Redbank Valley Historical Society

05/30/2026

🏛️💧 PRESERVING REDBANK VALLEY HISTORY! 📸

We’re preserving & digitizing historic photographs and memorabilia from the Redbank Valley Municipal Authority (RVMA), helping safeguard an important chapter of New Bethlehem’s history. ❤️

Did you know? RVMA was officially established in 1958 to provide water and sewer services to the New Bethlehem area. 💦🏘️ Local water service dates back even further, with records showing community water operations as early as 1882, while the historic Redbank Dam has served the region for generations. 🌊⏳

Preserving our past helps us appreciate the people, projects, and infrastructure that helped build the community we know today. ❤️🤍💙

05/22/2026

📌 Upcoming Events: New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley

📅 MAY 2026
• May 23, 7:30A Registration: Tri-M Color Run/Walk 5K, RV Trail
• May 23, 10A: Community Memorial Day Service, Gumtown Park

📅 JUNE 2026
• Jun 1–14: Cow Catch Mini Highland Cow Hunt, Community Wide
• Jun 3, 6–7P: Edgewood Heights Spring Revival
• Jun 4, 4P Show / 6P Auction: Sports Card Auction, RV Community Center
• Jun 5–6: Community Yard Sales, NB Area
• Jun 8, 6:30P: America 250 Program, RV Historical Society
• Jun 11, 9A–12:30P: Knits & Giggles Program, St. Charles Social Hall
• Jun 13, 4P: Victory in the Valley Christian Music Festival
• Jun 14, 7P: Old-Fashioned Community Hymn Sing, Gumtown Park
• Jun 15: Clarion County Fair Livestock Entries Due
• Jun 15–19, 6:30–8P: NBFFC Vacation Bible School
• Jun 19, 6–9P: RV Public Library Purse Bingo Bash, Trinity Hall
• Jun 20, 6–8P: Block Party on the Trail, Liberty St. & RV Trail
• Jun 27: Customer Appreciation Day, New Bethlehem

📅 JULY 2026
• Jul 3, 8A Reg. / 9A–1P: Cops N’ Bobbers Fishing Derby, Gumtown Park
• Jul 3, 11A–4P: Cops & Bobbers Kids Event, Gumtown Park
• Jul 3, 4–6:30P: Freedom Festival Celebration & Live Music
• Jul 3, 6:30P: Chamber Fireworks Raffle Drawing, Gumtown Park
• Jul 18, 6:30P: America 250 Boston Tea Party, RV Public Library
• Jul 26–Aug 1: Clarion County Fair, Redbank Valley Park

📅 SEPTEMBER 2026
• Sep 18–20: Peanut Butter Festival, Gumtown Park
• Sep 20: Peanut Butter Festival Duck Race at the Dam

📅 OCTOBER 2026
• Oct: Halloween Parade, Redbank Valley HS

📅 NOVEMBER 2026
• Nov 28: Cookie Crawl, New Bethlehem

📅 DECEMBER 2026
• Dec 5: Christmas Parade & Santa, New Bethlehem

🙏 Prayer Breakfasts
• Men’s: Zack’s, 7A, weekly during Lent
• Women’s: First Thursdays, 8:15A at Zack’s

🌟 Save the Date
• May–Oct Fridays: Gumtown Market, 12:30–5P
• Jul 3: Chamber Fireworks Raffle Drawing, Gumtown Park Stage

📩 Submit events: [email protected] | [email protected]
⏰ Deadline: Mondays by 5 PM

04/24/2026

📌 Upcoming Events: New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley

📅 APRIL 2026
• Apr 24, 9A–3P: Indoor Yard Sale, Hawthorn Nazarene Church
• Apr 24, 11:30A–5P: Masonic Blood Drive, NB First Fellowship Church
• Apr 25, 9A–3P: Indoor Yard Sale, Hawthorn Nazarene Church
• Apr 25, 2–4P: Tea Among the Tulips, RV Community Center
• Apr 25, 7P: Barbershop Harmony Show, RVHS
• Apr 29, 7P: CPR/AED & First Aid Training, NB Fire Co
• Apr 30, 5–7P: Scavenger Hunt, Clarion Co. Conservation District

📅 MAY 2026
• May 3, 7P: Baccalaureate Service, NB First Fellowship Church
• May 7, 8:15A: Ladies Prayer Breakfast, Zack’s Restaurant
• May 8, 11:30A–1:30P: Taco & Nacho Bar, RV Community Center
• May 9: Goodwill 50% Off Sale
• May 9, 3P Doors: Sportsmen Bingo, Hawthorn FD
• May 16, 9A–12N: Forestry Walk, Rimersburg Rod & Gun Club
• May 23, 7:30A: Tri-M Annual Color Run/Walk 5K, RV Trail

