Going with the flow

The good work of Terry and Sheila Shultz

By Kara Didrich | Manor Ink

For nearly 56 years, the lives of Terry and Sheila Shultz have been deeply interwoven with the fabric of Livingston Manor and the Town of Rockland, especially when it comes to its waters. The couple built a home in the area in 1970, and spent weekends and vacations here until retiring to the Catskills permanently. From the start, the Shultzes were involved in the community.

The first project they took on was to help plan and fund the first sewage treatment plant needed for Livingston Manor.

“Through the Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, we helped bring in the EPA to secure the funding needed,” explained Terry. Protecting the water supply for people and for fish was paramount to the Shultzes.

Terry grew up fly fishing in Massachusetts, traveling the world pursuing his passion long before meeting Sheila. Fly fishing later became a cornerstone of their marriage. “My parents were both fly fishers, and fly fishing was really very instrumental in much of my life and our marriage,” Terry said. “It has interwoven us in many things. It has been the source and the reason for trips; it’s also been the reason for vacations with our two sons, who were born in 1974 and 1978.”

Concern for Sullivan’s waters

The Shultzes’ mutual interest in fly fishing led to their concerns about water quality and conservation of the rivers and streams in our area. Both Terry and Sheila helped with the founding of the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum. Sheila served as an officer and trustee at the Center for several years. Terry has been an advisor and currently serves as a trustee.

“We lobbied hard for the use of ultraviolet light rather than chlorine, when Roscoe located its first sewage treatment plant near the river,” said Terry. “Chlorine kills the insect life that provides food for trout.” He went on to explain the prime objective behind his and Sheila’s efforts. “Our role in the last 50 years, and I think we’ve been fairly successful, is to show that you can have good water, and that’s both beneficial to people as well as to the fishery. And, of course, the fishery has a big economic impact in the community.”

Eying what ‘might come up’

Terry describes Sheila as “the smartest person I ever met.” Sheila shared her struggles pursuing a career in psychology as a woman in the 1960s and ’70s. She recalled getting told, “It’s too bad you got that scholarship, because it could have gone to a man.” Reflecting on that time, she noted, “We never even complained about it, because you didn’t know back then it could be different.”

Sheila attends most Town of Rockland board meetings and was the chairperson the Zoning Board of Appeals for 20 years. As she puts it, “I keep an eye out for things that might come up.”

One example occurred when NY State proposed eliminating Rte. 17’s Morsston exit when building the highway’s Parksville bypass. It was Sheila who saved it, pointing out that without it, people living on Old Rte. 17 could become trapped in a flooding situation, with no way out and no way for services to get to them.

Both Terry and Sheila are now in their eighth decade, but they haven’t slowed down much. Terry serves on the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Library and Catskill Fly Fishing Center boards, and Sheila holds a position as a permanent alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Their caring, commitment and instrumental work quietly contributes to building a better community for current and future residents of the Rockland community

“We lobbied hard for the use of ultraviolet light rather than chlorine, when Roscoe located its first sewage treatment plant near the river,” said Terry. “Chlorine kills the insect life that provides food for trout.” He went on to explain the prime objective behind his and Sheila’s efforts. “Our role in the last 50 years, and I think we’ve been fairly successful, is to show that you can have good water, and that’s both beneficial to people as well as to the fishery. And, of course, the fishery has a big economic impact in the community.”

Eying what ‘might come up’

Terry describes Sheila as “the smartest person I ever met.” Sheila shared her struggles pursuing a career in psychology as a woman in the 1960s and ’70s. She recalled getting told, “It’s too bad you got that scholarship, because it could have gone to a man.” Reflecting on that time, she noted, “We never even complained about it, because you didn’t know back then it could be different.”

Sheila attends most Town of Rockland board meetings and was the chairperson the Zoning Board of Appeals for 20 years. As she puts it, “I keep an eye out for things that might come up.”

One example occurred when NY State proposed eliminating Rte. 17’s Morsston exit when building the highway’s Parksville bypass. It was Sheila who saved it, pointing out that without it, people living on Old Rte. 17 could become trapped in a flooding situation, with no way out and no way for services to get to them.

Both Terry and Sheila are now in their eighth decade, but they haven’t slowed down much. Terry serves on the Livingston Manor-Roscoe Library and Catskill Fly Fishing Center boards, and Sheila holds a position as a permanent alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Their caring, commitment and instrumental work quietly contributes to building a better community for current and future residents of the Rockland community