OGDENSBURG -- Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne was recognized for her dedication and assistance to the Fort de la Presentation Association and its mission to raise awareness of the recently.

The Fort de la Presentation Association presented the Persis Yates Boyesen Award to Assemblywoman Jenne. The award is given to individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the association's endeavors to reconstruct Fort de la Presentation.

"While you are sitting on one of the benches at the Abbe Picquet Monument, enjoying the War of 1812 Peace Garden and learning about the history of Van Rensselaer Point, think of New York State Assemblywoman Addie Jenne," Barbara O'Keefe, president of the association's Board of Directors said.

"Assemblywoman Jenne was able to secure state funds necessary for the construction of the Abbe Picquet Plaza. I also can’t think of a Fort Association event that Addie or a representative of her office has not attended. What is most valuable to me and the association is that Addie is just a phone call away, whether we need advice or have a concern," she added.

The award was presented to the assemblywoman at the Fort de la Presentation Association's annual fall social and fundraiser at the Sherman Inn Bed and Breakfast.

The assemblywoman said she was honored to be recognized by the association, but she noted it is was easy to assist a group working to grow the region's economy by marrying our past to the future.

Assemblywoman Jenne also praised the honorees of two other awards handed out Saturday evening.

Dallas Robinson, Norfolk, was named the recipient of the David L. Dickinson Award, an honor given to individuals or organizations as special recognition for generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation project.

"Dave Dickinson was truly dedicated to seeing this fort built. This enthusiasm is shared by Dallas, who has shown his devotion to this project by stepping forward to support our yearly Living History Day, the Winter Biathlon, our Founder’s Weekend, Battle of Ogdensburg and to whatever he is called upon to volunteer his time for," Ms. O'Keefe said

Tim McCabe and Deb Jansen, owners of The Freight House Restaurant, were the recipients of The Joseph Cosentino Award.

This award is given to individuals or organizations to recognize their generous commitment of self and resources to the Fort de la Presentation effort.

The restaurant is located directly across the road from the fort grounds.

"The people being bestowed this award, in honor of our beloved Joe, emulate his work ethic, commitment and passion for furthering the goal of reconstructing Fort de la Presentation," according to Ms. O'Keefe.

"They have supported this project for over 15 years. They have helped us plan seminars, parties, meals, catered activities at the fort site and even hosted Country Dancing for Founder’s Weekend," Ms. O'Keefe noted.

"They have generously allowed us to carry out many working luncheons and dinners and to conduct meetings when we had no place else to go," she added.

"The Freight House has offered a haven for us as we have traveled this long road. Deb and Tim have always greeted members of our group with a warm welcome and smile when we have had a particularly frustrating meeting or a setback and need to unwind," Ms. O'Keefe said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the work of volunteers like Mr. Robinson and businesses like The Freight House are helping bring history back to life in Ogdensburg.

"We know the fort project has already generated a renewed interest in our region's history, and we have seen the economic impact that events sponsored by the Fort de la Presentation Committee are already having on the city. I can't wait to see what the future will bring," she said.

The association's goal is to reconstruct the original fort on the shores of the St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie rivers.