State Farm awarded the Community Beautification Award

The Keep Sidney Beautiful (KSB) Board awarded Ron and Jane Ahlschwede of State Farm the Community Beautification Award on Monday.

The award is given quarterly to a business in Sidney. The KSB committee members nominate local businesses most often as they are the ones being constantly reminded of the honor. The committee votes a month prior to giving the award, and in each quarter, at least three businesses are nominated.

The Ahlschwedes have done a number of renovations over the last 12 years. In 2001, they made stucco repairs on the building to change it from a gaudy green to the calm white, which currently stands. They have also remodeled and added a serene pond aspect to the landscape.

“We decided against a pond because we couldn’t maintain it all the time,” Jane Ahlschwede said.

Adding the landscape gave the State Farm building street appeal and helped to advertise for their business. The nice landscape draws attention in a positive way.

“People love this,” Cheryl Jones of KSB said.

“When we first put it in, neighbors started mowing their lawns more,” Ron Ahlschwede said.

Giving the award to businesses helps the community. More residents of Sidney take pride in their yards and in turn, add to the lovely lawns that already exist throughout the city.

Jones had nominated the Ahlschwedes for four quarters in a row until they finally received the votes to win the award.

The Ahlschwedes also remolded the inside of the State Farm building two years ago for their 25th anniversary. They received a revitalization award from the Chamber of Commerce for their efforts.