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KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON - Gilboa Bottle Auction Offers Holiday Cheer & a Chance to Bid-for-Good

Written By The Mountain Eagle on 12/14/25 | 12/14/25


Alicia Terry, Gilboa Town Supervisor, will be auctioneer for the Gilboa Museum fundraiser.


By Carolyn Bennett

GILBOA — Good things come in small bottles. Large ones, too! So says Linda Karlsen, Gilboa Historical Society board member and chair of the non-profit’s fundraising committee and Annual Holiday Bottle Auction. And she should know.

Veteran fundraiser Linda looks forward to this annual holiday event all year.

“The Gilboa Museum has been fundraising through the bottle auction since before my time at the historical society,” she says. “It’s a beloved holiday tradition.” 

The bottle auction will be held on Saturday, December 13th at 2 pm in the Community Room at the Gilboa Museum & Nicholas J. Juried History Center, 122 Stryker Road, Gilboa.

Each year, fundraising events like the bottle auction bring much-needed funds to the museum. For 20 years, the Museum has been preserving and featuring Gilboa’s unique history to Gilboa residents and


alike with free programming and exhibits.

“Bottles are wrapped so they’re a surprise so you can end up with all sorts of cool and unexpected things. Wine, liquor, olive oil; only good things,” she adds. “It’s better than buying a lottery ticket because you’re bidding on a sure thing. You never know what you’re going to get. But that’s not really the point. This in-person auction is a chance to bid-for-good and see your friends and neighbors—and enjoy some refreshments on the house!”

When it comes to the Art of the Auction, Gilboa Town Supervisor Alicia Terry has what it takes. For the third year in a row she’s volunteering her services as auctioneer for this event. Whether it’s a bottle of Colavita Premium olive oil or Grey Goose Vodka, bottles can be won at bargain prices, Supervisor Terry keeps her audience bidding with some light patter and a big helping of holiday spirit.

Why support the bottle auction?

If giving to a good cause isn’t enough, you can sample some of The Carrot Barn’s fresh baked goods, Wyckoff punch & other goodies provided as light refreshment by the Gilboa Historical Society!

It’s probably the closest you’ll come to Santa’s Workshop this holiday season !

The Museum will be open for this event so you can see the latest exhibits and favorites from fossils to a short film about the last days of Gilboa Village.

While you’re there, you can’t miss the Museum’s latest art exhibit, “Small Works,” curated by Amy Silberkleit and Michael Shiffer, currently featuring artwork by Sheila Trautman, Doreen McGrath and Regina Quinn, along with 14 other talented local artists whose work can be purchased that day with a portion of the proceeds also benefitting the Museum. 


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JHS Announces Restoration of Century-Old Piano




JEFFERSON – The Jefferson Historical Society is pleased to announce the restoration of a remarkable piece of local history. Recently, a group of community members examined an aged, weathered instrument that served as a reminder of a time before radio and television—an era when churches and early “opera houses” were central gathering places for entertainment. Among the echoes of those bygone days were the lively sounds of the piano and the spirited rhythms of Ragtime.

That spirit lives again with the restoration of a 1918 Bush & Lane Pompeian Parlor Grand upright piano in Judd Hall. Skilled restorer Brian Hubbell of Cooperstown has completed extensive work on the instrument, including a full disassembly for restringing and the replacement of hammers, tuning pins, damper felts, let-off buttons, and other components. His meticulous craftsmanship has returned the interior to a condition remarkably close to when it first left the factory more than a century ago. The restoration was generously funded by Don Keil and Nick Juried. The piano is now ready to be reintroduced to the public.

Our inaugural concert will feature local native Susan Harwood, who will present a program of holiday music performed as a festive community sing-along. Susan, a Stamford native, has been a singer for most of her life and holds Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Voice Performance. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and numerous venues across the country, and has taught Voice at the College of Saint Rose and other institutions.

The event will take place in Judd Hall, 163 Main Street, Jefferson, on Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 p.m. It is free and open to all.


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Johnstown Defeats Schoharie

SCHOHARIE — The Johnstown boys basketball team earned a 67-29 victory over Schoharie in a non-league contest on Friday during the Coaches v. Cancer game.

