WOW Award Winner of the Month
October 2008
 Mr. Darrin Brown
Lauderdale Manors HOA – District III
Darrin passed by the lot at 1940 N.W. 14th Avenue numerous times throughout his daily travels. It was abandoned; often a target for illegal dumping, and it was an eyesore in the neighborhood. Darrin was able to look beyond the lot’s unsightly appearance and envision what his dream home would look like in the empty space.
Determined to transform this property, Darrin worked closely with a local architect who translated his vision into reality. He custom built a 2,200 square foot home that was proportionate with the lot. The prominent features of Darrin’s home are the natural stone arched entryway and arch-framed windows, which serve as a focal point that invites passersby to take a second look at his property. The Chicago brick paver driveway and foyer, and the professionally maintained landscape add the finishing touches to Darrin’s stunning home.
Darrin’s imagination and perseverance resulted in a magnificent property that enhances his neighborhood. His efforts are proof that others can turn their dreams into reality to better their community and the City of Fort Lauderdale. Darrin took a chance on a neglected property and his efforts represent everything the WOW award stands for, which is celebrating properties that promote aesthetic value to the community.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Darrin and thank him for enhancing the community. We have the pleasure of presenting him with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $50 gift certificate from the WOW Award Sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
August 2008
 Mr. & Mrs. David and Deanna Abram
Imperial Point Association – District I
Community Appearance Board member Ryan Paton nominated David and Deanna Abram’s property for the August WOW Award.
Deanna and David looked all over Broward County to find their “dream” home, but something kept drawing them back to Fort Lauderdale. That something was the 1987 movie, “Revenge of the Nerds,” which was (of course) filmed in “legendary” Fort Lauderdale. The way it portrayed our City as “paradise” has always stayed with Dave and Deanna, and they always dreamed of living here.
Their dream of living in Fort Lauderdale became a reality when they purchased their home in Imperial Point in May of 2004. Although the home did not have all of the features they wanted, they set goals to renovate and expand it to fit their needs and wants.
After several years of working three jobs and raising a son, Deanna and David began remodeling their home. They added 500 square feet to their home, replaced the roof, added a pool, installed pavers in the front, side and back of the house, re-landscaped the property, installed a pool, and enclosed the car port to make a garage.
Deanna and David exemplify what can be accomplished when you set goals and work hard to accomplish them. They represent everything that the WOW award stands for. They sacrificed and worked hard to build their dream home and with that hard work, made their goals a reality. The renovation speaks for itself and their efforts truly enhance their neighborhood.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Deanna and David and thank them for enhancing the community. We have the pleasure of presenting them with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
July 2008
 Mr. & Mrs. Glen Tupler
River Oaks Civic Association, District 4
Cynthia and Glen nominated their property for the July WOW Award through the Community Appearance Board’s new self-nomination program.
Cynthia and Glen redesigned their home for outdoor entertaining with family, friends and neighbors. Much of their inspiration results from their journeys to the Abacos and Exumas islands.
One of the most stunning features of their home is the renovation of the outdoor porch, which maximizes a glorious view of Fort Lauderdale's New River and intrigues hundreds of boaters that pass by it each day. The design of the porch gives the home the illusion of being two-stories, yet it remains a one-story home.
The porch is surrounded with lush native landscaping and is streamlined with a modern splash. Design features include a bubbling water fountain, fire pit, spiral staircase, abalone seashell terrazzo floors, a Mexican beach pebble garden, and an underground rainwater run-off system. A unique feature of the porch is the sky blue second floor canopy, which is an old Caribbean design feature aimed to distract nesting birds.
The Tupler’s new porch is innovative, yet informal, and undeniably majestic.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Cynthia and Glen and thank them for enhancing the community. We have the pleasure of presenting them with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
June 2008
 Mrs. Carolyn J. Dandy
Lake Aire Homeowner Association, District 3
Community Appearance Board members Pearl Maloney and Cathy Curry nominated Carolyn Dandy’s property for the June WOW Award.
Carolyn and the late William Dandy purchased this beautiful home in the Lake Aire neighborhood in 1961. Carolyn is an original owner of the home and has continued to maintain a property that radiates comfort, warmth, and serenity She has made numerous improvements to her home, which include the addition of a large entertainment area where she enjoys visiting with family and friends.
Carolyn also added a courtyard with orchids, exotic plants, and ornamental fixtures to enhance the home’s original beauty. Additional landscaping features a well-manicured yard with tropical trees, Christmas palms, native plants, and yellow mums, to name a few.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Carolyn Dandy and thanks her for enhancing the community.
We have the pleasure of presenting Carolyn with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
May 2008
 Lynda & Tim Davey
Victoria Park Civic Association, District 2
Community Appearance Board member Chip Burpee nominated Lynda & Tim Davey’s property for the May 2008 WOW Award.
Lynda and Tim’s home was built in 1936. Initially, it was perfect for the two of them and their cat and dog. However, when they expanded their family with two children, the original 1,200 square foot home became too small. They needed more room, but did not want to move out of their beautiful Victoria Park Neighborhood.
