Anna Eisenstein grew up in Annapolis during the Depression-era 1930s and wartime 1940s. After marrying Edwin Gilbert Greenberg, a USNA ‘50 graduate, the Greenberg couple, along with their children, lived in postings around the United States, northern Italy and Japan. Overseas, the Navy family traveled to other countries, like China, Israel and Turkey, picking up memories and mementoes along the way.
The Greenbergs did not return to Annapolis until 1973. Annapolis had changed significantly in the two decades Anna had been gone — and has continued to change. The Greenbergs found a two-story home, built in 1962, at the end of a cul-de-sac off Spa Road. Cloaked in pale gray siding with white trim and darker, slate gray shutters and rooftops, the house sits on a small rise with a clear view of Aberdeen Creek sparkling a few dozen yards away and a community marina.
They had barely settled in and begun renovations to the house before Anna plunged into volunteer activities in her beloved hometown. “My parents’ influence set the example for my volunteerism, my love for people,” she explained.
Edwin passed away in October 2004. Anna could have thrown in the towel then and spent her golden years resting on her laurels. Yet, today, Anna is still busy with activities that would fell someone one-quarter her age. Here’s the short list: Anna is a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors of St. John’s College, a member of the Board of the Friends of St. John’s College, on the board of the Anne Arundel Public Library Foundation, a board member of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and of the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, plus a board member of Scholarships for Scholars, Inc. which provides scholarships to public, private and home-schooled high school seniors throughout the county. She is also active in the congregations of Knesseth Israel Annapolis and Beth Shalom in Arnold.
And, she still finds time to lovingly spoil her three grandchildren — all girls — when they come to visit. Or, when she visits.
Anna has been lauded and applauded through the years. Citations from various Maryland governors and certificates from several organizations line a stairwell in her home. In her library, a space is reserved for her awards and trophies.
Today, she is being presented with the Hadassah Centennial Award by the Hadassah Annapolis Chapter as part of its 100th birthday celebration.
Just inside the front foyer, a beautiful cabinet rests alongside the honeydew striped wall. Lacquered a cream color, its front doors feature several bas relief Japanese figures in an outdoor scene. “The chest is from Japan,” said Anna. “Or did we find it in Hong Kong? The bowl on top of the chest is from Israel and the silk fruit is from Japan, too.”
“This house is filled with accents of places I’ve lived,” she said.
Turning to the opposite wall, hanging there is a framed and signed Nancy Hammond print depicting a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.
“I love to collect works by local artists. I have them all through the house,” Anna said. “Gerry Valerio did a terrific portrait of my husband that hangs in the library. Phyllis Avedon painted my portrait, which is in the master bedroom. I also have works by Lee Boynton, Eric Smith, photographer Marion E. Warren and Elliott Zuckerman. Bonnie Roth Anderson did the wonderful pastel children’s portraits in the living room.” She has also collected paintings and sculptural works from around the world.
To the right is the sun-filled, elegant living room. Most of the furniture was inherited from Anna’s parents. It had been custom-made for them, and, later, Anna had the pieces restored and re-upholstered. Nestled next to the curvilinear couch is a wooden bachelor’s chest, originally used to hold a gentleman’s folded shirts, sweaters and underwear. “It has a Bombay front,” Anna said, pointing to its sinuous silhouette.
Atop the upright piano are busts sculpted in Italy, over 40 years ago, of Joyce Greenberg and David Greenberg when they were preschoolers. The terracotta busts rest on short pedestals of pink marble.
The library, in the center of the main floor, can be reached from the front hallway, the living room and via the dining room, too. White, wooden built-in cabinetry lines one mimosa-colored wall. The unit’s shelves are filled with books, small artworks and several of Anna’s awards.
No comments:
Post a Comment