GilboaConesville News by Dorothy Pickett - 24 October 2025

GILBOA - Picture featured William (Will) Fancher holding picture, President CHS Kim Moree Young and Diane Williams (Will Fancher’s granddaughter).

Monday morning while it was pouring rain outside, I was reminded of something from my younger days. Every time it rained, and we could not go out to play, my girlfriend and I would sit and sulk in from of the window watching the drops hit the windowpane. Then out of a clear blue sky we remembered something childish but ever so funny. It was a little song that went like this. “It’s raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring, he went to bed with a lump on his head and he didn’t wake up till the morning.” We did hand motions while singing it over and over again as we giggled. Okay, now I just bet some of you seniors might remember that little ditty. I have no idea where it came from. It was always our rainy-day song that brought laughter and smiles to our face.

The Gilboa Town Board Budget meeting early Monday morning went very well. We certainly appreciated the full report from Lee Hudson on this past year’s events held at the Gilboa Museum. During the meeting while reviewing the tentative budget, discussions were held with Supervisor Alicia Terry and Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff taking notes so that the topics can be brought before the board at our November meeting. All in all, it was a well conducted and good meeting.

Twenty-five+ were in attendance Monday evening for Kim (Moree)Young’s talk on World War I local veterans who served in that war. Kim spent a long serious time getting this talk organized. She searched many historic newspapers during that time from 1014-1918. Newspapers that writings of Conesville and surrounding veterans from other local towns were from the Mirror Recorder, Gilboa Monitor, Cobleskill Index, and the Schoharie Republican.  Willian (Will) Fancher, Otis Blodgett, Ward Brand, henry Payne, Guy Owen (killed in action) Earl Jones and so many more. The talk lasted an hour and through it all it held everyone’s attention with total silence. Diane Williams, whose grandfather was William (Will) Fancher had a picture of him for all to view. When people talked about William, they always said “Will Fancher. Will served overseas from 1917-1919. He kept a very interesting diary. Kim talked about the Red Cross being involved with making bandages for the wounded. That brought back one of my memories. My grandparents were care takers at the Purdy estate in Bronxville NY many years ago. When Mrs. Purdy passed away her will stated that my grandparents could live there for the rest of their lives. This estate was a huge field stone house, that to me looked like a castle and had so many beautiful gardens, a lovely home for the hired help and a riding stable. As a little girl I would climb the stairway and act out parts from “Gone with the Wind”. Then I would get scared thinking the house was hunted. That little play ended quickly because while dancing around in the rooms I could not help but notice some tables still set up where the Red Cross had also made bandages for the wounded during the war so many years ago. That was a request Mrs. Purdy made with the Red Cross and from what I was told, there were at least seventy-five to one hundred volunteers every day in that huge home to sew the bandages. Even some Red Cross capes and caps that the women wore still hung in that room. Following Kim’s talk refreshments were available. Thanks you Kim for bringing back some of the history of the World War I veterans and one of my memories. Congratulations on your recent marriage to Keith Moree. You are wished the best. Kevin Berner from the Jefferson Museum was in attendance and let us know that on Sunday, Oct. 26, 3pm there will be a program “Letters from the Front” a dramatic reading based on the story of Carl Skidmore, who grew up in Jefferson’s Clapper Hollow. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1918. During the war, he served in France.

The Conesville Mtn. Top seniors met at the Fire Hall for their monthly meeting on Thursday. Seventeen were in attendance for the meeting and potluck lunch. Speaker Kelly from Helios Care gave a superb talk about Palliative and Hospice Care which held everyone’s attention. Several questions were asked which Kelly graciously answered. The meeting in November will be a Turkey Dinner.

Following worship service at Flat Creek Baptist Church on Sunday a Pastor’s appreciation day luncheon was held 8in the church hall along with a quarterly business meeting. A lovely cake with appreciation from all was served after lunch.

Please view all the church’s upcoming events. 

The Conesville Historical Society will be holding their Annual Turkey Trot. Although it is not until November 29 if you would like to join in this event you need to pre-register by contacting John Riedl cjried1665@gmail.com or 607-588-7711.

Gilboa School: October 28, 11:30am-4:30pm NHS/NJHS Blood Drive in the auditorium.

  October 31, Pre-K Halloween parade 1:00pm in the auditorium.

Gilboa Town Board: 

November 6, 6:30 pm Special Board Meeting-Public Hearing 2026 Budget.;

November,10, 6:30pm Town Board Meeting on Budget /Public Hearing on Gilboa      Fire Protection District.

Prayer Concerns: Joe Cooper, Patti Haight, David Cunningham, Tom Gebhardt, Gail Miner and all who may be ill at this writing.

Birthdays: October 25 Dustin Truesdell, 26 Sandy Hempstead, 29 Dan Mowers, 30 Joe Cooper. All of you, enjoy that special day Blessed in the Lord. 

Upcoming Events: 

Sunken City Cider October 24, Friday 3-7pm. Road Grub Mobile food truck available.

Sunken City Cider October 25, Saturday Yoga 11:00am-12:00noon, 3-6pm Live music Andrew Jordan. Road Grub Mobile food truck.

Sunken City Cider October 26, Sunday 3-6pm with live music from 5-Zero band & the Fair Street Horns along with Road Grub Mobile food truck.

Saturday, October 25, 1:00pm Annual meeting of the Gilboa Historical Society.

Saturday, October 25, 1-4pm Conesville Historical Society will hold a Paint Night fundraiser. Cost is $45.00. Call or text Carrie at 757-4770-3392.

November 1, Clocks fall back one hour.

November 4, Election Day, don’t forget to vote.

November 4, Chicken & Biscuit Dinner Buffet (Election Day) Conesville Fire House. Take out at 4:00pm. Buffet at 4:30pm until sold out. Adults $14.00, kids 5-12 $6.00 under 5 free.  Sponsored by the UMC Conesville Chapel.

Sunday Worship Services:

Gilboa Methodist: 9:00am located on 990V. October 26 Coffee hour following worship service. Oct. 30 Crafts at Senior Living Stamford 2:00pm. Oct. 30 & Nov. 2 All Saints Day, Pastor Dawn needs names you want honored asap.

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. Workday Nov. 8, at 9:00am.

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

Got News? E-mail pickee@midtel.net