On Friday, July 19th, 2024, the French Heritage Society (FHS) hosted its annual Summer Soirée at the stunning home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel in Bridgehampton, NY. This elegant cocktail party, set around the pool, was made possible with the generous support of Diptyque, Whispering Angel rosé wine, and Christofle art on the table. The event was masterfully curated by Hank Stampfl of Revel Rouge.
The soirée was organized by Host Committee members CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, FHS Board Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling, and Ann Van Ness, with the distinguished presence of Judith Roze, Deputy Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States. Benefactors included prominent supporters such as Elena Ayot, Elizabeth A. Baltz, Caroline E. Bassett, Lee Black, Talia and Ron Carner, Alina and Richard Dovere, Sandra Flax, Rosann Gutman, Brenda and Jim Howard, Vincent and Gabriella Khristov, Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, Liz McDermott Barnes, Judy McLaren, Brent Feigenbaum and Frank Morgan, Pamela Morgan, Tatiana Reeves, Guy N. Robinson, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Bayley Shane, Valere Shane, Lauren Smart, and William Van Ness.
Atmosphere
Esteemed guests in attendance included Jacques Acoca and Ruth Miller, Chris Arlotta, Julie Auclair, Lynn Bounicontti, Viola Chaloupkova, Christophe Charpentier, Suzi Cordish, Francine Crocker, Jennifer Farrell, Bradley and Alexandra Fishel, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein, Cheri Kaufman, Suzan Kremer, Maribel Lieberman, William Luby, Mar and William Morosse, Alexandra Naranjo, Nicklas, Julissa Perez, Smitha and Rahul Ramchandani, Lauren Roberts, Ramona Singer, Paula Smalley, Anita Thomas, Peter Thomas Roth, Elizabeth Steimberg, Andrea Wernick, Carole Westfall, David Wiener, and Victoria Wyman.
Notable remarks were delivered by Maria Fishel, Elizabeth F. Stribling, Ann Van Ness, Jennifer Herlein, New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, and Judith Roze. They highlighted FHS’s crucial role in preserving French architectural and cultural heritage and celebrated the organization’s success in raising $2.6 million for the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, set to reopen on December 8, 2024.
The Summer Soirée’s proceeds will support FHS’s mission to protect and sustain French heritage for future generations.
Upcoming FHS events include the Chairman’s Circle trip to the Côtes du Rhône from October 17-23, the New York Gala Dinner Dance on November 15, and the Palm Beach Gala on February 16, 2025.
