Descanso Gardens

I have always wanted to visit Descanso Gardens but never had the opportunity until this past week. Although the weather has been sweltering, I waited until the late afternoon to go and enjoy a nice walk through the gardens. And since they have extended summer hours until 8 p.m., it was a perfect time to beat the heat. Living in the heart of the city, I sometimes crave the calm and beautiful setting of nature. The serene setting of Descanso Gardens truly satisfied that craving.

Marshall Allen Richard Schulhof, executive director of Descanso Gardens since 1996, has announced his resignation so he can pursue field research and graduate studies at Harvard University. Schulhof, who will leave the 160-acre botanical gardens in September, also will become deputy director of Harvard's Arnold Arboretum. He is leaving behind a community of Descanso Gardens supporters, he said. "Descanso is remarkable for the dedication and commitment of its staff, volunteers, trustees and members," Schulhof said.

Opportunities are available for both students and adults to volunteer at Descanso Gardens. Volunteer Coordinator Tali Arnold will meet potential student volunteers at the Visitor Center on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. to lead a tour of the Gardens. Students must be 14 years of age or older to participate in the program. Orientation for adults will be from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. "I encourage every potential volunteer to check the Descanso website at www.descansogardens.

F "PumpkinPalooza is sure to grab the imagination of children and adults alike," said Public Relations Manager Mary Ellen Walker. "Descanso Gardens will be filled with pumpkins as well as activities for all ages." Planned events include costume parades, hay rides on a tractor-drawn wagon, a tractor display and crafts such as the Fairy Gourd Father’s Craft Table where children and adults will be able to create a flower-power pumpkin, and the Pun’kin Head Design workshop where participants can create 2-D pumpkin heads using stencils and rubbings.

Descanso Gardens really dresses up for spring, with thousands of vibrant flowers and trees blooming through weeks and months. The season will begin this year with daffodils and the exhibit by the Southern California Daffodil Society. The following events are scheduled at Descanso Gardens through March 24. Unless noted, events are free with Gardens admission. All fees include Gardens admission. Thursday, March 8 ? Flower Confidential?7 to 9 p.m. There is more to a bouquet of cut flowers than its ability to beautify a room, and author Amy Stewart knows the ins and outs of the extraordinary business of flowers.

Beth Coplin an 89 year resident of the La Cañada/Glendale area, passed away Friday April 26th in the presence of family from cancer. She was born in Chanute, Kansas on January 24, 1919 to Roy and Helen Hunt, She was their third of five children. In 1924 her family moved to Glendale where she attended RD White Elementary School and graduated from Glendale High School. Beth was involved in Jobs Daughters and served as Honor Queen of Bethel 19. She remained active in Jobs Daughters and served on the Guardian Council, was Bethel Guardian for 10 years, and served as State Grand Council Officer.

Rose Margaret McBride was born in Grand Junction, Colorado, the second of three daughters of father James Guyn McBride and mother Ruth Burnham McBride. Though her given name was Rose, she was always called Margaret, as her Aunt Rose McBride, her namesake, was very much a part of the family. Margaret grew up on the high desert in eastern Utah, where her father was the proprietor of the Cisco Mercantile Company. He ran the General Store and managed the stock scales in Cisco, Utah, a stop on the Denver and Rio Grande railroad.

Police have set up a perimeter near Descanso Gardens in search of a motorist who reportedly fled from officers. Police officers have closed off streets surrounding Descanso and Chevy Chase drives in La Canada Flintridge and are searching for the motorist, who ran from his vehicle and into the area, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz. It is unknown why the motorist fled from police, he added. --Veronica Rocha, Times Community News Follow Veronica Rocha on Google+ and on Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA .

Dorothy Ruth Benthin Sommerville passed away the evening of June 27, 2012, succumbing to cancer. Daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank Benthin, Dorothy was born July 27, 1923, at Webster, South Dakota. She grew up in Hayti and Pierre, and graduated from Hayti High School in 1941, as valedictorian of her class. She graduated from South Dakota State University (Brookings) with the class of 1945, and thenmoved toBurbank, CA, and later to Honolulu, HI, for a short time. In 1952 she was married to Robert Sommerville, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sommerville of Pasadena, CA, and in a few years the couple moved to La Canada, CA, where she resided until her death.

The Founders' Day celebration for the Glendale Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) Reciprocity came off without a hitch. The 200-plus members and guests present should be proud. P.E.O., founded in 1869, is based on providing opportunities for women. “Our Star Spangled Sisterhood” was the patriotic luncheon theme, carried out through American flags and red, white and blue balloons. The Pickwick Gardens' Terrace Room in Burbank was the setting on Saturday's (Feb. 4) sunny afternoon.

Florence Agnes Brawders     Florence Agnes Brawders was born in Los Angeles on 8/28/1921. She married the love of her life, Lt. Jack Brawders in 1941 and settled in La Canada. She is survived by her 6 children, Ronald, Larry, Robert, Marilyn, Jim, Bill and her 2 sisters, Bettie Bean and Rosemary Ashley. Her 12 grandchildren will miss their loving granny. She volunteered at Descanso Gardens and was a member of the Garden Club as she loved gardening. She was active in her book club, the Thursday club and Legion of Mary Catholic Society.

E. Manchester Boddy, owner and publisher of the Los Angeles Daily News, was a legend not only for his sharp editorials and shrewd business skills, but for the fantastic parties he threw in his backyard. Of course, it wasn't just any backyard. In 1937, Boddy purchased 125 acres of land in La Cañada and commissioned famed “architect to the stars” James Dolena to build a home for his family, which included his wife Berenice and the couple's two sons, Bob and Calvin. Dolena constructed a 12,000-square-foot, 22-room home on hillside with sweeping views of the valley.

I have always wanted to visit Descanso Gardens but never had the opportunity until this past week. Although the weather has been sweltering, I waited until the late afternoon to go and enjoy a nice walk through the gardens. And since they have extended summer hours until 8 p.m., it was a perfect time to beat the heat. Living in the heart of the city, I sometimes crave the calm and beautiful setting of nature. The serene setting of Descanso Gardens truly satisfied that craving.

The flowers are blooming. The butterflies are flitting. Spring is definitely here. What better way to celebrate than with a picnic under the trees at Descanso Gardens? The best part is that you can leave the cooking to the skillful chefs of Patina Catering. Every weekend until May 8, Descanso has added another option in al fresco dining, this one just outside the main entrance. Patina’s chefs are serving up a brief menu of barbecue favorites and a few special extras. I have to say their pulled pork sandwich ($8.95)

Descanso Gardens paid homage to its 20 acres of Camellias on Saturday with the annual Camellia Festival. The event included tours of Descanso’s Camellia Collection given by forest “faeries,” a class on the culinary and wellness uses for camellias and a guided walk of the collection. When Descanso’s original owner, newspaper publisher E. Manchester Boddy, created Rancho del Descanso in the 1930s, he planted camellias as a business venture to supply the cut-flower industry.