Matthew Cater led the Sir Bills with 17 points, scoring 11 in the first half to help his team build a 43-7 halftime lead. Emmett Gannon contributed 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

Katelyn Shoemaker added 10 points for Johnstown, while Oliver Jordan chipped in with 8.

For Schoharie, Cole Slater led the way with 11 points. Liam Kary added 5 points, and Tyler Nussmacher finished with 4.

Johnstown jumped out to a 23-4 lead after the first quarter and held Schoharie to just 3 points in the second quarter. The Sir Bills maintained control throughout the second half to secure the win.

Special thanks to Mitchell Barton for the information.


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Last Service at Breakabeen Presbyterian Church Dec. 14

BREAKABEEN — The Breakabeen Presbyterian Church is Closing. Our last service will be Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 10:00. Communion will be served and Chaplain Samuel Ostrowski will give his last message.

We invite anyone to attend and share memories of services at this church; marriages, goodbyes, Sunday School events, stories of how this church has impacted on your life.


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Exact Change Needed to Pay Taxes in Gilboa

By Liz Page

GILBOA – If you pay your taxes in cash, you need to have the exact amount, as the Gilboa Town Board has adopted a resolution saying they will not be able to provide exact change, due to the fact the federal government is no longer minting pennies. The tax collector is not able to accept anything less than the amount due by law. Other towns will follow suit. They also passed a resolution appointing three members of the town's assessment review board. They include Jennifer Warner, Susan Morkaut and Sandy Hemsted. The town board will hold its year-end meeting on Dec. 29 at 8 a.m. and will re-organize on Jan. 12 at 6:30 p.m..

Monday's regular meeting was routine, with little business, as the town prepares to close out  2025 and enter the new year.

There was some discussion about the halted project on the salt/sand shed, with the town attorney, the engineering firm and the contractor involved in working out the incorrect metal work for the new roof. The contractor for the project is AMZ and conversations are now taking place to see what can be done to rectify the situation. The work was stopped when Highway Superintendent John Wyckoff noticed the panels being installed were not lining up. Each panel is off and the fear is that by the time all the panels are installed, they will be off by feet. It is related to the cramping machine and specifications and is now in the hands of the town attorney.

In his highway report, Superintendent John Wyckoff said crews have been plowing and  sanding roads. One member of the crew has resigned and he said it is his intent not to hire a replacement right away, but to wait until summer road work begins. "We are getting along with winter maintenance with the crew we have," saidWyckoff. He reported three crew members have been out with confirmed cases of the flu. He also received a letter from one resident thanking the crew for doing such a good job at plowing her road.

Town Clerk Linda Wyckoff said three people  received cyber security training for the town, including herself and Supervisor Alicia Terry. She also explained the county has a new website and some changes have been made. Towns will now be able to post some of their own listings rather than having to make an appointment for the county IT to post it.

The town hosted the first Schoharie County Mobile Hub Food Pantry on Nov. 16 with 25 families participating. More are scheduled for other locations in the county. "It was very heartening," said Clerk Linda Wyckoff. She said  a clothing swap also went well and another may be held in the spring.

The highway department did receive  Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) violations. The town was not notified of them in a timely manner. The  town has sent a letter acknowledging the late receipt and has since remediated the citations, which the town attorney noted were not serious violations.

In her report, Supervisor Terry, said the county's Capital Resource Corporation will meet on Dec. 16. No decision has been made on the tax exempt bond application by camp Oorah, Inc. The corporation was awaiting completion of the State Environmental Quality Review Act paperwork before a decision can be made. She said she would keep everyone posted.

She concluded the meeting with photos of the equipment being used by contractors to install fiber optics cable to unserved or underserved areas of the county. The digging work can continue over the winter and will move to above ground work in the spring. It will bring broadband to all areas of the county. "When the project is completed, every location in Schoharie County that has commercial electricity will have access to broadband fiber optics.


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Lots of Game Fun at SCS




SCHOHARIE - After school on Friday, Schoharie school Student Government and Gaming Club joined forces to host the second annual Holiday Game Night. 

