New Members Tea at VRG

On April 1, 2025, hosted by Membership Chairs Lori Greene Gordon and Natalie Gordon Beiser, the Friends welcomed new members for an afternoon tea in the Pool Pavillion. The atmosphere was vibrant as everyone shared tea, treats and wonderful conversations. Upon arrival, each guest was greeted with a warm hello and a glass of Conegliano Valdobbiadene prosecco or Duche de Longueville sparkling cider. New members mingled as they gazed upon the Gardens and were soon called to the buffet. Tea consisted of delicious sandwiches catered by Clementine, delectable fruit tarts, gorgeous chocolate tarts, traditional English scones from Ye Olde King’s Head served with clotted cream and lemon curd, fresh berries and homemade whipped cream, and a selection of premium seasonal teas from Harney & Sons.

Inauguration Meeting of New Generation Members

Olivia Meadows put together a very creative cookie decorating event on February 10, 2024, at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. The New Generation members included Olivia, Yasi Moshtael, and Madeline Lindsay. New Generation member Caitlyn Hartigan, Board member Natalie Gordon Beiser, and President Lynn Whitaker were not able to attend.  Two Executive Board members, Elaine Stein and Evie Carlson, and past President Betty Goldstein joined the event as well.

Fall-Themed Membership Luncheon Welcomes the Friends

Shiva Moshtael, Chair for the Annual Friends of Robinson Gardens Membership Luncheon, was nervous the night before. Would the Gardens be wet or dry on September 21st? Taking precautions, she astutely moved the location from the Great Lawn to our glorious Observation Rose Garden. The weather cooperated by leaving thin clouds overhead to make the temperature perfect. The Rose Garden was the perfect setting for the more than 50 Friends who gathered to unite with old Friends and meet our newest Friends

A Lovely Afternoon at the 2022 Membership Luncheon

The Friends celebrated another year of supporting one of the region’s greatest treasures at this year’s annual Membership Luncheon at the Virginia Robinson Gardens on September 15. All attendees, joyfully enjoying the company of each other, were festively attired, a perfect accompaniment to the lovely weather and the event’s tropical theme. Exquisite floral arrangements by the Friends’ own Jeanne Anderson were the centerpiece at the luncheon tables arranged on the Great Lawn. One lucky Friend at each table - the one whose birthday was closest to the date of the event - got to go home with one of the lovely creations. Also decorating the tables were individual custom sugar cookies painted with the iconic Robinson estate. The luncheon featured a tropical fruit punch, salmon, chicken and salad, along with a light coconut layer cake for dessert

New Members Orientation & Tea

On April 4th, 2022, the Friends of Robinson Gardens hosted a New Members Tea, a first-time addition to our annual New Members Orientation at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. The event was chaired by Lori Gordon, Candy Beaver, and myself (Natalie Gordon). New members and FRG board members first gathered in the patio outside the kitchen to mix and mingle. Guests were led to the Loggia for an elegant tea, where they were greeted at their seats with delicious berries and whipped cream. As board members, including President Betty Goldstein, Clare Wagner (Chair of Education Lectures), Patti Reinstein (Co-Chair of the Children’s Program), and Elaine Stein (Co-Chair of Garden Tour and Book Club), presented on their exciting committees, attendees snacked on sandwiches with egg salad, chicken salad, and cream cheese with cucumber as well as scones (with jam and lemon curd), and myriad desserts

Holiday Tea for Prospective Members and their Sponsors at VRG

It was a cold and wintery day on December 9, 2021, but inside the Pool Pavilion at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, all was merry and bright where the Friends welcomed eight lovely prospective members and their sponsors at a Holiday Tea. Thanks to Andrea Layne who had the inspired idea to host the tea, and with the help of President Betty Goldstein, the attendees enjoyed a delightful afternoon. Two twinkling Christmas trees (decorated by Betty, Katie Marsano, Kerstin Royce, and Patti Reinstein) created a sparkling, festive atmosphere. One tree was decorated with Mrs. Robinson’s vintage ornaments from the 1950s. The other travel-themed tree reflected the many worldwide travels that Harry and Virginia enjoyed together. Urns filled with pinecones, ferns, and red berries and festive centerpieces on the tables were artfully designed by VRG gardener Cynthia Mascarenas. Adding to the warm and inviting atmosphere of the event was an array of appetizing sandwiches, pumpkin cookies, the iconic tarte tatins (caramelized apple tarts) from Dolce Isola --The Ivy Bakery, and Christmas cookies

A Great Day at the 2021 Membership Luncheon

On a beautiful, sunny day on September 23, 2021, the Friends enjoyed a very well-attended Membership Luncheon on the Great Lawn at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Our wonderful President Betty Goldstein, Chairperson Andrea Layne, and Co-Chairs Elaine Stein and Ellisa Bregman warmly welcomed the festively dressed attendees who were so delighted to see each other again. It was a particularly joyful celebration since the Friends were not able to experience this annual luncheon in 2020 due to Covid

New Members Holiday House Tour and Cookie Extravaganza

Virginia’s Robinson’s estate was aglow with decorations for the Festive Holiday House Tour and Cookie Extravaganza on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Betty Goldstein, head of the Membership Committee, kicked off the afternoon by leading a Docent Tour for the New Members event. Standing by the Christmas tree, which was lavishly decorated with pink feathers, poinsettias, and mirrored balls in the entry, Betty pointed out that pink was Virginia’s favorite color. Two additional exquisite Christmas trees sparkled with traditional decorations in the golden salon and the library.

Following the tour, everyone gathered around the buffet table on the loggia where there … Read More

Special Flower Arranging Class for New VRG Members Delights Participants

    It was obvious from the smiles on their faces as they walked through the Pavilion door, that the Flower Arranging class for new members on October 25, 2019, was going to be a big success. How could one not be affected by the riot of fall flowers in gold, rusts, and oranges that Jeanne Anderson placed in white buckets around the room.  As if that were not enough to get your creative juices going, one miniature orange pumpkin and one miniature white pumpkin was placed by each bunch of flowers ready to be decorated.

Jeanne, master floral designer and inspirational … Read More

A Special Day at the VRG Membership Luncheon

New Members from left to right: Meg Ostrow, Mary Donkersloot, Kirith Prady, Juliana Ricks,  Kelley Jackson, Kennon Klein, Roberta White, Andrea Layne, Susan Finkelman, Melanie Lock, Bernice Balson

It was a happy, sunny day on October 11th, 2019, at the Virginia Robinson Gardens where the Friends warmly welcomed 11 of the 19 new members at the very well-attended annual Membership Luncheon. A terrific addition to the Friends, the new members are: Antonieta Arango, Bernice Balson, Robin Carmichael, Mary Donkersloot, Sharon Gart, Kelley Jackson, Donielle Kaufman, Kennon Klein, Miryam Knutson, Andrea Layne, Melanie Lock, Katherine Marsano, Meg Ostrow, Kirith Prady, Juliana … Read More

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