Amy Taylor of Margaretville is the newest trustee of the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown. She was elected by HSM members at the organization’s tenth annual meeting and luncheon October 26.

Amy, husband Ken and their four children have been active members of the Society for several years, and in particular have served as performers, docents, script writers and site volunteers for the annual Living History Cemetery Tour since it was initiated in 2012.

The tour was one of many 2014 events and activities to be reviewed at the annual meeting, when 45 people enjoyed an autumn luncheon prepared by Anna Blish, and a program by George Quinn, author of Skiing in the Catskill Region.

Winning tickets were drawn for three raffle prizes. Eleanor Mager won a framed work of cut paper art by Marcia Guthrie. Nate Hendricks won a half-gallon of maple syrup made by John Riedel and donated by Anne Sanford. Randy Sanford won a ceramic platter made and donated by Ros Welchman.

The Sunday afternoon event brought to a close a busy year that included five programs at the HSM hall on Cemetery Road. Some 250 people attended the programs ranging from Ice Age geology to Old School Baptist Church music. HSM participated in the collaborative headwaters History Days; hosted exhibits at the Margaretville Cauliflower Festival; and joined with the Margaretville Fire Department to sponsor scholarships for two MCS seniors.

The Third Annual Cemetery Tour took place in June at Sanford Cemetery in Dunraven and drew 130 people. Successful fundraising events were also held at Spillian, the former Fleischmann family mansion in Fleischmanns; and at The Raven’s Nest, the Margaretville home of Tom and Connie Jeffers.

A new roof was put on the HSM hall this year, a project that was supported by grants from the O’Connor Foundation, the Community Foundation of South Central New York, NBT Bank and many members and friends of the Society. New lights, along with antique fixtures donated by Dick and Jennie Liddle, were also installed in the hall, which was rented out for two private parties.

An illuminating talk, “From Candle to Bulb: A History of Lighting” will be presented by Paul Misko on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. at the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM), 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville.

The program will cover ancient oil lamps, whale oil, lard and kerosene lamps, and end with early flashlights.

Misko will discuss how changes in lighting changed our lifestyles through the ages. He will bring a number of lamps and lanterns and will light up several of them to show how they worked. He will discuss the shortcomings and dangers of the various fuels, and the constant struggle of inventors to improve both the amount of light, and safety of the many types of lamps used.

Paul Misko, a historian from the Woodland Valley area in Ulster County, gives talks, does radio and writes articles on Catskill hiking and history. He is the founder of the Catskill 4000 Club, whose focus is exploring not only great views, but the history of the Catskills as well.

An illustrated talk on the Delaware & Northern Railroad (“The Damn Nuisance”) will be presented Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown’s annual meeting and luncheon.

The event begins at noon at the HSM hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville. It will include a report on HSM’s activities over the past year. Current and prospective HSM members are most welcome.

The winning ticket for a beautiful painting by Alix Travis, “Mailboxes,” will be drawn following the program. A door prize or two will also be offered.

Admission is $15 and reservations are required for the luncheon of country comfort food prepared by chef Chris McGee (formerly of Hogan’s Back Room in Andes, now of Spillian in Fleischmanns) – tomato glazed meatloaf, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans, with carrot cake for dessert. A vegetarian loaf will be offered for those who do not eat meat. Call 845-586-2860 by Oct. 19 to reserve your seat.

Antiquarian Richard Axtell will provide antique appraisals, while collectors of glass, clocks, memorabilia, postcards and more will display and discuss their collections on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Historical Society of Middletown, 778 Cemetery Rd., Margaretville.

The Collectors’ Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with appraisals conducted from 11-2. Admission to the hall is free; appraisals cost $5 per item. There will be door prizes and raffles, and refreshments will be available.

Richard “Smitty” Axtell started the House of Axtell Antiques, also known as “The Rookery,” in 1968 in a lovingly restored inn in Deposit, NY. The Rookery houses fine, museum quality examples of early Americana including baskets, stoneware, treenware, redware, folk art, iron hearth accessories, country furniture, textiles, art work, glassware and early lighting devices.

Axtell has carefully researched his ever-evolving collection of antiques, which he exhibits at shows throughout the east. In 2012, The Rookery Bookery was established offering books, poetry, pamphlets, song books, journals and manuscripts, some dating to the early 18th century.

Collectors who will be on hand September 12 to showcase their specialties include Robert Abbate of Andes, Depression glass; Bill Karpoich of Roxbury, cottage clocks; Debra Tuthill of Treadwell, Shirley Temple collectibles; John Duda of Fleischmanns, local postcards and British Royal commemorative items; Marsha Kathmann of Delhi, Boyd bears; and Peg Kearney of Fleischmanns, specialty ceramic items.

Shirley Temple

Debra Tuthill collects “everything Shirley Temple” reflecting her admiration for the 1930s child star who starred in 43 feature films in a Hollywood career that stretched into adulthood. Shirley Temple Black (1928-2014) also served in the US Congress, and as ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia.

John Duda will display his personal collection of Fleischmanns, Middletown and Pepacton Reservoir postcards and will also sell cards of other areas and topics. He will showcase his collection of British Royal memorabilia as well. It includes commemorative china, books and ephemera such as souvenir publications from Elizabeth’s coronation and post cards going back to Queen Victoria.