The Prattsville Scoop by Abby and Gabby - Memorial Day 2026

PRATTSVILLE – Hope your Memorial Day was filled with remembrances of your loved ones and you gave thanks for all the many who gave their all for us to enjoy our lives of freedom. We say “Thank you for your service” to those and the many who are with us presently. Now is a good time to say “Thank you” to all who supported the Memorial Day Parade in Prattsville sponsored by the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327. Those spectators along Maple Lane and Main Street were very respectful of the passing of the American Flag, standing as they should, with hands on hearts, and those veterans no longer able to march, saluting the flag. Many organizations and businesses joined the parade with their patriotic floats. Members of American Legion Bunt Brewer Post 165 were here to pay respects to their their fellow veterans and support their fellow Legionnaires. At the ceremonies on the Town Green, the children were quiet and non-active, thank you parents. Again, the spectators were very attentive of all the speeches paying respect to the fallen. It was a very meaningful Memorial Day.

The Zadock Pratt Museum’s tribute to veterans is now open to the public until the end of June. If you wish to have your veteran included in this event, stop by the Museum on Main Street, Prattsville, and ask about having your veteran presented. Yes, they are all heroes.

The Memorial Day Ceremonies in West Kill were very respectful, honoring our deceased veterans, and the prayers and poem touched all those in attendance. Thank you West Kill Volunteer Firemen and Auxiliary and those attending to pay their respects. And yes, thank you for making it okay to have ice cream for breakfast or at least a morning snack. Thank you for your support in all veteran activities.

Congratulations to Hannah Allen and Willie Briggs on the birth of their daughter Hazel. Hazel was born on May 17, weighing in at 8 lbs. 11 oz., and measuring 22 inches in length. Our very best wishes to this young family. P.S. to Hannah and Willie – try to get some sleep.

There will be a mutual celebration of life for deceased siblings, Jean Rikard Monnen and Daniel Rikard, at the Prattsville Firehouse on Saturday, June 13, 12 – 2 PM. Danny recently passed locally and Jean died suddenly a few days later in Niagara Falls, where she lived. Our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all the Rikard family.

There was positive support for one our businesses under new ownership – the Catskill Mtn. Liquor Store. Margaret called to say the wine tasting last Monday was well attended and she and Hannah are encouraged by your support. They looked patriotic with their entry in the Memorial Day Parade. Keep our business in town.

Jane and Joe Concato of Lexington stayed after parade and enjoyed hours of delicious ice cream from J-GimmieG’s, compliments of Diana, with Ginny Kennedy, Arnold and Diana Jaeger, Ginny Gurley, Marianne and Johannes Krauss. So much local history and ancestry were thrown at them we doubt they can get it mentally filed. Jane and Joe also shared their connections to our area that actually go back decades. They also knew the guest speaker, Jeff Lowe of Cairo, from days past. Joe is a proud member of the Prattsville Firemen. Thank you firemen for featuring the Memorial Day Parade on your announcement board. J-GimmieG’s is bow open for the season Friday and Saturday, 12-8 PM, and Sunday, 12- 7 PM.

The Gilboa Conesville CS 2026-2027 budget passed. Jackie McGuire retained her seat on the School Board of Education.

Heard that one time Prattsville resident Francis “Franny” Hull can use some speedy recovery wishes. Franny lives in Oneonta in a Senior housing development in close proximity to his cousins Don and Connie Lane, also one time Prattsville residents. You know that tagline, “I can see your house from here” and that is true with Fran and Don. Connie still drives locally, Oneonta, but they rely on their children for out of town doctors’ trips or other medical necessities. Stay hale and hearty. Also got to meet the new owners of Donnie and Connie’s home on Mattice Road. They are a young couple with a very active and appealing boy, think they said he was three years old but has the energy of 5 teenagers. Just wait until he is a teenager. He is also very inquisitive.

Randy Brainerd can use our continued prayers for good health.

The American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327 wishes to thank all the many and generous contributors to their Poppy Fund. Those funds will go towards Veterans’ food banks or medical bills or other living expenses. You may still see some Poppy cans about because if there are any poppies left, the needs for those funds are ongoing. Thank you go out to the American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 for putting up the Honor a Veteran banners on Main Street, Prattsville. Their motto is “Still Serving” and yes they are.

The Reformed Church of Prattsville is having a chicken barbecue Saturday, June 6, on the parsonage lawn (across from Jim's Great American).  Chicken halves are $10 and 1 lb. containers of potato salad and baked beans are $4 each. Chicken and sides will be available at noon till sold-out.   The monies realized will be used for the restoration of the exterior of the church building.  In addition to the barbecue, the Gilboa-Conesville/Roxbury Cheer Captains will have a bake sale with lots of homemade goodies, also held at the parsonage.

Although they are on the mend, the following have had a few set backs. Connie Ruehle and Maurice Mudge can continue to use our prayers and good wishes. We send them those wishes herewith. Take care.

Follow up for Smyrna’s dandelion bread. Roxie Mudge King said she got to sample a slice of it and it was delicious. Smyrna, your labors are appreciated and you did a good job.

Al Martel was treated to a birthday cake at the Coffee Hour at St. Philip Neri RC Church on Sunday, the 24th. It was also the Feast Day of St. Philip Neri but that had to be delayed because it was Pentecost Sunday. Claudia Bracaliello would hunt far and wide, in local gardens or roadsides, for red flowers, red being the color for Pentecost, for floral arrangements in her churches. How did you make out Claudia? Want to share this with Claudia because of her talent for matching the color of flowers with the Church calendar. There is a group in the Albany area celebrating the Pinkster Festival. It was stated that Pinkster is a word with Dutch origins and means Pentecost. I thought pinkster was just the word for wild azaleas. The TV is good for something. Now is the time to wish Claudia the best of health and look forward to telling her that in person. We also thank Claudia, and spouse Ray (USAF) for her military service, (USN). They were among the spectators this Memorial Day. Stay well.

Happy Birthday to Roxie Mudge King on May 30, make it special for her Jim. Happy Birthday wishes go out to Beverly Hull Gockel and Gene Brainerd on June 1. And again to Dolores Decker, Happy Birthday on June 2. Our Peg Young is wishes a Happy Birthday on June 4. On June 5 Happy Birthday wishes are sent to Jim Hull Jr.

Send news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518 299 3219.