meet Our Hardworking Board Members
Helen Clement - President
Helen Clement is delighted to be a new board member of the Indian Rock Schoolhouse, which plays an important part in keeping Amenia’s history alive today. She is committed to improving educational and empowerment opportunities. Most recently, Helen spent two years teaching English to monks in the Himalayas. She has helped disadvantaged youth obtain top quality educations through Prep to Prep and other organizations. She served on the board of Pro Mujer, which has provided $1 billion in microfinance loans as well as health care support – helping poor Latin American women improve their own lives and those of their children. Professionally, she spent about 20 years at investment banks UBS and JP Morgan Chase, after a previous career in urban planning. Helen received her MBA at UCLA, and her BA at Wellesley College. As a new permanent resident of Amenia, she is enjoying swimming and hiking in the beauty of Dutchess County, as well as the friendliness of its residents.
Helen Clement is delighted to be a new board member of the Indian Rock Schoolhouse, which plays an important part in keeping Amenia’s history alive today. She is committed to improving educational and empowerment opportunities. Most recently, Helen spent two years teaching English to monks in the Himalayas. She has helped disadvantaged youth obtain top quality educations through Prep to Prep and other organizations. She served on the board of Pro Mujer, which has provided $1 billion in microfinance loans as well as health care support – helping poor Latin American women improve their own lives and those of their children. Professionally, she spent about 20 years at investment banks UBS and JP Morgan Chase, after a previous career in urban planning. Helen received her MBA at UCLA, and her BA at Wellesley College. As a new permanent resident of Amenia, she is enjoying swimming and hiking in the beauty of Dutchess County, as well as the friendliness of its residents.
Glen White - Vice President
Originally from just over the border in Kent, Connecticut, Glen graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with degrees in Journalism and Communications. He moved back to the area when he was offered the position of reporter for the Millerton News and raised children Courtney, Tyler and Jordan in Millerton. He served as editor of the paper from 1984 to 1988 while returning to school to get a teaching degree. Glen has taught at Webutuck since 1988.
Since becoming a Trustee on the Indian Rock board, Glen has developed a special program at the schoolhouse called “Third Grade Immersion.” The children visit the schoolhouse for an entire day, spending time on activities that would have been typical of school in 1858: lessons in the schoolhouse, a spelling bee, a visit to the neighborhood early cemetery, games, lunch and planting a garden. He is very proud of that program, but his favorite part of Indian Rock is the Annual Picnic. He enjoys speaking to visitors, sharing information about the history of the schoolhouse and seeing many familiar faces.
Originally from just over the border in Kent, Connecticut, Glen graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with degrees in Journalism and Communications. He moved back to the area when he was offered the position of reporter for the Millerton News and raised children Courtney, Tyler and Jordan in Millerton. He served as editor of the paper from 1984 to 1988 while returning to school to get a teaching degree. Glen has taught at Webutuck since 1988.
Since becoming a Trustee on the Indian Rock board, Glen has developed a special program at the schoolhouse called “Third Grade Immersion.” The children visit the schoolhouse for an entire day, spending time on activities that would have been typical of school in 1858: lessons in the schoolhouse, a spelling bee, a visit to the neighborhood early cemetery, games, lunch and planting a garden. He is very proud of that program, but his favorite part of Indian Rock is the Annual Picnic. He enjoys speaking to visitors, sharing information about the history of the schoolhouse and seeing many familiar faces.
Maureen Moore - Secretary
Maureen is a nurse retired from New York State. She has two sons, both attorneys like their dad, Norman Moore. She is secretary to the Amenia Historical Society and Indian Rock Schoolhouse, a volunteer at Rose Thrift Store…and an outrageous baker – ensuring successful bake sales all around Amenia.
She joined the Schoolhouse Association because she thinks that it is important to support local organizations.
Maureen is a nurse retired from New York State. She has two sons, both attorneys like their dad, Norman Moore. She is secretary to the Amenia Historical Society and Indian Rock Schoolhouse, a volunteer at Rose Thrift Store…and an outrageous baker – ensuring successful bake sales all around Amenia.
She joined the Schoolhouse Association because she thinks that it is important to support local organizations.
Ken Hale - Treasurer
Ken grew up with his three brothers in a very rural area in the western Catskill Park region of New York State about half the size of Amenia. Attending college first in Tennessee and then on to the school at SUNY Albany to study computer science Ken worked as a computer programmer writing accounting software for six years before starting work as the business manager at Maplebrook School in 1991.
