RING Board of Directors

RING is entirely operated by volunteers. Volunteers make the landscaping decisions, do the gardening, the design and artistic work, materials procurement, keep the books, liaison with community officials and residents, work with nearby schools, and try to keep this Website current. We are always looking for new volunteers. Introducing... the RING Board:

Maggie Clarke: Founder and President of the RING organization since its inception in 1984, and neighborhood resident since 1979, Maggie has been a professional environmental scientist, researcher, author, and consultant since 1974. In 1996 she was an adjunct lecturer at Hunter College, teaching an Environmental Geology course to undergraduates. She is Chair of the Waste Prevention Committee of the Manhattan Citizens' Solid Waste Advisory Board, and participates in a number of government and professional environmental task forces and technical advisory committees. She is founder and past president of her tenants association. She has a BA in Geology from Smith College, a MA in Geography and Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins, a MS in Energy Technologies from New York University, and is a PhD Candidate in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the City University of New York. She founded RING in 1984, and modelled its gardens not on the usual concept of a New York City community garden, but on the model of European flower and ornamentals gardens. The original 1815 Riverside Drive site won two Mollie Parnis "Dress Up Your Neighborhood" contests in the three years of its existence. She has additionally served RING as newsletter editor and webmaster, fundraiser, treasurer, liaison with Parks, political officials, technical assistance organizations, and Community Board, and gardening instructor and supervisor.

Audrey St. Mark is the Vice President of RING and Events Committee Chair.  Neighborhood resident since 1989, from 30 Seaman, Audrey has headed up RING’s flea markets since last year and has assisted with volunteer coordination and gardening. She is a bilingual school teacher with a background in community education.

Arthur Sherry has been the Vice President of RING and a co-founder of the original garden at the Payson and Riverside site. He has lived in the Inwood area for twenty years. He is married to Jessica Sherry. They have two children, Rachael, 19 and Lucas, 14. They also are owned by the official RING mascott, Barkis, as seen in the photos. Arthur has a B.A. in Music from SUNY Binghamton and presently works as a modelmaker, creating prototypes for the cosmetics industry. He has been active since RING's inception on all aspects of planning and realization of the garden as it now stands. He works mostly on the infrastructure of the garden, building the arbor, waterfall and other similar projects.

Elizabeth Popiel, Arts Committee Co-Chair, works as a Scenic Designer in TV, Film and Theatre here in NYC and other regional and stock theatres, and in Fall 2001 begins as assistant professor at Western Connecticut State College. She holds a BA in Studio Art (Ceramics concentration) and Theatre from Rhode Island College and an MFA in Scenic Design from the department of "Entertaimant Design Technology" at SUNY Purchase. She has taught design at Colgate University, Dalton School (NYC) and currently she theaches Design Fundamentals at SUNY Purchase every spring.Originially from Rhode Island, She has lived in and around NYC for 18 years. She is pleased to live in Inwood now and She lives here with her adorable Jack Russell Terrier and actor husband.She enjoys all crafts and enviornmental activities. She hopes to help do more art related activities for RING as the years come.

Jessica Stretton, RING's treasurer

Mary Grambsch - At large

Martia Gordon - At large

Ruth Bechhofer - At large

Andrew Woods: As Principal of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Andy and his teachers have, since 1985, supervised crews of 20 - 30 students in garden planting and maintenance and fish care. His students are also instrumental in advertising and helping out at major garden events. Andy grew up in Inwood and worked at ArKay Pharmacy on Dyckman Street part-time since he was a teenager. Was science teacher at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs school on Arden Street since 1980 and has been Principal there since 1990. He has BA in Psychology, a Masters in Education from Hunter College, and a M.S. in the Catholic School Administration from Manhattan College. At RING, Andy is liaison to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School

Board members emeriti:

Ed Raguso was RING's treasurer, and works as an actuary.  Ed helped with special projects, like laying of stonework, moving of compost.

Beth Soll was RING's secretary

Annette Dieli was Arts Committee Co-Chair.  Neighborhood resident since 1982, Annette has a BFA in Theatre, is a mixed media artist and puppeteer. She is experienced with indoor and outdoor gardening, interested in environmental issues, is a member of the Puppetry Guild of New York and on the Board of her Tenants Association. She has been a volunteer at RING since its inception. She is in the Masters program in Elementary Education at Bank St. College and works as a substitute teacher. At RING Annette has chaired the Arts and Events Committee, which designed and perfected the new entrance sign, and has also assisted in fish pond maintenance, composting, gardening and orchestrating the Yard Sale portion of our Spring and Fall Festivals.

Guy Johnson: Community resident since 1989, from 20 Seaman Avenue, Guy has a BA in Botany from the University of Connecticut, with a MA in Elementary Education. He works at Head Start with young children. He has been a Gardener's aide at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens for three years, Gardener at New York Botanical Garden for one year, Gardener at Shakespeare Garden for Central Park Conservancy for 3 years. After receiving a Masters in education Guy taught at HeadStart for two years. He has served as a member of the Planning Committee and volunteer for the garden at Middle School 118, for two years. At RING Guy is a gardening educator and supervisor, and he chairs the Gardening Committee.

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