Barbara Rodgers loves everything about Bridgeville’s Day on the Avenue.
From the scenes of people enjoying each other’s company and the smell of food, to the enjoyment of the different events, Rodgers has fond memories of the borough’s annual summer community day.
“There’s always so much for everyone,” Rodgers said.
Those memories are what she used as inspiration when creating a logo design that was selected as the winner of Bridgeville’s 125th anniversary logo competition. Her design will be used on all promotions and events for the quasquicentennial, celebrated next year.
“It means a lot,” Rodgers said of having the winning design. “I love this neighborhood, and my kids go to school here.”
Rodgers, 33, said she has lived in Bridgeville for most of her life and recalled going to her grandmother’s house in the borough when she was growing up. She always has enjoyed making art, and was encouraged to submit something for the Bridgeville logo contest.
“Everybody around me was like, you need to start putting your work out there,” she said.
At first, Rodgers sketched a design and later transferred it into Inkscape, a graphic design program. She described that process as “trial and error,” and it took about a week to finalize the design.
Rodgers’ logo was selected May 9 at Public Art Bridgeville’s show opening at the Bridgeville Public Library. It comes with a prize of $200.
She said her father, Joseph Rodgers, called her while she was working in the kitchen at St. Clair Hospital and broke the good news.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Rodgers said. “I think I actually scared my manager. I ran up to her and said, ‘I won.’ Everyone was happy for me.”
Rodgers and her sons, Jace Rodgers, 12, and Tyler Mehlmauer, 11, live on Terrace Street with her parents, Brenda and Joseph Rodgers. They live in the same Terrace Street house where Rodgers used to visit her grandmother, Barbara Haines.
Rodgers said she’s proud to have her design etched into Bridgeville history. She said her personal favorite logo was one designed by students at Chartiers Valley Primary School.
“All the designs were so amazing,” she said. “I honestly couldn’t believe they picked mine.”
