I am an artisan advocate for Chinese art culture; having started in the rudiments of bonsai and progressed through the heritage to Classical Chinese Gardens & penjing.
A wondrous journey over many years and resulting in the formation and operation of Chinesegardenscene.cn
I encourage You all to visit and under the REGISTRY section - Chinese Residence Gardens, have also provided LINKAGE to Schnormeier Gardens.
Hello Friends,
I bought a property in Carmel Valley, California in Dec of 2005. It was very over grown with alot of weeds/trees that obscured the magnificent view of the rock cliffs and waterfalls. In the interceeding years, I have cleared out the weeds and junk trees to reveal a classic vista. In my mind I have imagined a bridge like the one on your website. Remarkably, I even imagined the bright red color against the dark green of the large oak trees!!!
I would like to reproduce a bridge substantially like yours. So I am seeking your help. I really like the large span and the oriental simplicity.
I am seeking ideas on how to build a similar bridge over my river. Please let me know if you have an interest in helping me.
Thank You
John Livesay
Houston Texas and
Carmel Valley, California
Thanks for you generous words regarding our red bridge. It is without a doubt the most frequently photographed subject in the gardens. Yes, I will be happy to assist you in providing what information I can for your project. Our bridge was completed over 20 years ago and without written plans but I can provide some measurements and perhaps a construction photo or two. Why don't you email me at schangrala@aol.com with your questions and I'll do what I can to be of assistance.
Ted Schnormeier
My husband and I were on a motorcycle ride this past summer and stumbled on your gorgeous Gardens. This afternoon, we brought a few members of our Gold Wing Motorcycle Club (from Mansfield) on a ride to show them the wonderful house and grounds just outside Gambier. Your Grandson was riding his bike on your property and stopped to visit with us. He was gracious enough to give us your website address and to let us know there would be an open house next summer. We are planning on stopping by for a more in depth look. Hope to meet you then.
Karen and Chet Zellner, Butler
We both thank you so much for allowing our Snappers car group to visit your years of planning and work ~ producing a most wonderful garden. It was indeed a pleasure visiting the gardens and you. Thank you so much.
We second John McAnlis' comments regarding the pleasurable time we had visiting your gardens as part of the Snappers Fall Frosty Tour. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity in sharing your marvelous grounds with us.
Marge Salvatora & Randy Hall
Sept. 28, 2009. We had the privilege of visiting your marvelous gardens with our Snapper's Antique Car Club this past week. We are all most appreciative of the opportunity to visit and enjoy the beauty your accomplishments. I also was pleased to take Ted for a ride in our 1908 Stearns automobile. Thanks very much. John McAnlis, Wadsworth, Ohio
I rec'd your brochure from a friend about your beautiful gardens. I have enjoyed the pictures from your website. My daughter wants to have her Senior pictures taken there this Saturday 8/11/09. I have tried your phone # in the phonebook, but your messages are full. I am sorry for using your guest book for this info, but we need to let the photographer know as soon as possible.
Thank you
Dear Patty,
Sorry you've been unable to reach us but we've been on vacation for about the last ten days. Our email is shown on the website and we were responding to email while away. Of course, this reply is after your requested 'photo time'. If you schedule still affords the opportunity for the pictures just email me at schangrala@aol.com and we'll try and accommodate your request.
I have enjoyed visiting many of the sites listing Schnormeier Gardens. I had no idea the Gardens existed. I do not live that many hours away and would love to visit the gardens. How do I learn of future public visitation openings? I certainly will be there when it is possible.......Judy Ireton
Judy, thanks for your kind words. Since you've already found our website you only need click on the bulletin board tab under which you see the events scheduled for the year. Our schedule will be posted for 2010 by April 1. Most likely, our public open house will be the first or second weekend of June. Hope to see you here! Happy Gardening, Ted Schnormeier
It amazes me that two places can co-exist so close together and know of one another...
I would like to come up and visit you soon and walk your gardens and talk with you about the possibility for future events at your location. I am the owner of a Bonsai Studio in Hanover, Ohio and also the President of the local bonsai club. We have shows and other events yearly and looking at your location it seems a great backdrop for a event/show that will be upcoming in the future. Please email me directly and we can discuss more if you’re interested.
A side note, I also travel teaching bonsai and if you have the facilities your location may be great for some classes if you have clientele that desires such a class. We can work out details for that as well.
