Media Backgrounder. Ontario Heritage Trust s Heritage Community Recognition Program Recipients

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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, February 21, 2012 Ontario Heritage Trust s Heritage Community Recognition Program Recipients Mr. Farsheed Ameryoun, recipient of the Ontario Trust Heritage award in the Built Heritage category The Town of Aurora is pleased to recognize the achievements of Mr. Farsheed Ameryoun in the Built Heritage category. Mr. Ameryoun is a resident of Aurora who has a great passion for heritage buildings. He is the co-owner of one of the most interesting heritage buildings in town, The Hartman s Corners School, a designated heritage building under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. His dedication to the restoration and rehabilitation of historic buildings is shown through the three projects he worked on in Aurora. He was responsible for the design, project management and supervision of the restoration work of these three heritage buildings: 118 Wellington Street East - Hartman s Corners School 71 Centre Street The Brome House Yonge Street The Napier House Mr. Ameryoun believes in preserving heritage through proper restoration. His work has positively contributed to Aurora s cultural heritage. Mr. Bob McRoberts, recipient of the Ontario Trust Heritage award in the Cultural Heritage category The Town of Aurora is pleased to recognize the achievements of Mr. Bob McRoberts in the Cultural Heritage category. Mr. McRoberts is a life-long resident of Aurora. He and his wife are the proud owners of a designated heritage house built in 1923, located in the heart of the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation District. The original owners of the house were Mr. McRoberts grandparents and has since been under the family s ownership. The house is named after J.H. Knowles, Mr. McRoberts grandfather who was also the principal of the Dr. G. W. Williams Secondary School from 1923 to Mr. McRoberts worked hard to preserve photographs, archival materials and other memorabilia related to the history of Aurora High School. Thanks to his tireless efforts, all these items are now preserved and on display at the school and the Aurora Historical Society.

2 Mr. McRoberts is a dedicated member of the Aurora Historical Society (AHS). He has been volunteering with the AHS for the last 10 years. He has also been a regular volunteer for the Doors Open Aurora event. Mr. McRoberts was a prominent public official serving as an Aurora Councillor and Deputy Mayor between 2006 and 2010 during which time he sat on the Heritage Advisory Committee. Prior to that, Mr. McRoberts served on the Heritage Advisory Committee as a resident from , and is now a resident member again for the current Council term As a Councillor and Committee member, he played a significant part in the creation of Aurora s first Heritage Conservation District. In 2007, the Town presented him with a Heritage Advisory Committee Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Leadership in the Establishment of Aurora s First Heritage Conservation District. Currently, Mr. McRoberts is in his third term on the Board of Directors of the Aurora Historical Society. He continues to preserve his family home in the heart of Aurora and he looks forward to contributing to the Hillary House s 150th anniversary celebration next year, the 125th anniversary for the Dr G.W Williams Secondary School in 2013 and the Town s 150th anniversary in Mr. Jack Patterson, recipient of the Lieutenant Governor s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement (20 to 24 years) The Town of Aurora is pleased to recognize the achievements of Mr. Jack Patterson in the Lifetime Achievement Category. Mr. Patterson, an Aurora resident, has a long history of community involvement and has made exceptional contributions to the preservation of Aurora s local heritage. In recent years, much of his work has been dedicated to the enhancement of the Hillary House and Koffler Museum of Medicine, a national historic site. In 1991, Mr. Patterson joined the Aurora Cemetery Corporation Board as a director. The Aurora Cemetery was established in 1869, as the Aurora Cemetery Company. Mr. Patterson was the director when the cemetery became a non-for-profit corporation in His commitment to serving the cemetery and protecting its heritage played a major role in designating two cemetery properties under the Ontario Heritage Act: The Keeper s House and the octagonal Dead House. In 2009 and 2010, Mr. Patterson joined the Aurora Community Heritage Fair Project as a volunteer evaluator at St. Andrew s College. More than 10 schools and 100 students participated at this regional event where students presented their heritage-related projects to be reviewed by the jury. For over 20 years, Mr. Patterson invested a lot of time and effort volunteering at the Aurora Historical Society Hillary House. He is a past president and served on the board of directors for 15 years.