📅 JUNE 2026
• Jun 3, 6–7P: Edgewood Heights Spring Revival, Edgewood Heights
• Jun 5–6: Community Yard Sales, NB Area
• Jun 13, 4P: Victory in the Valley, RV Park
• Jun 19, 6P: RV Public Library Purse Bingo Bash, Trinity Hall
• Jun 27: Customer Appreciation Day, New Bethlehem

📅 JULY 2026
• Jul 3: Freedom Festival Fireworks, Gumtown Park

📅 SEPTEMBER 2026
• Sep 18–20: Peanut Butter Festival, Gumtown Park
• Sep 20: Duck Race at the Dam

📅 OCTOBER 2026
• Oct: Halloween Parade, Redbank Valley HS

📅 NOVEMBER 2026
• Nov 28: Cookie Crawl, New Bethlehem

📅 DECEMBER 2026
• Dec 5: Christmas Parade & Santa, New Bethlehem

🙏 Prayer Breakfasts
• Men’s: Zack’s, 7A, weekly during Lent
• Women’s: First Thursdays, 8:15A at Zack’s

🌟 Save the Date
• May–Oct Fridays: Gumtown Market, 12:30–5P

📩 Submit events: [email protected] | [email protected]
⏰ Deadline: Mondays by 5 PM

04/24/2026

🎉 Redbank Valley Days of Giving is Back! ❤️

Join us May 7–9, 2026 as we come together to support the organizations that make our community strong! 🙌 Our goal is $30,000, and every gift makes a difference. 💵

✨ Your donations benefit these local organizations:
• Leatherwood Academy Little Bird Preschool 🐦
• Literacy Futures Foundation 📖
• New Bethlehem Fire Company #1 🚒
• Redbank Renaissance 🌄
• Redbank Valley Church Association (RVCA) ⛪
• Redbank Valley Historical Society 🏛️
• Redbank Valley Community Center 🏡
• Redbank Valley Public Library 📚
• Redbank Valley Trails Association 🌲
• Southern Clarion County Police Association 👮

📍 Donate in person:
• New Bethlehem Town Center (9 AM–5 PM)
• Redbank Valley Public Library (Thurs & Fri 9–4, Sat 8–3)
• First Commonwealth Bank, Brookville

💻 Or give online: RedbankValley.org/giving
📞 Info: 814-275-1718

Let’s rally together and bless our community in a big way! ❤️🙏

04/08/2026

📸 Step Back in Time: Historic New Bethlehem Moments! 🕰️

Take a glimpse into the rich history of New Bethlehem and the surrounding area through these incredible vintage photos! From summer swims to bustling industry and rail travel, these snapshots tell a powerful story of community life long ago. 🙌

🏞️ Photo 1 Caption:
Swimmers at the “Old Timber Dam” on Red Bank Creek in New Bethlehem, Clarion County. The dam was originally constructed during the logging era with the wooden dam eventually faced with concrete. It was replaced by an all-concrete modern structure in the late 1990s or early 2000s. (Photo from Dennis Shaffer via https://www.facebook.com/groups/255582674467075/)

🍦 Photo 2 Caption:
New Bethlehem Ice Cream Co. located in the borough of New Bethlehem, Clarion County. (Photo from William McCauley via https://www.facebook.com/groups/255582674467075/)

🚂 Photo 3 Caption:
Passenger Railroad Station in the borough of New Bethlehem, Clarion County. (Photo from https://redbankren.org/)

👏 A huge thank you to Jackson Township Historical Preservation for preserving and sharing these meaningful pieces of local history! 👉 Be sure to follow their page for more amazing historical content: https://www.facebook.com/jacksontownship.historicalpreservation Let’s celebrate and cherish the legacy of our community together! ❤️

04/03/2026

📌 Upcoming Events: New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley

📅 APRIL 2026
• Apr 2, 6P: Maundy Thursday, First Church of God (NB)
• Apr 2, 7P: Maundy Thursday, First Fellowship Church
• Apr 3, 12P: Good Friday Service, Hawthorn Nazarene
• Apr 3, 1P: Cross Walks, NB First Fellowship & Hawthorn Elem
• Apr 3, 7P: “The Easter Story” Cantata, Oakland Church of God
• Apr 3, 7P: Community Communion, First Baptist Clarion
• Apr 4, 10A–12P: Easter Egg Hunt, RV Public Library
• Apr 4, 10A: Lions Club Egg Hunt, Gumtown Park
• Apr 4, 1P: Easter Worship, St. Mary’s Redbank
• Apr 5, 7A: Easter Sunrise, First Church of God
• Apr 5, 8:30A: Sunrise Service, New Salem Pierce
• Apr 5, 10:30A: Easter Service, Leatherwood Church
• Apr 5, 11A: Easter Celebration, First Fellowship Church
• Apr 10, 10A–3P: Chamber Job Fair, RV Community Center
• Apr 10–11: Disaster Relief Training, Grace Baptist
• Apr 14, 8–10A: Community Breakfast, RV Community Center
• Apr 19, 11:30A–2P: St. Nicholas Spaghetti Dinner, Mayport
• Apr 24, 11:30A–5P: Masons Blood Drive, First Fellowship Church
• Apr 25, 2–4P: Tea Among the Tulips, RV Community Center
• Apr 25, 7P: Barbershop Harmony Show, RVHS