And one last thing… if your interested in having a bonsai display area added to your gardens I would love to help with that.
thanks you and have a great day
Jeff and Heather Carr
Staselwood Bonsai Studio jcarr@staselwoodbonsai.com
740-403-0215
Hi,
I just want to say thank you for such a gorgeous website!! I was first introduced to your gardens as a Kenyon student (on the track team that runs on Big Run Road) in 1998. I have visited during your open houses with my grandmother (Martha Watson), who I believe met you on some travels in the past. Needless to say, these peaceful grounds hold a very special place in my heart. My husband (also a Kenyon grad) and I will occasionally drive up to Gambier just to run out in the country...and now that I have found your website, I will be able to "return" even in the times when I can't physically escape. Thank you so much!!
Niki Book
I received the plans and have been over them. I believe additional information will be needed but will try to do a preliminary analysis without any new survey info. I have establised the drainage basin area contributing to the dam using the Knox County GIS Information but have not determined the exact area. I am still learning how to use the County's GIS software. Have also looked at soil data but I am still quite a ways away from beginning calculations. I will contact you again in about a month when I finish the current project I am working on. It shoul be in the second week of July.
Questions that remain relate to:
1. Size of pipe and materials used for both the vertical drop and the hoirzontal leg.
2. I believe the spillway is a morningglory design. I will need an accurate set of dimensions for calculations and wherther or not
anti-vortexing provisions were incorporated. at the inlet. If anti-votexing was incorporated, then details on arrangement are also
needed.
3. Has the dam ever been over topped? If so by what depth of flow? If it hasn't, then how close has it come?
If you have further information on the above please send.
Very best regards,
Dennis
PS. Perhaps a different email address would be best used to communicate further on this topic.
I have visited your gardens several times. Last year I was with Roger Seely (Seely Landscape from Hilliard-Columbus) and his son.
I am a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club. We have 100+ members.
I am asking if we can tour your gadens on July 6th, 2010 at 6:30 pm. We try to plan our schedule out a year in advance.
Elvin, I remember your visit well last year with Roger, and by the way, the banana plant he brought along is thriving when on the other hand, we lost a lot of stock last winter - principally Japanese maples.
I'm sure we can accommodate your request as we have not yet booked anything for 2010. Normally, I wait until the first quarter of the year when I have a calender and I have the present year behind me.
My email is schangrala@aol.com. Please communicate with me directly with that address rather than a post on the guest book in the future. It is somewhat more convenient and not out there for the whole world to see - and then I'll have your email address as well. At times I forget to check the guest book and you might not get a quick response.
I am still in awe of all that I experienced Thursday, June 18, 2009, when I visited the GARDENS with the Master Gardeners of Cambridge, Ohio. Thank you for your hospitality. Everything is just absolutely beautiful.
As stated in our conversation, I am begining the Hyrology and Hydraulic study. The process is complex and time consuming and will in all takle about 4 to 5 months to complete with my current time demands. The study as mentioned will be done at no cost to you other than if surveying is needed to provide critical elevations and dimensions.
Information needed follows:
1) A cross section through the dam from upstream to downstream,
2) A cross section through the dam from bank to bank, and
3) Details on the outlet works
All the above with elevations and dimensions.
If these do not exist now then we can make approximations for now and details could be added later to refine the analysis as time and resources permit. If you do have drawings or sketches please send copies or I can come up and get the details needed for the analysis.
My contact information follows:
Dennis C. Urban,P.E.
846 Aylesbury Drive
Gahanna, OH 43230
I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to tour your gardens. My son has a fascination with anything Asian and has been waiting since last summer to come visit. His birthday is the 17th so we came up as part of his birthday present, along with my niece and parents. I wasn't expecting to be as taken with it as I was. It's so beautiful and peaceful there that once we arrived we didn't want to leave! I can only imagine how much you both must love being able to go take a book and sit and relax in one of the garden houses or pavilion, etc. or just walk around and soak in the beauty of the place and let the stresses fall away.
It's also been fun reading through the website and seeing how everything came to be. Unfortunately, my husband had to work and wasn't able to attend with us. I also noticed after looking through the website some things I didn't see while I was there. I guess that means we'll just have to visit again next time (if you continue to open it to the public, that is)!
