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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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’ .”

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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.

The East Branch of the Antietam Creek runs through the property which had a neglected, uninhabited dwelling with “tear down” written all over it. While cleaning out the filth and vermin that had taken up residence in the house, my mom dug a hole through one of the plaster walls and discovered huge oak beams underneath.

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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.

The Southern magnolia is an evergreen shade tree with a slow to moderate growing habit reaching a height of 50 to 70 feet tall and a spread of 40 to 50 feet. If space is an issue, consider planting other varieties that grow much smaller such as “Little Gem” and “St. Mary.”

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