My partner Ethan and I were lucky to go to Japan this spring and visit our new friends Hide, Miyako, Mike and Yoko. Hide and Miyako are landscape designers and gardeners from the city Takarazuka, about two hours southeast of Kyoto. From this trip, a strong friendship and cultural exchange has formed, and Rocky Dale is hosting Hide's visit to Vermont this summer from mid-June through mid-July. Hide is working on two traditional Japanese Gardens here in Vermont, and he's also helping form the bones of the future "Garden in the Ledges" here at Rocky Dale. We are excited about this developing relationship and express much gratitude to our new friends. Many thanks go out to all who have made this association possible and helped to build the projects: Mike Tarrant and his father, Gerry, Miyako's sister, Yoko, my nephew Chuck Baser, our neighbor Will Simmons, and Rocky Dale employee Oliver Shea.

Please visit Hide and Miyako's web site Kajiyaiori.com

On future trips, we plan to organize a shipment of authentic Japanese lanterns and garden ornaments.

Please stay tuned to this wonderful development!