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HomeNewsLocal newsFrenchtown Honors Henry Richardson in Bastille Day Celebration

Frenchtown Honors Henry Richardson in Bastille Day Celebration

Henry Richardson celebrates Bastille Day, in which he received a lifetime honor.
Henry Richardson celebrates Bastille Day, in which he received a lifetime honor.

Under what once was roof of the former bleachers of the Joseph Aubain Ballpark, blown away in last year’s storms, Frenchtown celebrated the storming of the Bastille, lo these many miles away and 229 years ago.

With the same spirit, though a different purpose, the French community turned the area into an open air dining room, with handsome red, white and blue tables set off by a gold Eiffel tower. Elegant.

But the highlight of the evening was the honoring of Henry Richardson, lifetime president of the Frenchtown Civic Association, which sponsors the annual affair. It took some fancy footwork to rope Richardson in, as he is traditionally the master of ceremonies.

“He called me yesterday, saying I had to do it,” said his daughter, Cindy Richardson. “I said ‘no;’ he said ‘but you have to,’ so under the circumstances, I gave in,” she said.

Richardson received a number of community service honors over the evening – the FTCO award presented by Pierre “Pete” Ledee, last year’s honoree; Legislature award presented by Sen. Janette Millin Young, and recognition from Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, presented by her aide, Cletus Clendinen.

After the ceremony, Richardson reflected how years ago the first celebration was named Allanville for his brother, Allan; the second year was Peteville for Pete Ledee; and the following year Quishhvlle for Louis Greaux. Grinning like a schoolboy, Richardson said, “I finally have Henryville.”

This sentiment was reflected in the remarks of those attending the affair. Childhood friend, former Sen. Cain Magras, spoke of their lifelong friendship and the building of the Frenchtown Heritage Museum, in which Richardson played a lead role.

“He has served on boards and commissions over the years,” Magras said, saving the last of his remarks for the best.

From left: C'Anne Richardson, Richardson granddaughter; Cindy Richardson, daughter; Tyra Richardson, grandaughter; flank Frenchtown matriarch Lelell Aubain.
From left: C’Anne Richardson, Richardson granddaughter; Cindy Richardson, daughter; Tyra Richardson, grandaughter; flank Frenchtown matriarch Lelell Aubain.

“Henry tried to con me into running for the Senate when he wouldn’t do it himself, and then he volunteered to be my campaign manager.”

After the ceremony, young members of the FTCO passed out perfect little hors d’uevres accenting the evening that had been filled with the traditional bonhomie, with friends and family greeting each other as though they hadn’t spoken the day before.

Volunteering for the evening was the Reichhold Center for the Arts internship program headed by Denise Humphrey, along with Melinda Greaux and Lynette Quetel, architects of the imaginative dining room.

Sponsoring the event was the V;I. Department of Parks, Sports and Recreation , Bellows International, West Indies Corp., Juliana’s Bake Shop and Pierre Ledee.

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