News / Blog

12/14/2011
A Work In Progress

12/14/2011
Autumn 2011 Haiku Contest WINNer Announced!

10/12/2011
My Dream

10/12/2011
Check This Out!

10/12/2011
Have You Seen Teddy's Fountain?

10/03/2011
Igneous Rock Gallery Haiku Contest Guidelines

10/03/2011
Summer 2011 Haiku Contest Winner Announced!

6/14/2011
WPMT FOX 43 Visits Igneous Rock Gallery!

6/14/2011
Video of Current Inventory

6/14/2011
New and Improved Landscape Lights

6/14/2011
Spring Haiku Contest Winner Announced!

5/03/2011
Fountain to be Auctioned at Derby Day!

3/24/2011
Simply the Best?

3/24/2011
An Enduring Tribute

3/11/2011
2011 PA Home Show Special

3/11/2011
Remembering Rick Alcorn

3/11/2011
Winter Haiku Contest Winner Announced! / Spring Contest Entries Welcomed

2/16/2011
Rest In Peace, Rick Alcorn

2/09/2011
Counting Past 130 and Balancing Rocks

2/09/2011
Autumn Haiku Contest Winner / Winter Contest Submission Deadline

2/09/2011
PA Home Show

2/09/2011
Igneous Rock Gallery Fountain Design Party Discounts!

2/09/2011
Sedimentary Rock Gallery?

11/17/2010
Current Special Promotions – Our Best Ever Offer!

11/17/2010
Autumn 2010 Haiku Contest

11/15/2010
One Thing Leads to the Next…

11/08/2010
I'm A Rock Star

10/15/2010
Sid and Gena's Indoor Fountain Sculpture

9/07/2010
Vacation Musings/Balancing Work and Play

9/07/2010
Igneous Rock Gallery Traveling Dog and Pony Show

9/07/2010
2010 Summer Haiku Winner Announced

9/07/2010
Igneous Rock Gallery Harrisburg Fall Home Show Exhibit/One Million Dollar Cash Giveaway!

8/10/2010
This One Could Be Yours

8/8/2010
Summer 2010 Haiku Contest Deadline Extended

8/2/2010
Jerry and Crystal Created Their Own!

7/13/2010
She Stole My Heart

7/13/2010
Table Top Fountain Workshop

6/17/2010
New Fountains

6/15/2010
Do You Want to Meet My Dad?

6/14/2010
The Year of the Creep

6/6/2010
My Impending Incarceration

6/6/2010
Spring 2010 Haiku Contest Winner Announced!

3/20/2010
First Quarterly Haiku Contest!

3/13/2010
Honorable Mention at 2010 Philadelphia International Flower Show

3/12/2010
Video of Valley Forge Display

One Thing Leads to the Next…


A while back Doctor William Beutler came into the gallery on what for him was a rare day off. I just happened to leave the premises that day for lunch with my parents and sweet niece, the lovable Ella Sandnes. I had no sooner returned when the door flew open and the Good Doctor came in out of the rain.

With no neurosurgery on his afternoon agenda, we got acquainted and talked about fountains and art, among other things, while it rained cats and dogs outside. It was apparent that he wanted a custom designed fountain sculpture, but first I would have to visit his home and check out the location he had in mind. I was prepared to do this immediately, as it seemed like he meant business!

Still raining outside, Dr. Beutler asked if I would rather do it another day. I suggested it can’t keep raining this hard forever and predicted that by the time we arrive at his house the rain would stop.

I followed the doctor home, excited at the prospect and already won over by his genuinely positive and warm personality. Part way there the rain stopped as predicted, and as we turned down his long driveway the warm sun broke through days of dreariness and steam rose from the black macadam. It was almost surreal!

One thing lead to the next as we conversed on his back yard. They had been searching for their dream home, but at last had given up. Now they were content to make this home everything they always wanted it to be. In the course of talking about the proper placement for their fountain, Dr. Beutler invited me to imagine anything at all… What would I do with this landscape to make it as appealing as I could possibly imagine? Too bad I was not in the landscape/hardscape business any more, I thought!

I proceeded to suggest, in addition to one spectacle of a fountain, revisions to the existing deck, raised landscape beds, a grand staircase down to a circular paver patio with knee walls, a stream leading to a koi pond, low voltage lighting… Then I drew on my years of familiarity with local contractors and suggested qualified guys for each piece of the pie.

Doctor Beutler liked my vision and asked me to consider serving as general contractor for the outdoor living area I described. If he were to take down all those names and numbers it would make him a general contractor, and he is far too busy for that. Besides, he wanted my vision to be carried out, which would require my involvement at every phase.

In the end I got the job…and then when the ink had barely dried, Bill and Debbie Beutler finally found their dream home! So we finished what we had started, then aborted the plans at the “old” house and scrapped the contract. We will now turn our attention to their dream home!

Stay tuned for pictures and video as the Beutler project develops!