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John Carl Gordon

John Carl Gordon

FALLS VILLAGE — On the morning of Sept. 22, 2024, John Carl Gordon, (Jack) passed away. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen, his daughters, Kelley and Gillian, his sons, John, Seth and Ben. Jack is survived by his grandchildren, Miyah, Elijah, Mykah, Eliyahs, Jax, Shawn and Shane. Finally, he is also survived by his son-in-law Franklin and his daughter-in-law Nena, his youngest sister Sandra, and many nieces and nephews.

Jack was born on Dec. 24, 1938, to his parents Ozie and Roswell Gordon. He grew up in Falls Village, and graduated from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in 1955. Jack joined the army (7th Cavalry) in 1962 and served in Korea and Vietnam. He was a Military Policeman on the DMZ in Panmunjom between North and South Korea. He also served in La Drang Valley in Vietnam. After his service to the country Jack was employed at IBM for more than two decades. Working his way up and becoming an engineer.

Jack and Gretchen met in Aug. 1972 and married on Dec. 9, 1972. Five beautiful children were born from their union of almost 52 years.

How do you sum up anyone’s life? A few lines about his accomplishments doesn’t begin to describe Jack’s love for his family or how hard he worked. He was the love of my life and the rock that was always there for us. The person who helped me change diapers, held our children when they were sick and stood by all of us during the worst of times and the best of times. When most men want to retire Jack went back to school and got his CDL license and worked until he was 81 years old. The Covid pandemic is the only reason he stopped.

The loss of Jack has been devastating for all of us. The pain is unbearable. Until wemeet again honey...I love you.

A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. at Hillside Cemetery in East Canaan, CT.

Lakeville Journal

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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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Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day returns to Poughkeepsie.

Provided

For a young artist considering college, the question isn’t simply whether the work is good enough. It’s which work to show, which school might be the right fit and even whether a creative life can lead to a sustainable career.

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L. Tomaino
I lost the ability to paint after the accident. I struggled to paint again.
— Justine Valla

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”

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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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CAMERON (1922-1995) is on view at Kent Fine Art in Pine Plains through Nov. 14.

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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.

Unexpected discoveries are, after all, part of what Doug Walla has spent his career making possible. The longtime New York City art dealer and founder of Kent Fine Art, has brought the work of Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel, known simply as Cameron, to his new gallery space. The exhibition, on view through Nov. 14, introduces visitors to an artist whose life and work moved between mysticism, poetry, film and the avant-garde.

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