Johnstown Magazine's awards ceremony recognizes 'real and authentic movement' making Johnstown better

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·3 min read

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Johnstown Magazine’s Best of Johnstown 2024 awards ceremony Thursday brought together an eclectic group of people who use their skills and passions to help shape the region’s identity.

There were 230 finalists nominated throughout 89 wide-ranging categories, from favorite sushi to favorite car wash to favorite place of worship to favorite tattoo artist.

Shane Riggs, editor of the magazine, said there is “a real and authentic movement made up of many people, and many groups and many organizations that are right now making the city the very best that it can be” in opening remarks at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown.

Best of Johnstown 2024

Johnstown Magazine Editor Shane Riggs delivers opening remarks during the Best of Johnstown 2024 awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

More than 7,000 votes were cast in the contest.

Rizzo’s of Windber had a banner night, winning for family restaurant, place for dinner, place for steak and Italian restaurant, while Dude Petrilla was named favorite bartender.

“I credit this all to my employees and to my nephew who runs the business, Dom Chippie,” owner Dominick Rizzo said.

Best of Johnstown 2024

Dude Petrilla, from Rizzo's of Windber, accepts his Best of Johnstown 2024 award for favorite bartender from Johnstown Magazine’s Nicole Fuschino during a ceremony at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Petrilla said Rizzo’s has “great customers, great people.”

“We do good there,” he added.

“It’s a nice atmosphere, no trouble, no nothing.”

First-year Conemaugh Valley High School boys basketball coach Tre’von Williams received the inaugural Unsung Hero of the Year award.

“It means the world to me,” Williams said. “This was the first time that I ever took a chance to do anything, and to be recognized for it through the community is just great, outstanding.”

Best of Johnstown 2024

Owner Christina Lehman displays the Best of Johnstown 2024 award, presented by Johnstown Magazine, that her business, Flourish Massage Therapy & Beauty Studio, won for being selected as the area’s favorite massage studio during an awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Many of the awards were in the food and drink service industry.

April Eyler, from Wine Loft on Franklin, was selected as the favorite waiter/waitress.

“It means a lot,” Eyler said.

“I love my job. I love the people that I work for. I love being able to meet people in the community and introduce them to good wine and good food.”

Best of Johnstown 2024

Lori Armstrong kisses her daughter, Becca Bennett, from Stone Bridge Brewing and Craft Modern Kitchen, who was named favorite chef in Johnstown Magazine’s Best of Johnstown 2024 contest during an awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Downtown on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Ace’s was selected as the favorite place for a wedding reception.

Jeff Vasilko, Ace’s head chef, said people “trust us with the most special day of their lives” and that “it really speaks a lot to be rewarded for that.”

Christina Lehman, owner of Flourish Massage Therapy & Beauty Studio, which won for favorite massage studio, also spoke about how an award reflects on a business, saying, “It just means a lot to be part of such a small community where people actually recognize the work that you put into it and what you give back.”