110 Years Ago - 1914

ADV. — “Will be in Callicoon – Charles Van Sickle, Optician of Port Jervis will be at the Globe Hotel, Thursday, November 19 for the purpose of fitting glasses to all defects of vision. If you contemplate getting glasses, wait for me on that date. Will be there upon arrival of Milk Train until 3:15 p.m. Wait for me.”

Forest fires have been raging in the Town of Forestburgh for several days and the residents have been fighting the flames day and night. The continual drought has dried up streams and springs, making it doubly hard to cope with fires of this duration.

Through a mistake Freeman Brown of Tyler Hill had the misfortune, while in Honesdale attending the fair, to have his horse hitched to another man’s wagon. He at first thought it had been stolen, but upon investigation the animal was found at the fair and restored to the owner.

Wilmont L. Moulthrop of Kenoza Lake and Miss Emma Segar of Briscoe were united in marriage Saturday evening, October 3rd at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage, Kenoza Lake, by Rev. George O. Mead.

Superintendent William Brown has a force of men crushing stone and rebuilding the roads throughout the Village of Callicoon to connect with the state road. The crusher is located on the Fitzgerald flat above the creek bridge and the road roller, owned by the Town of Callicoon, is being used to build a road that will make the state road look like a plugged nickel compared to a five-dollar gold piece. And the comparison isn’t overdrawn a bit. The main street from William Nudorf’s to the railroad bridge is being resurfaced while all the side streets are being repaired where needed.

Harriet Margaret Cramer was born October 12, 1914 to William F. Cramer and Hattie (Huff) Cramer on the Cramer Farm in North Branch. [Editor’s note: Harriet began her teaching career in the one-room school at Obernburg. She was married to William Knospler in 1941 and taught for many years in Bud Lake, NJ. She died in 2008.] 

100 Years Ago - 1924

As she dropped off Schultz’s bus and stepped from behind it in front of her home on the state road, Jennie Keim, 15, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Keim of Callicoon, was run into by a Chevrolet driven by Ralph Neumann of Callicoon Center. She was carried 11 feet before she fell from the fender of the car. Dr. Mayer was called and he found she had sustained a break of both bones below the right knee.

With only 16 students making the honor list for the first one of the year announced by Principal Andrews this morning, the high school department list had but one single name: 

Honor List

High School - Rosalie Heidt

6th grade - Miriam Hill

3rd and 4th grades - Gerald Dodge, Elaine Dodge, Mary O’Connor, Marion Baum, Ethel Baum, Bernadina Geiselmann and Margaret Young.

2nd grade - Carl Molusky, Matilda Hermann and Frances Persbacker.

1st grade - Gladys Wood, Audrey Heidt, Frederick Hermann and Chas. Raymond.

Shortly after 9 o’clock Thursday morning the firemen were called out to combat the flames in the cellar of O.W. Hornung’s business block on Main St. Damage was nominal. All three companies responded to the call and demonstrated just how important it is to have the department kept up to its fullest efficiency.

October 4, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, has been chosen for the laying of the cornerstone of the new chapel at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary  in Callicoon. The student body now numbers 149 with ten priests on the faculty, eight of whom are also alumni. Many attended from surrounding localities.

Checks were received by members of the Dairymen’s League Cooperative Association for milk delivered by its members during August. The gross pool price is $1.72 per 100 pounds for 3 percent milk.

Nearly 60 of the slot machines seized in Sullivan County during the past summer were smashed by axes under the direction of Sheriff Rhodes at Monticello yesterday. From the machines, $175 was yielded for the poor fund.

90 Years Ago - 1934

District Attorney William Deckelman’s record of service as public prosecutor for Sullivan County during the past three years should ensure his re-election without any special campaigning in his behalf.

The work which the Fire Commissioners of the Callicoon Fire District started some months ago to consolidate the two companies in Callicoon has finally been accomplished. Officers selected for the new company formed from the Delaware Hose Co. and the Anderson Hook and Ladder Co. were elected on a temporary basis: Chief H.C. Persbacker, Secretary Fred Fendt and Treasurer Fred W. Stabbert.

ADV. — Dance at Maple Hotel, North Branch, N.Y., every Saturday night. Music by Grant Rogers’ Orch. Adm.: Ladies 10¢, Gents 25¢.

Mrs. Lillian Garry of Hortonville and Mrs. Henrietta Doscher of Mileses are attending the convention of the Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star which is being held in New York City.

In the tennis semi-finals Hunt will play Engert and Mills will play Bergner. These matches will be played before Sunday and anyone interested in tennis can be assured of seeing some fine play in the fight for places in the finals.

80 Years Ago - 1944

Pvt. William T. Rohrmann of Lake Huntington was killed in action in Germany on September 17, 1944.

