Ken Ely

As a teenager, I began rebuilding fallen stone walls at Woodbourne Orchards in Dimock, PA. That first "patch job" still stands, and I feel the same sense of satisfaction today with each wall I complete.

Although I view my walls as utilitarian structures, I find a certain artfulness in fitting stones of varying sizes and shapes together to form a functional, orderly whole, not unlike Baroque music. Many aspects of wall-building are rewarding to me: the contentment of physical exertion, the satisfaction of viewing a tangible result of my work, and the earthy, subtle coloring of our sedimentary rock and its mosses and lichens. It's also important to me to know that I create these structures in much the same way that our predecessors did, using simple human-powered tools.

I founded Good Neighbor Walls in 1996, and have enjoyed projects in Susquehanna, Wyoming, Luzerne, and Broome (NY) counties. In addition to restoring old and building new walls, I present slide programs and conduct wall-building workshops.

This year I will be demonstrating new construction at Tall Pines Farm, located between Montrose and Brooklyn on Route 167. Stop by to talk about your projects or discuss general techniques. You may recall my demonstration at the same site in 2003, where there is an abundance of opportunities for walls and a splendid variety of local fieldstone gathered on the premises. I am beginning to focus more on projects that reflect our local heritage of farm walls, and to preserve and continue the traditional craft. I look forward to the Tour every year, and delight in renewing old acquaintances as well as meeting new friends who share my enthusiasm for the art of stone placement. In the mean time, you can contact me by phone at (570) 289-4783 or by email at stonewalls@chilitech.net.