3 Mr. Patterson has received the 10, 15 and 20-year Volunteer Award from The Town of Aurora. He also received the 15-year Award from the Government of Ontario in 2003 and was nominated for a 25 year Volunteer Service Award in Mr. Patterson s passion, enthusiasm and dedication have helped to preserve the Town s local culture. Mrs. Joan Patterson, recipient of the Lieutenant Governor s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement (20 to 24 years) The Town of Aurora is pleased to recognize the achievements of Mrs. Joan Patterson in the Lifetime Achievement Category. Mrs. Patterson, an Aurora resident, has a long history of community involvement and has made exceptional contributions to the preservation of Aurora s local heritage. In recent years, much of her work has been dedicated to enhancing Hillary House, a designated heritage building under the Ontario Heritage Act and national historic site. In , Mrs. Patterson was a member of the Aurora Public School Reunion Committee. The committee helped raise funds for the renovation of the Church Street School now called the Aurora Cultural Centre. As member of the Hillary House Committee for more than 20 years, Mrs. Patterson helped plan and assist with fundraising and educational events oversaw the operation of the house. Mrs. Patterson supervises autistic teens from Aurora High School on weekly basis during the school year. Her students learn skills by performing household chores and gardening at Hillary House. Mrs. Patterson s leadership is demonstrated in her creation of the gift shop at the Hillary House to increase revenues. Her hard work in overseeing all aspects of the gift shop has raised funds for the house. She is an active volunteer for the Hillary House s many events such as Summer Teas, Mother s Day Luncheons, Murder Mystery Dinners, Christmas Dinners, Spring Concerts and House Tours. Mrs. Patterson has been a regular volunteer for Doors Open Aurora. Mrs. Patterson was awarded the 5, 15 and 20-year Volunteer Awards from The Town of Aurora. In 2005, she received a 15-year volunteer award from the Government of Ontario. Mrs. Patterson s passion, enthusiasm and dedication help to preserve the Town of Aurora s local culture.

4 Mr. Harry Lumsden, recipient of the Lieutenant Governor s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement (More than 25 years) The Town of Aurora is pleased to recognize the achievements of Mr. Harry Lumsden for the Lieutenant Governor s Ontario Heritage Award for Lifetime Achievement. Mr. Lumsden, a long-time Aurora resident, has a long history of community involvement and has made exceptional contributions to the preservation of Aurora s environment. In 1982, he reintroduced the Trumpeter Swans back to Ontario. Using a simple practical approach, he managed to expand the wild Trumpeter Swan population to more than 400. Upon his retirement, he arranged with the Ministry of Natural Resources to continue on with his work with the Trumpeter Swans. Today, Mr. Lumsden still tags, tracks and organizes data with the help of his daughter Diana and volunteers. With grants from the Trillium Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation and Scott Paper Limited his work continues. Mr. Lumsden has also been instrumental in establishing a registered trapline system in the northern part of Ontario, is the only Canadian to receive the Waterfowl Conservation Award and is also Ontario s representative on the Mississippi Flyway Council. Perhaps Lumsden s greatest achievement has been to raise public awareness of environmental protection and encourage citizens to act as natural heritage stewards. He has been an active volunteer with Doors Open Aurora. In the 2011 Doors Open Aurora event, Mr. Lumsden opened his gardens and offered guided tours to more than 220 visitors. In 2004, Mr. Lumsden was named a Member of the Order of Canada, in recognition of his outstanding work with Trumpeter Swans and his devotion to the preservation of our natural heritage. In 2009, Mr. Lumsden received the Ontario Heritage Trust Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the field of heritage preservation. Known for his passion and dedication, Mr. Lumsden continues to share his knowledge of wildlife conservation with the public. He continuously acts as an advocate for the protection and enhancement of the natural environment through community awareness programs.

