Ontario City Council to present 11th Annual Model Colony Awards

-This year's annual awards recognize excellence in the restoration, rehabilitation and preservation of historic properties in Ontario. The Founder's Heritage Award is being presented to Margaret Latimer and Frank Ramme for their home, The Latimer House, located at 945 N. Euclid Avenue. The two-story home was constructed in 1910 and named after Charles Latimer, a city pioneer. The family home has been well preserved by three generations of the Latimer family. It remains one of Ontario's most distinctive Craftsman style homes.

-The Restoration Award is being presented to Rick and Jennifer Caughman for outstanding restoration of their fire damaged living room in their 1937 Mediterranean Revival style home at 227 E. Harvard Place. Last year, burning embers escaped from the fireplace clean out and ignited the floor from under the house causing extensive damage to the front living room. Due to the diligence of the property owners, the restoration was executed successfully to "pre-existing conditions". Every detail of the restoration from the shape and size of the alcoves and niches, to the type of shelving material used, was carefully examined by the property owners prior to the installation. As a result, there is no visual evidence that a fire had ever occurred.

-The Rehabilitation Award is being presented to Derek Robertson of Robertson Construction Inc. for outstanding achievement in rehabilitating and preparing the historic Envoy/Hotel Beverly landmark building at 110 S. Euclid Avenue for an adaptive reuse. Nearly 3 years ago, Derek Robertson found the building vacant, deteriorated, and illegally altered. Today, it is a shining example of a successful rehabilitation project. The project included certain electrical, plumbing, and fire system improvements. The service elevator was restored to working order with new safety glass installed at each floor. New copper water lines were installed on the first floor and basement. All new fire sprinkler alarm system was installed to meet current fire safety standards. The storefront display cases, bulkhead, and tile floor were replaced with a new period appropriate ADA complaint storefront and entry.

-The John S. Armstrong Landscape Award, named after the founder of Armstrong Nurseries, is being presented to Ken and Sue Miller, property owners of 227 West Sixth Street. The Miller's landscape is a pleasing semi- formal design which compliments the architectural style of the Colonial Revival home. The white picket fence and climbing rose covered arbor enhance the view of the front of the property. The brick walkway is lined with low boxwood hedges and pink colored tree roses in a formal arrangement. The combination of mature Ash, Camphor, Liquidambar and Crepe Myrtle trees frame the yard. The evergreen and colored flowering shrubs include Camellia, Pittosporum, Privet, Juniper Gardenia, ferns and many roses add a delightful variety of texture and color.

-An Award of Merit is being presented to two recipients this year. The first Award of Merit acknowledges Richard Gonzalez, property owner of the Ms. Mary Grotholtman House, a local landmark, at 307 East Plaza Serena Street for preservation through ongoing maintenance efforts. The 1924 Craftsman Bungalow home is one the finest examples of the style in Ontario. The home is one of the few single-story craftsman bungalows that can be considered an "airplane bungalow". The slope of the roof, the depths of the eaves and the front attic dormer accentuate the sweeping lines reminiscent of early airplanes. This house has all the classic elements of the style including a rock porch and chimney, clapboard siding and tapered porch columns. In 2000, this home was featured in the American Bungalow, a premiere arts and crafts architectural magazine.

-The second Award of Merit is being presented to Brad and Natalie Collins for ongoing maintenance and preservation of the W.H. Joss House at 558 East Rosewood Court. The French Eclectic style home was constructed during the 1930s and retains all of its character-defining features. The Collins pursued a landmark designation and Mills Act Contract, both of which were approved by City Council in 2006. As part of their Mills Act agreement, they have replaced window hardware, cabinet knobs and hinges, and plumbing fixtures in period appropriate styles, upgraded the electrical, conducted regularly scheduled termite inspections, and painted the exterior and interior.

Last month, the Ontario City Council proclaimed May as "Historic Preservation Month" in the

City of Ontario. This year's theme is "This Place Matters". This Place Matters is a successful National Trust for Historic Preservation campaign that photographs local community members with the historic resources that matter to them. The City invited organizations that have made a significant contribution to creating and preserving the City's heritage to participate in the local campaign. City staff photographed many historic properties with owners, co-workers, family, and friends associated with the property holding the sign "This Place Matters" in the

foreground. Presentation of the local pictures of Ontario will precede the awards ceremony.

The public is invited attend this special ceremony and reception immediately following.