Loretto Clocktower receives Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award
For the ninth consecutive year, the Governor’s Office joined Kentucky’s electric cooperatives and their flagship publication, Kentucky Living, in the annual Beautify the Bluegrass initiative to honor Kentuckians whose projects uplift communities, showcase local pride and progress, and enhance the natural beauty of the Commonwealth.
“Thanks to Kentucky Living and Kentucky’s electric cooperatives for supporting community projects across the Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during the “Best in Kentucky” Awards show.“Congratulations to all the finalists and thank you to all the volunteers who work to improve our communities.”
“From a tourism perspective, these efforts make a real difference,” said Mike Mangeot, Commission of Kentucky Department of Tourism. “Beautiful, well-cared for communities attract visitors, support local businesses, and showcase the unique charm and character of our towns across the Commonwealth.”
The initiative spotlights Kentuckians who turn hometown pride into action, strengthening and enriching their communities. Each year, nominated projects respond to a wide range of local needs, from rebuilding after natural disasters and cleaning waterways and roads to creating murals and gardens, improving nature trails, and revitalizing historic shared spaces.
“It is an honor to be among so many community minded individuals, and to win is truly humbling,” said Diane Mattingly, President of Beautify Loretto, Inc., and recipient of the 2025 Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award. “Beautify Loretto, Inc. is a non-profit organization with six members who are all volunteers. The clocktower plaza project was a labor of love, born from a shared pride in our city. We’re grateful to everyone who helped bring it to life.”
The Loretto Clocktower Plaza in Marion County was planned and built by Beautify Loretto, Inc. The group transformed a vacant lot in the heart of downtown into a point of pride for the community. Since groundbreaking on the plaza in 2023, Beautify Loretto, Inc., has constructed a visually striking clocktower that plays a variety of bell tunes, introduced new landscaping, and cultivated a welcoming space for locals and tourists alike.
“Just like our electric cooperatives, which were formed generations ago to improve their communities, these ‘Beautify the Bluegrass’ projects are homegrown,” said Shannon Brock, Editor of Kentucky Living. “They weren’t done for recognition; they were created by neighbors, volunteers, and community leaders who saw a way to make their hometowns better and took action.”
Five standout Beautify the Bluegrass finalists were announced in August by Kentucky Living and Governor Andy Beshear, and Kentucky Living readers statewide voted online for this year’s Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award recipient. Other finalists included:
- Hammond Sisters, Irvin Schoolhouse Renovation (Russell County)
- Issac Sterrett Adventure Foundation, Operation Community Cleanup (Daviess County)
- Grayson County Tourism, Logsdon Valley Park Trail (Grayson County)
- Pendleton County Tourism and others, The “Boo” Singleton Project (Pendleton County)
