"Look for the Sunshine"

Dear Friends,

This month we enter into 2021 filled with great hope and expectations for a good year.
Through the many ups and downs of 2020, there were always positive moments from which to draw. This wonderful group of Friends was able to do just that and accomplished so much.

The commitment of our membership to the Gardens and to our programs, the Children's Program, plant sale, and inspirational ikebana lecture, our two fun fundraisers and our videos has been phenomenal. We should not forget our many members who are doing the "behind the scenes" jobs, website, mailings, membership drive, newsletter, and accounting jobs. It is with this incredibly strong and dedicated group that we move forward into this new year.

Yes, these are difficult times, but we know it will pass and that we will enter into a new year having learned great lessons and knowing our strength, our commitment, and our devotion to this very special place that is the Virginia Robinson Gardens.
The Gardens bring a sense of peace and tranquility to all - a legacy left to us by Virginia Robinson with the knowledge that it will be loved and supported throughout the times for all to experience. So to those of you who have given with an open heart to our end of the year campaign, we thank you.

January is the time to start anew. Journey with us as we move forward, slowly returning to our programs, rejuvenated and with innovative ideas and visions.

May you have an abundance of good health and joy this New Year.

Warmly,
Betty Goldstein
President of the Friends of Robinson Gardens

Every month, we are highlighting "Our Garden Tour Stars" - landscape architects, florists, and interior designers who have participated at our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations.

This month, we are featuring landscape designer Laura Morton. She has designed many beautiful and creative landscape vignettes at the Virginia Robinson estate that have been on Garden Tour.

We asked her these five questions:

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Nothing says holiday cheer quite like the scent of a gingerbread house. For me at least, the warm spices mingled with sugary royal icing is the olfactory equivalent to watching It's a Wonderful Life. To put it simply, a whiff of a gingerbread house reminds me of everything that is merry and bright about this time of year. So when the opportunity to brainstorm events for VRG came about, my mind immediately jumped to gingerbread house decorating. And thanks to the tireless work of those of us involved, the Friends of Robinson Gardens' sold out, virtual Gingerbread House Decorating Event took place on the morning of Saturday, December 5th.

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On December 3, 2020, the Friends of Robinson Gardens hosted a holiday wreath making class for our members. There were participants from the sold out in-person event at the Virginia Robinson Gardens, as well as members participating online. The workshop was taught by the talented, world renowned florist Ines Garstecki of Flowermaid, who is a past Garden Tour floral designer. (Visit Ines' website at flowermaid.com and to see the VRG Highlight Article on Ines, click here). Each guest was provided a floral kit of evergreens, holiday ribbon, dried fruits, cinnamon sticks, and exotic grasses to make a unique and long lasting wreath to survive the holiday season.

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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 Regina Drucker, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Board Member and VRG Historian.

We asked her these three questions.

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