CMNews, cemetery listing add to historic resources

Aug 10, 2012 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) is happy to announce that a new database of headstone inscriptions from the Margaretville Village Cemetery, and five more years of vintage Catskill Mountain News have been posted online.

Web users can find the cemetery listing and associated map at the Delaware County Genealogy and History website, www.dcnyhistory.org/MvilleCemIndex.html.

For the first time, web users can find more than 2,000 names arranged alphabetically. Entries include birth and date dates as recorded on the headstone, along with military service information, epitaphs and inscriptions about family members.

Some entries include clarifications or additional information gleaned from other sources if there were questions or discrepancies uncovered in the inventory process.

The field work was conducted by Friends of Middletown Cemeteries. The database was assembled by Trish Adams. It can be searched by name or subject, or browsed chronologically.

Researchers can now also search and browse the Margaretville-based Catskill Mountain News from July 13, 1902 to June 29, 1967. HSM is steadily working to have the News digitized through 1973. This ongoing project is made possible by several individual donors and the O’Connor Foundation. Visit http://history.catskill.net to find this treasure trove of history.

The newly added issues take readers back to a time when dial telephone service began (April 26, 1962), the Arkville School closed (August 16, 1962), Halcottsville Pond was eyed for a town park (Feb. 21, 1963), and, in the some-things-never-change department, a community pool was proposed for the Arkville flats (July 22, 1965).

There were many openings — the new lodge at Belleayre Ski Center ( March 1, 1962), the BOCES center at the former Rexmere Hotel in Stamford (Jan. 13, 1966), the A&P store on Bridge Street, Margaretville (Jan. 12, 1967), and Roxbury Run Village (late 1965).

The August 15, 1963 issue contains a special history section for the Bicentennial observance of Middletown’s settlement, and the Nov. 28, 1963 issue describes local reaction to President Kennedy’s assassination.

Vendors sought for Cauliflower Festival

Aug 10, 2012 | news archive

The Ninth Annual Margaretville Cauliflower Festival will be held rain or shine Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 to 4 in the Village Park, Margaretville.

Space is still available for vendors, community organizations and artisans. Visit www.cauliflowerfestival.com to find forms, or call 845-586-3300 for information. Artists who prefer to be in the large tent must reserve their space with payment by August 25.

This free festival, sponsored by the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce, was canceled in 2011 as Margaretville was still reeling from the heavy blow dealt by Hurricane Irene. The 2012 festival will not only celebrate local foods and the region’s agricultural heritage, but also the resilience of this community and the Catskill Mountain spirit.

Bushels of cauliflower and other locally produced items will be for sale. Festival fare will range from cauliflower soup to pulled pork. Highlighting the entertainment offerings this year will be the popular Catskill Mountain Boys, and the Blue Ribbon Cloggers.

A variety of children’s activities will be offered. A Tractor Parade, showing off vintage and modern day tractors, will roll around festival grounds at 11:30. And Catskill Outback Adventures will have the zipline ready for a quick trip across the East Branch of the Delaware.

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown will host “Barn Yesterday,” an exhibit of photographs and brief histories of some of the remaining barns in town. The exhibit will be displayed in the History Tent, which will also feature photos, artifacts and memorabilia from the heyday of the cauliflower industry in the Catskills.

Craftsman Wayne Ford of Denver will demonstrate the art of timber framing, a specialized version of post and beam construction that uses mortise and tenon joinery, held in place with wooden pegs. There will also be speakers on farm and garden topics.

Many fine artisans, a variety of vendors, and several area environmental and civic organizations, will fill the Village Park for the festival, which is supported by Coldwell/Banker Timberland Properties; MTC; Directive, Inc., and HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley.

Historic Margaretville subject of slide show

Historic Margaretville subject of slide show

Jul 18, 2012 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will host a slide show of historic images of Margaretville Wednesday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the HSM hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville.

Admission is $2; HSM members get in free.

Halcottsville post card collector Lynda Stratton and daughter Kathy Roberts have organized a program of some 200 images of buildings, street scenes, river views and localized greetings. They range from the 1890s to the 1970s.

Pictured are business blocks, the hospital (old and new), the school, two covered bridges, several hotels, Delaware & Eastern (Northern) RR station and engines, several individual homes, and much more.

Some of the photos show places that are familiar to us today. Others have been gone for decades, and more than a few have been altered so much that they can barely be recognized.

The Myers Block, where NBT is now

Historical information and personal recollections of any of the buildings pictured will be gratefully received.

Stratton and Roberts presented a popular program on Arkville images last summer that drew a standing room only crowd.

FMI: history@catskill.net, or call 845-586-4973.

HSM seeks items for Flea Market table

Jul 7, 2012 | news archive

The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM) will have a table at the Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary Antique and Flea Market August 4 at Margaretville Village Park. Proceeds from the table will go towards renovations of the HSM hall.

