Around the Neighborhood - Gilboa/Conesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 15 January 2026

We got just a little January weather break this past week. Then on Sunday evening the wind began and a snow squall hit here in Flat Creek. For a little while there was no way I could see across the road as I looked out the front window. It was a good time to watch my BILLS play. What a fourth quarter nail biter that was with quarterback Josh Allen making a touchdown with only seconds to go. It ended with BILLS team player Bosa intercepting the play from the Jaguars. With that it was then two knee downs with the game ending. I was totally thrilled and I know fellow correspondent Ginny was too.  Next Sunday there is another BILLS game. I am sure you know who I will be rooting for.

If you get a little bored staying put, you need only to visit The Treasure Barn located on Rte. 30 outside of Middleburgh. Look for the sign and open flag. Lacy Haskin has an amazing number of wonderful items from delicious fudge to special gifts, clothing, quilts, signs and so much more. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am-3pm.    

I was sorry to learn that Louise Mudge and Jerry Raider have passed away. Louise’s celebration of life will be held in the Spring. Jerry Raider’s calling hours are Saturday, January 17, 1-3pm at Miller Funeral Home in Roxbury. Condolences to both families with the loss of their loved ones. 

Conesville Town Historian Kim wanted everyone to know that she is earnestly working on the 250th anniversary celebration. The event date is September 26, 2026. It will be a joint event with the Town of Conesville, Conesville Fire Department, and the Conesville Historical Society. The reason for such an early notification is that they will need some help, ideas, and if you know of any vendors etc. who would be interested in joining on that day.  Vendor spaces are $20 and benefit the Fire Department. They are also looking for historical reenactors and artisan demonstrations. There will be a parade so needing your help to let organizations know ahead of time would help as well.  Follow my column for more information on this celebration. If you would like to know in advance how much Kim and the CHS are planning for this event call Kim at 607-435-3258.

Pastor Dawn Richards will hold a 3:00pm Prayer, Tea and Fellowship at the parsonage in Stamford on January 21. Pastor Dawn pastors several churches including Gilboa Methodist Church. All are welcome to attend. 

The Flat Creek Baptist Church meeting will be held this coming Sunday after worship service. My error in last week’s column. There will be a time for fellowship before the meeting with desserts and coffee. 

Through January and February, the news about our two towns becomes very quiet like other small communities. I thought it would be a good reason to go Back in Time. I dug out my late hubby Vernon Pickett’s Great Grandmother Libby Teater’s diaries and went to the year 1936, ninety years ago. Erniel Briggs lived at Valley View Farm as did my hubby, who, during that year, would have been three years old. (another story) Living there were Vern’s great grandmother Libby, grandmother Bessie Cleaveland and her sister Ora Bel. Erniel was the hired man who milked the cows and worked the farm. He fell in love with Ora Bel and got engaged.   Sadly, Ora Bel passed away at age 19 of pneumonia and a tumor on the brain at Albany Med. She made Erniel promise her he would stay at Valley View Farm and watch over her mother Libby. Erniel lived up to that promise, never married and remained on the farm until his passing.  Here are some excerpts about Erniel in Grandma Teter’s diary.

Back in Time: January 21 Erniel picked up milk and went with Everett (I am thinking it was Everett Fancher) while Vernon (my Vern’s father) and Sidney (I believe Sidney Rogers) are getting ready to cut ice on Floyd’s pond. (Floyd and Sate Gordon’s home is my home. The lake is still here where ice was cut.)  On January 22nd, Erniel is cutting ice on the pond. In the middle of the night the town called for him to plow snow. He met the men at Gilboa. January 23, the snow is blowing something terrible and Erniel is still on the snowplow. Tonight, the wind is blowing a living gale Erniel stayed to Gilboa. January 24. It is a terrible day. Erniel is still on the snowplow.  The milk did not go today. The mail came twice. Erniel stayed to Newell’s (Newell Millers farm off Rte. 30 heading to Grand Gorge.) Newell was Town Superintendent or Supervisor at that time.  Finally, on the 25th Erniel came back to the farm. Erniel worked very hard on the farm.  Of course I did not get to know him until 1957. He was loved by my Vern, our two daughters and myself. The girls called him Uncle Erniel. They would go to the barn hand in hand and after chores, across the road they would come hand in hand. He was the best babysitter. There are so many stories in Libby’s diaries. Every hour was precious time for them. They all worked hard to make a living. However, there was always enough food on the table during their three meals a day.  It is amazing the way she spells some words which take a while to decipher. I learned a lot about Vern’s family history through reading these diaries along with Vern’s stories he would often tell me.  A lot more than my own family’s history.  Libby passed in 1953 and wrote in her diary until about two days before she passed away. 

Gilboa’s Town Board Organizational meeting was held Monday evening with Supervisor Alicia Terry at the helm. She began with the Pledge to the flag followed by roll call. All resolutions were read, followed by a motion and then a vote and all in favor with no one opposing. The rest of the meeting on the agenda ensued and the meeting was adjourned around 7:30pm.

Birthdays: January 17 Heidi Pickett, January 22 Nancy O’Hara.  Both of you, enjoy your special day Blessed in the Lord. 

Prayer Concerns: My sister Barbara, John Bubach, and others who may be ill at this writing. 

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: January 19 no school Martin Luther King Day. January 20-23 Regents Exams.   

Upcoming Events: Sunken City Cider Friday, Jan. 16 Cidery hours are extended 3-9pm with Trivia Think & Sip 7-9pm and the Reservoir Food Truck available. Saturday Yoga 11am-12noon, Live Music with ¼ of the way to St. Patrick’s Day you can enjoy music from the Black Mountain Symphony 3-6pm. Cousin Maine Lobster Food Truck available. Saturday, January 18th Paint & Sip 1-3pm Tickets available on website. The reservoir food truck available

Sunday Worship Services:

Gilboa Methodist: 9:00am located on 990V Gilboa 

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