Gems worth mentioning in Elgin preservation awards
May 11, 2012 11:12AM
Updated: June 14, 2012 8:16AM
Gems worth mentioning in Elgin preservation awards
Recently in Elgin was the Elgin Heritage Commission’s 23rd annual Mayor’s Awards for Preservation. The theme was Discovering America’s Hidden Gems.
The event was held May 1 in Elgin’s Lords Park historical pavilion, and more than 150 people crowded into the center room and witnessed a wonderful recognition ceremony. The introductions were done by Bill Briska, a well-known Elgin historian and the historical society’s treasurer.
First on the agenda were the 2012 Heritage Building Plaque recipients. They were: 1887, C. & R. Curtis, 570 N. Spring St., Joshua and Julie Harris; 1913, E.J. Bishop, 121 Monroe St., Len Govdnik II; and 1883, E. Wayne, 433 Division St., Colleen and Bill Anderson.
Next was the Mayor’s Awards Presentation by Elgin Mayor David Kaptain. Given annually by the mayor upon recommendations of the Elgin Heritage Commission, these awards recognize those who have preserved and promoted the heritage of Elgin, its history, its architecture and its natural resources. The 2012 Mayors Award recipients were Ben and Jessica Feuzer, Garage Reconstruction; Joshua and Julie Harris, House Rehabilitation, 570 N. Spring St.; Krissy Palermo, House Rehabilitation, southwest corner of Spring and Ann streets; Maureen McWaid and Steve Thoren, the Wing Mansion Rehabilitation; 972 W. Highland Ave.; Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, House Rehabilitation; Robert Tierney, House Rehabilitation; Dann and Nancy Farquhar, House Rehabilitation (the Dr. Ollayos House on Highland Avenue); Jennifer Fritz, Public Service to City of Elgin; and Elgin History Museum, Timeline History Exhibits.
The event was filled with pride as each recipient made their way to the podium to accept their award and plaque. There were tears of joy and appreciation expressed for being acknowledged for the effort put forth and now a reward for the results. This evening displayed the care that many of the residents of Elgin share with the value of the past and preserving it for generations to come. There was also an array of appetizers coordinated by heritage commission volunteers Betsy Couture, JoEllen Dosher, Cindy Walden, Rich Jacobs and Rich Wagner.
The Elgin Heritage Commission would like to recognize the following individuals for their efforts to make this year’s Preservation Month and Mayor’s Awards a success: plaques and award certificates: Katie Schultz and Mary Schultz; organization: Sarosh Saher, Cindy Walden, Amy Munro and all the individuals and organizations that participated in preservation month.
Finally, somehow a follow-up on this event didn’t appear in the papers; yet experiencing the pride and knowing how it’s a good-will story about Elgin, I felt it was worthy to write about the ceremony and to acknowledge the recipients. There are three more homes in Elgin displaying plaques on the outside; but even more significantly, there are nine plaques displayed inside to which the recipients will forever remember receiving. Please congratulate them when you see them.
Steve Thoren
Elgin
