Around the Neighborhood - Gilboa/Conesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 13 February 2026

Finally, this Tuesday morning we are getting a break in the weather here in Flat Creek. It seems good to see the temperature climbing into the thirties. However, weather predictions call for rain, sleet and some freezing rain. I shoveled out a path for my fuel oil delivery today. Like a lot of others, with the temperature dipping to minus fifteen Monday morning and before that about twenty-two days of below freezing, our furnaces never seem to stop. I understand it got down as low as twenty-two degrees in Florida. For them that is really a bad situation. Just think a few more weeks and perhaps Spring will arrive early.

I was very sorry to learn that Wayne Pickett passed away last Wednesday. Wayne was a fellow co-worker at NYPA and a retiree. Condolences to his wife Christine and family. A memorial service will be held in the Spring. 

The Gilboa Town Board met at the town hall Monday evening. All abstracts are signed at least two days before the meeting by the board, which makes it so the meeting is not drawn out. With Supervisor Alicia at the helm the meeting’s agenda is conducted with professionalism. She thanks the board for taking time to come in days before the meeting to get that job done.  All business that came before the board was discussed. If voting was needed, motions were made, seconded and all in favor. Like any other town there is a lot on our plate. 

With Conesville Historical Societies Trivia Night to be held on February 21, 6:30pm at the Conesville Fire Hall, President and members are looking for some things that are needed. If anyone can help with the following items and for more information, please reach out to laurmatt220@gmail.com or 607-588-9480. Needed are 2 Crockpots of Mac & Cheese, Baked goods of brownies, cookies, cupcakes, a case of water, several types of sodas (cans), coffee and milk. 

I have a habit of enjoying my second cup of morning coffee sitting in front of the bay window watching the birds at the feeder. Sunday morning low and behold I spotted four Purple Finch’s. Two beautiful red raspberry-colored males and two plain brownish color females. I had to get my bird book and binoculars out to make sure that it was exactly what I was seeing. Reading about them my book says they come out around this time of year. I haven’t seen my Cardinal yet. At the feeder every day are, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, red squirrel and yes, even a big doe who loves to dig in the snow for bird seed the birds have dropped while eating. I often wonder just how the animals stay warm in these frigid temperatures. Like my cat Maggie Jean who I rescued from my barn, I now have another black cat staying there. He/she is very skittish. I do feed it. When I go out to put the food on the step I call as loud as I can. By the time I close the porch door it is coming out of the barn as a fast clip. I talk to it by the porch window and it just does not seem to know whether to stay or run. I quickly enter the house so it can eat in peace. I was very worried about how it would manage with the cold temperature. Then I thought probably it snuggled down in the hay.

If you need a place closer to home to go to for Valentines Day, the F.A.R. trio will be setting the mood on Saturday, February 14 at the Sunken City Cidery, located on Stryker Road here in Gilboa. Not only that, but Cousin’s Maine Lobster also will be rolling in from 12-6pm. Owner Liz tells me all that is left is to add a little cider and a whole lotta love. View all upcoming events in this column.

If you have listened to radio station WRIP 97.9 from Windham, I hope you got the chance to hear the Windham School 6th graders interview Joe Loverro one morning last week. I understand the class is doing a podcast and with Joe’s help I am sure it will be great. Those kids asked a lot of questions which Joe graciously answered every one of them. He talked and showed them hands on exactly how the station operates I have no doubt they all came away with a new knowledge of what it takes to run a radio station and just what a great job the whole staff does. Thanks Joe.

Back in Time: If you seem to be having aches and pains from all this frigid weather back in 1920 Mrs. Morris finds a cure for Rheumatism. She states, “I suffered from rheumatism in my knee for over a week last winter,” writes Mrs. Frank Morris, Jamesville, NY. “It kept me awake at night and the pain was sometimes dreadful. I obtained a bottle of Chamberlain’s Liniment. After the second application, I rested comfortably all night and by applying it for a few days I was cured. “I wonder if the liniment still exists. I would also not be surprised that she she purchased the Liniment from Wakins. 

Prayer Concerns: The Wayne Pickett family. 

Birthdays:  February 13 Kory Ciaravino, 14 Karen Mahar, 16 Manley Haight, 20 Yvonne Wood and your Gilboa/Conesville Mtn Eagle correspondent celebrate this day together. Happy Birthday to each and everyone. Enjoy that special day, Blessed in the Lord. 

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: February 17, 7:00pm GCCS Board meeting in the auditorium. Feb. 27 8:45am, Wildcat Wonders. 

Upcoming Events: Friday, Feb. 13 Sunken City Cider opens 3-6pm, Feb. 14 Sunken city cidery (see above), Sunday Feb. 15, Sunken City Cidery open 12-4pm with a special time to watch the Daytona 500, enjoy food from The Reservoir Sunken City Eats.

February 21 trivia night at Conesville Fire House 6:30pmm  

Sunday Worship Services:

Gilboa Methodist: 9:00am located on 990V Gilboa February 17, 3pm Worship service at the Sr. Living in Stamford. Feb 18, 5:00pm Ash Wednesday Service at Stamford, Feb. 23, 10:00am Bible Study at Stamford with another study 6:00pm at Harpersfield Church. 

Flat Creek Baptist: Flat Creek Road, 9:30am Sunday School, 10:30am worship service with coffee and fellowship following the service.  

Conesville United Methodist Chapel: First and Third Sunday of the month 4:00pm Route 990V.

Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net