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Rocko gets off to a good start at the Amenia Library

Rocko gets off to a good start at the Amenia Library

Rocko, the rock snake, began to take shape at the Amenia Library on Wednesday, June 12. Applying bright colors to local rocks were Cooper Hale, 7, in the foreground, and his brother Murphy, 4. The all-important head of the snake was to be the work of Parks and Recreation Director Katie Sterk-Grassi, diligently engaged at the far end of the table.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — A town-wide project to create a community snake to be made of brightly painted rocks got underway at the Amenia Free Library on Wednesday, June 12, as library patrons donned smocks, selected a suitable rock and set about the creative process.

A joint venture between the Amenia Parks and Recreation Department and the library, the project took place on the outdoor patio with plenty of acrylic paints and brushes at the ready.

“Mine is a rainbow snake,” exclaimed Murphy Hale, 4, as he applied finishing touches to his marbleized approach to rock painting.

Noting that all of the rocks were home-grown, found locally throughout the town with many coming from Beekman Park, Parks and Recreation Director Katie Sterk-Grassi spoke of the preparation that involved finding the many rocks of varying sizes and then the work of scrubbing each one clean. Most with smooth surfaces were granite, some with jagged edges were quartz.

“We’ll see how the snake grows,” said Sterk-Grassi. “We’ll keep adding to it.” Her own creation was the snake’s head, the size of a small pumpkin, painted bright green, with an accompanying red tongue.

To be named Rocko, the snake will be displayed in front of the Town Hall where residents are invited to add their own painted rocks. The hope is that the snake will grow to an impressive length.

Leila Hawken

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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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