Lt. John M. Dickmann, son of Rev. H.R. Dickmann, a former Methodist pastor in this section, was killed in action in France, September 13, 1944.

Miss Dorothy Maus, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Maus of Hankins, was graduated on September 12 from the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital School of Nursing and is continuing her studies at New York Hospital, specializing in obstetrics.

Lt. j.g. George C. Henke spent a few hours at his parents’ home in Callicoon after spending the past three months at sea.

Mrs. Pearl Dean of Brooklyn announces the engagement  of her daughter, Miss Pearl D. Dean, to Lieut. j.g. Harold Bjorklund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charl Bjorklund of Long Eddy.

The reception of the Lutheran parishioners to Rev. and Mrs. Fletchtner in Jeffersonville was a large affair. Each person attending brought canned goods or fresh vegetables or fruit. The evening was spent in singing.

The mails may come and the mails may go, but the postmaster at Divine Corners apparently goes on forever. Robert B. LaBagh began his 48th year as postmaster Sunday and may be the longest in service of any postmaster in the state or nation. He was appointed by President McKinley, September 17, 1897.

New A books will be issued by the local War Price Rationing Board, Liberty, from October 6th through October 21st.

Closing of Liberty Schools until November first was ordered by Dr. Deming S. Payne, health officer, Monday, following the discovery of a new case of infantile paralysis in the village.

70 Years Ago - 1954

Mrs. Janet Biegen, 22, died on October 3 of acute bulbospinal poliomyelitis. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hornung of Hortonville.

St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Long Eddy marked its Golden Jubilee October 1-3 with ceremonies which oldtimers termed “one of the most impressive and greatest celebrations ever seen in the valley.”

There will be 11 men called in the November draft contingent, according to notice received by Draft Board 17 in Monticello. Eugene Griebel and Thaddeus Manouse of Callicoon were among those who left for New York on Tuesday.

Route 17-B, that 50-mile-an-hour (20 forward and 30 up and down) highway from Callicoon to Monticello, is receiving some attention from the folks who live along it. A mass meeting has been called for next Thursday night, October 14, at the White Lake schoolhouse.

The Women’s Literary Club of Callicoon celebrated its 50th anniversary on Monday evening with a banquet at the home of Mrs. Ruby Hessinger. Charter members, Mrs. Clinton Mallory of Hancock, Mrs. Jane Bergner and Mrs. Elizabeth Curtis, both of Callicoon, spoke of the club’s early history, started primarily as a study group. Literature, history and current events were given much importance due to the lack of radios, telephones and daily papers in those first years.

Miss Dorothy Steinhauser of Callicoon Center became the bride of Francis J. Erlwein on September 25 at St. George’s R.C. Church in Jeffersonville.

Miss Barbara Robisch has again succeeded in having another of her poems accepted for publication in a poetry book, “Scimitar and Song.” This is her second acceptance of this year, which is a great encouragement to a young writer.

At the Callicoon Hospital, a son was born on Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hess of Hortonville.

60 Years Ago - 1964

The Republican Watchman, Sullivan County’s oldest newspaper, has been purchased by Southern New York State Publishers, Inc., it was announced this week. The Watchman was established in 1821 in Bloomingburgh and was known as the Whig. This paper was once owned and edited by James E. Quinlan, the noted historian and author of Quinlan’s History of Sullivan County, which was published in the early 1870s.

Arthur V. Hellerer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hellerer of Jeffersonville, and John S. Heinle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Heinle of White Sulphur Springs, returned to Norfolk, Va., October 3, while serving aboard the USS Enterprise, following the completion of Operation Sea Orbit, the first around the world cruise by the world’s only nuclear task force. The cruise took Task Force One around the world, on atomic power, a total distance of more than 30,000 miles without refueling or replenishing.

As a result of a decision by the track and field committee of the United States Olympic Committee, Russell Hodge of Roscoe will compete in the decathlon in the Olympic Games in Tokyo. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Hodge and will leave by plane October 12.

On the front page – “We regret that since our linotyper eloped a couple of weeks back, we have been in difficulty. We ask indulgence until a satisfactory man is hired. If you know of a linotyper who would like to live in Jeffersonville, don’t write – hone collect to the Sullivan County Record.”

On Thursday, September 24, Mr. and Mrs. William Hennig of Callicoon were surprised by a housewarming in their new home. Thirty friends and relatives came to wish them good luck. It was also their fourth wedding anniversary.

Several weddings are recorded in this week’s issue: Miss Carol Andresen of Fosterdale and Donald Edwards of Youngsville were united in marriage on Sunday, October 4, in the First Lutheran Church in Jeffersonville.

Miss Kaye Whitmore and James Herbert Freudenberger were married in the Abrahamsville Methodist Church October 3.