📅 MAY 2026
• May 3, 7P: Baccalaureate Service, First Fellowship Church
• May 9, 3P Doors: Sportsmen Bingo, Hawthorn FD

📅 JUNE 2026
• Jun 5–6: Community Yard Sales, NB Area
• Jun 13, 4P: Victory in the Valley, RV Park
• Jun 19, 6P: Purse Bingo Bash, Trinity Hall
• Jun 27: Customer Appreciation Day, NB

📅 JULY 2026
• Jul 3: Freedom Festival Fireworks, Gumtown Park

📅 SEPTEMBER 2026
• Sep 18–20: Peanut Butter Festival, Gumtown Park
• Sep 20: Duck Race at the Dam

📅 OCTOBER 2026
• Oct: Halloween Parade, Redbank Valley HS

📅 NOVEMBER 2026
• Nov 28: Cookie Crawl, New Bethlehem

📅 DECEMBER 2026
• Dec 5: Christmas Parade & Santa, NB

🙏 Prayer Breakfasts
• Men’s: Zack’s, 7A, weekly during Lent
• Women’s: First Thursdays, 8A at Zack’s

🌟 Save the Date
• May–Oct Fridays: Gumtown Market, 12:30–5P

📩 Submit events: [email protected] | [email protected]
⏰ Deadline: Mondays by 5 PM

03/06/2026

📌 Upcoming Events: New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley

📅 MARCH 2026
• Mar 6, 4–7P: Fish Fry, NB Fire Hall
• Mar 6, 8P: The Little Mermaid, RVHS
• Mar 7, 4–8P: Leatherwood Academy Dinner & Auction
• Mar 7, 7P: The Little Mermaid, RVHS
• Mar 8, 3P: The Little Mermaid, RVHS
• Mar 8, 5:30P: Mermaid Cast Reception, RVHS
• Mar 11, 12P: Lenten Service, Leatherwood Church
• Mar 11, 12P: Sales Tax Basics (Webinar)
• Mar 11, 6:30–9P: Roots So Deep Film, Trinity Point COG, Clarion
• Mar 13–14: Men’s Retreat, Cherry Run Camp
• Mar 14–Apr 4: Easter Sale, Char-Val Candies
• Mar 18, 12P: Lenten Service, NB First Baptist
• Mar 19, 12–1:30P: Small Biz Master Class, Oil City
• Mar 20, 4–7P: Fish Fry, NB Fire Hall
• Mar 20, 5P Doors: Music Boosters Bingo, RVHS
• Mar 23–27: Book & Bake Sale, RV Public Library
• Mar 25, 12P: Lenten Service, NB First Fellowship
• Mar 26, 1–5P: Safe Driving Course, Faith Fellowship Rimersburg
• Mar 28: Chamber Annual Dinner, Trinity Hall
• Mar 30, 5P Doors: Ham Bingo, NB Fire Hall

📅 APRIL 2026
• Apr 1, 12P: Lenten Service, NB Wesleyan
• Apr 3, 12P: Good Friday Service, Hawthorn Nazarene
• Apr 3, 1P: Cross Walk, NB First Fellowship
• Apr 5, 7A: Easter Sunrise, First Church of God
• Apr 10, 10A–3P: Chamber Job Fair, RV Community Center
• Apr 10–11: Disaster Relief Training, Grace Baptist

📅 MAY 2026
• May 9, 3P Doors: Sportsmen Bingo, Hawthorn FD

📅 JUNE 2026
• Jun 5–6: Community Yard Sales, NB Area
• Jun 13, 4P: Victory in the Valley Fest, RV Municipal Park
• Jun 27: Customer Appreciation Day, NB

📅 JULY 2026
• Jul 3: Freedom Festival Fireworks, Gumtown Park

📅 SEPTEMBER 2026
• Sep 18–20: Peanut Butter Festival, Gumtown Park

📅 OCTOBER 2026
• Oct: Halloween Parade, Redbank Valley HS

📅 NOVEMBER 2026
• Nov 28: Cookie Crawl, New Bethlehem

📅 DECEMBER 2026
• Dec 5: Christmas Parade & Santa, NB

🙏 Prayer Breakfasts
• Men’s: Zack’s, 7A, weekly during Lent
• Women’s: First Thursdays, 8A at Zack’s

