A FRENCH NOTE GRACES BRIDGEHAMPTON
By Katlean de Monchy —
On Friday, July 19, 2024, the French Heritage Society celebrated their annual Summer Soirée with a cocktail party. It was truly magical. Maria and Ken Fishel hosted the party around the pool at their gorgeous home and Ann and Bill Van Ness co-hosted.
The unforgettable soirée was held at the behest of host committee members: CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, French Heritage Society Board Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling, and Ann Van Ness, all of whom were present. Benefactor supporters included Stewart F. Lane, Pamela Morgan, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, and William Van Ness.
The gang was all there: Lucia Hwong Gordon, Ann Van Ness, Jean Shafiroff, Elizabeth Stribling, CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, Cheri Kaufman (Photo: John Sanderson/Annie Watts Agency)
Esteemed guests included: Bradley and Alexandra Fishel; Lucia Hwong Gordon; Sylvia Hemingway; Jennifer Herlein, the executive director of the French Heritage Society; Maribel Lieberman; William Luby; Ruth Miller, the designer Alexandra Naranjo; Alexandra Nicklas, and Julissa Perez.
Ramona Singer (Photo Jared Siskin/PMC)
Also attending were the real estate team of Smitha and Rahul Ramchandani; Ramona Singer; Paula Smalley, Anita Thomas, Peter Thomas Roth, Elizabeth Steimberg, Andrea Wernick, Carole Westfall, David Wiener, and Victoria Wyman.
Katlean de Monchy, Ruth Miller, Ann Van Ness, Elizabeth Stribling, CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, Victoria Wyman, at rear, Ken Fishel (Photo John Sanderson/Annie Watts Agency)
Many, many people took the microphone to make remarks: Maria Fishel; Elizabeth F. Stribling, Ann Van Ness, Jennifer Herlein (the Executive Director of French Heritage), New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright and Judith Roze, the Deputy Cultural Counselor to the French Ambassador to the United States.
Ann Van Ness, the co-host for the event; Judith Roze, from the French Ambassador’s office; Elizabeth Stribling, chairwoman of the board and Jennifer Herlein, executive director. (Photo: John Sanderson/Annie Watts Agency)
Elizabeth Steimberg (Photo: John Sanderson/Annie Watts Agency)
Ms. Roze emphasized the important role FHS plays in protecting French architectural and cultural heritage. She commended FHS for raising $2.6 million for the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which will open on December 8.
Proceeds from the Summer Soirée provide important support for FHS’s mission to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations.
Kenneth Fishel, Maria Kenneth Fishel, Ann Van Ness, Bill van Ness (Photo: John Sanderson/Annie Watts Agency)
There was also a reminder that the big event in the FHS calendar year is the black tie Gala, scheduled in New York for November 14. The one in Palm Beach will follow in February.
Alexandra Fishel and Bradley Fishel (Photo Jared Siskin/PMC)
The festive evening was made possibly by the generous support by Diptyque, rosé wine from Whispering Angel, and art on the table by Christofle.
Hank Stampfl with Revel Rouge curated the event, which included waiters in berets and the kind of live music (violin, accordion) that might be heard in little cafes in small towns. Très atmosphérique!