I wanted to thank you opening your beautiful gardens to the public. I had the change to visit last year, I came on Sat with girlfriends and returned Sun. with my husband Jerry. It was a wonderful place and made me feel so good to see all of natures beauty. We lost our 16 year old son Justin last June 4th and the weekend following his funeral service my girlfriends invited me to see your gardens. It was such a healing experience. It has been a long hard year and my husband I plan to return this Sunday hoping to feel natures healing powers again.
Thanks for allowing us this experience. Maureen Richert - Mt. Vernon, Oh
My husband Sam and I are looking forward to driving over from Columbus Ohio to view the gardens this coming Sunday. I discovered the gardens back in April when attending a 90th Birthday Bash at the College. The gardens were awesome from the road, can't wait to view close up! Thank you for sharing and hope to meet you and Mrs Schnormeier.
Rita Schaadt
My husband and I kind of stumbled onto your gardens. We were looking for a home to rent in the paper and pulled up to this amazing long driveway with this beautiful house and unbelievable landscaping. We were unsure that the address in the paper was correct so we drove through the property and up on the hill to the right was the "lake House"( I think that is what you call it). I told my husband that I could spend every moment looking at your amazing grounds and this dream like atmosphere. We called the number in the ad and left a message as we stood there looking at your gardens. We were so taken by it we call our 14yr old daughter and went to pick her up just so she could see it too. It's funny how life is made up of these circles, one day at work (Knox Community Hospital) I was reading the dialogue and in it was an ad for an Open house with these familiar images. I couldn't believe what I was seeing it was your gardens. I was so happy you were having an open house so I could visit again. When I think of peace I close my eyes and I can see your gardens, Thank you so much for sharing them.
Hello,
My husband and I moved to Mt. Vernon last year, and he just found your website. What a wonderful endeavor you have undertaken! We hope to visit during your open house! Are you "handicap accessible?" I use a scooter for places that require a lot of walking.
Karen, thank you for your kind words! Yes, the garden is scooter friendly. That is, if we don't have showers and the grass is pretty wet. See me if that is the case and I'll give you some recommendations of where to go and how to get there. Hope to see you this next weekend.
Your website is terrific, informative and very inspiring. I can't wait for the open house in June to witness for myself. My husband & I are new to Apple Valley & we had no idea you were so close. Thank you both for opening your hearts and your home for everyone to enjoy!
Holly
Holly, thank you for your very generous comments about our website as well as what it is representing!
I try and greet as many of our guests as possible. Please introduce yourself and let me know what you thought of the real thing. We hope you won't be disappointed!
By the way, our home will not be open - only the grounds surrounding the home.
I have visited your gardens on two occasions with my friend John Makuch and a photography club from the Columbus area. It is difficult to find the words to describe your awe-inspiring gardens. I have some beautiful photos from my experiences. The gardens are truly fantastic. Thank you for letting us visit.
Thanks for your kind words about our gardens. We haven't heard from John for a couple of years. Is he still teaching his photography classes/club? John always sent us many wonderful photos. Has he switched from film to digital?
Please give John our best regards. Also, please note that we are having our public open house on June 6 & 7 this year. Please feel free to come up, bring your fellow photographers and get a few more good shots!
Many thanks for this great website and even more impressive pictures of yout gardens.
I am really very impressed by the perfection of your home environment. You gave me a lot of ideas and impulses for my own house with a small garden (50m2) :-) and hope it would be possible to implement at least some elements of the Sukiya Living in my own home as well.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Kind regards from Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Thank you for your very kind words regarding our web site and gardens. There is no question. "YOU
GOT IT!" Not everyone understands our objectives as you did. They need to be told.
Interestingly enough, our webmaster encouraged us to do a web site so that what we have done can be shared with those that won't ever have a chance to visit it in person. It is working out as he predicted. In the last several weeks we have heard from Finland from an individual who wants to duplicate our teahouse. We have heard from Bosnia from folks who wanted to feature our garden as the best Chinese garden photos they have been able to find. And now, from you in Germany (both of my parents emigrated from Germany) who got the big picture!
Last year we had visitors from 18 states and 7 countries at our annual open house so the word is getting around and it is almost all a 'do it yourself' project or a residential landscape job on steroids!
Joe, thank your for your interest in a tour for the Guernsey County Master Gardeners.
