Ron Fleming and the Gardens at Bellevue House in Newport, Rhode Island
The Fellows and Friends of the Virginia Robinson Gardens were treated to a wonderfully informative and entertaining lecture by Ron Fleming at the Beverly Hills Hotel on November 2, 2018. Fellows Chair Jeanne Anderson introduced Fleming as “A recognized authority in the role of creating vibrant, livable places, adding luster to Newport’s worldwide reputation as a showcase of art and architecture.” Almost 20 years ago, Ron purchased Bellevue House, a 1910 Federal Revival mansion, designed by architect Ogden Codman, Jr. for his cousin Martha Codman, a Boston heiress. A fourth-generation Californian, Ron told the attendees, “As a native son, I am so glad to be visiting back here. The warmth of your group is so encouraging and supportive.” Bellevue House features 12 gardens on three and a half acres, adorned with beautiful plantings, that are a true labor of love for Ron. He has erected many follies – whimsical or…
Spotlight on Maralee Beck
Each month we will spotlight a volunteer, staff member, donor or sponsor of Virginia Robinson Gardens (VRG)—those that have made an impact on the organization. We want to let you, the reader, know a little bit about these wonderful people and corporations that give so much to the Virginia Robinson Gardens and community, and what they do that is so impactful. This month, we spotlight Maralee Beck, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens and Board Member. We asked her these three questions: 1. How did you first learn about VRG and what inspired you to become a Friend? Accompanying long-time Patron Suzanne Kayne to an early Garden Tour, I was blown away – thought there wasn’t a better outing around: fabulous private gardens, wonderful luncheon on the Great Lawn, in my own backyard! They were about to start a Children’s Program, taking third-graders on tours, and Suzanne and I had…
The Rodeo Drive Committee at the Virginia Robinson Gardens
On November 13, 2018, the Friends of Virginia Robinson Gardens hosted a year-end breakfast for the Rodeo Drive Committee Association. The President of the Rodeo Drive Committee Kathy Gohari and Beverly Hills Mayor Dr. Julian Gold attended the reception. Many of Rodeo Drive’s top stores were represented at the gathering, including: Dior Homme, St. John, Goyard, Valentino, Stefano Ricci, 208 Rodeo Restaurant and many more. Store reps enthusiastically voted to create funds to support victims of the recent Woolsey Fire, which decimated many homes in Malibu Canyon and the adjacent West Valley neighborhoods of Los Angeles. And Susan Salgano, a Leadership and Culture expert from New York City, gave an inspiring lecture on how a happy employee culture translates directly into creating memorable customer shopping experiences and brand loyalty. Post and photos by Dana Reston Lyons Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
CeCe Haydock and the Gardens of Long Island’s Gold Coast
Noted landscape architect CeCe Haydock gave a marvelous and visually stunning lecture titled “Beyond Gatsby: Fabled Gardens of Long Island’s Gold Coast” on November 9, 2018 at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Among the distinguished attendees were members of the Garden Conservancy from New York: President James Brayton Hall, Director of Education Patrick MacRae, Development Director Sarah Parker and landscape architect and Board member Joseph Marek. Presenting a dozen of these grand and elegant estates from the turn of the century through the 1920s, CeCe remarked, “Today, I am bringing the East Coast to the West Coast and what better place than the Virginia Robinson Gardens!. . . The overlap and similarities between this house and garden, how it began and who lived here, and the type of life that was lived here is very similar to what I’m going to talk about today.” CeCe explained that the Gold Coast is…