Etna — that’s the name Linda Stockman-Connors gave the bell she decorated for the Bells Across PA competition, part of the America250 PA celebration planning.

Etna was the first name that came to her mind when she was asked to name it. It was almost instantaneous.

Stockman-Connors was one of five artists who submitted designs in the competition.

She explained that the bell is named in remembrance of Etna Bittenbender, a girl who was only 17 years old when she was murdered on Oct. 31, 1880, in the area now known as Sciota.

Her murder went unsolved for 141 years, until Monroe County District Attorney Michael Mancuso and Chief County Detective Eric Kerchner figured out who did it. Their book in 2021, “Etna: A Murder Out of Time,” is one of Stockman-Connors’ favorite books.

“I thought her name was appropriate for the bell,” Stockman-Connors said. She wanted to memorialize the girl who died so young.

The bell is one of 67 across the state. Each county is supposed to have a bell decorated in preparation for the celebration of our nation’s 250 anniversary on July 4, 2026.

“I was honored that they chose my bell,” Stockman-Connors said.

She said that these 3.5-foot-tall bells are made of white fiberglass, but are decorative only, with no clappers.

Using acrylic paint, she capped the bell in the blue of our flag with its large, white stars. Almost as if the flag was draped over the bell, the red and white stripes swirl around the sound bow of the bell. A belt depicting eight historic sites in vibrant greens and sky blues cinch around the bell’s waist.

A portrait of U.S. President James Monroe, framed in gold, almost hangs like a pendant from the trim of red, white and blue beads that surround the belt separating the scenes from the flag.

Monroe was the fifth president and served from 1817 to 1825. The county is named after him, although he never lived here.

“I used seed beads to represent the Lenape people,” Stockman-Connors said.

The Lenape people were one of the Native American tribes that lived in the area and used seed beads for jewelry.

The eight historic sites include: East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg Train Station, Mount Eaton Church in Saylorsburg, Quiet Valley Historic Living Farm in Hamilton Township, the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, the Mader #2 covered bridge in the Nettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Hamilton Township, Ice House #1 in Tobyhanna, and Kittatinny Hotel in Delaware Water Gap. Most of the places are still here, but a couple are gone.

“I really like the design as it showcases a number of significant buildings from throughout our county representing agriculture, tourism, industry, education, transportation, religion, infrastructure and government,” Commissioner David Parker said in an interview.

“The Stars and Stripes make it pop, and the green landscapes are just beautiful,” said. “My favorite scene is the waterfall connecting the Delaware River just below the Kittatinny Hotel to Millpond Number One. It was a creative way to tie it all together.”

The Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau sponsored the purchase of the bell for the county, and it is currently in the window of the Monroe County Historical Society. Although the historical society is undergoing renovations, visitors are still permitted to go in and see the bell, Stockman-Connors said.

Parker, who has been involved with the America250 PA committee for Monroe County, said they plan to eventually display the bell outside so it can be viewed any time.

A special unveiling of the bell was held on Oct. 3 at the historical society.

“The reveal was lovely,” Stockman-Connors said. “And the historical society did a great job.”

The best part of the ceremony, though, her was when a bald eagle flew over — not because it was part of the ceremony, well, at least not a planned part. Stockman-Connors loves bald eagles.

“That was the most exciting part of the reveal,” she said.