Spotlight on Ann Petersen

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 Ann Petersen, a wonderful and dedicated longtime Friends of Robinson Gardens Member and a generous Angel Member!! We asked her these three questions:

A Resplendent Tea and Book Signing with Sunday Taylor

On May 26th, 2021, Friends Board Members Leslie Kavanaugh and Patti Reinstein honored longtime Friends Member Sunday Taylor and her recently published book, The Anglophile’s Notebook, with a sold-out formal English Tea and Book Signing at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. Elegantly dressed guests entering the Great Lawn were greeted by tables clad in pink tablecloths, each with a lovely pink and red rose arrangement centerpiece, designed by Kerstin Royce. Beyond, on the Terrace, were two tables laden with all good things required for a grand tea including delicious khachapuri, a wide assortment of tea sandwiches crafted by Alenoosh Davoodian, VRG Staff Assistant, and Patti, assorted scones donated by La Provence Patisserie & Café, clotted cream, and fresh fruit. The orange-raisin muffins with smoked turkey and chutney, also created by Patti, were especially exceptional. Pitchers of lemonade and tea and other fabulous edibles further enhanced the tables.

Our Garden Tour Star Suzanne Rheinstein

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 honored to be featuring internationally renowned interior designer Suzanne Rheinstein. Her work has been published in numerous lifestyle magazines, such as Architectural Digest and Elle Décor, where she has been included on the AD100 and A-List, respectively. Suzanne was included in Elle Décor’s debut of its Titans honor roll, which celebrates two dozen exceptionally influential talents. She has written two best-selling books, At Home: A Style for Today with Things from the Past and Rooms for Living. A longtime board member of the Garden Conservancy, Suzanne presented a lecture for the Friends on the Conservancy. She also generously hosted the Fellows for a tour of her beautiful Hancock Park home and garden. Suzanne has designed several rooms at VRG for Garden Tour where she also held a book signing. We asked her these five questions:

Message from President Betty Goldstein

“When one door closes, another door opens” Dear Friends, A year ago, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, I wrote my first President’s message. In that message, I stated that my personal motto is, “When one door closes, another door opens.” This saying is something in which I truly believe and have lived by throughout my life. Bringing this philosophy to the Gardens during this past year of Covid, we chose to look internally to see what could be accomplished and with the strong support of our membership and their tremendous amount of creativity and hard work, much was accomplished.

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