GilboaConesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 14 December 2025

Go Bills! They did it again. I missed watching the game as I headed down to help set up our annual Sundaes with Santa event.

Flat Creek Church here on Flat Creek Road, Gilboa, will hold a Ham dinner complete with all the fixings on Saturday, December 13, 5:30pm. All are welcome to attend.  

Don’t forget the Annual Bottle Auction takes place on December 13, 2-4pm at the Gilboa Museum. Bring a wrapped bottle as Supervisor Alicia Terry will be the Auctioneer. After all bottles are auctioned off you can then open yours and view what you had bid on. Refreshments will be available throughout this event. All donations go to benefit the Gilboa Museum. Following that event a short drive to Conesville’s Silent Auction Fundraiser will begin at 5:00pm. This event is held at the Conesville Firehouse and benefits the Conesville Historical Society. With well over forty-five wonderful gifts from generous doners, door prizes and free desserts you may just come out with winning lots.  Special desserts prepared by the Curly Girl. Remember to support all those who have graciously donated items for this silent auction throughout the year. 

Before our annual Sundaes with Santa began, Linda, Cindy, Alicia, Cody, Hailey and I got very busy setting everything up at the Town Hall on Sunday afternoon. Adults and Children began arriving at 2:00pm. Holly Jolly Santa Clause arrived around 2:30pm. Eighty adults and children in attendance received a jolly Merry Christmas from him.  The kids ran up to him, and he visited with them as he headed for his chair next to the Christmas Tree. The children were so excited with his visit. Adults and the children alike played games, did crafts, and enjoyed making their own Ice Cream Sundaes. from Stewarts, Cookies from Curly Girl, Mary Wyckoff and Linda Wyckoff, and Brickhouse Bakery.  We cannot thank you enough for your delicious goodies. Linda sure kept the place hopping with raffles, games and so much more. The photo booth kept Michele (Mattice-Hull) from M&I Photo Frenzy very busy.  While Supervisor Alicia Terry and Mary Wyckoff helped with the crafts, I held several Christmas Bingo games with the winners each receiving a prize. Cindy Buel and served delicious ice cream, hot chocolate and coffee. She quickly got it down to science!  After a bit, the children lined up to wait until their turn to sit on Santa's lap and whisper to him what they wanted for Christmas. To their surprise he gave each one a gift. All in all, it was a very successful event. Thank you, Santa, for stopping by. We know you and your reindeer pulling your sleigh will soon be very busy delivering all those presents the children asked for on Christmas Eve. When the event was over cleanup began to get set up for our Monday night monthly board meeting. It may be a little repetitive, however, Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff who heads up this event every year, wanted this added to the column. “Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed Sundaes with Santa here in Gilboa, donated toys for tots, along with many items for the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley. Special thoughtful thanks go to, M& I Photo, along with the following business who donated giveaways. Stewarts Shop, Wild Desire, A Frugal Homestead, Oso good Amy, Honey Mountain Farm (Nathan Potter), Sweet Creations by the Curly Girl from Gilboa, Brickhouse Bakery, Horseshoe Café, Pizza Plus, Middleburgh Mercantile, Lindsay Renz Pottery, and Tonya Jo. Thank you to the Gilboa Town Board for giving Linda the go ahead for this event. A huge shout out to Cindy Buel for scooping ice cream, Alicia Terry for heading up the craft table, Dottie Pickett for doing the Bingo table and all who jumped in to help. To Hailey Ackerley, Kody Wyckoff and Logan Mattice for helping with the set up and breakdown. A reminder. The coloring contest is still ongoing. Stop in at the Town hall and grab a coloring page to complete and return by December 20th for a chance to win a final giveaway. (ages 1-12) Happy Holidays from the town of Gilboa. Not only did we have a huge crowd at the Sundaes with Santa event. Both Superintendent John Wyckoff and Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff had a contest going as to who could have the most toys in the Toys for Tots” boxes. The winner receives a tray of cookies from the loser. The Highway Department lost. Linda said the highway department did a great job and equally they will both enjoy some cookies. What a joy these two events were along with a several filled boxes for the Animal Shelter. 

Candi Mattice over at Lansing Manor Visitors Center tells me they will hold their Holly Jolly Party on December 13, from 12:00noon -4:00pm. There, they have the best-looking Santa for everyone to get free photos with. Many craft giveaways, cookies, and so much more at this event. Candi wants to thank each of those who took the time, finances and effort to decorate a tree for their Festival of Trees. The trees are amazing and open for all to view between 10am-5:00pm. Tear down takes place no later than 5:00pm on Monday January 5. You need to take the time, head to the visitor’s center and view these lovely decorated trees.

With one more container of Christmas decorations to go, I decided to stay home this Monday morning and get it all completed. Seventy-nine Possible Dreams are all out of their boxes and scattered about the inside of the house. All the lights are up outside with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus sitting in chairs on the front porch next to the lighted trees. As I drive about it it is such a pleasure to see the wonderful decorations on so many homes. With the snow on the ground the reflection from the lights is a beautiful sight to behold.

The Town of Gilboa held their monthly meeting beginning at 6:30pm on Monday, December 8. Supervisor Terry updated everyone about the work that is going on with regard to Broadband in Schoharie County. The minutes of each meeting can be found on the County website. The year end meeting will be held on December 29 with the Organizational meeting in January.   

Birthdays: December 13 Merrill & Teddi Cline, 15 Ed Chatfield and Barbara DeWitt, 25 Karen Karlsen, 26 Connie Ruehle, 28 JoAnne Haskin, 30 Jake Laban, 31 Frank Dewello.

Happy Anniversary: December 15 Gary and Janette Reynolds. Everyone, enjoy your special day Blessed in the Lord.

Prayer Concerns: Continue to keep in prayer Pastor Paul, Patti Haight, Joe Cooper, along with all those who may be ill at this writing

Upcoming Events: 

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: 

December 13,7:00pm in the Auditorium “Freaky Tiki” Fall Drama Production

December 14, 2:00pm in the Auditorium “Freaky Tiki” Fall Drama Production will be held once again. 

December 18, Board of Education meeting 7:00pm in the auditorium.

December 18, 8:45am Wildcat Wonders/UPK Grade 6 Sing Along.

December 22-31 No School 

Sunken City Cidery events: Friday, December 12 extended hours Think & Sip Trivia 3:00pm - 9:30pm with The Reservoir Food Truck. 9pm Yoga 11am-12noon, Saturday, December 13, Yoga 11am-12noon, Lex Gray Trio 3-6pm along with some craft venders too! The Reservoir Food Truck is available from 1-6pm. Sunday, December 14 1-4pm live music from F.A.R Trio and the Reservoir Food Truck on site.

Sunday, December 14, 2:00pm a Holiday concert will take place at the Jefferson Methodist Church with the Upper Catskill String Quartet.

December 16 3:00 there will be a Carol Sing at the Senior Living in Stamford

December 20, 3:00pm.  Susan Harwood at the piano will present a program of holiday music performed as a festive community sing-along at Judd Hall 163 Main Street Jefferson. This event is free and open to everyone. 

December 24th Christmas Eve Service at Gilboa Methodist Church will be 5:30opm.

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. Ladies Bible study every Monday 10:00am. 

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

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