The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church,
Manheim, PA
Sunday, September 10, 2017
President
Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m. and led us in the pledge
of allegiance. He asked that we remember
and keep in our prayers those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack and those
suffering in Hurricane Irma.
NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:
None
Tom
reminded members the minutes are in the box in the back for review and approval
later.
TREASURER’S REPORT: We have no new members this month. We have 386 members renewed for 2016-17, 3
more than 1 year ago. Treasurer’s report
was approved as read.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS:
Clyde Scheib coordinated the re-opening ceremony
for Kennedy (PA-15-13 #2) bridge last Friday.
It was a lovely day with about 61 people in attendance. He thanked Ray Finkelstein for representing
the society.
Tina Conn attended
the National Society’s tour in Oregon.
She did the basic tour of 22 bridges and 1 romantic shelter. It was a shame there was so many wild fires
and smoke.
Bonnie Shultz also
attended the National’s Oregon tour 2 of the 3 days. She saw many extra bridges and romantic
shelters. Yesterday she visited Rose
Hill (PA-36-14).
Michael Rudnick
was in Georgia three weeks ago doing a covered bridge tour. A week ago he was at the Sullivan County Fair
and saw bridges there and in Lycoming County - all in great shape. Last week he visited Jackson Sawmill (PA-36-33
#2) for the first time.
Bob Greer attended
the Kennedy opening ceremony. Clyde did
a great job. Bob shared a picture he
took of Wertz (PA-06-06) with two kayakers going under the bridge.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
President Tom Walczak visited quite a few bridges since
last month’s meeting: Wanich (PA-19-18), Old Keefer’s Mill (PA-47-03), Sam Wagner
(PA-47-01/49-11) - in good shape, Red/Millmont Bridge
(PA-60-01 #2) (which is closed permanently with posts at each end), McGees Mill (PA-17-01) which looked recently painted with a
new cedar roof, Roddy Road (MD-10-02 #2), Utica
Mills (MD-10-01) and Loy’s Station (MD-10-03 #2). He was pleased to see the nice park areas at Roddy and Loys Station. Loys Station in
particular would be a nice place for a picnic and tour of the three MD bridges. He also visited Sachs (PA-01-01) and found a
lot of fishermen there that day.
First Vice President Jim Smedley –
He and Gloria attended the National Society’s safari in Oregon the end
of August. Bridges they saw on the
safari and others while out west numbered 3 in California, 4 in Washington and
43 in Oregon counting 4 non-authentic bridges.
Although they encountered some smoky conditions from the wild fires
while there they did manage to see all of the bridges they planned but not all
of the other sightseeing areas.
Everything considered, it was a very enjoyable trip.
The
deadline for PA Crossings is October 1st, the day of our Pasta Dinner
Fundraiser.
Second Vice President Ray Finkelstein - Ray did
some traveling but did not visit any covered bridges on the trip. He went to the NYS Fair and Corning Glass
Museum which was outstanding. He went to Kennedy Bridge Ribbon cutting on
September 1st. He was honored
to represent the Society and gave a short talk.
He had not been to many ribbon cutting but Clyde Scheib
did an outstanding job in getting people together. We had close to a dozen TBCBS members in
attendance.
Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope
and Gloria attended
the NSPCB Covered Bridge Tour in Cottage Grove, OR. They went out three days early and stayed
four days after to do some bridging and sightseeing. They saw 44 authentic and 3 non-authentic
covered bridges in Oregon, 5 authentic covered bridges in Washington and 3
authentic covered bridges in California.
Smoke from the forest fires was bad on several days. They also saw 6 lighthouses – 4 in OR and 2
in CA.
Fourth Vice President Tim McLaughlin saw many bridges last month including
Speakman #1 (PA-15-05) at night, Larkin’s Mill (PA-15-11
#2), and Sheeder-Hall (PA-15-12) where work platforms
were gone. Connie visited Harmony Hill
(PA-15-10) and said it looks great. He
and Connie visited bridges on Labor Day including Little Gap (PA-13-02), Bogerts (PA-39-01) Manassas Guths
(PA-39-03), Wehr’s
(PA-39-02) Kreidersville (PA-48-01), Harrity (PA-13-01), Schlicher’s
(PA-39-06 #2), Geiger’s (PA-39-05), Rex’s (PA-39-04), Pleasantville (PA-06-01),
Griesemer’s Mill (PA-06-03) and Poole Forge (PA-36-01).
Historian Fred J. Moll - Fred gave his annual report of the condition
of Berks County covered bridges as of September, 2017.
Wertz’s
Bridge –Wertz’s Bridge is in good condition, solid roof, sides are painted
smoothly and no side boards are missing.
Pleasantville
Bridge (PA-06-01) –Pleasantville Bridge still in good shape since its
restoration several years ago and since our Society’s touchup of the
portals. However one of the height
restriction devices has been has been damaged and is leaning. Once again the bridge has been saved by this
device.
Griesemer’s Bridge –is in good shape. There are two pin size holes found in the tin
roof but it is not enough yet to worry about.
