Although many of our faculty members are, or have been, teachers in public and private schools, all of them love history. They are dedicated to Indian Rock, serving on other committees and on the Board. They love our little 1858 schoolhouse and what it stands for… qualifying them to be on our faculty.

“Pine Cone Pete” (Andy Durbridge) is a noted horticulturalist and former director of Westbury Gardens on Long Island. He has designed the plantings at the Indian Rock schoolyard and reigned supreme over the Arbor Day festivities for the last five years. Known by every child in the Webutuck School District under the age of twelve as well as by many townsfolk, he is always greeted in town by, “Hello there, Pete!”

Pine Cone Pete’s lovely assistant, Beth Murphy — the “Pine Cone Princess” — is the elementary librarian in the Webutuck District. She prepares all the children for their visits to Indian Rock using our now famous “Trunk Shows” and recommended readings. An Indian Rock Board member emeritus, she provides leadership in the local schools and is a great liaison between the community and the schools. She made her own pine cone crown.

A former colleague and distant relative of the Princess, Joan Murphy — the “School Ma’arm,” continues as our popular one-room schoolhouse teacher. Now retired from public education, Joan has time to head the Program Committee as well as charming the students at Indian Rock. The information she gives the children on learning in the “olden times” is not forgotten. We found the returning fourth-graders this year remembered much of what they had learned from our school Ma’arm two years before when they attended the Arbor Day program.

Ginny Eschbach and Betsy Strauss are genealogy buffs and, with Norm Cayea, make a strong “History Department.” Ginny, a teacher at Sharon Center School and daughter of the legendary Kay Kane — in whose memory the trunk shows are dedicated — is a great teacher in her own right. Able to make a botany lesson from a lima bean or persuade everyone to give quill pen writing a go, she has become a vital part of many visits.

Betsy Strauss is currently the Amenia Town genealogist. Her wide knowledge and continuing thorough research are invaluable to many folks tracing their family history — and she gives a great walking lecture in the Old Amenia Burying Ground, just up the road from Indian Rock. Making 19th century lifestyles fascinating, she has participated in visits and workshops at the schoolhouse.

“He looks more like Lincoln than Lincoln did,” folks say. This year an extended discussion broke out at Indian Rock Schoolhouse in a third-grade class, some of whom believed that our special Abe, Norm Cayea, was the real Lincoln. Retired from Taconic DDSO and currently serving as an Amenia Town Councilman (without the top hat), he is an able spokesman for learning about history and loving to read. He has no plans to run for the office of President of the United States at this time.

Tilly Strauss, famous local artist, is an active Indian Rock Board member and workshop leader. She has presented many art experiences in the Summer Sundays program and for the community in the Indian Rock pavilion. Currently she is Amenia’s Artist-in-Residence, and exhibits frequently in the region. Her paper-making workshop is a highly anticipated activity for returning classes next fall.

Our special music teacher, Margaret O’Brien, has taught children of all ages, including toddlers. She is so magical that she can get the tough boys to sing like angels and maybe even dance! She has delighted all ages with her singing and guitar playing.

The newest member of the faculty is Ellen Walsh, known (ever since Arbor Day) as “Melon Ellen.” After retiring from the Recreation Department at DDSO, she joined our programs with great enthusiasm. She not only organizes activities for every group at Indian Rock, she also explains and teaches games from the olden times. Melon Ellen assists with any teaching task… even planting trees.

Facilitating transport to Indian Rock, driving the bus, or playing the guitar, Rudy Eschbach helps the schoolyard gardeners plant our schoolyard garden — from seedlings to harvest. He is in charge of the third grade  Garden Day” — an extremely popular day at Indian Rock Schoolhouse.

Our special volunteer teachers’ assistant is Barbara Wrobel, a wonderful neighbor. She has helped with almost every group and activity this spring — from scooping ice cream to teaching about lima beans, from planting trees to helping children learn to write with a quill pen. She is the all-time best weeder as well. Thank you, “Aunt Barbara”!