Students could win prizes by answering Jeopardy style trivia questions or participate in various board games with friends. There was plenty of food and drink, and a great time was had by all.

Photos courtesy Schoharie Central School.


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M'burgh to Welcome Country Cafe, Apothecary - Senior Center Also a Possibility

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Main Street Middleburgh will be adding a new cafe and apothecary this month and possibly a senior center in 2026.

The Windswept Farm Apothecary is located in a storefront in the former theater on Main Street. The Windswept Farm Apothecary holistic wellness shop opened on December 1, and a ribbon cutting has been scheduled for Saturday, December 20 at 1pm.

A senior center could be located at the former town hall on Railroad Avenue.

The Country Cafe is moving from Main Street in Schoharie to Main Street in Middleburgh at the location of the former Cullen Bakery.

The cafe will host private parties, dinners, meetings at the cafe, weekly dinner specials -typically Wednesday and Friday nights. Owner Lexi Ryder announced that the cafe will also do catering - on and off site including delivery, buffets and themed dinners/events, have a “grab and go” cooler-which will change weekly- including soups by the quart, ready to bake trays, desserts and more, monthly breakfast club, and bulk/family meals.

In December, they will be transitioning to their new location.

They will be open for their first soup stroll on December 19 from 5-7pm. 

Christmas pies, trays and platters will be available December 23 and 24 and dinners begin on January 2, offering pick up and delivery with dine in soon after.

As for the senior center, Ezequiel Rocha, who purchased the former town hall and a building on Main Street earlier this year, met with members of the village board on Monday.

He said that his initial plan for the old town hall was a multi-family building but that turned out to be too expensive to meet codes. Currently, he is looking at a community or senior center. It could be a three-family home if not a center.

A senior center could provide food and activities, said Mr. Rocha, who has experience in Medicaid and nursing in New York City and Westchester County.

He is working with an engineer for plans and will hopefully have those plans within the next two months, he told board members.

There is a sizable senior population in Middleburgh and the surrounding area. 

As for Mr. Rocha's building on Main Street, he plans apartments on the second floor and a storefront on the first floor. It may be a home care site and service agency.


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HVAC Tip of the Week - Setback Thermostats

This is Jason from Schoharie Mechanical Services, your local HVAC professional, with tips for the homeowner.

Setback thermostats are one of the simplest yet most effective tools for improving comfort and cutting heating costs, but many homeowners still overlook their value. A setback thermostat allows you to automatically reduce the temperature when you’re asleep or away, then bring it back to a comfortable level before you return or wake up. This small adjustment can translate into meaningful savings—often without you ever noticing a difference in comfort.

In colder months, heating systems run hard, and every degree counts. By allowing your home to cool just a bit during low-use hours, you reduce the load on your furnace or boiler, lengthening its lifespan and lowering your fuel bill. Modern programmable and smart thermostats make this easier than ever, learning your schedule and adjusting temperatures intelligently.

Of course, setback strategies aren’t one-size-fits-all. Homes with heat pumps or radiant systems may need gentler setbacks to avoid inefficiency. But with proper settings, nearly every system can benefit. As HVAC professionals, we see the positive impact every day: quieter equipment, lower utility costs, and more consistent comfort.

A setback thermostat isn’t just a gadget—it’s a smart investment in your home’s long-term efficiency and comfort.

Brought to you by Schoharie Mechanical Services. 845-701-6185. Local and Insured


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Community Christmas Eve Service at Schoharie Valley Farms

SCHOHARIE – Residents of Schoharie County and the surrounding communities are invited to a Community Christmas Eve Worship Service at Schoharie Valley Farms on Tuesday, December 24th at 7:00 p.m. The service is co-hosted by The Schoharie Reformed Church and Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church. 

This year’s gathering will include the reading of the Christmas story straight from Scripture, familiar carols, special music, a children’s message, and a candlelight closing. Children will stay in the main service with their families, and a brief time in the service will be set aside just for them. 

All are welcome. An offering will be received and 100% of it will support the Joshua Project of Schoharie County, which provides food and essential assistance to local families. 

Why the Service Is Being Held at the Farm 

Across the country and here at home, people have been feeling the effects of uncertain and unsettled times. Moments like this highlight how important it is for communities to gather, lean on one another, and keep familiar traditions. 

