❄️❤️ Gratitude After the Storm: New Bethlehem ❤️❄️
1️⃣ Community Stepped Up In the wake of last week’s historic snowstorm, the New Bethlehem and Redbank Valley community came together in an incredible way. We extend heartfelt thanks to the men and women of the New Bethlehem Borough Public Works Department (Roger Hillard, Chris Bowser, Josh Doverspike), Borough Secretary Richard McGarrity, the Redbank Valley Municipal Authority (Mike Kundick, Michael Rearick, Rory Moore, Raymond Clinger, Debbie Vangorder, Michelle Brown), the Southern Clarion County Regional Police Department (Chief Robert Malnofsky Jr., Officer Robert Kelly, Officer Stephen Mazik, Constable Robert Cornman, Volunteer Mark Hoover, Police Secretary Debra Schrecengost), and the New Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Company #1 (Chief Edward Goth, Rochelle Schawl, Antonio “Fresh” Phillips, Ricky Nelson, Scott Barrett). We are also grateful for the tireless help of third party partners Rich Shillings, Mike Shillings, Chris Shillings of Rich Shillings & Sons, and Rich Lessner of Lessner Excavating.
2️⃣ Thanks That Touched Hearts A special thank you to the William Rupert Family of Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service for their generous donation, shared through Mayor Gordon Barrows, to treat those who served. That gift became Canyon Coffee gift certificates for our crews. Deep appreciation as well to Vietnam Veteran Raymond Guntrum, who donated five pizzas from Village Pizza & Subs to feed our teams during cleanup. Huge thanks to Canyon Coffee of New Bethlehem, especially Jason, Josh, Larissa, Chloe, Kimberly, Kiera, and Alex, for their amazing hospitality. Matthew Green, Redbank Valley Chamber of Commerce Board Member, joined Mayor Barrows at Canyon Coffee to personally thank them for their loyalty and support as a Chamber member.
3️⃣ Faith, Resilience, and Recovery Though New Bethlehem was among the hardest hit communities reported by national news, it was also one of the first in Clarion County to rebound. All honor, glory, and praise be to God for protecting our community and empowering those who came to our rescue. Social media has been filled with kind words and gratitude, a true testament to neighbors helping neighbors.
📸 Photos courtesy of Matthew Green of Calico Systems, TechReady Professionals, and RedbankValley.org
📰 For the full story and more details, be sure to pick up this week’s Leader-Vindicator.