Yes, we would be happy to accommodate that request. However, prior to finalizing, I am waiting for a reply from Kingwood Center in Mansfield as we have a tentative date with them of the 18th or 19th.
Also, I don't know if they are AM or PM.
I expect to hear from them next week. If I don't, I will call them and then get back to you.
I meant to write gardens, but wrote garden (Freudian slip)instead. I see it put together to serve a higher purpose (even though each section is uniquely different)- as they all fall under their intended theme: Peace, Harmony & Serenity.
Sorry about the very late response to your posting. We have been having difficulties with our guest book - particularly about the inability to respond. However, we are now in business!
It was good to hear from you and thank you for the many kind words. No question, we have had a lot of great things happening and still more to come. The book is looking great, but is a tad behind schedule.
We hope that everything is going equally well for both of you. Please keep in touch. My email is schangrala@aol.com.
We just received your card a couple of days ago (thank you for providing the link)!! We cannot wait to see what you've both done to the garden since we saw it last.
We enjoyed reading your journey! I'm sure you're both proud of all the HARD WORK you've both labored over! This is by far the most beautiful garden in the world (and we are more than fortunate to have a special tour!). Hopefully when we see it again it would be in the spring time :).
We're anticipating the book :). We miss you both! And congratulations on ending up in Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine!
My wife Rhonda happened to be looking through a travel magazine that was mentioning "World famous
gardens" and mentioned the "old homestead" as one of the top 20 in the World! She could not wait to tell me! (She is a big gardener herself.) We got on your website and it was great to see all the outstanding things you have done with the property. I spent a lot of time telling my wife and daughter all the things that led up to you beginning your quest. It all looks great! Thank you for making it so beautiful. It was sad for me to leave that home. I have had many dreams about it and miss it. I am glad you had the vision and the means to make it greater than we ever could have. Dad passed away this summer and I miss him. Mom and Dad would be pleased with what you have done. It was important to them also in their life. Dorothy would be very thankful that Ira did not win! I look forward to seeing it someday, up close. I hope this finds you in good health.
Sincerely
Doug Leaman
Thank your for your many kind thoughts and words about our gardens. Sorry for the tardy response, but I had been having difficulty responding to guest book posts. Everything is good now!
Our annual open hours will be June 6 & 7 from 10 to 4. Hope you can make it. Would look forward to seeing you.
Hi,
We visited you this spring and saw your gardens. We are the friends of Charles Reina of Long Island.
Today I saw some sculptures of a friend Walter Montstream, of which I thought you might be interested in.
Half way down the info page of the website of his sister Katherine Montstream, you will find a few samples of his work. You can reach him at 860-533-9759.
We really enjoyed your gardens and understood that Charles with his son David visited you this summer.
Hope all is well with you,
Comments
Diminutive landscapes and in particular Chinese Cup Garden
Congratulations on Your garden achievements.
I am an artisan advocate for Chinese art culture; having started in the rudiments of bonsai and progressed through the heritage to Classical Chinese Gardens & penjing.
A wondrous journey over many years and resulting in the formation and operation of Chinesegardenscene.cn
I encourage You all to visit and under the REGISTRY section - Chinese Residence Gardens, have also provided LINKAGE to Schnormeier Gardens.
Thank You.
Your Chinese bridge. I need advice
Hello Friends,
I bought a property in Carmel Valley, California in Dec of 2005. It was very over grown with alot of weeds/trees that obscured the magnificent view of the rock cliffs and waterfalls. In the interceeding years, I have cleared out the weeds and junk trees to reveal a classic vista. In my mind I have imagined a bridge like the one on your website. Remarkably, I even imagined the bright red color against the dark green of the large oak trees!!!
I would like to reproduce a bridge substantially like yours. So I am seeking your help. I really like the large span and the oriental simplicity.
I am seeking ideas on how to build a similar bridge over my river. Please let me know if you have an interest in helping me.
Thank You
John Livesay
Houston Texas and
Carmel Valley, California
Your request for bridge information
Thanks for you generous words regarding our red bridge. It is without a doubt the most frequently photographed subject in the gardens. Yes, I will be happy to assist you in providing what information I can for your project. Our bridge was completed over 20 years ago and without written plans but I can provide some measurements and perhaps a construction photo or two. Why don't you email me at schangrala@aol.com with your questions and I'll do what I can to be of assistance.
