Around the Neighborhood - Gilboa News by Dorothy Pickett

Everyone here in Flat Creek woke up to that white stuff covering the green grass on Monday morning. It snowed as well during church on Sunday. With the temperatures rising the snow is melting first. The daffodils, hyacinths, buds on the trees, and even the grass look like they are so in shock! We are expecting a freeze tonight as it goes down in the twenties. Probably the only thing that is safe is if you have already planted peas. Some have mowed their lawns. I decided being it was so cold, to wait a bit longer.

The Gilboa Republican Town Caucus will be held on Friday, April 24, 6:00pm at the Gilboa Town Hall. 

I was sorry to learn that Christine Sorgen’s husband Josef passed away on Friday. Condolences to Chris and her family.

On Saturday morning ten of us were at the Prattsville Town Hall where we took our Defensive Driving course. The Chief instructor was Victor Bujanow. The course was six hours with a break in between. We learned about some new changes. One being the point system. Although it was a long day everyone seemed happy to have taken it. As most know, you get a discount on your insurance when you send in your certificate. Victor told us that it takes about two weeks. He also does courses at Columbia Green Community College. If you are interested in taking a course to enroll call 518-697-6370.

Flat Creek Church held a business meeting following the service on Sunday morning. While Gilboa methodist Church held their Ad Council meeting around 12:30 pm.

The Conesville seniors met at the Fire Hall on Thursday at noon. President Dottie Morris opened the meeting with prayer. A wonderful potluck lunch was enjoyed by everyone. Dottie then started the meeting with the Secretaries/Treasurers reports by Linda and Carolyn. The next meeting in May will be catered by TP’s Restaurant. There will be a discussion concerning the club. If possible, all members are urged to attend.

Ernie Sutton stopped by the house on Monday morning and gave me some news he wanted to share in my column. He wrote the following for me. “A chorus of chainsaws, wood splitters, skid steer and a dump truck echoed in the Manorkill Valley on Saturday, April 8 as a number of brethren and even a host of children from Grace Christian Fellowship in Bainbridge came to cut, split and stack a tractor trailer load of log length firewood for the Suttons on Potter Mountain Road. While the men and children were busy at work, the Sutton ladies and Mrs. John Meulenberg served the crew a hearty lunch and were joined by daughter Mary and son-in-law Steve Steeliff along with baby Auria. The Dwight’s old hymn “I love they Kingdom Lord” was shared by all. Timothy Dwight wrote that hymn many years ago. He was President of Yale and traveled the Catskill Turnpike which part of it is now known as Potter Mountain Road or Schoharie County Route 3, which passes the Suttons homestead, in 1894 and 1815. Ernie wanted everyone to know helping with the wood was such a blessing and they were so thankful. Now it will supply them with their winter heat for the next couple of years. Thinking back many years ago we called them “Wood Bees” which meant a gathering of men at a neighbor’s home to help cut and split their wood for the winter months. Every Fall men would hold a Wood Bee at the Flat Creek Parsonage while the ladies prepared a delicious lunch. I am so happy that Ernie stopped by with his story. It brought back a good memory and just to this it is still going on.

The Zadock Pratt Museum will be doing a US Military Tribute on May 23,. They are looking for pictures of Honorable Discharged individuals who served in the Armed Forces which is open to service members from Grand Gorge, Lexington, Prattsville, Westkill, Ashland, Jewett, Gilboa, Conesville, West Conesville, Flat Creek, Blenheim and Windham.  They will be accepting tributes beginning May 2. For more information e-mail ZPRATTMUSEUM@gmail.com or phone 713-628-5675

Back in Time: Gilboa Reservoir construction commenced in 1917, and the village was completely destroyed in the next ten years, and a dam was built through the middle of the village. There were 430 buildings razed or burned for 6 miles up the valley, and 7 cemeteries were removed. Reservoir statistics are 5.8 miles long, 0.7-mile maximum depth 150 feet with average depth of 57 feet, holds 22 billion gallons of water, 1142 acres and the shoreline is 16 miles. Dam Statistics 1324 feet long, the crest of the spillway is 1130 feet above sea level, the steps on the dam average 17 feet high and the treads are 13 feet wide. Cost: $7,800,00.00. On October 20, 1927, it was the day water first flowed over the Gilboa Dam. This is a copy that Historian Beatrice Mattice did several years ago, titled “Time Frame of Events”. I thought my readers would enjoy this as now the dam has gone through a complete change. The work on it continues today with the overlook. When this is completed, it will be open to the public

Birthdays: April 24 Dennis Lawrence, April 25 Morgan Truesdell, April 26 Pastor Ron Novak, Johnathan Pickett, April 27 Machael Standhart, April 30. Marta DeWitt, Monte Stryker, Paul Mead. Everyone, enjoy your special day, Blessed in the Lord.

Prayer Concerns: March Stryker and all who may be ill at this writing.

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: April 28, spring Concert 6:30pm. It takes place in the Auditorium. 

Upcoming Events: April 24 Sunken City Cidery opens from 3-6pm, April 25, 11:30-12:00noon the cidery offers Yoga, then from 3-6pm enjoy some live music from The Blues Maneuver Band. Food truck on site. April 26 Cidery opens from 12noon to 4pm and Lite Bites are available.

April 25 Jefferson Museum presents George McCroy and the Early Settlers of Jefferson.

April 26, Conesville Historical Society Annual Meeting with dinner at Gavins Restaurant Durham then from 6pm-8pm Gavins will hold Karaoke Night with J&R productions. 

Sunday Worship Services: 

Gilboa Methodist Church: 9:00am located on 990V, Gilboa with Pastor Dawn Richards. Ajpril 26 there will be a coffee hour following service.

Flat Creek Baptist Church: Flat Creek Road, Gilboa with Pastor Paul Overbaugh, Sunday School 9:30am, Worship Service 10:30am. Coffee and fellowship follows in the church hall. Women’s Bible Study takes place on Thursdays 10:00am at Robinson Terrace Assisted Living Buntline Drive, Stamford.