Hey, don't look at me.
Posted on 11/26/2008 2:28:09 PM PST by freespirited
A fast-moving fire destroyed the Chevy Chase home of prominent society matron Tuesday. Meanwhile, the charitable ball the owner of the house, Mary-Stewart Montague Price has hosted for decades, will go on this Friday.
Mary-Stewart Montague Price, affectionately known as "Studie," founded The National Debutante Cotillion and at 86 years old, remains its co-chair.
Now, amidst blackened family portraits, are the charred remains of a rich family history. "This is where i grew up," said Buddy Price, the owner's brother. "This is where i went to the Naval Academy from; this is where I came back to the Marine Corps from -- you don't want to see your family house go up this way."
Montague Price was at the hairdresser when the fire broke out, but two people working on the debutante ball were in the home. "My assistant and I were working in the office and we heard a loud popping noise," said Price's niece, Andi Price Madera. "[I] walked around the corner and the couch was on fire and it started to spread up into the drapes and sort of popping windows, she said. "I called 911 but I couldn't get back in to do anything."
Firefighters at the scene uncovered singed family heirlooms as onlookers rejoiced in some unexpected discoveries.
Friend Phil Sullivan was relieved some of the important ball materials were saved. "That's the seating arrangement for the ball," said Sullivan. "And without that, my God, I don't know what we would do!"
The annual Thanksgiving ball, which benefits Children's National Medical Center, is scheduled for Friday. It's like planning a wedding, but for 1,000 people," described office manager Suzanne Tallia. "Every person has a place."
When Montague Price arrived, friends and family kept her from the gutted home. Despite her misfortune, she promised her legendary ball would take place.
"The ball started 59 years ago and God willing, it'll go on for a long, long time," said Montague Price. "I pray to God that it will; I'm glad no one was hurt."
Investigators believe the blaze was started by Montague Price's cat, who apparently knocked down a lamp, setting a couch on fire. Damage to the home is estimated at well over $1.5 million.
They are probably dog people.
I'm speechless.
Thank goodness for miracles. This could have led to a social faux pas and serious brech of etiquette. I share your relief Phil.
"heeey, who's the nitwit that believes the two workers?..they were probably playing "hide Mr Winkie" on the couch and knocked over the lamp"
kittie ping
LOL! It’s a different world, inside the Beltway.
LOL! wonderful pix.
Chevy Chase is an affluent area in Montgomery County, a bastion of wacky liberalism. Debutante balls fit right in with the limousine liberals.
Oh for goodness sake. I refused my ball (I was a VietNam era teen, it didn't seem cool to be a deb at the time), but one of my sisters had one. My step-father was a Republican most of his life. I'm sure there are debs all over the country who come from conservative families.
[Cadets from VMI are escorts to this event]
Cherchez la chat!
See?! As I said!
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