Lynda and Tim decided to renovate and enlarge their existing home but were determined to keep the original structure intact and avoid creating a McMansion that would look out of place.
Lynda and Tim more than doubled the size of the original structure by adding 1,700 square feet to their home. In doing so, they were able to accomplish their goal of creating a distinct, charming, fully functional home for their family that truly blends the character of their neighborhood with the beauty of a great new design.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Lynda & Tim Davey and thank them for enhancing the community.
We have the pleasure of presenting Lynda & Tim with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
April 2008
 Dana and Pat McDonald
Imperial Point Homeowner's Association, District 1
Community Appearance Board members Marilyn Mammano and Ron Fairchild nominated Dana and Pat McDonald’s property for the April WOW Award.
In 1962, a row of model homes was constructed along N.E. 2nd Way near the main entrance to the Imperial Point neighborhood. Forty-two years later, Dana and Pat McDonald purchased one of these original model homes. They found the Imperial Point neighborhood charming, but their new home was in need of updating.
Dana and Pat made several significant changes to their home. They had a Chicago Brick driveway installed that offers an 'old world' feel. The driveway starts at the road and runs up to the new front patio and entry to their home. The front patio is framed by four stone capped piers and wrought iron decorative fencing, which is completed by an ornamental gate.
The new color of the home is a perfect contrast to the roof tiles, and decorative window and door surrounds accentuate the home’s exterior. A barrel tile roof with variegated colors and fascia painted in a complimentary brown is the perfect crown for this home. Ornamental lights and beautiful landscaping, complete with Tuscan style topiaries, complete this home’s transformation.
After spending four years renovating the home and a lot of hard work, the McDonald’s home is a charming addition to the surrounding neighborhood.
March 2008
 Jack Zellar
Sunset Civic Association, District 3
Community Appearance Board member Patrick McTigue, Community Appearance Board Chair, nominated Jack Zellar’s property for the March WOW Award.
Jack is a Fort Lauderdale native who grew up just a few blocks away from his present home, which is located in the Sunset neighborhood at 3608 SW 21st Street. He purchased his home in 1998, and after two years of renovating the property, he completed this true gem.
Jack is a local landscaper and utilized his experience and expertise when re-landscaping his home. Jack strategically designed the landscape to flow around his home and used a variety of flowers, native plants, and trees to accent the property. When driving by the home, you immediately say “WOW”, as it draws you into a tropical paradise.
The light yellow exterior color with the white trim highlights the meticulous landscaping, which is truly the focal point of this beautiful home.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Jack Zellar and thanks him for enhancing the community.
We have the pleasure of presenting Jack with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
February 2008
 Patricia and Brad Mattair
Rock Island Neighborhood Association, District 3
Community Appearance Board members Ayisha Gordon, Bess Gathers and Cathy Curry nominated Patricia and Brad Mattair’s property for the February WOW Award.
Patricia and Brad purchased their lovely Florida Style home at 3010 N.W. 23 Street in 1973 and are the original owners. Initially, the house was much smaller, but over the years new additions were constructed.
Patricia designed and built ponds on the east and west side of the home. She is the proud caretaker of the landscaping, which is meticulously decorated with many tropical, native plants and trees, such as the Ginger and Eugenia plants, and Bismarck, Royal, Foxtails, Alexander and Christmas palms. This well-chosen landscape design offers serenity, warmth and an inviting theme to Patricia and Brad’s home.
While looking out their window during hurricane Wilma, Patricia and Brad cheered to see the Eugenia plants still standing strong. However, before they could get another cheer in, a second strong wind came and uprooted the plants and everything disappeared into the storm. Since then, they have spent numerous, painstaking hours rebuilding the landscape, and are proud of the results.
Patricia and Brad take great pride in their property and will continue to maintain and enhance their property in hopes that others in their community will follow their lead.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Patricia and Brad and thanks them for enhancing the community.
We have the pleasure of presenting Patricia and Brad with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company
January 2008
 Lori and Mark Yerex
Middle River Terrace Homeowner Association, District 2
Community Appearance Board member Greg Stuart nominated Lori and Mark Yerex’s property for the January WOW Award.
Lori and Mark purchased a typical 1956 South Florida ranch home in the Middle River Terrace neighborhood and discovered many Far Eastern elements hidden in the basic structure of the house.
The new homeowners set out to recast the home starting with the front yard. Respecting the traditionally square lines of this home, Lori and Mark designed a Zen-inspired space, bringing out the boxy elements of the house with more organic shapes of bamboo, white pea gravel, river rock, grasses and papyrus.
Lori and Mark carried the Far Eastern influence over into the interior of the home. They revitalized the interior by honing the terrazzo floors to a high gloss finish, repairing the exposed beamed ceiling, and restoring the simple lines of the interior.
This typical 1956 ranch was uniquely transformed and makes the passer by say “WOW.”
The Fort Lauderdale City Commission and the Community Appearance Board proudly present the WOW Award to Lori and Mark and thanks them for enhancing the community.
We have the pleasure of presenting Lori and Mark with a certificate of appreciation from the City Commission, and a $75 gift certificate from the WOW Award sponsor, Causeway Lumber Company.
Previous WOW Award Winners
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