October 2020 Happenings
Message from President Betty Goldstein
Once upon a time, long, long ago, in the land of Covid lay the enchanted garden called the Virginia Robinson Gardens, where children ceased to come, learn and play, and adults no longer found solitude or enjoyed the beauty of nature. Unfortunately, our story is not a fairy tale, but our present reality. Our estate and gardens have been closed since March. Our fundraising events have been cancelled. Our revenue has stopped. HOW CAN YOU HELP? The month of October is the month of our membership drive. If you are not a member of our gardens, please consider joining. Membership dues are a large part of our revenue and help sustain our gardens and programs. If you are already a member, please renew, and if possible, join at a higher level. Please consider an additional donation as well. Generous past donations have enabled us to do necessary restorations and helped…
Fun & Games at the Virginia Robinson Gardens
It’s early afternoon, and you’re sliding out of your tennis outfit in what Virginia calls the Playhouse (the Pool Pavilion). You think back to a few moments ago on the Robinsons’ tennis court and silently reprimand yourself for forgetting to practice your backhand more. Charlie (referring, of course, to Charlie Chaplin), was much better than you remembered. Shrugging, you slip on your lunch attire (your swimsuit lay next to you ready for use this afternoon) and head out for a delicious luncheon overlooking the tennis court. This scenario might sound like a complete fantasy, but it read like a typical day for Virginia and Harry Robinson’s friends. The spirit of play was alive and well in the Robinson household, as seen in the four photos above. Indeed, the Robinsons were famous for hosting the crème de la crème of Hollywood (and even English royalty) in their home and gardens for…
Our Garden Tour Star Krista Everage
Each month we are highlighting “Our Garden Tour Stars” — landscape architects, florists and interior designers who have participated in our annual Garden Tour and Showcase Estate at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. We want to let you know about these very talented designers, their inspirations, and their creations. This month, we are featuring interior designer and Friends of Robinson Gardens member Krista Everage, whose work has been published three times in Architectural Digest, once highlighting the interiors she designed for the actor Dennis Quaid! We asked her these five questions: 1. How did you decide to become an interior designer? Interior Design really chose me! I have been a designer since my first memories of growing up on the shores of northern Lake Michigan, in a beautiful hardwood tree-adorned Victorian town, with my artist/homemaker extraordinaire mother, and engineer/architect father. My playing as a young child consisted of gathering treasures from…
Falling Into Autumn
Falling Into AutumnBy Rodney Kemerer, Member of the Friends of Robinson GardensMy brain is hardwired to the smells from my childhood. At this time of the year it is the smell of burning leaves. As early as I can remember, growing up in the Midwest and later in Pennsylvania, the smell of burning leaves told my brain that winter was coming. As the first pile of leaves was raked together and then slowly smoldered into flame, the smell permeated the neighborhood. It was the signal to break out the corduroy pants and sweater vests. Fall was always my favorite season — the closing in, the shutting down, the preparing for winter, never cold enough to be uncomfortable, but it was the warning sign that freezing weather lay ahead.I have had to re-program my brain for living in California and specifically in a mountain canyon. Now the smell of burning anything…
Spotlight on Laura Alpert
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 Laura Alpert, a dedicated Friend of Robinson Gardens Board Member. Through her generosity, Laura helped restore the Display Rose Garden. 1. How did you first learn about VRG, and what inspired you to become a Friend? I found out about the Virginia Robinson Gardens when my dear friend Elissa Bregman became President many years ago. She recommended that I become a Friend, and I was glad to join. 2. What’s your role – How do you contribute to VRG? Presently, I am a Member-at-Large Board member…