GilboaConesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 19 December 2025

GILBOA - This community of Gilboa was saddened to learn that Joe Cooper passed away Saturday afternoon. During his childhood Joe lived with his mom and siblings here on Spencer Street. Everyone knew Joe with his smiling face, friendliness, and his fantastic basketball skills. While he was going through his health issues, we kept praying for him. Sincere condolences to his loving family. 

This past Wednesday the snow kept falling making hazardous driving for some folks. Thursday the wind blew a gale with a bitter temperature.  At times I could hardly see out of the front window.  With no need to venture out, it felt cozy in the house. I finished up the inside decorating and wrapped the last of the presents for Christmas. Friday I stayed home as well. I had to cancel an event I was invited to as it started to snow around 3pm while the wind kept blowing the snow all over the temperature plummeted. So, instead I made an Apple Crumb pie for the Flat Creek Church ham dinner which took place on Saturday. The church is a very short distance from my home, making it okay to head out. 

Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff wanted to extend a very special thank you to Valley View Liquidators for their generous contribution to the Toys for Tots box. Valley View Liquidators is a great store filled with lots of items. It is in Middleburgh. All are welcome to stop by and explore their shop.

The Festival of Trees at Lansing Manor Visitor’s center will be ongoing until December 30. 10am-5pm. The center will be closed December 24,25,31.  

The Flat Creek Church ham dinner was attended by twenty-two people on Saturday evening. With the cold, snow, and roads not that great because of the blowing snow, it was debatable for people to come out. Those who were there had a great time of fellowship and delicious food. Along with the Apple pie II made sweet potatoes like my mom always did. They went quickly. The ham, cole slaw, tossed salad, Edith Butlers amazing homemade rolls and so much more brought smiles to everyone’s face as they enjoyed their meal. Then it was dessert time. With a table full of delicious desserts it was hard to decide which one to take. Pastor Paul gave a short talk on the birth of Jesus ending with prayer. The church will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on December 24, 6:30pm. The doors will be open for anyone who would like to attend.  Loreen Lawrence gave a Missions talk on Sunday. She wanted all of us to know that Samaritans Purse distributed over three million shoe boxes to needy children all over the world. What a gift for those children who struggle each day. To see their smiling faces when they open their boxes is a site to behold. Thanks to everyone for supporting this huge project during the holidays. If you pass by Flat Creek Church, the sign out front is not wrong, you only need to be sure to read both sides.  The sign reads: “Christmas without Christ is like an empty present.”

Gilboa Methodist Church Christmas Eve service 5:30pm. All are welcome to attend. 

The Gilboa Museum held their bottle auction Saturday afternoon. Supervisor Alicia Terry was the Auctioneer for this event. With twenty-five to thirty bottles being auctioned off it turned out to be a lively fun-filled afternoon.  Several were in attendance for this yearly event. 

The Conesville Silent Auction was held as well on Saturday. Many wrapped baskets from so many vendors. The historical society is ever so grateful for all those who donated such wonderful items for this event.

Go BILLS! Wow! what a game that was on Sunday. Being behind by twenty-four points at the half, my Bills came out and with quarterback Josh Allen at the helm, the touchdowns began. Every player including Cooke, who was the best, were ready to raise the scoreboard and go for a win. They did just that.  As soon as the game was over I had to call fellow columnist Ginny Gurley. The first thing she said was Go Bills, as did I. Yes we are both avid fans as is Ginny’s family.  You can just bet if we both ever attended a game, there would be no holding us back with our hollering and cheering them on.

Birthdays: December 25 Karen Karlsen, 26 Connie Ruehl, 28 JoAnn Haskin,30 Jake Laban, 31 Frank Dewell

Prayer Concerns: Patti Haight, Ed and Pat Chatfield, Pastor Bray and all who may be ill at this writing. 

Gilboa/Conesville Central School: 

December 22-31 No School 

Upcoming Events:

December 19, Sunken City Cider open 3-6pm

December 20, Sunken City Cider Yoga 11:00am-12noon.  Live music with The Sun Dogs 3-6pm And the Reservoir Sunken City Eats 1=4pm

December 21 Sunken City Cidery opens 12pm-4pm, The Reservoir Sunken City Eats  1-4pm 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.

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.

Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net