5 Winners of 2012 Heritage Advisory Committee Awards of Excellence Restoration Category winner: Mr. Farsheed Ameryoun Mr. Ameryoun, contractor, for the restoration of the Napier House located at Yonge Street. Mr. Ameryoun is a contractor with a special appreciation for heritage structures and is able to see beyond their dilapidated conditions. He believes in preserving heritage through proper restoration to give heritage structures a second chance to shine. The Napier is a modest house on the east side of the Yonge Street, one of three similar houses built between 1907 and In 2006, the house was designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation District. In 2010, when Mr. Ameryoun and his team started working on the house, he understood the challenges but did not expect the project to take a year to be completed. The house was completely re-done from fixing structural issues to replacing plumbing, wiring, windows and doors. The entire exterior was replaced with premium quality solid wood siding and the porch was reopened to its original design and restored. The end result was a great demonstration of the how heritage structures can be revived and given a second chance. Restoration Category winner: Mr. Dino Dias Mr. Dino Dias, former owner, for the relocation and restoration of The Alloa Lea, the Edith Winnett House located at 100 Old Yonge Street. The Alloa Lea, the Edith Winnett House is a designated heritage property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The house is a good example of a Colonial Revival Style built in the 1930s, and has historical association with Mrs. Edith Winnett, a long-time occupant and resident of Aurora, and Dr. Kenneth B. Kethchum, a Headmaster of St. Andrew's College. Mr. Dias, the owner at the time, relocated the house closer to Old Yonge Street due to land severance. Mr. Dias hard work and great attention to detail is clearly shown in the completely restored house. The restoration covers both the interior and exterior of the house, in addition to the relocated and restored white fence, its additions and detached garage. Infill Category winner: Mr. Rocco Picheca In 2009, Mr. Rocco Picheca had the vision to convert the small cottage located at Yonge Street, part of the Northeast Old Aurora Heritage Conservation District, into a beauty salon. Shortly thereafter, it was determined that the building had severe structural problems. The owner approached the Town with a request to replace the building and the request was approved. Mr. Picheca hired Drew Lazlo, architect, to design a new structure that kept with a similar heritage look.

6 The new structure was built with great attention to detail. The exterior was bricked with Old Georgian burnt red brick, the mortar hand-tooled, the single hung windows were custom made with limestone sills installed. There are two gothic revival windows at the front and rear. The new building is a great example of infill and how new structures in heritage areas should be designed and built. Outstanding Achievement Award: Mr. Andries Godschalk The late Mr. Andries Godschalk, a long-time resident of Aurora, served on the Aurora Heritage Advisory Committee between 2006 and The committee immensely benefited from Mr. Godschalk s dedication, enthusiasm and professional expertise. His knowledge and skills were particularly valuable for the committee when the restoration or relocation of a heritage building was under consideration. Mr. Godschalk s experience in the field of seismic restoration was particularly valuable for the residents of Aurora during the campaign Save Wells Street Public School. The school is one of the most significant examples of 20th century neo-classical architecture in Aurora. Mr. Godschalk also undertook extensive reviews and investigations of the Wells Street Public School and other heritage sites during his tenure as a Heritage Advisory Committee member. He demonstrated his commitment to help preserve and enhance the Town s cultural assets. A friendly and outgoing individual, he loved to engage with the community and impart his passion for heritage conservation to friends and colleagues. He volunteered for most of the Doors Open Aurora events to reach out to the public and advocate the importance of historic features and properties. Mr. Godschalk died in As a guardian and custodian of the Town s local history, culture and heritage, his enthusiasm and devotion will be missed to 2011 Doors Open Aurora Volunteers will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to this annual event. Designation Plaques The Heritage Celebration Ceremony will be recognizing 19 properties which have been designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. At the ceremony the owners of these properties will be presented with designation plaques and a recognition certificate. The designation plaques are made of cast aluminum, oval shaped 9 x 6 and feature the Town of Aurora s Coat of Arms. The plaques have a blue background with raised silver letters and border. Plaques are to be affixed to the exterior of the building to commemorate the heritage designation. List of properties that will receive plaques: The Hartman's Corners School Wellington Street The Enos Lundy House St. John's Sideroad East The Benjamin Willis House - 80 George Street

7 Media Backgrounder Victoria Hall, the Disciples of Christ Church - 27 Mosley Street The George Russell House - 42 Temperance Street The De La Haye House - 40 Wells Street The Eleanor and Ernest Robinson House - 96 Wells Street The Morley Andrews House - 92 Wells Street Wells Street Public School - 64 Wells Street The George W. Graham House - 65 Wellington Street The Richardson House Leslie Street The George and Phoebe Johnston House - 5 Tyler Street The Graham-Badger House - 93 Wells Street Bond's Grocery Store Yonge Street The Oliver Judd House - 29 Larmont Street Alloa Lea, the Edith Winnett house Old Yonge Street The Theodore Kirkby House - 98 Temperance Street The John W. Knowles House - 68 Wellington Street The Robert Hughes House - 70 Wellington Street Media contact: Michael Kemp Acting Manager of Corporate Communications, Town of Aurora Office: ext Cell: mkemp@aurora.ca -30- Visit us online Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter