That Lexington has a Sister City relationship with Antony, France is no secret. Its origins, however, are lesser known.

There's an overview posted on the town website, but Karen Girondel, the former Lexington High French teacher, is looking to share the story more widely and cement it as a Lexington landmark.

To that end, Griondel has launched a Kickstarter project to fund a bench in the soon-to-be constructed Antony Park to honor Carol Kenealy, a former Clarke Middle School French teacher, longtime Lexington resident and key part in establishing the Lexington-Antony relationship.

Writes Girondel, "It was Carol and her French counterpart, Françoise Motard, who created the first student exchange in 1983. From that grew the Lexington High School French Exchange, art exchanges and eventually the official sister city relationship."

Through her Kickstarter campaign, Girondel is seeking to raise $3,000 for the bench and, as of Tuesday afternoon, nearly two-thirds of that total had been pledged. In her video describing the project, Girondel -- with a stuffed Babar the Elephant appearing as a special guest -- appeals to former students and others who have enjoyed the Lexington-Antony connection to consider making a donation.

Plans are for a delegation from Antony to visit this May, as Lexington celebrates its 300th birthday, to attend the dedication of Antony Park.

"This bench, situated in this beautiful new French-style garden, will honor the two women whose friendship and initiative have united so many families in Lexington and Antony," Girondel wrote on her Kickstarter page.

Read more at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1477834945/lexington-antony-french-exchange-bench.