Thank You from the Executive Director!

We wanted to pass along this message to The Underground from Betsy Tyson-Smith, Executive Director of The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden.


I can hardly think of words to describe my joy at seeing the beautiful addition of water, sound, stones and plants to our little place…. Julie told me how long and hard you all worked on Saturday in the heat and humidity.

It is simply beautiful. It fits in place so seamlessly. The design, the stream and perfect bridge stone, the pond, the plantings, the sitting stone, the path - it all fits in so well, it is so elegant and soothing. As it melds into its place I can see it becoming such a special place for our clients, as well as for us here at the HG - it already is so special.

Today we have a water bug and a frog who have arrived. I have to stop myself from wandering out there to just look, pause, and feel the awe of something so lovely, and Julie, Lana and I are so, so grateful that it belongs to the HG! Our clients will be thrilled.

You have created a singular place of beauty which will benefit all who visit it. Thank you.

Elizabeth Tyson-Smith, MA, LMHC
Executive Director
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, Inc.

Water Feature Workshop A Success!

We just wanted to send you all a quick note about yesterday's workshop. We had a wonderful and very hardworking team of about 40 Underground members who came together to build an absolutely beautiful water feature at The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Our group was instrumental in moving nearly 9 tons of rock, spreading 3 yards of mixed sized gravel, planting almost 200 plants, spreading loads of compost, mulch and more. It truly amazes me at what we were able to accomplish yesterday. You all were just wonderful! We hope you had fun and learned a whole lot too.


We all worked very hard and many of you (especially Ted) got good and muddy - so now its time to take just a little break and rest our aching bones.

If any of you have the opportunity to stop by the healing garden to see the results - please do. We will post pictures from yesterday's workshop as soon as we can. I think you will all be very proud of what our organization was able to do for such a wonderful cause.

Thanks to everyone who participated. You all did a really a great job!

Bridget McManus
For the Steering Committee

Water Feature Building Workshop with Jay Bearfield

Participants in the "Water Feature Building Workshop" learned first hand how to build a water feature — AND contributed to a good cause as well! We were pleased to offer this unique opportunity to participate in this day-long workshop to benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden which serves as a place of healing and renewal for women suffering from breast cancer. The Underground facilitated the donation of a beautiful water feature with the help of our members. Our feature included a waterfall that provides the gentle sound of flowing water connects to a meandering woodland stream which culminates in a pool close by an existing circular sitting area. Alongside are sitting rocks so that its beauty can be enjoyed up close. A pathway leads to a natural stone bridge over the stream and to a secluded area of contemplation.

Our instructor was Jay Bearfield, Liquid Landscape Designs, Inc., Carlisle, MA

This workshop was led by Liquid Landscape Designs owner and internationally certified pond contractor, Jay Bearfield. Jay and his team taught the ‘tricks of the trade’ in building water features. Attendees learned first hand how a water feature should be located, excavated and constructed by learning how to calculate the total volume, the project materials needed, and how to put all of the parts together. Material recommendations, fish and plant stocking procedures, electrical considerations and maintenance requirements were also discussed.

In our previous workshop, using Feng Shui principles, we identified the optimal location for our feature at the healing garden. We discussed different types of features and how they might be integrated into the site. Using your design suggestions, we have taken this project to the next step. In this follow-up workshop we started with a freshly excavated area where we set the skimmer and biofalls filter. Next we layed the rock and gravel, placed the stone bridge, planted aquatic plants, installed the pump and when the water feature was filled with water, we saw the water spilling over the waterfall. Finally we surrounded the water feature with marginal and woodland plants that added to the beauty of the area. Upon the conclusion of the workshop participants will know how to install a beautiful, natural looking and ecologically friendly water feature.

Lunch was included. Attendees were asked to bring their tools - gloves, shovels, and safety gear. Due to conditions, tools, and individual skills, The Underground assumed no responsibility for any damages, injuries suffered, or losses incurred as a result of participating in this workshop. All attendees were required to sign a liability waiver in advance of participating.

Press Release - The Underground Announces the Construction of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden

Press Release July 23, 2007 - The Underground Announces the Construction of a Water Feature to Benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden - downloadable file

House Bill 3182 Hearing Scheduled for July 10

We just became aware that the proposed Massachusetts House Bill 3182 hearing has been scheduled for July 10 at 10:30 a.m. in Room A-2 at the State House. To read the full text of the bill go to http://www.mass.gov/legis/hbillsrch.htm and type in 3182. Unfortunately we are not aware of changes (if any) to this bill.

As you know The Underground along with other organizations such as NELDHA, APLD and ALCM are very concerned about this bill and it's potential affects on our industry. Please visit http://www.apldne.org/legislation.htm for more information about this critical issue. If you are concerned as we are, then we suggest you write your legislators immediately and make a point to attend this upcoming hearing on Tuesday.

In particular, we are concerned with the following:

- that the bill's intention is to cancel the profession of "designer". The "related professions" only include landscape architects - page 5 section

- that the danger of this bill is not so much in the procurement of state projects as it is in the fact that Landscape Designers will not be allowed to compete in any project at all that receives state funding, which may include private and municipal institutions.

- that in order for professionals to qualify for state funded projects they will be required to be licensed, registered or certified by the Commonwealth. Currently, there is no such program in place for Landscape Design professionals. Only Landscape Architects, Land Surveyors and Professional Engineers are registered by the Commonwealth. While it has yet to be a problem, passage of this proposed legislation could significantly affect what professions are recognized by the Commonwealth.

- It is very unclear what is meant by "certified" in the context of this proposed legislation. Within the green industry, the Commonwealth does not certify individuals or currently recognize certifications without some additional process of registration.

If you would like to find out more information about this bill and the upcoming public hearing, please contact Heidi Kost-Gross, president of NELDHA, who will be happy to answer your questions.