
The Fellows eagerly await the annual Thank You Dinner organized by our amazing chair, Jeanne Anderson, and the celebration on August 17, 2024, did not disappoint! The beautiful Virginia Robinson Gardens embraced all with its golden late afternoon setting. With a special Tom Collins cocktail in hand, the festively attired guests mingled happily and caught up on all the summer news. On the Great Lawn, our talented Jeanne arranged romantic rose centerpieces in soft hues on striped tablecloths accented with fuchsia napkins.
Our wonderful President Lynn Whitaker welcomed all and thanked Jeanne and remarked, “We love this place. We need everyone that is involved to be a part of it, and how can you be anything but happy on this lawn tonight?”
Due to Covid, our fundraising efforts were curtailed. Now after five years, we will be once again having our second annual fundraiser, the Patron Gala, on September 14. Lynn encouraged everyone to attend so that the Friends can continue to restore and preserve our beloved Robinson Gardens. To much applause, Lynn thanked Lori Greene Gordon and her daughter Natalie Gordon Beiser for co-chairing the Gala. We will also be honoring Laura & Harvey Alpert and Patti Reinstein & Kerstin Royce for their incredible devotion and many contributions to VRG.
Lynn also told the guests to save the date of October 17. In lieu of our annual Membership Luncheon for the Friends, we will be having an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a slide lecture by the fascinating historian Steve Keylon, editor of Eden magazine. He will talk about the history of the estate, the Robinsons and their enduring love affair for each other (Virginia used to write letters to Harry even after he passed away) and for the gardens they created.
Lynn thanked Leslie Kavanaugh, Patti Reinstein, and Kerstin Royce for the Childrens Outreach Science Program which is very important to the Friends. Thanks to the hard-working efforts of Patti, Kerstin, and Leslie, we have an extremely generous grant of $300,000 for the Childrens Program set over three years from the Santa Monica Westside Legacy Fund for Women and Girls.

Our terrific Ann Petersen then spoke, “As an active member of the philanthropic world my entire adult life, I am extremely interested and believe that it is essential that we honor the donors who contribute to charity.” Ann felt that these “angels” need to be recognized in a permanent way. In 2013, Superintendent Emeritus Timothy Lindsay suggested that Virginia Robinson’s wrought iron ornament on the Back Terrace be used to create a Donor Tree in its image. Ann generously underwrote the commission for an artist to create the tree.

Three levels of leaves were added with a Copper Leaf representing a donation of $25,000 to $49,000, a Silver Leaf representing $50,000 to $99,000, and a Gold Leaf representing $100,000 or more. The donor names are etched on the leaves and placed on the tree to memorialize their contributions. Ann acknowledged this year’s donors who have merited a new leaf or increased their leaf to a higher level:
Gold
Ann Petersen and Leslie Pam
Maralee Beck and Andrew Safir
Silver
Barbara, Joel, and the Marcus Family
Callie D. McGrath Foundation, represented by Hector Santillan
Copper
Lori Greene Gordon and Natalie Gordon Beiser
After the speeches, the guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner catered by John Robinson Party Planning. The menu featured a butter lettuce salad with grilled peaches and fried brie; olive focaccia and cheese toast; baked salmon, cherry tomatoes and beef tenderloin with crispy onions, horseradish, grilled asparagus and basil risotto. The berry cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream provided for a delicious finale.
The Friends are so lucky to have Jeanne, the “Mother Earth” of Robinson Gardens, who organizes and creates extraordinary events that help preserve our much-loved Gardens.
This past year, the Fellows were excited to have the opportunity to go on a marvelous tour of the Japanese Heritage Shoya House at the Huntington Library by Associate Director of Cultural Programs Robert Hori. Superintendent Emeritus Timothy Lindsay and Janice Jerde gave a fascinating two-day tour of Downtown Los Angeles’ historic gardens and architecture. A captivating tour of Bruce Meyer’s Car Garage in Beverly Hills followed by a spectacular “Lobstah Pahty” at Fred and Patti Reinstein’s home made for a memorable Benefactors and Patron affair. Capping these wonderful events is always an incredible trip arranged by Jeanne. This year, the Fellows traveled to Rancho Santa Fe, where they reveled in glorious private gardens and amazing lunches and dinners.
At the close of the evening, the rose centerpieces were given to all who donated to the Donor Tree and to Superintendent Diane Sipos and Madeline Lindsay whose birthdays are close to August 17.
Thanks to our angel Jeanne who imbues each event with her artistic touch in grand style, and to our amazing Superintendent Diane Sipos, Member Relations & Administrative Manager Barbara Remedios, Curator April Walton, Recreation Service Leaders Branden Santos & Pamela Davis-Burns, and Park Aide Sophie Orellana, who helped organize and set up the event, the evening was just magical!
Founder of the Friends Joan Selwyn remarked, “As the sun slowly set, I could feel Mrs. Robinson’s spirit floating softly over the Great Lawn – the laughter of our guests at the Fellows Thank You Dinner, assuring her that all was right at the gardens she loved so much.”
Kerstin added, “It was such a perfect and lovely evening. We felt ‘over the moon’ at this party, blessed with a full moon shining down upon us.”
If you haven’t already done so, consider upgrading your membership to the Fellows level to enjoy these exclusive and extraordinary special events! You can upgrade here: Become a Fellow.
Post and photos by Linda Meadows
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Editor of the Happenings
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