We are the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot

Robert Buccheri

Rob teaches Social Studies at Carmel High School in Carmel, New York. He has been teaching American History for 30 years while volunteering as a re-enactor of the French and Indian, Revolutionary and Civil War eras. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in history from the University at Buffalo and a Master’s Degree from Connecticut State University. He is a Master Educator for the Living History Education Foundation and has created and instructed graduate courses such as “The Battle for New York in 1776”, “Private Yankee Doodle”, “Civil War Times and the Industrial Age in the Hudson Valley”, “Baseball and the Civil War” and “Johnny Reb Billy Yank”. These courses offer participants a total emersion experience in the periods of both the Revolutionary and the Civil Wars. Participants camp, drill and cook as if they were soldiers living in these eras. He currently teaches elective courses for high school students on both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars as well.

Contact Rob at: Rob_Buccheri@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Ann Shershin

For the past ten years, I have been activity involved in historic preservation and the Hudson Valley community. I am a founding member of the Fort Homestead Association, whose goal is to see to the preservation of the Fort House (circa 1750) on Rt. 9 in the Town of Poughkeepsie. I have also been an officer for Cider Mill Friends of Open Space and Historic Preservation, Inc. This organization successfully purchased the Kimlin Cider Mill (circa 1880) on Cedar Avenue, Town of Poughkeepsie, and saved it from demolition. My interests in local history have lead to an appointment to Town of Poughkeepsie Historic Preservation Commission and hen to successful running for the Town of Poughkeepsie Town Board in November 2011. One of my first accomplishments as a councilperson was to save from demolition a small stone barn from the Kenyon estate on the corner on Boardman and Spackenkill Road.

Contact Ann at: Ann_Shershin@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Mara Farrell

With a great love of history and architecture, she handled marketing for landmark properties in France dating from the 16th century. Stateside, she has served on the board of directors for the Calvert Vaux Preservation Alliance and the Fishkill Historical Society. Having lived in Fishkill for over twenty years, Mara brings an in-depth knowledge of the Hudson Valley to the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot. Her education includes graduate and undergraduate degrees from Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College She is the 2011 recipient of the Martha Washington Woman of History Award for her contributions to the history of New York's Hudson Valley.

Contact Mara at: Mara_Farrell@fishkillsupplydepot.org

John Groen

Hello, my name is John Groen and I am very enthused about being one of the new Trustees of the FOFSD. I hope I can offer some skills that will advance the cause of this honorable organization. I grew up and got my bachelor’s degree in the Midwest, but I have lived and worked in the greater Fishkill area since 1992. I am of Dutch descent, and have discovered a deep and abiding fondness for what started out as the Dutch settlement of Fishkill (originally “vis kill”, Dutch for “fish creek”), especially its intriguing history during the Colonial/Revolutionary times. In fact, I was proud to have both of my sons baptized at the historic First Reformed Church of Fishkill, which played several important roles during the Revolutionary War. I am a research scientist (geochemist) and geological engineer by training, having earned my B.S. degree in 1985 from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and my M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in 1987 and 1991, respectively, from Virginia Tech. In fact, some of my Ph.D. research was funded and inspired by researchers at the Texaco Research Center at Beacon. That work evolved into a Geochemical Research Scientist position for me at Beacon (Glenham), where I was employed from 1992-2003. I have also worked at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD (which ceased mining operations in 2002, but now houses the Sanford Underground Research Facility). I have been semi-retired since 2004, though I do occasional consulting work, and LOTS of home improvement/home repair work. Being a geologist who specializes in mineralogy, I am an avid mineral collector, though I have regrettably not done any field-collecting for a number of years. This hobby started when I was attending South Dakota Tech in the Black Hills, which has hundreds of old, abandoned pegmatite mines that are a collector’s bonanza, as they contain both large and often rare minerals/crystals. I also enjoy collecting coins and antiques, traveling both domestically and internationally, bicycling, hiking, carpentry/woodworking/building/fixing, and touring historical sites/museums. I also obviously find great satisfaction in helping preserve at-risk historical sites and buildings. Last, but certainly not least, I am an aficionado of stouts, especially Imperial Stouts. My wife, Pat, and I have been married for 25 years, and as mentioned above, we have two sons, Thomas (23), and Pete (20).

Contact John at: John Groen@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Paul Hafemann

Paul Hafemann has been a resident of the Town of Fishkill for nearly five decades. His deep connection to the area began in childhood, with early memories of walking through the Rombout Rural Cemetery and visiting local landmarks such as the Van Wyck Homestead Museum and the First Reformed Church of Fishkill. His parents instilled in him a profound appreciation for history from a very young age. Professionally, Paul has served as a social studies teacher for nearly thirty years, with the last 23 years dedicated to teaching middle school students. His commitment to local heritage extends beyond the classroom; he has served as a trustee of the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot since 2021. Paul is a firm believer in the importance of preserving Fishkill’s deep and vibrant history for future generations.

Contact Paul at: Paul_Hafemann@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Brenda McEwing

She spent her early years in Allentown, PA. Graduated from KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY with major in Elementary Education. Proud mother of 2 and grandmother of 5.

LOVE to travel but always GREAT to return to the beautiful HUDSON VALLEY our home for 48 years!

Contact Brenda at: Brenda_McEwing@fishkillsupplydepot.org

William (Skip) McEwing

Early years in suburban Philadelphia, Grove City College, BA History and Political Science 1967. US AirForce 1967-1974 Pilot. Joined IBM as a Corporate Pilot 1977 and retired 2015. We still reside in Fishkill. I became a contributing member of the Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot in 2012 and was invited to join the Board this year 2025. We look forward to preserving the Historic Treasure of the Supply Depot.

Contact Skip at: Skip_McEwing@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Rob Ashworth

"I am honored to play a role in the fight to save the Fishkill Supply Depot and I couldn't ask for a better group of individuals to work with as we battle for preservation of this sacred site. Long live the FSD, Huzzah!"

Rob started in 2010 as an active volunteer when he agreed to become our Webmaster. Since then he has authored the HTML & CSS, managed the website design and content while handling other social media like our Twitter and Facebook accounts. In 2014 he was elected to our board of trustees. In his spare time, Rob enjoys attending sporting events in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He loves everything outdoors including camping, canoeing, and wildlife photography.

Contact Rob at: Rob_Ashworth@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Lance Ashworth

"In this century, few opportunities exist to directly honor the soldiers who served under General George Washington."

Chairman Lance Ashworth is an Ohio native who has adopted Fishkill, New York as his home. He is a Graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served in the active U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Captain. After joining FOFSD as a volunteer in August 2009, he was voted President in January 2010, a position he has held ever since. Under Lance's direction, the FOFSD has met with significant milestones: achieving federal 501[c](3) not-for-profit status; creating and overseeing (in partnership with Fishkill Historical Society) an annual Revolutionary War Weekend encampment; expanding strategic relationships at the local, state, and federal levels; and, developing an organizational roadmap to lead FOFSD now and into the future. For relaxation, Lance likes spending time outdoors doing activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing. He's a die-hard college football fan who regularly attends (and tailgates at) Army football games. At home, he enjoys handyman-type projects, reading non-fiction, home-brewing, and watching movies. Former President Ronald Reagan is among his favorite American heroes.

Contact Lance at: Lance_Ashworth@fishkillsupplydepot.org

Meet the board of trustees