Ken grew up with his three brothers in a very rural area in the western Catskill Park region of New York State about half the size of Amenia. Attending college first in Tennessee and then on to the school at SUNY Albany to study computer science Ken worked as a computer programmer writing accounting software for six years before starting work as the business manager at Maplebrook School in 1991.
Beth Murphy
Beth Murphy is the District Librarian for the Webutuck Central School District. She prepares all the children for their visits to Indian Rock and portrays the “School-M’arm” or the “Pine Cone Princess” at the schoolhouse.
An Indian Rock Board member since the founding of the Schoolhouse Association, she provides leadership in the local schools and is a great liaison between the community and Indian Rock Schoolhouse. She has been teaching at Webutuck since the early ‘90’s having gotten her BA and MA at the State University of New York at Albany.
Beth is a Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley and a member of the DAR. Beth has two children, Alex and Hope.
Beth Murphy is the District Librarian for the Webutuck Central School District. She prepares all the children for their visits to Indian Rock and portrays the “School-M’arm” or the “Pine Cone Princess” at the schoolhouse.
An Indian Rock Board member since the founding of the Schoolhouse Association, she provides leadership in the local schools and is a great liaison between the community and Indian Rock Schoolhouse. She has been teaching at Webutuck since the early ‘90’s having gotten her BA and MA at the State University of New York at Albany.
Beth is a Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley and a member of the DAR. Beth has two children, Alex and Hope.
Ann Linden
Originally from suburban Chicago, Ann came east to college studying history, art and education at Middlebury College and New York University. While working on post graduate studies in Art Therapy she taught art in the New York Public School system. After moving to Amenia, local history became a passion. The bounty of local antique schoolhouses in Dutchess County inspired Ann to partner with the late Webutuck District Superintendent Justine Winters and Roger Fazzone, Head of School at Maplebrook, to establish a local museum at “Indian Rock,” a vacant schoolhouse in need of restoration at the edge of the Maplebrook campus. Today Indian Rock 1858 Schoolhouse is the site of all kinds of celebrations, class trips, community picnics and volunteer projects.
Originally from suburban Chicago, Ann came east to college studying history, art and education at Middlebury College and New York University. While working on post graduate studies in Art Therapy she taught art in the New York Public School system. After moving to Amenia, local history became a passion. The bounty of local antique schoolhouses in Dutchess County inspired Ann to partner with the late Webutuck District Superintendent Justine Winters and Roger Fazzone, Head of School at Maplebrook, to establish a local museum at “Indian Rock,” a vacant schoolhouse in need of restoration at the edge of the Maplebrook campus. Today Indian Rock 1858 Schoolhouse is the site of all kinds of celebrations, class trips, community picnics and volunteer projects.
Alison B. Hale
Alison is a retired Occupational Therapist who has lived in the old Milk Factory on Sheffield Road in Amenia with her husband, sculptor/writer Nathan C. Hale, since 1971. Alison is a volunteer for the Wastewater Committee, Imagine Amenia and the Amenia Free Library. She also helps out at Webutuck Elementary School in Mrs. Farr-Kilmer’s first grade class. Interested in how the past is reflected in the present. Alison believes that Indian Rock Schoolhouse and its activities have much to teach us.
Alison is a retired Occupational Therapist who has lived in the old Milk Factory on Sheffield Road in Amenia with her husband, sculptor/writer Nathan C. Hale, since 1971. Alison is a volunteer for the Wastewater Committee, Imagine Amenia and the Amenia Free Library. She also helps out at Webutuck Elementary School in Mrs. Farr-Kilmer’s first grade class. Interested in how the past is reflected in the present. Alison believes that Indian Rock Schoolhouse and its activities have much to teach us.
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Jennifer Jaffe
I grew up in England in a village southwest of London. I did not attend an historic one room schoolhouse, but I did go to nursery school and kindergarten in a very historic building: a fifteenth century cottage, occupied by Cardinal Wolsey, from which he oversaw the building of Hampton Court Palace. I trained as an Elementary Teacher in Hertfordshire and went on to study History at Clare College Cambridge. I earned my Masters degree in History at NYU. My teaching career began in England; I then moved to New York and joined the staff of United Nations International School. After a brief time living in Los Angeles our family moved to Dutchess County. I am the mother of 2 grown daughters and a son, who recently graduated from Webutuck. I have been teaching in the Webutuck Schools since 1993. I am an active member of the Hudson Valley Writing Project, an organization that promotes further education of teachers and shares innovative approaches to teaching children to write. Amenia provides the same flexible amenities as the village of my childhood. I enjoy the opportunities our rural area provides, walking and biking on the rail trail and hiking and exploring the area. I enjoy the proximity of the train as access to the many cultural opportunities in New York City and I frequently attend screenings of plays from London at the Millerton Movie House. |
Annette Culligan
Annette was born and raised in Amenia. She graduated from Webutuck Central School in 1975 and in 1980 married John. They have a daughter and a son. Annette’s grandson has visited the Indian Rock School several times and he has seen how a visit brings joy to all the children that participate.