Schoharie Valley Farms has been a natural gathering place for that kind of togetherness before. After Hurricane Irene, several local churches held joint Christmas services there while rebuilding. Those services offered a sense of normalcy and connection when folks needed it most. 

This year’s Christmas Eve service follows that same spirit. By returning to the farm, the hosting churches hope to offer a simple, welcoming space where neighbors can come together and share the peace and joy of Christmastime. 

What to Expect 

A welcoming, family-friendly service 

Carols everyone knows 

Scripture readings 

Special music and a few short dramatic pieces 

Candlelight singing to close the night 

A service about an hour long 

A chance to gather as neighbors and celebrate the birth of Christ 

More Information 

Details and updates can be found on Facebook at:“Community Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Schoharie Valley Farms.” Questions can be asked directly on the event page, and guests are encouraged to invite friends and neighbors there as well. 

All are welcome to join in this night of hope, peace, joy, love, and community.


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AI is Spreading at MCS, for the Better

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The world of AI is spreading to all subjects at Middleburgh Central School.

At the November school board meeting, district math and special education teachers spoke about how the new technology is helping them in the classroom and Superintendent Mark Place detailed the highlights of the professional development meeting last month that centered around AI.

Seventh and eighth grade Jessica Schoenecker told school board members that AI has made a big difference in the classroom.

AI, she said, has helped teachers write weekly quizzes, "do nows," weekly reviews, and tests, as well as scan assessments, and other tasks. It saves a lot of time, she noted.,

Elementary school math teacher Terry Burton said he used to write the "do now" by hand but now uses AI.

After "a lot of input," he was able to use AI to create 160 different do-nows in minutes, he said. Teachers are "finding ways to make the workload easier," he told board members.

AI, he added, is a learning process. "It will be slow progress to see what it's capable of."

A big help has been with helping teachers and students get ready for this year's fourth grade state assessment by developing similar questions, Mr. Burton said.

Elementary Special Education, Bri Slater said AI has helped teachers personalize learning and also saves time.  "It takes time to get going, but then it goes quickly."

AI, she added, helps with revealing texts for different students.

AI is a tool that many teachers are still deciding how to use, she told school board members.

Secondary school special education teacher Josh Bornt said that with AI, teachers are "not teaching less, but teaching smarter."

Using AI, teachers are better able to create lessons for each student on that student's reading level. It is "more targeted" teaching, Mr. Bornt said.

AI, he added, helps you "create real world world problems to answer the student question, 'Where will I use this?'"

Superintendent Place said the main subject of the November 10 professional development day was the use of AI.

To show how easy it is to utilize AI, he used prompts and information to create a presentation for the board.

The presentation included a "call to action," an invitation to participate, "engage, be curious, and experiment," a weekly AI Minute that goes to all staff, and a pathway to policy.

Officials will get more feedback and discuss a policy with board members in December. A policy is expected to be adopted in the spring. Two surveys are going out soon.

The big question is, "When do we allow students to use AI?," Mr. Place said.


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All About Racing


MVVDMS 2025 champions were honored at their annual banquet on Saturday at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant in Fonda.  LtoR are Scot Straight, Don Briggs, Jack Miller, Will Reed, and Jim Fugel.  Biittig photo


By Ed & Betty Biittig

Although the racing season has ended, as usual, there's always another banquet. The banquet we attended on Saturday held special significance for us. The Mohawk Vintage Dirt Modified Series (MVVDMS) brings together individuals who share Ed's strong appreciation for the sport's rich history that we follow so closely. It began with a small group of former racers eager to relive the thrill of putting on their helmets and returning to the track, an experience they deeply missed after leaving the sport. For many, this meant retrieving their old cars from barns or garages and getting them back into racing shape. Each year, the organization recognizes those who consistently support the series at every event. Currently, the MVVDMS features nearly 50 competitors across five divisions: Modifieds, Sportsman, Late Models, Antiques, and Mystiques. Led by former racer Laurie Fallis and her dedicated team, the events are known for running smoothly. When speaking with many of the drivers, all agreed that the group is exceptionally well managed.

