Brian and Amy Shough of 745 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, earned the Bellefontaine Shade Tree Commission's 2026 Beatification Award for the work they have done to their home on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Reservoir Road. They’re pictured directly to the left of the sign. The Shade Tree Commission members who presented the award are, from the left, Tom Stephens, Robin Wunderle, Kelli Bader, Deb Baker, Joe Antram, Karen Brady and Cathy Dinovo. (SHADE TREE COMMISSION PHOTO)
For the third consecutive year, the Bellefontaine Shade Tree Commission has singled out a homeowner in the city who went out of their way to improve and enhance the appearance of their property.
The 2026 Beautification Award was presented to Brian and Amy Shough, Thursday, Oct. 29, for the work they have done to elevate the beauty of their home at 745 E. Columbus Ave.
Amy said they bought the house in 2019 and have been working on it ever since, starting with a paint job, and then, in Amy’s words, “landscaping out the wazoo.”
While not a carpenter by trade, Brian built the privacy fence that separates the home from Reservoir Avenue and also crafted the shutters, which adorn the windows around the house.
The Shade Tree Commission presented the Slough’s with stone in which is inscribed “Bellefontaine Beautification 2026 Winner” for the Sloughs to display as they please in upcoming years, as well as sign they may exhibit in their front yard, giving passersby a chance to pause and look at the excellent work the Shoughs have done on the house.
The Shade Tree Commission members who were on hand for the presentation included Tom Stephens, Robin Wunderle, Kelli Bader, Deb Baker, Joe Antram, Karen Brady and Cathy Dinovo.
