Stoner, Guyer helping to plan USA’s 250th anniversary

Both represent their counties on state committee

LEWISTOWN - Jenna Stoner and Jessica Eaton Guyer might have thrown a birthday party for family or friends before, but the two women have never planned one for the entire country. 

Stoner and Guyer are part of the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States' semi quincentennial celebration, which is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026. 

Each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties has a representative as Stoner, who is the information manager at the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau, is from Mifflin County; and Guyer, who is the curator of the Tuscarora Academy Museum and volunteer with the Juniata County Historical Society, comes from Juniata County. 

Stoner is proud to represent her county and its constituents. "I think the America250PA team has been doing a great job in laying the groundwork for the anniversary celebration," Stoner explained. "I'm excited to see how Mifflin County can be a part of the national celebration in our own unique way." 

Guyer shared the same sentiments and is anxiously waiting to roll up her sleeves and get to work. "Nothing has happened yet, other than brainstorming in my own head," she said. "My first plan of action is to form a volunteer task force with the goal of having at least two or three people from each township or borough in Juniata County participating. I will be presenting this idea at the Juniata County Association of Township Officials Conference on November 3 to get the word out." 

The Pennsylvania Commission for the semi quincentennial was established by the legislature and governor in 2018. America250PA hopes to engage every resident from each county, so they can better understand the issues facing the state and country today and inspire future leaders by recognizing the contributions of Pennsylvanians to the state and nation's history. 

Stoner and Guyer have connected briefly and have a great deal of respect for the work the other does with regard to promoting the Juniata Valley.

"I think Jess Guyer will be a great asset and resource to have for the committee because of her historic knowledge of Juniata County," Stoner said. "I look forward to working with her throughout the years leading up to 2026." 

A few months ago, the visitors bureau actually reached out to Guyer to see if she would be willing to represent her county. Of course, Guyer was more than flattered by the invite. "That's when I noticed there were still 19 counties that had not selected anyone, and Juniata was among them," Guyer added.

Each representative is responsible for acting as a liaison between America250PA and their county; promoting and attending events and delivering information to the county and residents; coordinating America250PA-sponsored activities; network with county organizations; provide social media content and updates; and create a county commission.

"Thankful and excited as the wheels are turning in my head just thinking of all the possibilities," Guyer said of planning the celebration.

What specific ideas does she have? "Fireworks! I could very well be overruled on that, but I love an evening of fireworks to culminate activities. Our county used to have them every year at the Mifflintown Airport back in the 1990s and I miss that."

She'd love to see residents in the counties catch the semi quincentennial spirit and dress up in colonial costumes, or take part in colonial customs like soap- or candle-making or spinning thread.

"County-wide house decoration was a big part of the celebration in 1931 as well," Guyer added. "The pictures show that type of 'all-in spirit' that I love to see. All these kinds of things that bring the community together would be so wonderful to bring back."

The America250PA group also hopes each county can place at least one Liberty Bell for "Bells Across PA" and plant a liberty tree by the start of 2026.

Stoner has also been involved with a few initiatives for the festivities.

"Since 2018, America250PA has been planning, educating Pennsylvanians, and building awareness to the commission throughout the Commonwealth," she explained. "They have created many programs and projects to build awareness including Youth Heroes Outreach program, Bells Across PA project, Pennsylvania Day, Keystone Classroom Initiative, Infrastructure Improvements and Projects Committee (IIPC) and much more.

"As the county representative, I was able to connect Derry Township with the IIPC grant program to try and receive a grant for the Kish Park improvements project the township has been working on for a few years," she added. "The township will hopefully find out soon if their project was selected to go into the next round."

For more information, visit www.america250pa.org.