Gilboa/Conesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 13 March 2026

Saturday afternoon I met up with my friends Barbara DeWitt and her daughter Jackie at Pasta Grill in Middleburgh for lunch. After lunch and with the weather so nice we walked up to the Everything Shop where I got to visit Sandy whom I haven’t seen in a while. Then we went to the Treasure Barn on Rte. 30. Lacy has Easter items out and they are simply lovely. Arriving home around 2:30pm as I opened the house door I could hear a motor running. I knew right away it was the sump pump. Sure enough, water was coming in the basement from the rapidly melting snow. The pump was working fine until I told myself something is not right with it. It would pump the water out of the large bucket but then it would not shut off like it was supposed to do. On and off. I knew if I didn’t do something the pump motor might burn up. A quick call to neighbor Joe Wyckoff and his son Kody was all it took. Joe found the problem within a few minutes. Apparently, a little round rubber piece came off the bottom of float. Joe found it in the freezing cold water in the bucket. As soon as he put it back on the pump worked like it was supposed to. I was ever so grateful, especially when I told him Joe if it happens again, I now know what to do. Joe’s answer was no way, that is what we are here for. A phone call away. The sump pump continued to run all night until Sunday evening. I know there were some others who had water problems as well. One thing I was most happy with was that Aaron’s Electric installed a Generac Generator at my daughter Diane’s home in Grand Gorge last week. Diane is on the Gilboa line which feeds power to me as well. During rainy weather she too gets water in her basement. She has a sump pump as well. Now she won’t have to start up the portable generator when the power goes out to keep the sump pump going.  That is a relief off her mind. Until you experience something like water in your basement and no power you come to realize something surely needs to change. 

Lots of upcoming events. Be sure to check out Upcoming Events in this column. 

Linda Karlsen tells me her sister Karen lost one of her little dogs Cheyanne Rose. She was 19yrs, 4months and 9days old. She had heart problems for 9 years and her vet doctor kept her alive. Now Linda is having a problem with her kitty cat. Apparently, her little guy is anemic. So now she is waiting to see what can be done for him. Hoping everything goes okay for these gals and their pets. All our pets are considered family and when one passes it hurts as well. 

The Gilboa Historical Society will be holding the Gilboa Fest this year on July 12, Linda Karlsen is looking for vendors to join in the festival. For more information and to register e-mail her at cholepj4@aol.com 

St. Patrick’s Day parade in Durham begins at 1:00pm, Sunday, March 15. Gavin’s Irish Country Inn will feature some grand music and delicious food beginning on Friday, March 13. Check out their web site for upcoming events at the Inn. Owner Bernadette Gavin will make sure you enjoy your time there. 

If you are interested in the Community Clothes Closet event again this year you can begin bringing items (20 pieces) to the Gilboa Town Hall. Last year’s event was titled Community Clothing Exchange and now changed to Community Clothing Closet. The first event was quite successful and even better yet, it is FREE. Good clean clothing is accepted only. Items for adults, children, baby clothes, and so much more. The event is on March 21, 10am-1pm.  If you need to contact Linda, call 607-588-6400. Once again, Linda and Cindy are heading up this event. 

Back in Time: Whenever I want to find something interesting for my Back in Time writings, I cannot believe how much history my two bookshelves hold. Sometimes when I pick something out to write in the column, I first must read the whole article which I am ever so fascinated with. While looking for an article I came across a very yellowed copy of the Stamford Mirror Recorder from February 1978. That was when a severe flood hit Prattsville.  Oh my! I said to myself a full page of pictures on the front page plus pictures inside as well. I remember when men tried to save Willis Lutz’s cattle, Don Cronk’s house with him standing on his porch with his dog King beside him describing to the media “the worst flood in 40 years” and NYC water supply personnel using a rowboat to help with evacuations and so much more.  It reminded me of the flood of 2011 which was considerable worse. I hope someday the history I have on those shelves will be given to the right places so it can all be rightfully preserved.

Prayer Concerns: Connie Ruehle, here in Gilboa and Peggy Lee in Conesville along with all who may be hurting at this writing. 

Birthdays: March 16 Derrick Brandow, 17 Ruth Turesdell, 19 Barbara Deimold, 20 Thomas Pickett. Enjoy that special day, Blessed in the Lord. 

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: March 19 early release, March 27, 7:00pm & March 28 4:00pm Drama Production. 

Upcoming Events:

Friday, March 13 Sunken City Cidery monthly Trivia. “Think & Sip” 7-9pm, Food truck on site. 

Saturday,

Saturday, March 14, Sunken City Cidery begins with Yoga 11am-12noon. Then from 12noon-5pm the Cidery invites you to Dine in or Take Out with a Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner and their full menu will be available just in case you aren’t in the mood for corned beef.  Enjoy great live music with some local Celtic favorites from Black Mountain Symphony. Yoga 11am-12 noon

Sunday, March 15, Sunken City Cidery opens 12noon-4pm with light eats available. 

Monday, March 23, The Conesville Historical Society hosts Jason Merwin Executive Director Catskill Watershed at 6:00pm at the Conesville Chapel. 

 Saturday, March 29, Grand Gorge Fire Department hosts a fundraiser for David Legel.  If you would like to donate a basket for the Raffle, business, personnel etc. it needs to be turned in by March 20. For any questions contact, Danyelle 607-267-8186, Corey 518-588-7473, Jim 607-437-1133.  

March 21, 10am-3:00pm presented by NYPA. Photos with the Easter Bunny, crafts and so much more.  I believe all events will take place at Minekill State Park due to ongoing renovations at the Lansing Manor complex.  

Sunday Worship Services:

Gilboa Methodist:  9:00am located on 990V Gilboa with Pastor Dawn Richards. March 19 & 22, Pastor Dawn and Pastor Peg switch pulpits for worship services. 

Flat Creek Baptist: Flat Creek Road, with Pastor Paul Overbaugh, 9:30am Sunday School, 10:30am worship service with coffee and fellowship following the service.  Women’s Bible Study every Thursday morning 10:00am at Robinson Terrace Assisted Living on Buntline Drive. 

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

Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net