June 2020 Happenings
Message from President Patti Reinstein
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls bloom.”
– Marcel Proust
Dearest Friends,
A most heartfelt thanks to all of you who have been the “charming gardeners” in my life for the past two years. It is nearly impossible to believe that my term as President of the Friends of Robinson Gardens is coming to a close. I am filled with gratitude for all the wonderful members of our Robinson Gardens family for so many things…your warm welcome, your ideas, your support, your energy, your diligence, and your enthusiasm and ever cheerful smiles.… Read More
Don’t Miss Tim Lindsay’s Podcast on the Special History of VRG!
Back in February 2020, Superintendent Timothy Lindsay was interviewed for the podcast Jasoncharles.net. Tim said, “Jason, who lives in New York City, first contacted me in January 2020 and said he had been to Garden Tour some years ago. He couldn’t forget it, and loved it so much he felt compelled to help promote us to a wider audience.” Tim added that Laura Craven who interviewed him in the Main House Library at VRG, “is very interested in promoting our future fundraising events when they are reactivated as well as our monthly educational programs. She graciously promoted the purchase of our centennial book while on the air.” Enjoy Tim’s wonderful recounting of the social history of the Robinson family and their legendary Beverly Hills Estate in this podcast. Please Google Jasoncharles.net, scroll down to “Arts and Culture Shows” and select episode 9 followed by episode 10 or click on this…
A Big Thank You to Our Stellar Membership Committee
When a job is done with so much enthusiasm, diligence and dedication, there should be recognition. This last year, I had the privilege and opportunity to work with the most wonderful group of women on the expanded Membership Committee. The committee consisted of Clare Wagner, Elaine Stein, Joan Selwyn, Kerstin Royce, Jeanne Anderson, Rachel Ault and Lara Roman. Our goal was to integrate our new members into the Friends family, so they would love our Gardens as much as we do. From the summer to the present, this committee worked to develop a detailed New Member’s Handbook, which was given to all the new members of the last two years, revised the membership roster, revised the new member application, and updated and revised the Society Membership brochure. The committee also created exclusive new member events. There was a flower arranging class by our Jeanne Anderson, a Holiday Open House, and…
Explore the Magic of the Virginia Robinson Gardens through Art
The Miracle of a Garden
Why is everyone ever so happy
When wandering within a garden’s spaces?
Could the answer be amidst the scented
Pansies which capture all the beauty of children’s faces?
So next when one’s amidst a Rose’s bowers
Put aside your woes and sorrows.
Lend your Inner brilliance on those pathways
Sprinkling miracles about for those who’ll surely follow.
Poem by Regina Drucker, Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member and VRG Historian.… Read More
Spotlight on Angela Movassaghi
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 Angela Movassaghi, a Friend of Robinson Gardens Board Member. A very dedicated member, Angela is always there to help in any way, especially during Garden Tour and the Gala, her two favorite events. We asked her these three questions: 1. How did you first learn about VRG, and what inspired you to become a Friend? I first learned about VRG in the spring of 2000 through Lynda Fadel at a birthday party for one of our boys’ classmates at Turning Point School. Lynda mentioned the Garden…
Every Ending is a New Beginning
“Every ending is a new beginning.”
-Marianne Williamson
Dearest Friends,
It has been an honor and a privilege to have served as President of the Friends of Robinson Gardens for the past two years. Your support and friendship have been special gifts to me that were generously given and deeply appreciated. As I reach the end of my term of office, I embrace the idea that each ending provides an opportunity to begin anew. In spite of this unprecedented time of the coronavirus, we have worked diligently to accept our challenges and move forward. … Read More
Like a Warm Blanket
“I love how summer just wraps its arms around you like a warm blanket.”
-Van Morrison
Dearest Friends,
Ahh…. summer… that glorious season with its warmer days and eternal sunshine… its gardens bursting with vibrant color and fragrant perfume filling the air with hope…ripe tomatoes and corn on the cob…sunsets at the beach… sand between your toes… barbecues fired up… Has anyone notice that summer has sneaked in when we weren’t looking?… Read More
Acts of Kindness
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
– Amelia Earhart
Now more than ever, in these uncertain and unsettling times, a little kindness can go a long way. Kindness can be the most valuable gift that you will ever give someone. Being kind costs nothing, but is truly one of the richest and most powerful tools in life. No matter how simple the act of kindness may be, it gives us the opportunity to change someone’s day and even perhaps their life. Kindness can soften an angry heart, stop tears, mold relationships, create confidence, give love, and heal wounds. You can be the reason that someone smiles or feels loved or is reminded that there is goodness in others.… Read More
Be The Change
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
Dearest Friends,
Those of us that tend gardens know that we can grow great treasures, as well as have a few disasters. Gardening involves both growth and change. We learn from plants and what they can tolerate… too much sun, water or nutrients… or too little of those same variables. All change, even for the better, can be accompanied by discomfort and drawbacks. Feeling bad or worrying long enough about something cannot change anything whether it be in your garden or in your life. We learn from our gardens how to deal with the urgent question of timing… when to sow, when to reap, when to lie dormant.… Read More