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.”… Read More
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.… Read More
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.… Read More
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.… Read More
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.… Read More