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Connecting through art

‘Round Corners,” an exhibition by art students of the New York Educational Program (NYEP) in Manhattan (including Falls Village artist John Hodgson), opened at the David M. Hunt Library Saturday, Nov. 11.  

All featured artists in the exhibit live with developmental complexities.

Instructor Baris Gokturk introduced the show and noted that the group had expanded into sculpture, using found objects such as kitchen utensils.

The NYEP artists have held 10 group exhibitions, and some in the group have also exhibited work in additional shows. Hodgson, who has been working with Gokturk since 2008, has had 12 solo shows. 

The Hunt show runs through Friday, Dec. 1.

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Baris Gokturk introduced the new art show at Hunt Library on Nov. 11. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan
Patrick L. Sullivan

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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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Provided

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