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Fire at Schapira's quickly controlled


 

PINE PLAINS — At approximately 9:35 a.m. Friday, June 20, the Pine Plains Hose Company responded to a fire call at Schapira’s Coffee & Tea at 11 Factory Lane with three fire engines. Stanfordville was on standby with another engine at their firehouse.

The call was for a chimney fire in an exterior metal chimney, which was extinguished by approximately 9:50 a.m. with damage limited to the section of exterior pipe. Fireman were still on the scene at 10:30 a.m. with a single engine. They were spending their time clearing accumulated smoke from the second floor of the building with the use of a fan to expel the smoke from an open window.

Responding under the leadership of Pine Plains Assistant Chief Rob Mizgier were John Snyder from the Millerton Fire Department, and from Pine Plains, John Williamson, David Bartholf, Gary Gent, Rich Brenner, Bill Bartolomeo and Bob Mizgier. Assistant Chief Mizgier explained that Pine Plains and Millerton often work closely on fire calls.

Due to the rapid response and control of the situation, it was not necessary for the Stanfordville truck to respond to the scene. It remained on standby at the request of Mizgier.

Lakeville Journal

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Lelah M. Somers

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DOVER PLAINS — Lelah M. Somers, 97, a longtime Dover Plains, New York, resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, New York. Lelah was born on July 3, 1929, in Pawling, New York, to the late Byron and Lelah (Watts) Brill. Lelah grew up in Pawling and on Nov. 22, 1946, in Pleasant Valley, New York, she married James F. Somers, Sr. Mr. Somers passed away on Sept. 3, 1970. Lelah worked for New York State as a therapy aide for thirty-years and as a senior companion for New York State for thirty-two-years, with specific care provided to the mentally disabled.

She enjoyed taking care of the mentally disabled, was a wonderful mother to her four children, always putting her family first. She is survived by her son, James F. Somers, Jr. and his wife Donna of Dover Plains; two daughters, Doreen Monica of Wingdale, and Frances “Fran” Horton of Dover Plains, who was also her caregiver for many years; seven grandchildren, Debbie, Margie, Leah, Stephanie, Deirdra, Benji and Jimmy and several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, and her step-son, Kenny Elliott. In addition to her parents and husband, Lelah was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol “DeeDee” Maile and Gil Maile, her son-in-law, Stephen Monica, and her son-in-law, Benny Horton as well as her companion of over forty-years, Andrew “Mac” McAlravey and her siblings, Ferris Brill, Eleanor Barryann, Richard Brill, William Brill and Barney Brill.

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