Ted Schnormeier
Talked to your Grandson
My husband and I were on a motorcycle ride this past summer and stumbled on your gorgeous Gardens. This afternoon, we brought a few members of our Gold Wing Motorcycle Club (from Mansfield) on a ride to show them the wonderful house and grounds just outside Gambier. Your Grandson was riding his bike on your property and stopped to visit with us. He was gracious enough to give us your website address and to let us know there would be an open house next summer. We are planning on stopping by for a more in depth look. Hope to meet you then.
Karen and Chet Zellner, Butler
Gardens visit with Snappers Fri 25 Sep 09
We both thank you so much for allowing our Snappers car group to visit your years of planning and work ~ producing a most wonderful garden. It was indeed a pleasure visiting the gardens and you. Thank you so much.
Snappers thank you
We second John McAnlis' comments regarding the pleasurable time we had visiting your gardens as part of the Snappers Fall Frosty Tour. Thank you for your hospitality and generosity in sharing your marvelous grounds with us.
Marge Salvatora & Randy Hall
Sept. 28, 2009. We had the
Sept. 28, 2009. We had the privilege of visiting your marvelous gardens with our Snapper's Antique Car Club this past week. We are all most appreciative of the opportunity to visit and enjoy the beauty your accomplishments. I also was pleased to take Ted for a ride in our 1908 Stearns automobile. Thanks very much. John McAnlis, Wadsworth, Ohio
Senior Pictures
I rec'd your brochure from a friend about your beautiful gardens. I have enjoyed the pictures from your website. My daughter wants to have her Senior pictures taken there this Saturday 8/11/09. I have tried your phone # in the phonebook, but your messages are full. I am sorry for using your guest book for this info, but we need to let the photographer know as soon as possible.
Thank you
Dear Patty, Sorry you've been
Dear Patty,
Sorry you've been unable to reach us but we've been on vacation for about the last ten days. Our email is shown on the website and we were responding to email while away. Of course, this reply is after your requested 'photo time'. If you schedule still affords the opportunity for the pictures just email me at schangrala@aol.com and we'll try and accommodate your request.
Ted Schnormeier
Schnormeier Gardens
I have enjoyed visiting many of the sites listing Schnormeier Gardens. I had no idea the Gardens existed. I do not live that many hours away and would love to visit the gardens. How do I learn of future public visitation openings? I certainly will be there when it is possible.......Judy Ireton
Judy, thanks for your kind
Judy, thanks for your kind words. Since you've already found our website you only need click on the bulletin board tab under which you see the events scheduled for the year. Our schedule will be posted for 2010 by April 1. Most likely, our public open house will be the first or second weekend of June. Hope to see you here! Happy Gardening, Ted Schnormeier
possible backdrop for workshops or show
It amazes me that two places can co-exist so close together and know of one another...
I would like to come up and visit you soon and walk your gardens and talk with you about the possibility for future events at your location. I am the owner of a Bonsai Studio in Hanover, Ohio and also the President of the local bonsai club. We have shows and other events yearly and looking at your location it seems a great backdrop for a event/show that will be upcoming in the future. Please email me directly and we can discuss more if you’re interested.
A side note, I also travel teaching bonsai and if you have the facilities your location may be great for some classes if you have clientele that desires such a class. We can work out details for that as well.
And one last thing… if your interested in having a bonsai display area added to your gardens I would love to help with that.
thanks you and have a great day
Jeff and Heather Carr
Staselwood Bonsai Studio
jcarr@staselwoodbonsai.com
740-403-0215
Wonderful webpage
Hi,
I just want to say thank you for such a gorgeous website!! I was first introduced to your gardens as a Kenyon student (on the track team that runs on Big Run Road) in 1998. I have visited during your open houses with my grandmother (Martha Watson), who I believe met you on some travels in the past. Needless to say, these peaceful grounds hold a very special place in my heart. My husband (also a Kenyon grad) and I will occasionally drive up to Gambier just to run out in the country...and now that I have found your website, I will be able to "return" even in the times when I can't physically escape. Thank you so much!!
