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A trifecta of remembrances - and some fun as well

CORNWALL —  A trinity of Memorial Day services started at 9 a.m. at the North Cornwall Cemetery, where there was a decoration of veterans’ gravestones.

The events then moved to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge to honor and remember seamen in a memorial service.  

At 11 a.m., the parade began at Hubbard Field and made its way to the Village Green. Viewers congregated on the Green and across the street at Town Hall to listen as Ralph C. Gold led the ceremonies.  

Wendy Kennedy delivered the address.  She spoke of freedom, loyalty and the opportuntites that Americans have.  She expressed the view that while one may not wholeheartedly believe in the war, after serving, veterans return feeling a greater sense of patriotism.  

Amid the parade activities, the fire department and ambulance were called away to serve their community.  It seems fitting that they were called to do their duty while remembering those who have died doing theirs in the past.   

The flag was raised, “Tapsâ€� was played, and a salutary round was fired.  The Rev. Micki Nunn-Miller closed the ceremony with her benediction.  

The Cornwall Consolidated School Band, let by Alicia Sominetti-Shpur, provided the musical accompaniment for the ceremonies.   

After the service ended, the crowd moved to the United Church of Christ for the annual Memorial Day carnival, complete with food, games and hay rides. Flowers and plants were sold to benefit the Cornwall Children’s Center. Some proceeds from the carnival also went to the United Church of Christ.

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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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Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.