Uncategorized Archives - Page 4 of 16

A Message from Presidents Betty Goldstein and Lynn Whitaker

Our Dear Friends, As I walked along the beach, I saw a ribbon of a million glittering reflections on the water as the sun started to set. The sun was a bright orange-pink colored ball with the few clouds surrounding the sun repeating the orange-pink color. I stopped and allowed myself to take in this moment of joy, to remind myself that the world still held wonderful experiences in which to enrich our souls. I too, had to evacuate. I was one of the lucky ones -- I had a home to which I could return.

William Mulholland and the Tea, Scones & Gardens Book Club

Our “holiday” Book Club meeting was held December 21, 2024 in the Pool Pavilion of The Virgina Robinson Gardens. After a membership discussion led by Membership co-chair Lori Gordon, members shared their plans for the holidays, which was a delightful way to get to know each other. There were close to 30 of us! Our book William Mulholland and the Rise of Los Angeles, written by one of his granddaughters, Catherine Mulholland, sparked a thorough discussion about the value of water in the development of Los Angeles. Completion of the aqueduct bringing water to Los Angeles from the Owens Valley in 1913 was only accomplished after a multitude of complex political maneuvers reflecting many dedicated and strong personalities. The demonstrated expertise in speechmaking and technical knowledge made William Mulholland a real force in this endeavor.

Holiday Wreath Making Class at VRG

On December 4, 2024, founder of Viola Floral and VRG Friend Jelena Trifunovic kicked off the VRG winter holiday season with a festive wreath workshop at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. Fourteen VRG members and first-time visitors to the gardens - including two mother/daughter pairs - were treated to a guided tutorial by Jelena as she honed her roots in education. In addition to receiving a grapevine wreath, paddle of wire, and a pair of clippers, Jelena offered a fresh bounty of fresh greens which included Juniper, Cedar, Noble Fir, Princess Pine, and Silver Fir. Additional adornments included Magnolia leaves, Thistle, pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, bells, and ribbons. Guest selected their desired materials and were encouraged to “gather, layer, wire - repeat.

A Story Virginia Robinson Would Have Liked…

As Friends of Robinson Gardens, we are fortunate to encounter many wonderful “artists” with impressive talents such as established horticulturists, florists, designers, historians, architects and more, who come to share their knowledge with us and our guests. We get to hear their stories, and some stories make us feel very humbled. This is a story of one young man who came to work for the County at The Virginia Robinson Gardens. We had a botanical art workshop one day, and Justus Ross came in to help set up. We discovered that he had an art degree, so we started asking questions, and he helped us with the complicated foreshortening aspects of painting flowers. Our curiosity as to why he was working at the Gardens opened our eyes and ears to quite a story of how remarkable this young man was.

Doyle Auction Lecture a Hit at VRG

The inaugural event for the Friends’ Education lectures, “Welcome to the Wonderful World of Auction!” was a fabulous and well-attended event at The Virginia Robinson Gardens on November 19, 2024, thanks to our terrific co-chairs Susan Finkelman and Andrea Layne. The charming and vivacious Doyle Auctions’ Senior Vice Presidents Emily Marchick, Director of West Coast Operations and Nan Summerfield, California Senior Jewelry specialist, enthralled the audience with their fascinating anecdotes.

Spotlight on Barbara Remedios

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 Barbara Remedios, Member Relations & Administrative Manager at VRG. She is an invaluable and wonderful asset to the Friends, and in the words of the founder of the Friends, Joan Selwyn, “Barbara is our ‘Wonder Woman.’ She is dedicated to Robinson Gardens and meets every challenge with speed and efficiency. Barbara brings her zest for travel and love of life to her office, making it a pleasure to work with her.”

Meet this tree: Magnolia grandiflora – Southern magnolia

The Southern magnolia is native to the Southeastern United States but adapts easily to other parts of the county and is also planted throughout the world. This tree belongs to the Magnoliaceae family and is considered one of the most beautiful flowering native trees among the earliest flowering plants. Imprints of its flowers were found on fossils dating back 100 million years ago. The Southern magnolia is so well-liked in the South that it was named the State tree for both Mississippi and Louisiana.

“Season’s Greetings”

Text and Images by Rodney Kemerer Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member As the digital age pours down upon us like so much acid rain we slowly begin to realize what we are losing in exchange for instant communication. Yes, we get the message, text or email, but what we don’t get is what makes us unique. The warm hand and heart of being human. If dogs could receive texts I’m sure they would say, “No thanks, I like my head patted and a ‘good boy’ .”

Life on our Pennsylvania Farm

By Julia Klein (a real Beverly Hillbilly) Past President and Friends of Robinson Gardens Member In 1976, my parents purchased a 52-acre farm located five miles from their home in Waynesboro, PA. My dad was a country doctor who delivered three generations of babies in a small Pennsylvania town, and he was drawn to the farm environment where he could watch all kinds of things grow.

Spotlight on Francine Pam

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 Francine Pam, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Member. Francine was a founding faculty member (5th grade) at Brentwood Lower School from 1995 to 2018 where she taught Friends members Patti Elias’ children and Kerstin Royce’s grandchildren!

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