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A Follow Up: Getting Up Close and Personal with Bob and Ellen Green, the Artists Behind the Creation of Frog Rock, the Unofficial Mascot of Bainbridge Island

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By Denise Stoughton

Frog Rock. Photo by Rae Rankin

ON THE ISLAND WE SHARE embracing quirky traditions and unique creative culture offers a collective joy ride. With the wind in our hair, the thrill of living on Bainbridge is richer for its abundance of folk art and activities. The pace of our imagination is the heartbeat of Bainbridge Island.

Curbside curiosities, like rings on a tree, signal our artistic growth cycle which naturally (at least for me) calls to mind, the frog. The frog is a powerful metaphor for the cycle of life and oddly, Bainbridge Island’s favorite arboreal obsession.

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If we run our fingers across the circular rings back to 1971, we can trace the moment when Bob and Ellen Green, on the precipice of adulthood, snuck into the night armed with paintbrushes and the exuberance of youth, to make two erratic glacial rocks look like a frog. As a froglet, it was simply known as the Port Madison “frog”. Cycling into adulthood it became ‘Frog Rock’. A solid, Wikipedia-worthy landmark with a pin on Google Maps.

Fast forward fifty-four years, two kids, three grandchildren later, Bob and Ellen enjoyed a well-deserved “moment” during Bainbridge’s first annual Frog Rock Week. Declared so by the City of Bainbridge Island on April 8, 2025 (also Bob and Ellen’s 47th wedding anniversary) in a ceremony which set the tone nicely for the events to come.

Bob Green, holding Frog Rock art

On Friday May 2nd, Millstream, located in Downtown Winslow and offering a unique blend of local art, crafts, and merchandise kicked off festivities with a Frog Rock celebration during First Friday Art Walk. The community gathered ‘round Bob and Ellen to hear the story of how they unknowingly created what would eventually become an iconic landmark. Fans took selfies with Bob and Ellen, a novel experience which Ellen exclaimed, “made us feel famous!”. Frog Rock and Ladybug cookies from Blackbird Bakery were served along with “Frog Juice” – the “amphibalicious” recipe is posted at the end of this article.

The following day, Bob and Ellen Green, joined by family, friends and fans “refreshed” Frog Rock to its original design. Many in the community expressed thanks (and relief) that the lips are back to their curlicue resplendence. One online commenter said she was so happy, she could cry.

Frog Rock itself is located on the road’s setback but is often mistaken as being on the property of the home on the corner, now owned by Lindy and Dan MacMillian. Over the years Bob and Ellen have repainted it. After they moved to Kingston, others picked up the baton to refresh the paint. Shockingly, pouty lips were added earlier this year which sent Bainbridge into a collective tizzy.

Onlookers at the corner of Madison and Phelps alternately lent a hand or cheered volunteers on. Bob and Ellen’s granddaughters added finishing touches to the new paint job. The MacMillans participated in the most endearing of ways: daughter Alice (6 yrs.) watched the grownups paint the big rock and then went inside to create Frog Rock art of her own, which she then gifted to the Greens.

With the final brushstroke, we cleaned up, said our goodbyes, and ambled back to our respective cars — green paint smudged on faces and clothes, bonded by ritual, by history, and by the frog. … A little-known fun fact: Bob Green also painted Strawberry Rock at Strawberry Hill Park! The Metro Park District recently power washed it so that he and others can repaint and refresh it at the end of the month – to possibly coincide with the Strawberry Festival at the Filipino American Community Hall on June 7th.

🐸 Frog Juice (Non-Alcoholic Party Punch)

Frog Juice — As Fine as Frog Hair
A fizzy Bainbridge punch with a twist of lime and a whole lot of heart.

Frog Juice Recipe

Inspired by the iconic Frog Rock, this punch is as refreshing as a summer breeze on Bainbridge Island. With a fizzy zing from ginger ale and a citrus twist, it’s the perfect drink to celebrate community, creativity, and a little local legend. Whether you’re gathering around The Rock or just looking for a fun, frothy treat, Frog Juice is sure to bring a splash of joy to your day!

Ingredients:

  • 2 liters ginger ale
  • 32 oz bottle Santa Cruz Organic Limeade
  • Splash of fresh lime juice
  • Ice
  • Optional garnish: lime slices or fresh mint

Instructions:

  1. Chill the ginger ale and limeade beforehand.
  2. In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine the ginger ale and limeade.
  3. Add a splash of fresh lime juice to taste.
  4. Stir gently to mix.
  5. Serve over ice in glasses, garnished with a lime slice or a sprig of mint.

Denise Stoughton is a community energizer and author of “Meet Me at the Mailbox,” a book celebrating creative projects on Bainbridge Island. Denise is dedicated to connecting local artists and fostering community engagement through her work.

 

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