A Series of Delightful Afternoon Teas at the Virginia Robinson Gardens
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” – Henry James The Friends of Robinson Gardens hosted three magnificent teas, chaired by Adrienne Horwitch on June 21, 23, and 26, 2018 at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. President Marian Power had long wanted to have an Afternoon Tea at the Gardens, and showcase Mrs. Robinson’s china. Because the Library in the house needed repainting, all the furniture had to be emptied from the room. It was therefore an ideal opportunity to take out Virginia’s collection of exquisite china, silver, and crystal. Adrienne said, “It was a thrill and treat for me to arrange it and have others view it to enjoy her gracious style of living.” Adrienne was delighted that so many new people attended the teas, and that this event was their first introduction to Robinson Gardens! The display…
Fellows Trip to Napa
Thanks to our amazing Jeanne Anderson, the Fellows of Virginia Robinson Gardens enjoyed a marvelous and fascinating trip to Napa, California on April 22 – 25, 2018. Fabulous wines, the most delicious and outstanding luncheons and dinners, and exclusive entrees to beautiful private gardens melded into a special and magical experience. The tour started with a wonderful lecture by Historian Nancy Levenberg. In Victorian times, settlers and visitors alike arrived in Napa County in droves. New residents were drawn to the beautiful and fertile valley rich with farming, incredible resorts, mining, bridge building, stonewall and road building, vineyard development, and winery construction. In a short 25-year period, Napa grew from a rough and tumble frontier town catering to miners heading to gold country to an electrified city with churches, post offices, roads, schools, and a library. The garden tour began with a visit to the delightful Dancing Hares Estate in…
Annual Fellows Thank You Dinner
A Lovely Evening Honoring Donors at the Annual Fellows Thank You Dinner The beguiling, purple bougainvillea and the enchanting wildflower meadows at the entrance of the Virginia Robinson Gardens, and the profuse plantings nestled among the cypresses on the Great Lawn were all in full bloom, conspiring to create a rich and magical setting for the annual Fellows Thank You Dinner on June 16, 2018. This event is held in appreciation of the Fellows’ generous support of the restoration and preservation of Robinson Gardens and the very popular children’s and adult education programs. Guests mingled on the back terrace while waiters served champagne, fruity cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, enhancing the festive atmosphere. In anticipation of a series of elegant Afternoon Teas, chaired by Adrienne Horwitch, the Fellows were treated to a sneak peek of Virginia’s exquisite china in the Library. With the help of Patti Reinstein and Kerstin Royce, Adrienne…
The 30th Annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate
Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson: The Art of Living The 30th Annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate in partnership with Sunset magazine on May 19, 2018 at the Virginia Robinson Gardens was a spectacular event, thanks to our fabulous co-chairs Jeanne Anderson and Patti Reinstein, our wonderful President Marian Power, and our truly dedicated and passionate Garden Tour Committee. It was a day of unstoppable beauty and high artistic talent on display from the enchanting private gardens to the stunning interiors of the house at the Robinson Estate. A resounding success, the Concierge and VIP level tickets were once again sold out. It was the largest attendance at the Garden Tour ever, and a joyous celebration of this year‘s theme: “Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson: The Art of Living.“ The outside gardens were all magical and reflect very different eras of Virginia’s long tenure in Beverly Hills, from the Moorish…
5th Annual Children’s Science Fair
After a slight delay due to rain on our previously planned day, the 5th Annual Children’s Science Fair finally took place on Wednesday, May 9th. Seventy children and 30 counselors from three different group homes arrived eager to share in the day at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. In keeping with the Children’s Program and its goal to educate children about the benefits of the garden, the theme this year was “Eat Green- Fun Filled Facts About Healthy Eating!” As the children arrived in the morning, a new friend to Robinson Gardens welcomed them. Rose Nielsen and her therapy dog, Blondie the Golden Retriever, were graciously on hand to spend the day with the children. As part of their dedication to helping others, Rose and Blondie have been visiting Children’s Hospital since 2014 and have undoubtedly brought smiles to the faces of many. The children loved having Blondie to welcome them, and Blondie…
Spotlight on Marian Power
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 Marian Power, our amazing and wonderful President. We asked her these three questions: HOW DID YOU FIRST LEARN ABOUT VRG AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A FRIEND? In 1994, I returned to Los Angeles. Janice Jerde, my friend and sorority sister from the University of Illinois, invited me to be her guest at Garden Tour. After that incredible event, I became a Society member of Robinson Gardens. For years I volunteered at Garden Tour. My friend, Marcella Ruble, convinced me to become a Friend,…