The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will hold its annual meeting and luncheon Saturday, Oct. 23 at noon at the Margaretville Fire Hall on Church Street.

The featured speaker will be Chuck D’Imperio, author, broadcaster and noted raconteur. He will describe some of the 50 “Unknown Museums of Upstate New York” that are included in his book of the same name.

Space is limited. Reserve your spot by October 16 ($20 per person) by calling 845-586-2860 or emailing history@catskill.net.

The luncheon, catered by Mary’s Cookin’ Again, will feature chicken and vegetarian entrees. It will be followed by a business meeting that includes reports on the Society’s 2020-21 activities and finances, and the election of three HSM Trustees.

Members will be asked to approve new trustees Linda Armour, a Redkill native and retired elementary school teacher; and Gary Smith, a lifelong resident of Middletown who recently retired from the NYC DEP. Agnes Laub, a retired teacher and school administrator who lives in Fleischmanns, is seeking a second three-year term on the Board.

1932 Buick “gangster car”

Reservations are now being taken for a unique opportunity to see a collection of rare vintage vehicles at an August 21 fundraiser for the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM).

Denny Herzberg will host the event from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at his lovely property off Walker Road in Denver. Directions will be provided to those who reserve their spot ($30 for an individual, $50 per couple) by calling 845-586-2860 by August 15.

Herzberg will guide visitors on an open-air tour of his collection of 14 cars and one cherry red pickup truck, explaining their unique histories and describing the often unusual circumstances in which he acquired them.

Metal detectorists found history beneath the sod in Fleischmanns last weekend at the 5th Annual Relic Hunt sponsored by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown.

They unearthed coins, jewelry, tools, souvenirs, buttons, a police whistle, livestock bells and many other unusual finds, along with a lot of bottle caps, nails and other non-treasures. Members of the Nor-easters Metal Detecting Club are shown here at the Weeping Willows Getaway on Wagner Avenue, Fleischmanns, with club president Jessie Thompson at center.

The club made a generous donation to HSM’s Building Fund, while area lodging and dining establishments benefitted from the influx of more than 50 visitors for the weekend.