On Friday, July 28th, 2023, French Heritage Society (FHS) hosted their inaugural Summer Soirée at the home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel in Bridgehampton, NY. The festive evening took the form of a cocktail party around the pool and under the tent at the beautiful Fishel residence with stunning art on the table provided by Christofle.
The unforgettable soirée was held at the behest of Host Committee CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, French Heritage Society Board Chairman Elizabeth F. Stribling, and Ann Van Ness, andin the presence of Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States Gaëtan Bruel. Golden Benefactor supporters included Patricia Cossutta Arostegui and Egle Rincon, Sharon Bush and Bob Murray, Melody Clarke, Alina and Rich Dovere, Mitchell Draizin, Rosann Gutman, Brenda Howard, Helen K. King, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Judy McLaren, Frank Morgan and Brent Feigenbaum, Maria Pessino, Nicole Salmasi, Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, Maria Pessino, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Lauren and Geoff Smart, and Tom Brown and Missy Van Buren-Brown. Young Patron Benefactors included Elena Ayot, Stark D. Kirby, Jr. and Collin Kearby, and Julissa Perez. Generous support for the evening was also given by Nanci and Nick Lanni.
Esteemed guests included: Jacques Acoca, Julie Auclair, Richard Anderman, Chris Arlotta, Susan and Gerald Baker, Carol Beladora, Connie Bregman, Geoffrey Bradfield and William Feathersby, Rosalie Brinton, Philippe Brugere-Trelat, Rufus Chen and Blake Funston, Melody Clarke, Paul Danello and Virginia Loving Pope, Michael Dorenfeld, Vincent Festa, Celso Gonzalez Falla, Bradley and Alexandra Fishel, Lauren Willis Grover and Colin Grover, David Hayes, Sylvia Hemingway, French Heritage Society Executive Director Jennifer Herlein, Amy Hoadley, David Hochberg, Paula Hunnicut, Martha and Lawrence Johnston, Cheri Kaufman and Bill Slight, Susan Kremer, William Luby, Ruth Miller, Mar and William Morosse, Alexandra Nicklas, Mario Pecoraro, Abigail Pollak, Kathy Prounis, Lauren and Bob Roberts, Guy N. Robinson, Patricia and Thomas Shiah, Ramona Singer, Paula and Robert Smalley, Elizabeth Steimberg, Bill Van Ness, Andrea and Joel Wernick, and Andrew Werner.
Remarks were made by Maria Fishel, Elizabeth F. Stribling, Ann Van Ness and Gaëtan Bruel who emphasized the important role FHS plays in protecting French architectural and cultural heritage. Mr. Bruel referred to the organization as the “American Friends of France” because it supports projects throughout France and the U.S.
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. Additional funds were also raised for FHS’s restoration grant to the Grand Palais in Paris, which will host fencing and taekwando during the 2024 Olympics.