June 11, 2007 — The Committee for the Betterment of Carenage has announced the 2007 Father’s Day Weekend Celebration in Frenchtown, coming up Friday through Sunday.
The CBC invites everyone to enjoy local cuisine and delicacies in the booths along the interior of the Aubain Ball Park, according to a news release from the committee. The park is being transformed into a mini carnival village for this annual celebration of the tradition and culture of the Frenchtown community.
Weekend activities start with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday at 7 p.m. and conclude Sunday at 8 p.m. when prizes will be awarded for the Mother’s Day and pre-Father’s Day fishing tournaments.
Each night will feature some of the territory’s top bands: Cool Session Band from St. John, St. Thomas’ Sweeta’ Band, Dr. Bernard Liburd, Milo’s Kings and Hartatak, the news release said.
The CBC selected Celina M. Edwards as Miss Carenage 2007. Presently enrolled in high school in Florida, Edwards is a product of the local French community. She plans to study medicine and wants to return to the territory to a position at the Schneider Regional Medical Center, according to the CBC.
One of the CBC founding members, Leon J. Danet is being honored, according to Gail Joseph, coordinator of the weekend festivities, "for his years of service and contributions to making our community a better place for residents and visitors alike.” Danet retired from Chase Manhattan Bank in December, 1994 after serving thirty-five years in various positions.
Danet joined and supported several organizations, including The Frenchtown Civic Organization, CBC and the Moby Dick Carnival troupe, and participated in Carnival for over 25 years. He also served on the political campaigns of former governors Cyril E. King and Roy L. Schneider, current Governor John deJongh Jr. and several senators.
Known as "Mr. New York Yankees of St. Thomas,” Danet’s baseball career began in his teens when he played single-A baseball with the White Sox, later AA baseball with the Olympic Indians and Stars baseball teams and fast-pitch softball with the Rangers and Apaches.
According to the CBC news release, Danet was instrumental in bringing several international teams to the Virgin Islands for the fast-pitch tournaments. He played shortstop on the St. Thomas All Star team. While managing the Apaches Men’s fast-pitch team, in 1973, he was the first to bring a championship trophy to Frenchtown. He was honored by the 12th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, Resolution No. 906, Bill 12-7648 with other accomplished athletes.
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