Lansford Alive honors owner of Panther Valley Lumber at annual awards dinner

For 40 years Panther Valley Lumber has been serving homeowners and community organizations in the Lansford area.

On Friday, the community honored that commitment.

During its annual Christmas party, Lansford Alive celebrated the business and its owner, Bob Davidovich, by awarding them its annual Black Diamond Award.

“He’s been very helpful to our organization for materials, donated a lot over the years to our organization and other nonprofits in the area. Bob is definitely deserving,” said Lansford Alive President Christopher Ondrus.

The annual Christmas party celebrated the accomplishments of Lansford Alive, Friends of the Lansford Pool, and the Lansford Historical Society but the highlight was the award presentation.

Davidovich said it’s a tribute to his employees and the support he’s received from the community over the past 40 years.

“I am grateful for this honor to be bestowed to me. It’s one I would have never expected and I’m humbled that it has been entrusted to my care,” he said.

Davidovich and his father, Leo, opened Panther Valley Lumber in 1979, serving families and contractors who were fixing up homes in the valley.

At the time, big box home improvement stores were unheard of. Contractors relied on local lumber yards and hardware stores to acquire the materials they needed for projects.

Davidovich recalled how his father taught him from a young age about plumbing, electrical and building, and was also happy to advise his customers about the best way to complete projects in their own homes.

“Leo always had an answer to any problem you brought to him,” he said.

Lansford Councilman Bob Silver, who also serves on the Lansford Alive board, said Panther Valley Lumber has had a direct economic impact on the town.

“He’s been supporting the entire community both financially and as an employer. In Lansford, anyone who employs people is a huge benefit,” Silver said.

In addition to the Black Diamond Award, Davidovich received a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, presented by state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon.

While presenting the award, Heffley said it was richly deserved because of the support that Panther Valley Lumber has provided to causes like American Fire Co. No. 1, Lansford Little League, and the No. 9 Mine & Museum.

“At community events like this, the name Panther Valley Lumber keeps coming up. So it really shows the dedication and what you do for the community,” Heffley said.

The party also celebrated Lansford Alive’s accomplishments from throughout the year. The organization continued holding some of the town’s biggest events, including the Music in the Park series, Fall Fest and a new trick-or-treat event.

They also held ribbon cuttings for new local businesses, and celebrated the No. 9 Mine & Museum with a mixer event in June.

They continued to invest in the town by replacing signs at borough parks, as well as obtaining grants.

Their year will wrap up with the annual Christmas decorating contest, which takes place Thursday night.

Ondrus said it wasn’t possible without partnering with other local organizations. That’s one reason why they welcomed other organizations to share in the celebration.

“Partnering with organizations and teamwork and working on a goal, is what’s really making things happen here in town,” he said.