Clinton County Unveils America250PA Bell, Honors Local Artist Kasey Dumm
The “Bells Across PA” project, organized by America250PA, is a statewide public art initiative celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County officials, community leaders, state representatives, and supporters gathered on the afternoon of Friday, December 5, 2025, in court room number two at the historic Clinton County courthouse for the unveiling of the Clinton County America250PA commemorative bell—an event celebrating both the region’s rich heritage and the artistry of Lock Haven local Kasey Dumm, who designed and painted the fiberglass bell.
The unveiling of the bell represented Clinton County’s contribution to the “Bells Across PA” initiative, a flagship project of the America250PA Commission. This effort celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026, honoring both the nation’s Semiquincentennial and Pennsylvania’s important place in American history.
The ceremony began with Elaine Barth delivering a stirring a cappella rendition of the National Anthem, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Martha Sykes then offered a heartfelt invocation, celebrating 250 years of freedom for America’s forefathers and thanking God for the opportunity to present the commemorative bell. Sykes highlighted that true freedom comes from the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and she prayed for guidance to help Americans become better citizens, asking for blessings on world leaders and all who made the event possible. Her prayer blended patriotic pride with spiritual reflection, underscoring the significance of the 250th anniversary celebration.
“These fiberglass bells may not ring, but they’re far from silent. Each one tells a story about community, creativity, and pride,” said Amanda Lavan, America250PA’s Administrative Manager, as she opened the event. Lavan highlighted the goal of the “Bells Across PA” initiative, which is to place at least one commemorative bell in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary. She also credited the initiative’s success to collaboration with community partners and recognized the sponsor of Clinton County’s bell. “We are deeply grateful to FirstEnergy for helping bring this vision to life,” Lavan added.
Lock Haven City Mayor Joel Long welcomed attendees and reflected on Clinton County’s heritage, drawing connections between the county’s evolution and the broader American story. “Clinton County, much like America, was shaped by hardworking people,” he said. “Defined by its beautiful landscape, the Susquehanna River, and the surrounding mountains, was a great resource in providing jobs for thousands of workers who call Clinton County their home, creating a lumber industry that shaped our community and built our surrounding towns into what they are today.” Mayor Long emphasized the parallels between the county’s history and the nation’s frontier spirit, adding, “As America grew, so did we, and the pioneering spirit of our founders is reflected in the hard-working members of our community.”
During her heartfelt remarks at the bell unveiling, State Representative Stephanie Borowicz celebrated America’s remarkable political achievements, highlighting stories of local freedom and resilience. “Truly, no republic has made it this long without the Constitution of the United States. It’s pretty miraculous what God has done in this nation.” Borowicz highlighted the county’s historical significance, referencing the frontier’s early commitment to independence and the legendary story of local men drawing up their own Declaration of Independence. She shared a heartfelt anecdote about her recent visit to Congress Hall, recounting how she was deeply moved by thoughts of the 56 founders who sacrificed their “lives and fortunes and sacred honor so that we could be free.” Expressing her pride in both Clinton County and the nation’s legacy, Borowicz looked ahead to the milestone anniversary, stating, “Clinton County is one of the best, and we’re going to have a great 250th-year celebration.”
Senator Cris Dush encouraged attendees to reflect on the nation’s founding principles. “We truly are blessed with this republic that we’ve been given by our founders,” he said, emphasizing the importance of remembering both history and its sources. “The average length of the Constitution in the world is 17 years. We’ve been a nation for 250 years because we’ve been founded on Christian principles… There is Scripture that is quoted when Ben Franklin, at the time of the Constitutional Convention, was about to fall apart. In 12 sentences, he used 14 pieces of Scripture to say why they had to stand and continue the work that they were doing.”
Senator Dush continued, “I want this bell and the ones that are going around to all 67 counties to be a reminder; the purpose of this is to remember our founding. In the Bible, when God was instructing the Israelites on the exodus and others, to set up monuments and remember the system. That’s what this is intended to be. We need to go back to our first principles and understand why we are a nation,” he urged. “It’s my prayer and my hope that we can, as a nation, start reflecting and start unifying.”
The ceremony also highlighted the many people involved in the America250PA Bells Across PA initiative and featured remarks from the Clinton County Commissioners. Commissioner Jim Russo reflected on America’s journey to becoming the world’s strongest nation, emphasizing the sacrifices made by early patriots in the fight against Great Britain. He noted that even children as young as 10 and 12, along with farmers and shop owners, took up arms for freedom. Russo shared a personal story about his grandfather’s immigration from Italy and described the opportunity to settle in Clinton County as “phenomenal.” Expressing his gratitude for being part of the local community, Commissioner Russo added, “I was very blessed when we moved, and for living in Clinton County.”
