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Housatonic Valley FFA charts big wins in spring competitions

Housatonic Valley FFA charts big wins in spring competitions

Each spring, FFA students compete in a variety of career and leadership development events, commonly known as CDEs and LDEs. This year, Housatonic Valley FFA had over forty students compete across ten different events, demonstrating their knowledge and dedication to the agricultural area of their choice.

On March 24, two Mechanics teams each consisting of 4 students traveled to Cobleskill College to show their understanding of equipment mechanics. Housatonic’s A team took first place in the state, led by senior Hayden Bell who was the competition’s top ranking individual.

Eight weeks later on May 15, six teams traveled to University of Connecticut with one securing first place. Students had a great time showing their skills within their designated areas which included agricultural sales, veterinary science, dairy judging, natural resources, farm businesses management and the winning agricultural communications team led by freshman Olivia Simonds who placed second in the state individually.

The agricultural sales team, which has been vigorously preparing for their competition for months, just fell short of the win taking home second as a team. Member Riley Mahaffey led her team in points. “Being so close to winning felt so rewarding knowing we gave it our all and were so close,” Mahaffey said. “It made me want to continue growing in that area.”

On Saturday, May 30, eight students competed in the opening and closing ceremonies CDE along with two individuals, Hayden Bell and Christopher Crane, competing in prepared public speaking and Byron Bell competing in extemporaneous public speaking.

The opening and closing ceremonies team and Crane each took home first place and will join the ag communications and mechanics teams at national convention next fall. “Hearing my name called as first place made all of the practice, stress and anticipation worth it,” Crane said.

Housatonic’s FFA chapter president Riley Mahaffey praised the chapter for its students’ dedication. “Seeing so many kids involved in various activities this year has shown the true strength and capacity of our chapter,” he said.

Hannah Johnson
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Lelah M. Somers

Lelah M. Somers

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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Provided

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I lost the ability to paint after the accident. I struggled to paint again.
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Husband and wife Victor and Justine Valla share a lavender and pink studio, Atelier Valla, across the driveway from their pink house, nestled into a hillside in Salisbury. The colors, said Justine, “were inspired by Monet’s house at Giverny.”

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David Ruchman’s “Acquired Taste”

David Ruchman’s “Acquired Taste”

Filmmaker David Ruchman

Bleacher and Everard Photography

In a region known for its vibrant but geographically scattered arts community, discovering something new can require a little effort. The same might be said for finding a new place for an extraordinary meal. While the Northwest Corner, Berkshires and Hudson Valley have no shortage of creative talent, opportunities to experience it — whether on a stage, in a gallery or on a plate — aren’t always just around the corner.

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Jane Herold’s beautifully simple dinnerware.

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As the leaves across Litchfield and Dutchess counties rush to make it to the ground, your last chance to peep autumn is fast approaching. On Oct.17 and 18, the 10th annual Clay Way offers peepers a route to follow lined with unique art that rivals the area’s natural beauty.

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Where can one find the work of an artist associated with occult rituals, surrealist visions and the underground California art scene? In a beautifully renovated former carriage house in Pine Plains, of course.

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