July 2020 Happenings
Message from President Betty Goldstein
“All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.”
Dear Friends,
I would like to start this message with a huge thank you to our past President Patti Reinstein who led us through two of our most successful years in participation, recruitment and revenue. In 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, we had one wonderful Garden Tour, two Galas, exceptional Educational programs, new Member programs and many more events. Our membership expanded to an all-time high, and under her management and with the support of the board of directors, a terrific job was done, and we owe Patti and the past board a large debt of gratitude. And we will not forget that her leadership also sustained us through these last more difficult months.… Read More
Floral Tribute to Cedars from the Virginia Robinson Gardens
How does a public garden make a “house call” in reverse? In these strange days, it seems appropriate that the Virginia Robinson Gardens, the LA County facility located behind the Beverly Hills Hotel, has put together a floral tribute to our medical heroes. It takes the form of a nurse, our front liners — complete with stethoscope but made completely out of succulents — whose work has been invaluable to our immediate community. Appropriately, it was installed on June 1,2020, at the Healing Garden of Cedars-Sinai, where staff, patients in both towers, and visitors can look out to the plaza, or walk over to it, to smile at the floral interpretation of a thank-you to our dedicated health providers. This floral Florence Nightingale was designed by one of the VRG’s talented gardeners, Andrey Yun, & was suggested by Kerstin Royce, then conceived & produced by Friends members Jeanne Anderson &…
A Big Thank You to VRG’s Outstanding Education Committee
We are so grateful to our remarkable Education Committee. Co-chairs Adrienne Horwitch, Patty Elias and Cindy Fields organized amazing events at the Virginia Robinson Gardens from 2018-2020. The fascinating lectures, dazzling tables, and delicious luncheons made for a memorable experience. The events were almost always sold out! The beautiful garden setting and lectures in the romantic Sumner Hunt-designed Pool Pavilion only enhanced the fabulous experience. Left to right: Patti Elias, Cindy Fields, Adrienne Horwitch With the help of our extremely talented resident design assistant, Andrey Yun, the themed floral centerpieces on the luncheon tables were always spectacular. Caterer Joe Monteferante** prepared exquisite meals inspired by the topic of the event, or the fall, winter and spring seasons. Starting in October 2018, these superlative lectures were by: Author Michele Gerber Klein on the fashion designer Charles James based on her book: Charles James: Portrait of an Unreasonable Man: Fame, Fashion, Art…
Thoughts from Friends: Regina Drucker
“Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there is a garden, I will meet you there.”
Words so prescient by the Sufi Poet, Rumi, wrote these words in the 13th century. Rumi writes that Love, Truth and Beauty dwell in a Garden. Precious water nourishes the Flower in its celebration of the most reverent color in Persian lore, Green. This explains the devotional myth for the carved Mughal Emerald gemstone. Gardens bring Calm to those who wander through Paradise’s pathways.… Read More
Spotlight on Marcella Ruble
Each month we spotlight a volunteer, staff member, docent, donor, or sponsor of 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 Marcella Ruble, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Board Member and VRG Historian, who has done so much for the Gardens. Along with Superintendent Tim Lindsay and Evelyn Carlson, Marcella wrote the book, Beverly Hills’ First Estate: The House of Virginia & Harry Robinson, with edits by Maralee Beck and Jamie Wolf. Marcella has also painted beautiful botanical illustrations, among them the “Beverly Hills Centennial Rose.” This pink and crimson rose, planted in Will Rogers Memorial Park, was created in honor of the 100th anniversary of…