Recognizing Kasey Dumm’s talent and dedication in designing and painting the commemorative bell, Commissioner Russo expressed his appreciation for both her contribution and the Clinton County community. “She did a phenomenal job, and I’m blessed to be in this community, with the two commissioners I’m working with and everybody else,” he said. Russo concluded his remarks with a heartfelt “God bless America,” encapsulating his pride in the nation’s history and his local community.
Next at the podium was Commissioner Jeff Snyder, who highlighted the significance of the celebration and recognized the members of Clinton County’s America250 PA Committee. “In case anyone’s counting, there’s only six months and 29 days until our 250th anniversary,” he remarked. “It’s up to us to use our past history to encourage and inspire future generations to continue to build on our past to make a better future for our future generations. We gather here today to unveil the Clinton County 250 Pennsylvania Bell and honor the artist, Kasey Dumm, for her hard work and dedication, but we also need to acknowledge and recognize the members of the 250 County Committee who have put this together, working on future things, and have been led by Beth Whitty and Maria Boileau. We want to thank all of the community volunteers who have been involved in that, because this is just the start of a great celebration that’s going to show all the other counties what we do here in Clinton County.”
Snyder expressed his gratitude to the committee and volunteers, emphasizing that their efforts mark the beginning of festivities that will showcase Clinton County’s spirit and set an example for others across Pennsylvania.
Commissioner Angela Harding spoke about the significance of the 250th anniversary celebration, emphasizing what makes Clinton County unique. She highlighted the county’s abundant natural resources, noting that it is “one of the largest forest-covered counties in the state of Pennsylvania,” and announced an upcoming initiative to plant trees throughout the county in partnership with DCNR and the Conservation District.
Harding also took a moment to thank various community contributors, including the County Maintenance Department, which will play a key role in installing the commemorative bell in its forever home in front of the courthouse. She expressed her gratitude to Court Administrator Don Powers and Maria Boileau for their efforts in preparing courtroom number two for the unveiling event, and she also thanked the America250 PA Clinton County Committee members and several elected officials in attendance, including Judge Michael Salisbury; Cynthia Love, County Prothonotary and Clerk of Court; Dr. Francis Redmond, Keystone Central School District Superintendent; school board members Chris Scaff and Elizabeth Lynch; Lock Haven City Council Member Rick Conklin and newly elected Council Member Micah Clausen; Cindy Kunes, representing Glenn G.T. Thompson; and Thea Lind, engagement specialist for FirstEnergy, which sponsored Clinton County’s commemorative bell.
Thea Lind expressed special gratitude on behalf of the project’s lead sponsor, saying, “This isn’t just a bell; it’s a symbol of freedom, unity, and the enduring spirit of Pennsylvania. We’re pleased that our donation allowed Kasey Dumm to design and paint a beautiful bell celebrating Clinton County’s past, present, and future.” Highlighting the significance of connecting all counties to the new landmark, Lind added, “We’re celebrating the role our Commonwealth played in shaping America’s story. From the triumphs to the trials, Pennsylvania has always been at the heart of it all… I’m making sure every Pennsylvanian across all 67 counties feels connected to this historical milestone.”
For artist Kasey Dumm, the moment was both personal and communal. “It’s truly an honor to have had the opportunity to paint this bell, something that’s going to be out and displayed for hopefully a long time,” Dumm said. “I moved here in 2008, and I never left, and I’m very proud to call Clinton County home. So it’s an honor to be able to do something like this for our county and for the 250th year of America.”
Following the remarks, the bell—titled “Where Rivers and Valleys Meet Mountains and Sunset,” a reflection of Clinton County’s mantra, was revealed to enthusiastic applause.
As the event drew to a close, Amanda Lavan described the bell as a symbol anchoring Clinton County’s role in America’s history. “This bell anchors Clinton County and that legacy. It was imagined by a local artist, made possible by a sponsor, and placed here with purpose,” she said.
Once installed, the bell will remain on display in front of the Clinton County Courthouse, serving as a tribute to two and a half centuries of American independence and to the creative spirit of the Clinton County community.
To learn more about Clinton County’s America250PA initiative, visit www.clintoncountypa.gov/government/america250pa, and follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ClintonCountyAmerica250PA. For more information about the America250 PA organization, visit www.america250pa.org/HOME.
