Projects including the restoration of a commercial building on Lincklaen Street, a residence in New Woodstock and the Lakeland Park stone wall, and the institution of a community-wide climate action plan were the honorees last week at the Cazenovia Preservation Foundation’s annual meeting and awards ceremony.
The awards are given every year by the CPF to individuals and organizations who work to preserve and protect the natural and architectural character of Cazenovia.
For 2015, there were awards presented for commercial and residential restoration, a community award and a restoration award.
Russ Brownback, Shirley LLC, received the Commercial Restoration Award for the renovation of the 200-year-old building at 11 Lincklaen St., which currently houses the Blushing Rose Boutique and the Lindenfeld Law Firm. Brownback, who was unable to attend the CPF’s May 21 event, asked CPF President Carlos Gavilondo to say that the award really belongs to Brian Coughlin, who was responsible for the building design and construction.
Coughlin previously received the CPF’s Residential Architecture Award for his work on the restoration of the house at 21 Farnham St.
The Residential Restoration Award was given to Charles and Marilyn Lewis for their restoration of their 1804 house at 2032 Main St. in New Woodstock. The house once was the Smith Tavern, built by Jonathan Smith shortly after the Revolutionary War.
The Community Award was given to public servants David Porter, village trustee, and Tim Hunt, town highway superintendent, for their work in developing and bring to fruition a Climate Action Plan that was approved by both the village board of trustees and the town board. The Climate Action Plan will be used by the municipalities as a guide to protect Cazenovia’s natural resources and to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Restoration Award was presented to the village of Cazenovia for its achievement of restoring the historic Lakeland Park stone wall and iron fence, which has been ongoing for nearly two years. Mayor Kurt Wheeler, who accepted the award on behalf of the village, said that mason Michael Walker, whom the village hired to do the restoration work, was really the one who deserved this honor for his craftsmanship and dedication.
“It’s a pleasure to live in a community where people really care about their surroundings, not just now but into the future,” Gavilondo said at the conclusion of the award presentations.
The meeting also highlighted some of the accomplishment of the CPF during the year 2014. These achievements included installing historic signs on 10 Cazenovia village residence, holding 11 free walks that were open to the public, continued maintenance on CPF’s 12 miles of public trails, a successful new program at Evergreen Cemetery called “A Walk Among the Spirits” and the inspection and monitoring of the CPF’s easements on 29 protected properties.
Also at the meeting, CPF members voted to approve three members to the board of directors each for three-year terms: Carlos Gavilondo, Jane Nichols-Dourdas and Tricia Park. Members also voted to approve the renewal of four directors to the board: David Burch, David Connor, Tim McCay and Thad Yorks.
Organization officers also were elected at the meeting, with Gavilondo voted president, Burch voted vice president, John Bowser voted treasurer and Pauline Ireland voted executive secretary.
The Cazenovia Preservation Foundation, which is now in its 48th year of existence, works to protect historic, agricultural and natural resources in and around Cazenovia for the benefit of the community. For more information, visit cazpreservation.org.
Jason Emerson is editor of the Cazenovia Republican. He can be reached at [email protected].