Miss Carol E. Linder, formerly of Callicoon, was an honor graduate at Kingston Hospital School of Nursing on September 20. She will be on staff at the Kingston Hospital.

50 years ago - 1974

The  Executive Committee of the Sullivan County Democratic Committee, by a 14-4 vote Wednesday night, overwhelmingly appointed Fred W. Stabbert Jr., publisher of the Sullivan County Democrat, to become new County Chairman. Stabbert replaces the late Francis “Stretch” Hanofee, under whom he served as vice chairman.

Two members of the Hurleyville Ambulance Corps, Barbara Moller and Elise Farquhar, were injured and hospitalized Saturday night when their emergency vehicle was struck and overturned by a station wagon at the intersection of Fraser Road and Anawanna Lake Road. They were returning to the base after having transported an emergency case to Monticello Community General Hospital.

The former Ebert Cider Mill in North Branch has been purchased by Adam Giffard and reopened for business as the North Branch Cider Mill. Mr. Giffard, a native of England and more recently of Vermont, is a freelance motion picture and television photographer who expects to settle in Sullivan County.

Betty Hathaway of Youngsville and Benson Keator of Liberty were married Sunday, September 8, at the Methodist Church in Liberty. They were attended by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kronk of Liberty.

Mr. and Mrs. George Kohl were honored on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at the Antrim Lodge in Roscoe on Saturday, October 5th, followed by a reception at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Olsen in Callicoon.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Denis Bernitt of Hankins on October 8. They have an older boy, Kevin.

Paul Zintel, JYCS Athletic Director, has won the Grossinger Golf Club Championship for the third consecutive year. He has had an exceptional year of golfing having won several first place trophies, prizes and certificates throughout the states of Pennsylvania and New York.

Fred and Frieda Bury of Jeffersonville were surprised at their home by some local firemen and friends when they were escorted with horn-blowing and gun-blasting to the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Al and Judy VanKeuren, for a festive 25th wedding anniversary on September 25, which was attended by approximately forty relatives and friends.

40 Years Ago - 1984

Everyone is invited to attend a celebration auction and bazaar on Saturday, November 30, at the Jewish Community Center in Monticello. Established in 1834, the center is one of the oldest public service institutions in the area and is celebrating 50 years of service to the community.

For the past several weeks, a flock of Canada geese have made the grassy Loch Sheldrake campus of Sullivan County Community College their home.

Judith Carol Haas and Gary Edward Siegel, both of Livingston Manor, were married Sunday evening, September 22, at the Edgewood Inn in Livingston Manor. A reception followed at the Inn.

Don Kobiela of Cochecton won the Hunter Lake Invitational in Bethel. Chet Stungis of Harris finished second. Juan Rios of Hortonville was a big-time winner when he hooked into a 40-lb. salmon while fishing in Pulaski recently.

The Eighth Annual Oktoberfest recorded close to 6,000 attendees. The Papa Bear Band provided music on Saturday and the Werner Heckmann Band on Sunday. Die Bergvagabunden Schuhplattler Dancers mixed and mingled with the audience while also performing some of the more traditional German dances. Elaine Giguere, executive director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, said that the Oktoberfest, which originated in Germany, celebrates the bringing in of the hops for making beer.

Harold Maas, lifelong resident of Lake Huntington, retired photographer and proprietor of the Keen Art Photo Studio, died Saturday, October 6, at the age of 85. He took many yearbook pictures for area schools over the years as well as photographing weddings and other family gatherings.

Miss Sharon Lynne Dougherty and Paul Rouis III were married on August 11 at the New London, Pa., Presbyterian Church.

John Vogt of the Town of Highland was named Sportsman of the Year at the gathering of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County held at King’s Catering House in Livingston Manor Saturday night.

30 Years Ago - 1994

Attorneys for the Town of Neversink and the County of Sullivan go into Supreme Court in Monticello this morning to argue why the county should – or shouldn’t – offer its citizens the right to vote on a nine-member legislature this coming November.

Last November, when Sullivan residents voted overwhelmingly to replace the county code with a county Charter, they also ordered the county to present a legislative option to the voters at the next general election.

The “bird people” of the region gathered on Sunday to promote their avian pets in a show more geared to education than competition.

Sullivan County Community College and the Sullivan County Industrial Development Agency will host a three-day visit from Kosugi Town, Japan on Thursday, October 13, through Saturday, October 14, in Sullivan County.

Governor Mario M. Cuomo has announced that Tom Hubers of Callicoon is the Sullivan County recipient  for the first annual Governor’s Award for Seniors of Distinction. Tom has volunteered countless hours in support of the poor and homeless in Sullivan County. The soup kitchen for the needy in Monticello was named “TOMS,” Together for Meals, as a tribute to Hubers’ years of effort.

