Wallis Simpson and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

June 15, 2024, was this quarter’s VRG Book Club meeting in the Pool Pavilion at The Virginia Robinson Gardens.  Returning and new attendees were there to capacity.  It was interesting to get to know many new participants. That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor allowed us a discussion as varied and provocative as the Duke and Duchess themselves.  Shrouded in secrets she held close, the many-faceted persona of Wallis was so thought-provoking to dissect. No less the Duke, with his many strengths and weaknesses, was great food for thought. The pair lived in such a time fraught with many political and logistical perils, mores, and laws foreign to us in this modern era. It must have been an exciting experience to have them visit with Virginia at the estate as they did so long ago. 

“George Cukor” and The Book Club at VRG

A very full complement of guests joined in the lively discussion at the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club on the book, George Cukor: a Double Life: A biography of the Gentleman Director on March 23, 2024, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens.  We had a couple from as far away as Bakersfield!  It was so interesting and informative to reflect upon the idiosyncratic Cukor. The book revealed so many aspects of his persona, including his unique directing style, especially as to women actresses, his interactions with the studio owners, his famous Sunday parties, and his personal relationships with his colleagues, friends, associates, and companions.  Director Cukor was a guest at Virginia’s estate on several occasions.  Wouldn’t it have been curious to be a spider on the wall!

“Daughter of the Dragon” and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

On December 16, 2023, the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club met at The Virginia Robinson Gardens to discuss Yunte Huang’s book Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendevous with American History. Amidst the charm of oversized wrapped presents, a beautifully decorated holiday fir tree, and a bright cheerful poinsettia in the Pool Pavilion, the group hunkered down to analyze the complex and multi-talented woman, Anna May Wong.  It is such a profound story of a girl born in 1905 in a Chinese laundry in Los Angeles’ small Chinatown which was later destroyed to build Union Station.

Book Club Discusses “Hedge” with the Author

October 7, 2023, was a new milestone for the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club at The Virginia Robinson Gardens -- for the first time, we were joined by the author of our book selection, though virtually. Jane Delury, who wrote Hedge, Zoomed in from Baltimore and was so accommodating in describing the research she did on garden historians. She presented a slide show of places she explored and the documents she studied to decide which gardens or fictional locations of gardens to include. She also shared how the personalities and family dynamics developed in the book reflected her personal story to some degree

“Henry E. Huntington’s Library of Libraries” and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club met to discuss Henry E. Huntington’s Library of Libraries at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. In a round of expressing an adjective or phrase to describe the personality of Mr. Huntington, each attendee got to describe our renowned collector: determined, focused, parsimonious, competitive, and solitary. Further, we had fun telling about our own collecting tendencies! The Huntingtons were friends of the Robinsons and had donated a night blooming Organ Pipe Cactus to them, which adorns a corner of the estate’s exterior. Elaine, Ron, and Patricia related additional observations as a result of their docent tour of the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, courtesy of Diana Loomis just a few days before.

Sold-Out Book Club Meeting on Charlie Chaplin!

On March 18, 2023, at the Pool Pavilion of The Virginia Robinson Gardens, another quarterly meeting of the Tea, Scones, and Gardens Book Club took place. A record turnout of 26 spells the future for this popular event, so please sign up early so we won’t have to put you on the waiting list!  The book Charles Chaplin: My Autobiography brought out comments from attendees about Chaplin as a wordsmith, a multi-talented artist, a true supporter of his entertainer mother, and an acquaintance of so many important recognizable names of his era such as Albert Einstein, Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Marion Davies, Winston Churchill, and so many others

The Duesenberg Caper and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Reading Group

The Tea, Scones & Gardens Reading Group had a large turnout this past Saturday, December 10, 2022, at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. It was exciting that we had so many first-time attendees!  The Duesenberg Caper by Roger Corea brought in some car enthusiasts like the Robinsons must have been; some attendees had family members who had raced cars.  In this novel, we enjoyed reliving the dynamism between the two protagonists Ada and Andrew and their eye-opening exposure to the criminal enterprises surrounding the auctions of rare high-end luxury vehicles in that era and as set in Sicily.  Our next gathering on March 18, 2023, will enjoy discussing the book Charles Chaplin: My Autobiography. Mr.  Chaplin, a one-time neighbor of the Robinsons, was a frequent guest and mixed doubles tennis partner of Virginia.  His career and popularity are legendary, and he sets forth a compelling case for this in his own words

The Chandlers and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Reading Group

At our September 17, 2022, Tea, Scones & Gardens Reading Group gathering at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, we had an interesting time discussing the family dynamics of the Chandlers including Norman and Dorothy (Buff) Chandler and son Otis. David Halberstam in The Powers That Be describes the evolution of the Los Angeles Times under Chandler's stewardship. Buff was a particularly enthusiastic fundraiser which played a part in her involvement with Virginia Robinson. She also was not only very influential in the transformation of the Los Angeles Times but was responsible for today’s art scene and venues in Los Angeles. A special guest, Scott B., gave us his insights due to his personal involvement with the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the Music Center

Book Club Meeting on Walt Disney a Hit

Refreshed with delightful treats provided by co-chair Elaine Stein and Shelly Roth as well as with the assistance of Curator April Walton on behalf of the Gardens, the Tea, Scones & Garden Reading Group gathered on the Back Terrace of the Virginia Robinson Gardens estate on June 18, 2022. A lively discussion was enjoyed by all about the book Walt Disney: An American Original. As is becoming a common occurrence, we had several attendees with special memories to share of their connection with Walt Disney as trusted employees, contractors or devotees

Mae West and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Reading Group

Rescheduled from December 2021, our book club finally met to discuss famed actress Mae West in the book by Charlotte Chandler titled She Always Knew How: Mae West, a Personal Biography. What a unique and talented star she was! The book had many interesting quotes and a fulsome discussion of the life and times of women of her generation. Mae was a true combination of the influences of her corset-model mother and boxer father. She was admired for working hard. By her speech and by example, she expanded the influence of women in her industry. Vive la difference, Mae! We had such a nice group of approximately 15 participants who enjoyed delicious scones, tea sandwiches, cookies, and gougères. There were two “winners” of the “diamond” ring and bracelet prizes who correctly guessed the answers to questions about the book asked by co-chair Patricia Cowett! A photo was circulated showing Virginia and Mae socializing with George Cukor.
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