Moonlight garden tour will benefit two causes

OLD BRIDGE - John and Midge Hauser, of Hauser Hill Farms, love to sit outside on a natural stone bench during a full moon and meditate to the sounds of the three waterfalls in their water garden.

"When the sun goes down and the moon rises, the lighting in our water garden creates quite a dramatic setting," Midge Hauser said. "It is peaceful and sublime," her husband added. The Hausers are fruit tree farmers in Old Bridge, and they also own Browntown Bus Co. specializing in local school bus routes.

The Hauser garden and nine others will open to the public on Sept. 30 as part of the Moonlight Parade of Ponds, which will benefit Township With a Heart, a private nonprofit organization, and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

The tour is the second to be sponsored by the Old Bridge-based landscape design firm Groundskeeper. The last tour took place during daylight hours in July, and featured water gardens across several counties. This one will showcase winter gardening at night.

Among the water gardens to be visited is that of Connie and Ed Konefal, of Matawan, who said they enjoy sitting by their pond listening to the sounds of running water splashing against the rocks, the atmosphere illuminated by outdoor lighting. Their son, Michael Konefal, will also welcome visitors to his backyard oasis with a pond, waterfall, chicken coop and garden, all in a woodland farm-like setting.

What was once a dilapidated and unused hot tub that has been transformed into an outdoor retreat at the home of Suzanne and Gabon Barabas, of West Long Branch. They have created a lush, wild haven in suburbia by using natural materials and planting a four season garden. The pergola area allows for nighttime conversations under the moon, with the help of landscape lighting. The spa allows for peaceful relaxation as the waterfalls cascade into the pool.

"At night, luminous flowers gleam by the moonlight and reflect upon the water," Suzanne Barabas said. She is the artist director and Gabon Barabas is the executive producer of the New Jersey Repertory Company on Broadway in Long Branch, which develops and produces new plays with diverse themes.

Visitors to the Moonlight Parade of Ponds have been asked to make a contribution to one of the following charitable organizations: Township With a Heart, formed in 1983 to assist residents of Old Bridge who are in crises. These people include the working poor, the recently unemployed, and those dealing with catastrophic illness, to name a few. Or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

Those interested should R.S.V.P. by Sept. 28 and gather at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the headquarters of Groundskeeper, 2545 Route 516. Sandwiches and soft drinks will be served and the guided bus tour will depart at 7 p.m. Call (732) 679-8600 or visit www.groundskeeperinc1973.com for more information, or e-mail groundskeeperinc1973@msn.com.