Champions for the 2025 season in their respective divisions were, Late Model, Will Reed of Stamford; Sportsman, Don Briggs, Cobleskill; Antique, Jim Fugel, Olive Bridge; Mistique, Scott Straight, Altamont; Modified, Jack Miller, Schoharie.  The five champions were awarded special plaques and jackets. 

The Super Iron Man award recognizes MVVDMS members who attended every event during the 2025 season. This year's recipients are Don Briggs, Joann Flansberg, Tom LaBarr, Jack Miller, and Tim Blake.  

Attendance on Saturday nearly reached 150 attendees, and the promoter, Laurie Fallis, dedicated significant effort and time to expressing gratitude and recognition to the supporters of the MVVDMS. During the acknowledgments, numerous raffle and door prizes, generously donated by participants and sponsors, were distributed. 

Please note that June 13, 2026, is an important date for the upcoming Fonda racing season, as it marks the 75th anniversary of the Fonda Speedway. Eric Mack of DKM Fabrication is organizing a special Nostalgia Night to commemorate this milestone at the Track of Champions. 

The third annual Lebanon Valley Car Show, presented by Lance and Jill Sharpe, will take place on March 13–14 at Colonie Center. This year’s event is larger, featuring cars from Albany-Saratoga, Lebanon Valley Dragway, Vintage Cars, and the Lebanon Valley Go-Kart track.

The show is dedicated to the memory of the Flyin’ Farmer, Jason Herrington. Proceeds from the Brown Bag Auction will support the To Life Breast Cancer Group. For more information, please contact Lance and Jill Sharpe at sharpelancel@gmail.com.

Modifieds and Sportsman are heading to All-Tech Raceway in Florida in February for the first ever DTD TV Showdown in the Sunshine State.  Big-Block Modifieds and Sportsman running under the DIRTcar rules package, which includes Hoosier tires. Modified teams heading south can do the entire Modified swing while utilizing the same engine and rules package the following week for the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park.

Sportsman teams running the DIRTcar rules package will be making their first ever trip to All-Tech Raceway as part of this four-night affair.

Practice begins Wednesday, February 4th before three big nights of racing on Thursday, February 5th through Saturday, February 7th. The Modifieds are slated to race 40-laps each night with a $5,000 winner’s check on the line while Sportsman teams compete for 25-laps and a $2,000 payday each night.  Full event schedules with times and prices will be released in the coming weeks.  For more information visit the website at www.dtdshowdown.com.

With racing over for the 2025 season, many of us won't see each other until the spring shows or next season’s races. Last Saturday, we learned that John Chris Grady had passed away after a long battle with cancer. We have known the Grady family for years, including Chris and his parents, John and Sondra. Chris fought bravely despite the odds and surprised us all by persevering for two more years. It was touching to witness his relationship with his girlfriend Lisa and her family, and we were honored to attend their wedding in June. Ed shared a special bond with both Chris and his father. 

Until next time please send all news and/or comments to biittig@yahoo.com


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Bids Should Go Out for Schoharie Bridge in Spring




By David Avitabile

SCHOHARIE - Progress is being made to replace the antiquated Schoharie Bridge.

"The current status of the Schoharie Bridge Project is that engineering is currently underway and solicitation for bids will begin in the Spring of 2026," Lois Goblet, the chief of staff for state Assemblyman Chris Tague, announced last week.

In late November 2024, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced a series of aid packages  including replacing the Bridge Street span. 

Senator Schumer highlighted the nearly $12 million project to replace the Bridge Street bridge over the Schoharie creek in Schoharie from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

"The Bridge Street bridge is a vital connector in Schoharie County but after 100 years of use, it’s nearing the end of its useful life," he said The federal funding secured by the Senate will help the county build a new bridge increasing safety and creating jobs. New York State has put a weight restriction on the span due to its condition and the county is concerned that further disrepair would eventually be limited to use by emergency vehicles, the Senator added. 

"The nearest bridge is approximately 10 miles away adding 20 minutes in commute time," if there were a closure, he noted, The Senator also said that farm vehicles use the bridge regularly and the bridge is vital to the county's thriving agricultural community and economy.


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