Old Town Cape presents awards at its annual dinner

Robert and Kaye Hamblin received the first-ever Judith Ann Crow Residential Historic Preservation Award Tuesday night at Old Town Cape's annual awards dinner. The house the Hamlins restored at 313 Themis St. is next door to the 18th-century house where Crow, the late Southeast Missourian librarian and promoter of historic preservation, lived for many years.

An estimated 150 people, including Mayor Jay Knudtson and most of the Cape Girardeau City Council, celebrated the spirit of preservation and downtown renewal at the Marquette Center Tuesday night.

Dennis "Doc" Cain won the Charles L. Hutson Visionary Award for exemplifying leadership that has bettered the downtown area.

Cain, owner of the Port Cape Girardeau restaurant at 19 N. Water St., was recognized for his work on and support of events and projects that promote and support the downtown area. He was instrumental in beginning such events as the Fourth of July fireworks, which evolved into Libertyfest, and the Christmas Parade of Lights, which over the past 15 years has become a holiday tradition.

"The Charlie Hutson Award. I'll cherish it," said Cain, crediting the late Hutson as a personal mentor.

Roger and Judith Anne Lang received the John Boardman Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation Award. Lang Jewelers at 126 N. Main St. is one of the oldest businesses in the district.

The building dates back to the beginning of the last century. In 2005, the Langs decided to restore as much of the original facade as possible. Due to a restoration in 1966 by Roger's grandfather, Hugo August Lang, not all the ironwork was used, but the newest renovation has brought the building close to what it once was. The original doors are back in place.

"One good thing about the old Germans is they never threw anything away," said Judith Anne, noting that the Langs have been on Main Street since 1887.

The Hamblins' rehabilitation project began in 2003 and was completed last year. The work including extensive repair to the wraparound porch, tuck-pointing, painting and returning rooms to their original use. As part of a project working with the Historic Preservation Program at Southeast Missouri State University, students placed the 1897 classic Queen Anne-style house on the National Register of Historic Places.

Robert Hamblin said Crow was a good friend of his.

Other awards went to Volunteer of the Year Teresa Maurer for her hard work and dedication to Old Town Cape through her commitment to the Downtown Christmas Decoration project. She has already begun work on 2007 improvements and fund raising.

"The true recipient of this award is the downtown merchants and volunteers who have done this for years and years," Maurer said.

Concord Publishing House Inc. won the Preservation of Heritage Award for the Southeast Missourian building project. The project was lauded for turning an early 20th-century building into the working environment of a 21st-century building without compromising the historic integrity of the building. Work on the building included restoration of a tin ceiling, tuckpointing and re-creating tile work to replace missing tile. The project included the restoration of an original office space that had been turned into a conference room. Bay windows on the front facade that had been removed were restored. The main entrance that had been closed off was restored as the main entrance to the building.

"I salute my father for instilling that passion in his children," said Rex Rust, co-president of Rust Communications.

"The torch has been passed, and I'll take the cup," said his father, Gary, walking away with the trophy.

Steve Hoffman passed the presidency of the board of Old Town Cape to historic preservationist Terri Foley.

"This organization is nothing without its volunteers," said Hoffman, adding that 12,401 hours of volunteer time were committed last year. Foley volunteered more than 1,000 of those hours for Old Town Cape.

"I was told if you want something done, ask a busy person. But if you want something done right, ask Terri Foley," Hoffman said.

tkrakowiak@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137