Niki Book
H&H Study
Dear Ted,
I received the plans and have been over them. I believe additional information will be needed but will try to do a preliminary analysis without any new survey info. I have establised the drainage basin area contributing to the dam using the Knox County GIS Information but have not determined the exact area. I am still learning how to use the County's GIS software. Have also looked at soil data but I am still quite a ways away from beginning calculations. I will contact you again in about a month when I finish the current project I am working on. It shoul be in the second week of July.
Questions that remain relate to:
1. Size of pipe and materials used for both the vertical drop and the hoirzontal leg.
2. I believe the spillway is a morningglory design. I will need an accurate set of dimensions for calculations and wherther or not
anti-vortexing provisions were incorporated. at the inlet. If anti-votexing was incorporated, then details on arrangement are also
needed.
3. Has the dam ever been over topped? If so by what depth of flow? If it hasn't, then how close has it come?
If you have further information on the above please send.
Very best regards,
Dennis
PS. Perhaps a different email address would be best used to communicate further on this topic.
Request a Tour
I have visited your gardens several times. Last year I was with Roger Seely (Seely Landscape from Hilliard-Columbus) and his son.
I am a member of the Mansfield Men's Garden Club. We have 100+ members.
I am asking if we can tour your gadens on July 6th, 2010 at 6:30 pm. We try to plan our schedule out a year in advance.
Thank you.
Elvin, I remember your visit
Elvin, I remember your visit well last year with Roger, and by the way, the banana plant he brought along is thriving when on the other hand, we lost a lot of stock last winter - principally Japanese maples.
I'm sure we can accommodate your request as we have not yet booked anything for 2010. Normally, I wait until the first quarter of the year when I have a calender and I have the present year behind me.
My email is schangrala@aol.com. Please communicate with me directly with that address rather than a post on the guest book in the future. It is somewhat more convenient and not out there for the whole world to see - and then I'll have your email address as well. At times I forget to check the guest book and you might not get a quick response.
Happy gardening!
SCHNORMEIER GARDENS
Ted Schnormeier
Thank You.
I am still in awe of all that I experienced Thursday, June 18, 2009, when I visited the GARDENS with the Master Gardeners of Cambridge, Ohio. Thank you for your hospitality. Everything is just absolutely beautiful.
H & H Study
Your Gardens are a treasure
As stated in our conversation, I am begining the Hyrology and Hydraulic study. The process is complex and time consuming and will in all takle about 4 to 5 months to complete with my current time demands. The study as mentioned will be done at no cost to you other than if surveying is needed to provide critical elevations and dimensions.
Information needed follows:
1) A cross section through the dam from upstream to downstream,
2) A cross section through the dam from bank to bank, and
3) Details on the outlet works
All the above with elevations and dimensions.
If these do not exist now then we can make approximations for now and details could be added later to refine the analysis as time and resources permit. If you do have drawings or sketches please send copies or I can come up and get the details needed for the analysis.
My contact information follows:
Dennis C. Urban,P.E.
846 Aylesbury Drive
Gahanna, OH 43230
(614) 619-7101 Cell
(614) 855-7728 Residence
urban660128@yahoo.com eMail
Best wishes,
Dennis Urban
Thank you!
I just want to say thank you for the opportunity to tour your gardens. My son has a fascination with anything Asian and has been waiting since last summer to come visit. His birthday is the 17th so we came up as part of his birthday present, along with my niece and parents. I wasn't expecting to be as taken with it as I was. It's so beautiful and peaceful there that once we arrived we didn't want to leave! I can only imagine how much you both must love being able to go take a book and sit and relax in one of the garden houses or pavilion, etc. or just walk around and soak in the beauty of the place and let the stresses fall away.
It's also been fun reading through the website and seeing how everything came to be. Unfortunately, my husband had to work and wasn't able to attend with us. I also noticed after looking through the website some things I didn't see while I was there. I guess that means we'll just have to visit again next time (if you continue to open it to the public, that is)!
Thank you
I wanted to thank you opening your beautiful gardens to the public. I had the change to visit last year, I came on Sat with girlfriends and returned Sun. with my husband Jerry. It was a wonderful place and made me feel so good to see all of natures beauty. We lost our 16 year old son Justin last June 4th and the weekend following his funeral service my girlfriends invited me to see your gardens. It was such a healing experience. It has been a long hard year and my husband I plan to return this Sunday hoping to feel natures healing powers again.
Thanks for allowing us this experience. Maureen Richert - Mt. Vernon, Oh
Looking forward to viewing gardens at your Open House
My husband Sam and I are looking forward to driving over from Columbus Ohio to view the gardens this coming Sunday. I discovered the gardens back in April when attending a 90th Birthday Bash at the College. The gardens were awesome from the road, can't wait to view close up! Thank you for sharing and hope to meet you and Mrs Schnormeier.
Rita Schaadt
Hello, My husband and I kind
Hello,
My husband and I kind of stumbled onto your gardens. We were looking for a home to rent in the paper and pulled up to this amazing long driveway with this beautiful house and unbelievable landscaping. We were unsure that the address in the paper was correct so we drove through the property and up on the hill to the right was the "lake House"( I think that is what you call it). I told my husband that I could spend every moment looking at your amazing grounds and this dream like atmosphere. We called the number in the ad and left a message as we stood there looking at your gardens. We were so taken by it we call our 14yr old daughter and went to pick her up just so she could see it too. It's funny how life is made up of these circles, one day at work (Knox Community Hospital) I was reading the dialogue and in it was an ad for an Open house with these familiar images. I couldn't believe what I was seeing it was your gardens. I was so happy you were having an open house so I could visit again. When I think of peace I close my eyes and I can see your gardens, Thank you so much for sharing them.
Awesome photos!
Hello,
My husband and I moved to Mt. Vernon last year, and he just found your website. What a wonderful endeavor you have undertaken! We hope to visit during your open house! Are you "handicap accessible?" I use a scooter for places that require a lot of walking.
Karen, thank you for your
Karen, thank you for your kind words! Yes, the garden is scooter friendly. That is, if we don't have showers and the grass is pretty wet. See me if that is the case and I'll give you some recommendations of where to go and how to get there. Hope to see you this next weekend.
Open House
Your website is terrific, informative and very inspiring. I can't wait for the open house in June to witness for myself. My husband & I are new to Apple Valley & we had no idea you were so close. Thank you both for opening your hearts and your home for everyone to enjoy!
Holly
Holly, thank you for your
Holly, thank you for your very generous comments about our website as well as what it is representing!
I try and greet as many of our guests as possible. Please introduce yourself and let me know what you thought of the real thing. We hope you won't be disappointed!
By the way, our home will not be open - only the grounds surrounding the home.
We look forward to your visit!
Ted Schnormeier
Visiting in June
I am hoping and planning that you will be opening your guarden to guests in June. Have you published the date yet?
My daughter and I are looking forward to a visit.
Thank you!
Yes, we are going to be open
Yes, we are going to be open June 6 & 7 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM.
We hope you can make it!
I have visited your gardens
I have visited your gardens on two occasions with my friend John Makuch and a photography club from the Columbus area. It is difficult to find the words to describe your awe-inspiring gardens. I have some beautiful photos from my experiences. The gardens are truly fantastic. Thank you for letting us visit.
Garden visit
Dear Rosemary,
Thanks for your kind words about our gardens. We haven't heard from John for a couple of years. Is he still teaching his photography classes/club? John always sent us many wonderful photos. Has he switched from film to digital?
Please give John our best regards. Also, please note that we are having our public open house on June 6 & 7 this year. Please feel free to come up, bring your fellow photographers and get a few more good shots!
Ted Schnormeier
Complement
Dear Ann and Ted,
Many thanks for this great website and even more impressive pictures of yout gardens.
I am really very impressed by the perfection of your home environment. You gave me a lot of ideas and impulses for my own house with a small garden (50m2) :-) and hope it would be possible to implement at least some elements of the Sukiya Living in my own home as well.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH
Kind regards from Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Victor Heidebrecht
www.heidebrecht.com
Complement
Dear Victor,
Thank you for your very kind words regarding our web site and gardens. There is no question. "YOU
GOT IT!" Not everyone understands our objectives as you did. They need to be told.
Interestingly enough, our webmaster encouraged us to do a web site so that what we have done can be shared with those that won't ever have a chance to visit it in person. It is working out as he predicted. In the last several weeks we have heard from Finland from an individual who wants to duplicate our teahouse. We have heard from Bosnia from folks who wanted to feature our garden as the best Chinese garden photos they have been able to find. And now, from you in Germany (both of my parents emigrated from Germany) who got the big picture!
Last year we had visitors from 18 states and 7 countries at our annual open house so the word is getting around and it is almost all a 'do it yourself' project or a residential landscape job on steroids!
Thanks again!
Ted Schnormeier
Guernsey County Master Gardners Visit Request
Is it possible to have a tour of the gardens on June 19th for 15 - 20 Guernsey County Master Gardners with OSU Extension Office?
Thank you for your response.
Joe Smith
(740) 826-7756
Request for tour
Joe, thank your for your interest in a tour for the Guernsey County Master Gardeners.
Yes, we would be happy to accommodate that request. However, prior to finalizing, I am waiting for a reply from Kingwood Center in Mansfield as we have a tentative date with them of the 18th or 19th.
Also, I don't know if they are AM or PM.
I expect to hear from them next week. If I don't, I will call them and then get back to you.
Happy Gardening,
Ted Schnormeier
Correction
I meant to write gardens, but wrote garden (Freudian slip)instead. I see it put together to serve a higher purpose (even though each section is uniquely different)- as they all fall under their intended theme: Peace, Harmony & Serenity.
A belated 'HI' from Ann and
A belated 'HI' from Ann and Ted
Sorry about the very late response to your posting. We have been having difficulties with our guest book - particularly about the inability to respond. However, we are now in business!
It was good to hear from you and thank you for the many kind words. No question, we have had a lot of great things happening and still more to come. The book is looking great, but is a tad behind schedule.
We hope that everything is going equally well for both of you. Please keep in touch. My email is schangrala@aol.com.
Best regards,
Ann & Ted
Beautiful
Hi Ann & Ted,
We just received your card a couple of days ago (thank you for providing the link)!! We cannot wait to see what you've both done to the garden since we saw it last.
We enjoyed reading your journey! I'm sure you're both proud of all the HARD WORK you've both labored over! This is by far the most beautiful garden in the world (and we are more than fortunate to have a special tour!). Hopefully when we see it again it would be in the spring time :).
We're anticipating the book :). We miss you both! And congratulations on ending up in Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine!
Love,
Jullian & Yenith
My wife Rhonda happened to be
My wife Rhonda happened to be looking through a travel magazine that was mentioning "World famous
gardens" and mentioned the "old homestead" as one of the top 20 in the World! She could not wait to tell me! (She is a big gardener herself.) We got on your website and it was great to see all the outstanding things you have done with the property. I spent a lot of time telling my wife and daughter all the things that led up to you beginning your quest. It all looks great! Thank you for making it so beautiful. It was sad for me to leave that home. I have had many dreams about it and miss it. I am glad you had the vision and the means to make it greater than we ever could have. Dad passed away this summer and I miss him. Mom and Dad would be pleased with what you have done. It was important to them also in their life. Dorothy would be very thankful that Ira did not win! I look forward to seeing it someday, up close. I hope this finds you in good health.
Sincerely
Doug Leaman
Dear Doug & Rhonda, Thank
Dear Doug & Rhonda,
Thank your for your many kind thoughts and words about our gardens. Sorry for the tardy response, but I had been having difficulty responding to guest book posts. Everything is good now!
Our annual open hours will be June 6 & 7 from 10 to 4. Hope you can make it. Would look forward to seeing you.
Best Regards,
Ted Schnormeier
sculptures
Hi,
We visited you this spring and saw your gardens. We are the friends of Charles Reina of Long Island.
Today I saw some sculptures of a friend Walter Montstream, of which I thought you might be interested in.
Half way down the info page of the website of his sister Katherine Montstream, you will find a few samples of his work. You can reach him at 860-533-9759.
We really enjoyed your gardens and understood that Charles with his son David visited you this summer.
Hope all is well with you,
Robert Jaarsma
http://kmmstudio.com/Info.htm
Dear Robert, Thank your for
Dear Robert,
Thank your for your 'heads up' on the sculpture. We visited his site and indeed there is some most interesting work there.
We did have a very nice visit with Charles and his son. It was great to see them again.
Hope you can come back sometime when you can stay longer and we are available.
Best regards,
Ted Schnormeier
Great website!
I love the website! It really does show what the gardens have to offer!
Your Schnormeier Gardens Guest Book comments
Dylan,
Thank you for your kind and generous comments about our gardens in your 10/29/2008 Guest Book comments.
Happy Gardening,
SCHNORMEIER GARDENS
Ted Schnormeier