In keeping with Disability Awareness Week, the United Way of Sullivan County and the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce opened a new ramp to their offices at 26 Landfield Avenue Tuesday.

Fred Tegeler, Republican Supervisor from the Town of Tusten, fell victim to an apparent heart attack in his office at the Sullivan County Government Center shortly after lunch yesterday afternoon while he was waiting for the monthly meeting of the board of supervisors to begin.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey came to visit the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School in Fallsburg Wednesday and announced a $334,800 award from the Department of Health and Human Services for Sullivan County Head Start program.

Susan Ann Eronimous and James H. Schmidt were united in marriage on July 30 with the Rev. William Robertson officiating. The bride is the daughter of Thomas and Sally Eronimous of Swan Lake. The bridegroom is the son of John and Hazel Schmidt of White Sulphur Springs.

Mary Alice Brennan of Baldwinsville, daughter of James and Judy Brennan of Liberty, and Paul Brunell of Baldwinsville, son of Raymond and Rosemarie Brunell of Pulaski, were married on August 13, 1994, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Liberty. Father Edward Straub performed the 3 p.m. Nuptial Mass.

On Tuesday evening, the Mothers of Bethel (MOB) donated $8,000 to the Bethel Volunteer Ambulance Corps from funds gathered through a “bakeless bake sale.” The MOB, originated in 1968 and now boasts approximately 30 members, have collected and donated over $100,000 to emergency services in the past 15 years and is used to purchase medical supplies, operating insurance, vehicle fuel and other items for the ambulance corps. Presentation was attended by Raymond Neuenhoff, president of the Bethel Volunteer Ambulance Corps; Jean Brucher, treasurer of MOB; B.J. Gettel, treasurer of the ambulance corps; and Lillyan Liese, president of MOB.

The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) played host to a variety of state and federal agencies on Friday, September 30, at a meeting to open dialogue concerning the right of navigation and the strand issues as they relate specifically to the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.

The strand (or foreshore), that area of land between the high and low water marks, has been the subject of numerous court cases, position papers and debates throughout the years. At issue is who owns this land – the riparian landowner, or the state – who has the rights to use the land, and under what circumstances.

20 Years Ago - 2004

Eddie Adams’ annual photography workshop went all digital this year. The annual workshop took place at his Jeffersonville  studio even though Adams passed away just last month – because that is what Eddie would have wanted. 

The newest candidate for state attorney general is right in our backyard. Sean Maloney, a former West Wing advisor for President Bill Clinton, is all set to fill Eliot Spitzer’s shoes when the current attorney general makes a run for governor. But first the Democrat needs to get out and meet the public – and get the vote.

Narrowsburg Central’s graduating class of 1959 recently met for their 45th reunion at the Central House in Beach Lake, Pa. The following morning, the former classmates had breakfast at Dave’s Big Eddy in Narrowsburg. Attending the breakfast were Betty LaBar Smith, Katherine Kraus Vanatta, Deanna Esselman Tegeler, Leona Kuen Tyler, James Meyers, Walter Wolf, Edward Schultz, Arthur Koberlein, Arthur Butzgy, and Walter Schneider.

The face of Main Street in Jeffersonville is already looking very different. The volunteers and TV staff putting together “Town Haul,” have gotten right to work. They spent the last week rehabbing Amazing Bargains on the corner of Main and Center streets – once the local bowling alley.

The Woodbourne Fire Company responded with a team effort after one of its own lost his home to a fire recently. Their efforts culminated in a well-attended spaghetti dinner at the department’s firehouse on Sunday evening. Bill and Dawn Mance and their daughter, Stephanie Rossi, lost all of their belongings when the apartment they were residing in burned in a fire last month.

10 Years Ago - 2014

What Janet Brahm liked was people. Helping people. Before her death last week after a battle with cancer, Brahm had served the Town of Callicoon for 23 years as town clerk. She’d been the town’s tax collector, its bookkeeper, and for 29 years was secretary of the Youngsville Water District. But her service to her adopted community – born in Brooklyn, she later married Louis Brahm, and the couple made their home in Youngsville – didn’t end there. The mother of two, grandmother of three, served over the years as a president of the Youngsville Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, as treasurer of the Jeffersonville First Aid Squad, treasurer of the Orange/Sullivan Town Clerks Association, and a Girl Scout leader. And she did it all with hearing aids in her ears and a tendency to read lips to understand what folks were saying. 

John F. Staesser of Long Eddy, a retired truck driver for Sullivan County Department of Public Works, died Sunday, October 12, 2014 in Roscoe, NY. He was the son of the late William Sr. and Emma Knoble Staesser, and the widower of Betty Smith Staesser.