Spotlight on Paola Werstler

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Paola Werstler, a wonderful and dedicated Board Member and Patron Member of The Friends of Robinson Gardens. During the pandemic, Paola’s husband kindly volunteered in the Gardens, which was much appreciated

Spotlight on Carrie Ketchum

Carrie Ketchum in Rome

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) — those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful.

This month, we spotlight Carrie Ketchum, a wonderful Patron member of The Friends of Robinson Gardens. A very talented filmmaker, Carrie won 13 Clio awards for her advertising work!

1. How did you first learn … Read More

Spotlight on Emina Darakjy

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Emina Darakjy, a wonderful Garden Tour volunteer and Society Member. Thanks to Emina’s efforts, we had two great classes open to the public on orchids and roses taught by experts from the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. She wrote excellent articles on these lectures and is a great photographer as well. Muli-talented and multi-lingual, she speaks five languages – Italian, French, English, Arabic, and German

Spotlight on Lucia Burke

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to The Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Lucia Burke, a wonderful docent and staff member. Lucia Burke is a UC-certified Master Gardener, who with the help of Estate Caretaker Josh Johnston, keeps the Kitchen Garden at VRG beautiful, welcoming, fun, and special for the kids in the Children’s Program. She has also been designing, installing, and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in private homes for over 10 years

Spotlight on Rodney Kemerer

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Rodney Kemerer, an invaluable, wonderful, and dedicated Friend. His myriad contributions, generous heart, and deep love for VRG are reflected in his answers below. An extremely gifted professional writer, Rodney recently completed a new book, Tales From The Garage, which is a graphically illustrated collection of the best of his magazine essays. (Hopefully) available this summer. One chapter in the book is about the Robinsons’ Duesenbergs. Rodney has contributed articles to The Los Angeles Times, The Petersen Automotive Museum, Rolls Royce and Bentley magazines and other publications

Our April Spotlight: Carolyn Bloom

What could be a better omen for being involved with the Friends of Robinson Gardens than the last name of BLOOM?  That would be long-time Friends and Benefactors Carolyn and Marty Bloom, who have been such an important part of our beloved Gardens since they moved to Los Angeles in 2003. Carolyn created a stunning Garden at their home on Laurel Way, which she generously opened for Membership events -- where we were serenaded by the player piano! She collaborated with a sculptor who did some amazing installations in her backyard. Large, oversized planters, panels, and fountains – etched to echo the ferns, leaves, and fronds of the greenery – appeared like a modern-age Stonehenge across the property

Spotlight on Candy Beaver

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Candy Beaver, a wonderful and dedicated Friend. According to our new President, Lynn Whitaker, Candy has made such an impact with her volunteering services that she has been voted in as a member of the Board. She participates in the Children’s Outreach Program

Spotlight on Mary Hampson

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Mary Hampson, a wonderful and dedicated Friend. A member of the Garden Conservancy and the Santa Barbara Garden Club, Mary generously hosted the Fellows in her beautiful garden and home in Montecito on two different occasions. She was a co-chair for the Membership Luncheon in 2019. Always helpful, she assisted in decorating the Christmas trees in the Main House and served on the Garden Tour Committee

Spotlight on Mark Tapio Kines

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Mark Tapio Kines, a wonderful and dedicated docent

Spotlight on Lori Gordon

Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of the Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG) -- those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you know about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and to the community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Lori Gordon, a wonderful and dedicated member of the Friends of Robinson Gardens. Lori is also an accomplished and talented harpist who has performed in many venues, including the Peninsula Hotel. We asked her these four questions
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