🌟 Save the Date
• May–Oct Fridays: Gumtown Market, 12:30–5P

📩 Submit events: [email protected] | [email protected]
⏰ Deadline: Mondays by 5 PM

02/06/2026

📌 Upcoming Events: New Bethlehem & Redbank Valley

📅 FEB 2026
• Feb 3–12, 9–11A: QuickBooks II Course, Virtual
• Feb 8, 11A: Faith Formation Breakfast, St. Charles Hall
• Feb 11, 6:30P: Lattes & Love Songs, RVHS Cafeteria
• Feb 11, 7P: CPR & First Aid, New Bethlehem Fire Hall
• Feb 13: Valentine Lottery Raffle Drawing, RV Library
• Feb 14, 5–8:30P: Valentine Mardi Gras Party, St. Charles Hall
• Feb 15, 2:30P: Meatloaf Dinner for Hawthorn Fire Dept, NB Fire Dept
• Feb 18, 12P: Ash Wednesday Service, NB Presbyterian
• Feb 20, 4–7P: Fish Fry, New Bethlehem Fire Hall
• Feb 22, 11A–4P: Spaghetti Fundraiser, Mending Hope
• Feb 23, 5:30P: Chamber Bingo, Trinity Hall
• Feb 25, 12P: Lenten Service, Oakland Church of God
• Feb 25, 5–6:30P: Phenology Webinar

📅 MAR 2026
• Mar 4, 12P: Lenten Service, Cornerstone Church of God
• Mar 6, 4–7P: Fish Fry, New Bethlehem Fire Hall
• Mar 11, 12P: Lenten Service, Leatherwood Church
• Mar 18, 12P: Lenten Service, NB First Baptist
• Mar 19, 12–1:30P: Small Business Master Class, Oil City
• Mar 20, Doors 5P, Bingo 6:30P: RV Music Boosters, RVHS Cafeteria
• Mar 20, 4–7P: Fish Fry, New Bethlehem Fire Hall
• Mar 25, 12P: Lenten Service, NB First Fellowship
• Mar 28: Chamber Annual Dinner, Trinity Hall
• Mar 30, Doors 5P, Bingo 6P: Ham Bingo, New Bethlehem Fire Hall

📅 APR 2026
• Apr 1, 12P: Lenten Service, NB Wesleyan Methodist
• Apr 3, 12P: Good Friday Service, Hawthorn Nazarene
• Apr 5, 7A: Easter Sunrise Service, First Church of God
• Apr 10: Chamber Job Fair, RV Community Center

📅 MAY 2026
• May 9, Doors 3P, Bingo 5P: Hawthorn Fire Dept Sportsmen Bingo

📅 JUN 2026
• Jun 5–6: Community Yard Sales, New Bethlehem Area
• Jun 13: Victory in the Valley Music Fest, RV Park
• Jun 27: Customer Appreciation Day, New Bethlehem

📅 JUL 2026
• Jul 4: Freedom Festival Fireworks, Gumtown Park

📅 SEP 2026
• Sep 18–20: Peanut Butter Festival, Gumtown Park

📅 OCT 2026
• Oct: Halloween Parade, Redbank Valley High School

📅 NOV 2026
• Nov 28: Cookie Crawl, New Bethlehem

📅 DEC 2026
• Dec 5: Christmas Parade & Snacks with Santa, New Bethlehem

🙏 Prayer Breakfasts
• Men’s: Zack’s, Jan 15 at 7A, weekly Lent Feb 19–Apr 2, resumes Apr 16
• Women’s: First Thursday monthly starting March, 8A at Zack’s

🌟 Save the Date
• May–Oct Fridays, 12:30–5P: Gumtown Market, Gumtown Park

📩 Submit events: [email protected] | [email protected]
⏰ Deadline: Mondays by 5 PM

02/05/2026

New Bethlehem community shows appreciation after historic snowfall

NEW BETHLEHEM – The weather outside was frightful, but the response to the emergency situation in the New Bethlehem area was delightful — and now local officials, businesses and others are showing their appreciation for all those who helped the community dig out following the Jan. 25 winter storm.

For the full story and much more in local news and sports, see this week’s issue of The Leader-Vindicator, on sale now, and visit us online.

https://www.thecourierexpress.com/the_leader_vindicator/news/local/new-bethlehem-community-shows-appreciation-after-historic-snowfall/article_4a485c6d-9c47-4855-a10f-208cc0c64b25.html

NEW BETHLEHEM – The weather outside was frightful, but the response to the emergency situation in the New Bethlehem area was delightful — and now local officials, businesses and others

02/04/2026

❄️❤️ 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.