fenton of Oneonta, exchanged wedding vows on August 10, 2002 at the Liberty United Methodist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. James Weissmann of Callicoon Center announce the engagement of their daughter, Christine Lee, to Ryan Holcomb, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Holcomb of Seffner, Fla.

10 years ago - 2012

The gasoline “panic buying” that has gripped the Northeast in the wake of tropical storm Sandy seems to have made its way to Sullivan County. Unusually long 1979 oil crisis-style lines have been spotted all week at local gas stations as storm-weary motorists from as far away as Long Island, New York City and New Jersey have been coming to local pumps to stock up on gas, while some local gas purveyors are being accused of price gouging. Some local gas stations are receiving multiple daily deliveries while other, smaller stations are either perilously low on gasoline, or have run out altogether. The same power outages – stemming from Sandy – that had shut down two-thirds of the filling stations in New York City and New Jersey have also halted service at oil refineries and terminals in the region. And now, the federal government has even stepped in to ease the fuel crunch by tapping into emergency oil reserves, even ordering the military to dispatch fuel on Friday while limited pipeline and barge deliveries offered just a sliver of relief. 

During mid-October the Monticello High School dining hall was transformed to include a make-shift dance floor so students could salsa, merengue and bachata to various Latin beats and music from places such as Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. The lunchtime dance party was part of the ongoing district-wide culture and diversity celebration initiative and included daily menu choices of adobo chicken, taco-seasoned tilapia, churrasco steak con arroz y frijole negro and insalata fresca. Staff and faculty worked with students from various Hispanic cultural backgrounds to plan the weeklong event and choose the music and food selections. The high school hallways were adorned with student-made posters depicting important and historical Hispanic people, events and things. Teachers encouraged students to speak about their heritages and share the similarities and differences among the diverse Hispanic cultures.

Local filmmaker Tina Spangler has documented the story of how Luxton Lake (aka “Lucky Lake”) transformed from a quiet hunting and fishing retreat in the 1930s, to a robust African American vacation community in the 1960s, to a ghost town when the lake was drained in the 1980s.