The siding is all in place and the paint that we put on the bridge four
years ago is still holding up. Several
floor boards are loose, but then the sound of rattling floor boards is what
makes this bridge a pleasure driving through.
Dreibelbis Bridge (PA-06-07) –The Dreibelbis
Bridge is in bad shape but is waiting to be restored in the fall of this year
or the spring of next year under the guidance of PennDOT.
Kutz’s Mill Bridge (PA-06-05) –Kutz’s
Mill Bridge is in good shape. The sides
and the tin roof of the bridge are solid.
But while he was walking through the bridge and looking for dead leaves
and other debris that might cause rot along the sides of the bridge (last month
Joe pointed out that this might be done when we paint a bridge) he found two
interesting things. First, and he never
reported this before about a covered bridge, there are potholes developing in
the floor of the bridge. This is because
the bridge has a concrete floor.
Secondly, there was a strange plastic box with a handle and ventilation
holes setting down along the inside of the bridge. It appears to be an animal transport
case. It cannot be seen from driving
through the bridge, but it can be seen from walking through the bridge. He called the Greenwich Township building and
told them about it. They said they would
check into it. Later that week he called the township back and the road master
did not want to bother with any animal matter.
They said they called an animal association of some sort and that they
would take care of it. But two weeks
later the case is still in the bridge.
There is a brochure out on the 34th
Annual Lyons Fiddle Festival being held on September 17th. Inside it mentions raffles they are having
for a Martin Guitar and a Handmade Quilt.
The photograph of the Martin Guitar has the guitar setting up against a
tree with Wertz’s Red Bridge in the background.
Yet another example of bridges serving as a scenic backdrop.
He
and Shirley unfortunately will not be able to attend the Pasta and Meatball Dinner. Every year on
the first Saturday of October he gives tours of Wertz’s Red Bridge during the
Heritage Festival. This year they
changed the day to Sunday. He gives
tours of the bridge at 1:00PM, 2:30PM, and at 3:00 celebrate the 150th
birthday of Wertz’s Bridge with cake or cupcakes.
Recording Secretary Gloria Smedley
– No report.
Corresponding Secretary/Program Chair Pam Heisey - No report.
Treasurer Robert Kuether delivered rack cards per a request
through FaceBook to the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of
Commerce. He visited Martin’s Mill (PA-28-01)
and Witherspoon (PA-28-02) bridges.
REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS
– Michael Chorazy had double
bypass heart surgery on August 30th.
Tom spoke to him on September 1st and he was doing okay. Helen Small, former member and wife of former
president Roger Small, passed away at 100 years old. She did a lot behind the scenes when Roger
was president. Olive Jones had a heart
attack back in the spring and now has someone living with her to take care of
her.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS – Pam Heisey conducted our annual memorial service. Those lost this past year and their years as members included:
MEMBER DATE OF DEATH MEMBER FOR
Charles W. Devenney
01/24/2017 16 Years
Dr. Emerson C. Flurkey 10/25/2016 37 Years
Anthony (Tony) Orsini
10/17/2016 Former (42)
William (Bill) Jeffrey 09/29/2016 Former
(?)
Raymond Musselman 04/25/2017 13 Years
Marcia J. Shanafelt
02/02/2017 Former (03)
Larry L. Shumaker 10/10/2016 06 Years
Charter Member Harold L. Sitler 06/06/2017
57 Years
Helen Small 07/31/2017
Former (41)
Doug Smith 04/20/2017
12 Years
Carolina Soroka 01/11/2017 19 Years
Judy
Talmonti 07/20/2017
20 Years
Greg Williams
conducted the annual election of officers.
The nominees were as follows:
President……………………Tom Walczak First Vice President…………. Jim Smedley
Treasurer……………………Robert J. Kuether Second Vice President……... Ray Finkelstein
Recording Secretary…........Gloria
Smedley Third Vice President…………
Steve Wolfhope
Corresponding Secretary/ Fourth Vice
President………. Tim McLaughlin
Program Chairperson……..
Pamela Heisey Historian ……………….......... Fred J. Moll
As there were
no other nominations from the floor, the Recording Secretary cast a unanimous
ballot.
Tom
announced that officers are required to provide written annual reports which
will be available at the next few meetings.
Jim
Smedley reported on the recent audit as part of his
duties as 1st Vice President.
He reviewed several months of paperwork from Bob and found no
discrepancies. Bob has consolidated into
one bank which makes things easier.
Gloria
announced our October 1st Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. She encouraged members to sign up or donate
funds if unable to attend.
NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Bob
has a new puzzle, hats and calendars available for sale.
Refreshments
were served during intermission.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – August minutes were approved as
presented.
NEXT MEETING - Our Next Meeting will be held on
October 1, 2017 and will be our Pasta Dinner Fundraiser.
ADJOURNMENT: The
meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. following a presentation by Tom Walczak entitled “Our Society Year in Review”.
Respectfully Submitted
by Gloria Smedley, Recording Secretary
September 13, 2017