The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA

Sunday, February 4, 2018

 

First Vice President, Jim Smedley, called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.   He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.  (President Tom Walczak was unable to attend today due to inclement weather.)  Jim thanked those who braved the weather today to attend the meeting.

 

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:  None

 

Jim reminded members the minutes are in the box in the back for review and approval later.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  We have one new member, Covered Bridge Photography/Doug Turner of Midlothian, VA.  We have 381 members renewed for 2017-2018.  The treasurer’s report was approved as read.

 

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

George Rothlingshofer saw Siegrist Mill (PA-36-37 #2), Shenk’s Mill (PA-36-30 #2) and Shearer’s (PA- 36-31 #2) today.

Joe McCarthy stopped at Blenheim (NY-48-01 #2) where they have three trusses up and are installing connecting braces.  They have to wait until the trusses are over the water before putting siding on due to weight.  This pushes up their schedule so that it will likely be second week of March when the bridge is moved over the water.  Joe will keep us informed of the move date.  They have fundraisers of T-shirts and Christmas cards done by a local artist for the bridge.

Connie McLaughlin drove through Kauffman’s Distillery (PA- 36-32 #2) today.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Tom Walczak – No bridge report. Tom sends his regards and regrets that he couldn’t be here today.

First Vice President Jim Smedley – He and Gloria visited the covered bridges of MD for winter photographs.  They also found a new romantic shelter in North Potomac MD discovered while watching a news clip on TV.  They visited Sheeder-Hall (PA-15-12), Knox (PA-15-15 #2) and Rapp’s Dam (PA-15-14) while visiting Steve and Gloria Wolfhope.

The deadline for PA Crossings is today.

Second Vice President Ray Finkelstein had no bridge report.  He noted spotting a bridge Friday night on the McGiver show.

Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope – No report.  Steve was not present as he is still recovering from radiation treatments for prostate cancer.  He hopes to see everyone in March.

Fourth Vice President Tim McLaughlin – Tim visited many PA bridges this past month.  Notably Schenk’s Mill suffered lots of damage; Leaman Place (PA- 36-20 #2) had arch block damage, and Herr’s Mill (PA-36-21) remains in sad shape.  He visited Pinetown Road (PA-36-05 #2) at dusk where they had lighted snowflakes hanging from the rafters inside the bridge.

Historian Fred J. Moll shared a copy of a newspaper article and copy of 150th Citation from the State on Wertz’s Red Bridge.  He noted that the Reading Hospital TV add has a photo of Wertz’s Red Bridge.  The Pleasantville Bridge now has metal signs on Covered Bridge Road stating “Covered Bridge Ahead” and there is a drawing of a covered bridge also on a sign. 

 

Recording Secretary Gloria Smedley- No report.

Corresponding Secretary/Program Chair Pam Heisey - No report.

Treasurer Robert Kuether visited Academia (PA-34-01) and a couple other bridges in Perry County.  He stopped by Dellville (PA-50-16) where there are materials on site but no work being done.  He thanked Gloria Smedley for her work selling items on eBay for the society.  He thanked those who helped take down decorations at Poole Forge (PA–36-01) and reminded everyone that we need photos for the 2019 calendar.

REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS – Tom sent in some information about members:  Rudy Katrencik is recovering from a heart attack he had last November.  Doris Taylor fell in early January and fractured her pelvis.  After a few days in the hospital, she was in a rehab facility for a couple weeks and is home now.  LIFE member John Shelly passed away last February 25, 2017.  His wife Nancy did the mailing labels for our publications for a few years around 2008.

Linda Finkelstein was present but still recuperating from a fall.  Steve Wolfhope is recovering from a long series of radiation treatments for prostate cancer.  Fred Moll will undergo knee replacement surgery on Wednesday.  Arne Alexander has been diagnosed with sclerosis of the liver and is not doing well.  Jeanette Wilson and Sally Messing have passed away.

OLD BUSINESS –  None

NEW BUSINESS – We need photo submissions for the 2019 calendar.  Details will be in the upcoming issue of PA Crossings. 

 

Jim showed the group the sample safari shirt.  Prices increased from one to two dollars for our shirts.  We have not had an increase since 2011.  The shirt was shown around to the group and everyone was positive about the design and color (green bridge on tan shirt).

 

The Executive Board met prior to this meeting.  They discussed holding a one day tour of bridges in a specific area of PA and would like to try it out on members first.  If the tour goes well another tour would be planned to invite the public.  We would rent vans ($198 for 15 people) for the tour.  Members seemed in favor of this idea.

 

Also the Board discussed holding a Hoss’s Restaurant Fundraiser after the October meeting in place of a Pasta Fundraiser that we held in the past two years.  Bob Kuether will check with local Hoss’s to see if the October date is feasible to hold the fundraiser.   Members would leave the October meeting and go right to Hoss’s for dinner.  There would be no presentation that day. They could invite friends and family to meet us there.  Our society would get a percentage of the take in for that night from those who announce they are with the covered bridge group.  Members were in favor of this idea.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COVERED BRIDGE EVENTS:

 

 

 

 

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEM -  Connie McLaughlin shared a few pictures/paintings she picked up of covered bridges.  Joe McCarthy shared a book on heavy timber construction that contained photographs of the reconstruction of Siegrist Mill.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December minutes were approved as presented.

 ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 3:06 p.m.

Due to the light turnout (20 members) and inclement weather the membership voted not to show today’s movie.  They thought it would be better saved for a time when a larger group of members were present to enjoy it.

 

NEXT MEETING - Our Next Meeting will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on March 4th.  The presentation will be “Keepers of the Light” by Jim Evans.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by Gloria Smedley, Recording Secretary

February 8, 2018