Annette has just recently retired from a career at Taconic DDSO and has taken a position as secretary to the new Amenia Town Supervisor, Victoria Perotti. She has many interests which include: decorating cakes, baking, crafts. Gardening and spending time outdoors with her family.
Annette feels it is important to keep our children interested in their family’s history and to enjoy the outdoors.
Annette was born and raised in Amenia. She graduated from Webutuck Central School in 1975 and in 1980 married John. They have a daughter and a son. Annette’s grandson has visited the Indian Rock School several times and he has seen how a visit brings joy to all the children that participate.
Annette has just recently retired from a career at Taconic DDSO and has taken a position as secretary to the new Amenia Town Supervisor, Victoria Perotti. She has many interests which include: decorating cakes, baking, crafts. Gardening and spending time outdoors with her family.
Annette feels it is important to keep our children interested in their family’s history and to enjoy the outdoors.
Deb Downey
Debbie recently retired from Taconic DDSO with 39 years of service. She served for 13 years as the local President of The Civil Service Employees Assoc. (CSEA), representing approx. 1,300 employees. During this time she was the Mental Hygiene representative elected to the Statewide Board of Directors for CSEA, Inc. She served on several statewide committees including Personnel, Safety & Health & Workplace Violence. She also served on the NY State contract negotiating team representing 77,000 state employees in contract negotiations during the years of 2007 & 2011. In 2005 she received the Eileen M. Hickey award from the Dutchess County Democrat Committee and in 2012 the Mission Achievement Award from CSEA, Inc. Debbie belongs to the American Legion Aux. Post 178 where she serves as Treasurer and also a member of the VFW Aux. Post 5444.
Debbie lives on Leedsville Rd. with her husband Tom. They have 3 children, Michelle, Becky & Tom along with 4 grandsons, Braeden, Reilly, Tommy & Liam.
Debbie recently retired from Taconic DDSO with 39 years of service. She served for 13 years as the local President of The Civil Service Employees Assoc. (CSEA), representing approx. 1,300 employees. During this time she was the Mental Hygiene representative elected to the Statewide Board of Directors for CSEA, Inc. She served on several statewide committees including Personnel, Safety & Health & Workplace Violence. She also served on the NY State contract negotiating team representing 77,000 state employees in contract negotiations during the years of 2007 & 2011. In 2005 she received the Eileen M. Hickey award from the Dutchess County Democrat Committee and in 2012 the Mission Achievement Award from CSEA, Inc. Debbie belongs to the American Legion Aux. Post 178 where she serves as Treasurer and also a member of the VFW Aux. Post 5444.
Debbie lives on Leedsville Rd. with her husband Tom. They have 3 children, Michelle, Becky & Tom along with 4 grandsons, Braeden, Reilly, Tommy & Liam.
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Jessica Selino
Having grown up in the small town of Owensboro, Kentucky, Jessica Selino studied Studio Art and Art History at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, before moving up north for a Master's Degree in Art History at SUNY Stony Brook. Forever an artist at heart but with a passion for Art History and museums, she has experience working in various art institutions including the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., the University of Kentucky Art Museum, and the Headley-Whitney Museum, a decorative arts museum and historic site in Lexington, KY. Having lived in New York City for three years after her graduate program and serving on the Board of Directors for the Brazilian Music Foundation, Inc., she decided to return to the small-town life and has found a home in Amenia as the Director of Student Activities at Maplebrook School's CAPS program. She hopes to bring her knowledge and experience in art history and historic sites to the Indian Rock Schoolhouse, and is excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization striving to support and spread knowledge of local history throughout the community. |
Indian Rock Advisory Council
Victoria Perotti - Chairman
Andy Durbridge
Raleigh Benjamin
Vicki Benjamin
Jeanne Allen
Bill Burke
Victoria Perotti - Chairman
Andy Durbridge
Raleigh Benjamin
Vicki Benjamin
Jeanne Allen
Bill Burke