November 6 Ceremony to Highlight the Borough’s Scenic Accomplishments
Pittsburgh, PA–Scenic Pittsburgh, a nonprofit focused on protecting and preserving the scenic resources of southwestern Pennsylvania, will present a scenic award to the Borough of Ligonier on Saturday, November 6.
Scenic Pittsburgh will present the Community Scenic Achievement Award to Ligonier Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the award ceremony, which will take place in the bandstand at the Diamond in downtown Ligonier.
The award is given to a southwestern Pennsylvania community that has demonstrated “a consistent, long-term, and visionary commitment to protecting and promoting their scenic resources.”
This will be the second such award Scenic Pittsburgh has given in 2021. The first was on September 23 at a ceremony at The Highline on Pittsburgh’s South Side, when Scenic Pittsburgh presented the Scenic Achievement award to Indovina Associates Architects.
Scenic Pittsburgh’s Executive Director, Michael Dawida, said that when considering award winners, Scenic Pittsburgh looked at Ligonier’s history of preservation and renewal of its historic Diamond and shopping district, and the town’s longtime commitment to leveraging its greenspaces and history for the benefit of its residents.
“Ligonier has long been known as a scenic town, and they’ve worked hard to preserve what makes them unique – as well as being a leader in using their history as an asset for economic development in the area,” he said.
Ligonier Mayor Ormond “Butch” Bellas said the borough’s leaders are looking forward to celebrating Scenic Pittsburgh’s recognition in its historic Diamond, which underwent a complete renewal concluding in 2018.
“Ligonier catches the eye of travelers because of its ‘Hallmark Card’ appearance, and once they stop, people find they enjoy our small-town charm,” said Mayor Bellas. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Borough, and pleased that Ligonier is being recognized for its beauty.”
The awards are each individually made by glass artist William Haynes at the Pittsburgh Glass Center, and feature a wrought metal stand and green and blue glass in a mountain and river pattern. They were designed to evoke both the landscape of southwestern Pennsylvania and two of its historic industries: glass and steel.
Dawida says both award winners exemplify the scenic values, and the positive economic consequences of those values, that his organization is hoping to promote across the region.
“Our motto is that beauty is good for business, and I think the leaders of Ligonier and Indovina Associates Architects understand that principle – and it shows,” he said. “As a result, their enduring work has benefited our region and will continue to benefit future generations in Pennsylvania.”
For more information about Scenic Pittsburgh’s Awards, or to nominate a group or individual for an award, go to Scenic Pittsburgh Awards – Scenic America