Annual Casa del Herrero Holiday Fundraiser Soirée
The most looked forward to holiday party behind the hedgerow in Montecito is the Casa del Herrero Soirée, titled Home for the Holidays, held this year on Saturday, December 14.
Upon entering, guests were greeted by lovely ballerinas from the State Street Ballet, celebrating The Nutcracker. Spanish guitar études by Chris Fossek filled the atmosphere. New to the party this year was a clear tent with white trim that enclosed the front fountain area, with round cocktail tables, gold chairs, and bar. This was well appreciated given the extra-chill winter air, when a Ralph Lauren Designer wrap simply will not do. The Casa house was open for viewing with docents ready to lead mini-tours. The back patio had two tables with silent auction items and a second bar. Up for bidding were gift baskets from Coast 2 Coast, antique framed oil paintings, and Solvang Bakery’s Gingerbread House. All this – and detailed holiday decorations – were the work of Event Chair Jenna Jobst Reichental.
The reception featured signature cocktails with ingredients from the Casa’s garden – Gimel of Lights with gin/vodka, St. Germain, Fresh Lime Juice, Butterfly Pea Flower and Dash of Light; or the White Cranberry Mojito with rum/vodka, coconut cream, fresh lime juice, seltzer and cranberry garnish.Hors d’oeuvres specialties were marinated beef bites wrapped in edible 24k gold, and a gourmet Spanish paella station with fresh mahi-mahi, halibut, sausages, veggies, and rice.
Board of Trustees President Heather Biles introduced keynote speaker Laura Bridley, who was the Founding Executive Director of Casa del Herrero and served as a Trustee, Board President, Ambassador and advisor for the Casa. Bridley is also the former President of the Montecito Association, former chair of the SBC Planning Commission, and a Montecito native. Bridley talked briefly about her work with George Bass – grandson of George Fox Steedman, for whom Casa del Herrero was originally built in 1925. Bass had hired Bridley as a land use consultant to help turn the estate into a museum, and she cited charming acts he did for the community, such as delivering fresh eggs to locals. She said, “I was honored to know George and represent him and the Casa to SB County and the Planning Commission, to get their Conditional Use Permit, and to serve as its Board of Trustees President and Executive Director. I’m thrilled that the Casa received the California Missions Foundation grant, a testament to all the work being done.” She was followed by Board President Heather Biles who thanked the guests for their contributions towards the renovations and preservation of the Casa.
Seen at the event were Casa Executive Director Rosie Rafferty and staff, along with David Bolton, Carol and Mike Linn, Katherine Pharibe Wise, Cookie and Jay Feinberg, Dinah and Ricardo Calderon, Louise and Timothy Casey, Elizabeth Storm McGovern, Nanette and Henry Nevins, Avi Reichental, Jami Voulgaris, Leslie and Harrison Bains, Betsy and Kenneth Coates, Monica Safapour, Elizabeth and Bill Esrey, Nathan Vonk, Chris Biles, Mari and Patrick McAlister, Marc Gelinas, Isabel and Paul Wendt, Lily Marx, Carolyn Williams, and Albert P. Hinckley, Jr.
Society Invites suggests for the community to be on the list for Casa del Herrero’s upcoming parties in 2025 to celebrate their 100th Anniversary!
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