Behind the scenes of the Museum of History and Art in Ontario is a dedicated group of people, the nonprofit volunteer organizations -- the Museum of History and Art, Ontario Associates and the Chaffey Community Art Association (CCAA) -- that help nurture the collections within. 

The museum, associates and CCAA recently presented Betty Graber with the Byrce Denton Award for Excellence in Volunteer Leadership during its annual membership and installation dinner at San Remo Ristorante Italiano. Graber is trustee chairwoman for the permanent collection. 

"I'm pretty overcome," said Graber. "I love being part of this group." 

Lou Ann Svenson, CCAA trustee and museum director emeritus, and Theresa Hanley, museum director, presented the award. 

Bryce Denton was an original board of trustee member when the museum was established in the vacant City Hall building in 1979. 

"You don't get the Bryce Denton award unless you've made a personal commitment." Hanley said. "It is the top award the museum can give." 

Norma Jones, director of the art association, presented Graber with a newspaper collage depicting Graber's involvement with the art association, dating from the early 1940s. Jones said Graber has been president, a trustee and has volunteered on almost every fund-raising committee. 

A series of annual reports were delivered by Hanley, Diane Boydell, the vice president of the CCAA and Marilou Percival, president of the Museum Associates. 

Boydell said 1,600 people visited the art gallery from June, 1997, to February. Visitors can enjoy a 1941 nine-painting collection donated by Francis and Helen Line in their daughter's memory. 

A collection of 80 paintings by California and local artists, including Millard Sheets, Milford Zornes, and John Svenson are on display. 

The Museum Associates support museum programs through grants. Percival said they renovated the museum store and it will open with new merchandise and furniture and will be fully operational by September. 

Hanely said the museum had a busy year. The 150 Years of Brilliance" George Chaffey Life and Legacy, Gum San: Land of Golden Mountains and the After Hours Series were all successful. Bob Ellingwood, former Ontario mayor, raised $1,300 for the museum and associates with the Sesquicentennial luncheon celebration at the sycamore Inn. 

The north wing of the museum was renovated for the CCAA, and the old council chambers will be renovated. 

The Latimer family donated 7,000 artifacts from Bill Latimer's estate, and the Latimer Family Foundation donated $10,225 toward displaying the Latimer collection and new permanent exhibits. 

Jerry DuBois, Ontario councilman, presented Boydell and Percival with certificates of recognition for their leadership at the art association and museum. 

Ruby Leavitt installed the new board of directors for the museum collection: Pat Yetter, president; Diane Boydell, vice president; Nancy Ruddock, secretary; Judi Holub, treasurer; Pat Kennedy, receptions chairman; Billings Ruddock, exhibitions chairman; Norma Jones, historian and Pat Yetter, public relations. 

DuBois installed board of directors for the museum: Marilou Percival, president; Mary Anna Barker, vice president; Barbara Antrim, secretary; Irene Gertz, treasurer. 

The board of trustees for the museum is John Grow, president; Maggie Latimer, Ron Percival and Rita Robertson. 

For information on how to become a museum member call (909) 083-3198.

To contact Debbie Council, call (909) 483-8549, e-mail: deb_council@dailybulletin.com or fax (909) 948-9038 with info on fund-raising events and nonprofit activities.