HSM needs a little help from our friends to make this fundraising effort successful. If you can donate an item that’s portable and in good shape – it does not have to be an antique – please call Diane Galusha (845-586-4973; cybercat@catskill.net) or any other member of the HSM Executive Committee (Lucci Kelly, Marilyn Pitetti, Roger Davis, Phil O’Beirne, George Hendricks or Carolyn Konheim).

Pick-up can be arranged, or you may deliver the item to the hall, 778 Cemetery Road, Margaretville, on Wednesday, August 1 between 5 and 8 p.m.

For details on upcoming programs, lots of local history, dozens of old photographs, and information on how to donate or become an HSM member, visit www.mtownhistory.org.

 

Living History Cemetery Tour This Saturday

Living History Cemetery Tour This Saturday

Jun 26, 2012 | news archive

Ten area residents will portray people from Middletown’s past in a “Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery” to be held Saturday, June 30 by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM). Rain date is July 1.

Margaretville Cemetery is located on Cemetery Road, one block off upper Main Street (NYS Route 30).

This is an opportunity to enjoy a summer evening’s stroll through the historic park-like cemetery to get acquainted with some of the movers, shakers and just plain folk who populated Middletown’s colorful past.

The one-hour walking tour, led by costumed docents, will be offered every 20 minutes starting at 6 p.m. The last tour starts at 8 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10; $5 for children aged 8-15. Water and snacks will be available for purchase.

The cast and docents, with directors Frank Canavan and Joyce St. George, pose during dress rehearsal June 27.

Tours are limited to 20 people and will be filled first come, first served. The route is less than a mile, and is generally flat, with one short, moderate hill climb. One golf cart per tour will be available to accommodate people with mobility issues. Those who need this assistance are advised to call 845-586-4973 in advance to reserve a tour time. No other reservations will be taken.

Please note there are no sanitary facilities at the cemetery.

This unique opportunity to visit with Middletown’s dear departed begins with a welcome at the cemetery gate from Undertaker Charles Gorsch, played by John Hartner.

Other subjects include J. Francis and Adah Murphy, founders of the Pakatakan Artists Colony in Arkville (played by Fred Margulies and Elizabeth Sherr); farmer George Hendricks (played by George Hendricks, Jr.); doctor, legislator, editor and anti-war advocate Orson Allaben (portrayed by John Bernhardt); and famed outdoorsman and animal trainer Niles Fairbairn (portrayed by Michael Fairbairn).

Artists J. Francis Murphy, right, and Adah Murphy, center, looking at her husband, are among subjects to be portrayed at the cemetery tour. Photo courtesy David and Meg Leveson

Also, legendary log raft steersman Erastus Clute (played by Joe Hewitt); beloved Margaretville Hospital founder Dr. Gordon Maurer (portrayed by Kent Brown); and attorney Ward DeSilva and his milliner wife Margaret, whose bright futures were cut short in the 1919 flu epidemic. The DeSilvas will be portrayed by Ken and Amy Taylor.

Cast named for Cemetery Tour

Jun 3, 2012 | news archive

Ten area residents will portray people from Middletown’s past in an unusual fundraising event to be held Saturday, June 30 by the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown (HSM).

In the “Living History Tour of Margaretville Cemetery,” costumed portrayers will bring to life artists and farmers, lawyers and raftsmen, doctors and editors who now lie beneath the sod. Docents will lead visitors through the picturesque grounds to meet each subject and hear about their occupations, their lives and their loves. This promises to be a moving tribute to folks who have gone before, and to a community whose history is inscribed in us, the living.

The one-hour, evening tour, offered every 15 minutes between 6 and 8 p.m., begins with a welcome at the cemetery gate from The Undertaker, played by John Hartner.

Other players, and the people they will portray, are Fred Margulies and Beth Sherr as J. Francis and Adah Murphy, founders of the Pakatakan Arts Colony in Arkville; George Hendricks, as his great-great-grandfather, farmer George Hendricks; and John Bernhardt as doctor, politician, editor and Margaretville Village developer Orson Allaben.

Mike Fairbairn will play his great-uncle, Niles Fairbairn, famed outdoorsman and animal trainer; Joe Hewitt will portray legendary log raft steersman Erastus Clute; Kent Brown will appear as the beloved Margaretville Hospital founder Dr. Gordon Maurer; and Ken and Amy Taylor will play Ward and Margaret DeSilva, whose bright futures were cut short in the 1919 flu epidemic, leaving their two little girls orphaned.

Frank Canavan directs this event. Docents are Anne Sanford, Tina Greene, Gretchen Balcom, Vashti Snyder and Barbara Atkin.

Mark your calendars for this special evening (rain date July 1).

For more information on HSM events and activities, visit www.mtownhistory.org, or email history@catskill.net.