The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting and Annual
Picnic
Manheim Farm Show Building
Sunday, October 4, 2020 2:00 p.m.
President Tom Walczak
called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. He welcomed everyone to our first meeting at
this location. The church in Manheim is
not available for meetings at least through the end of 2020. Tom welcomed Pam Mailey
as the new Recording Secretary.
.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Tom
reminded everyone the minutes for September are available for review and he
will ask for approval later in the meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: There are 220 members renewed for 2020-2021,
including four new members from the calendar insert. Balance on hand for all four accounts is $20,945.54. The report was approved as read and will be
filed for audit
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Connie McLaughlin reported Harmony Hill
looks good and is now one-way to drive through.
Pat Cook reported Kauffman’s
Distillery looks good.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Tom Walczak
visited 3 bridges yesterday: Walter’s
Mill (Cox Creek); Glessner which had a lot of people around;
and New Baltimore Bridge where he saw two bald eagles. Today he saw Siegrist’s
Mill, Forry’s Mill and Shearer’s.
First Vice
President Jim Smedley and Gloria went to Dreibelbis Station to see the finished bridge and saw four
other bridges in Berks County. Greisemer’s Mill is ready for painting again. The deadline
for PA Crossings is today. You should receive the Newsletter around October 12th.
Second
Vice President Ray Finkelstein
– No report.
Third Vice President Frank Mailey
– No report.
Fourth Vice President Rob Griner
– Not present.
Treasurer Bob Kuether – No report.
Historian Fred Moll
- Fred is finalizing his program for the November meeting, “In the
Beginning-Slides of Vera Wagner”. The
Berks Heritage Center, where Wertz’s Red Bridge is located, will be closed from
October 8-21 for a paving project; you can still visit the bridge. Fred visited
five bridges in Berks County: Kutz’s Mill, Wertz’s and Pleasantville are in good
condition; Greisemer’s Mill has some rust and peeling
paint, but solid and the new Dreibelbis Bridge. Fred will bring his collection of over 200
pictures of the reconstruction of Dreibelbis to
upcoming meetings.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey -
No report
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey -
Thank you for well wishes and support as I take on this position.
ILLNESSES/DEATHS
of MEMBERS:
Condolences go out to Bill Caswell,
President of the National Society, on the death of his father. Condolences also to Martha Grove from Maryland
on the death of her long-term companion, Charlie Whitmore. Tom received a message from Ortha Klischer’s daughter that
she says hello and misses all. Ortha is 97y.o and at Assisted
Living Home Twin Cedars, 122 Gregory Circle, Milford, PA 18337. Send card or email to attention of her
daughter, Ortha Sosiewicz (oaks51@optimum.net). Gloria Wolfhope spoke to Olive Jones who says hello and reports
health is about the same.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jim Smedley
discussed plans for next year’s safari.
The 2021 Safari is tentatively planned for May 22-24 to southeastern
Ohio (same as originally planned this year).
He has to contact the motel to see if those dates are available and get
new pricing. General information will
appear in the October Newsletter with more details provided in the February
2021 Newsletter.
NEW
BUSINESS:
Tom Walczak
announced all major covered bridge associated festivals have been cancelled
this year due to COVID-19:
Washington-Greene County, Ashtabula Ohio, Parke City Indiana, Madison
County Iowa, Knoebels Covered Bridge Festival and Harrisburg
PA Christmas Show.
Gloria Smedley
is selling covered bridge items on Ebay, and sold
over $1000 in the last few months. Since
the Society is set-up as non-profit, there are no fees. Search for The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society, of PA, Inc. to view items for sale.
Gloria is going to check into Amazon Smile for TBCBSP to receive percentage
of purchases (National Society does this).
Tony Abramo
discussed plans for the one day safari he will lead on October 17, 2020 to see 7
Lancaster County bridges (one is a drive-through only due to lack of parking). Meet at Sheetz off
of Columbia Exit of Rt. 30 to leave at 8:45am.
His vehicle will have a large American flag on the back. Fliers are available on the back table.
Connie McLaughlin talked with the owner
of Cat’s Meow Village Figurines, who wants to make more figurines of covered
bridges and needs photos. See Connie for
a list of the requested National Bridges
(some are PA). TBCBS will receive
a percentage of the sales if she uses our photo and puts TBCBSP and bridge history
on the back.
Connie McLaughlin reported the Poole
Forge Car show/fundraiser is October 18th; cost is $10 per car.
Judy Kuether
located this building for our monthly meetings since the church is not
available at least for the remainder of 2020.
Discussion was held about this meeting location at Manheim Farm Show
Building. Although the cost is $100 per meeting, can ensure social distancing
since a larger building, do not have to move tables and chairs around, has
ample parking, is handicap accessible, has a kitchen and separate meeting room,
and the room can be darkened for presentations.
Jim Smedley proposed to reserve this building
for 2020 and 2021 which would be approximately six meetings with occupancy from
1:30pm– 4:30pm. A motion was made by
Gloria Wolfhope, seconded by Tina Chandler and
carried to continue meeting here through 2021.
There will be future discussion for meeting location of the March 2021
Board Meeting.
The idea of holding the traditional
bake sale at November’s meeting was discussed. Profit is usually
$160-$180. A motion was made by Connie
McLaughlin, seconded by Tina Chandler, and motion carried to hold the bake
sale. Participation is voluntary and all
items should be individually wrapped, ready for purchase. Tina has access to large coffee urns if
needed.
November 21st will be
decorating the Poole Forge covered bridge and gazebo. We will not need to prepare bags for the
Christmas Cards or dues reminders; also no luncheon/snacks. We will only have access to the Tenant House
to warm-up or use the restroom.
December 6th Meeting will be
at Manheim Farm Show Building. A motion was made with all in favor,
to cancel our holiday dinner at Shady Maple Smorgasbord due to Covid-19
restrictions. This meeting will include
a program by Bob Kuether and the Christmas Card
Exchange. Donations may also be made to
the Preservation Fund.
MEMORIAL
SERVICE:
Pam Heisey
conducted the service to remember our deceased members and their years in the
TBCBSP. Rex Crandall(4), Donna
Freeland(10), Rose Giannattasio(19), Martha
Heist(23), Rudy Katrencik(15), Gertrude Kneil(10-LIFE), Curtis Miller(37), Herbert Orland(15), June
Roy(48) and Donald Yeager(8).
ANNUAL
REPORT:
Tom presented his annual report and
concluded that the Society is in good hands with a good core of members
attending and officers keeping an interesting, active and viable society.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September minutes were approved as
presented.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:33
p.m.
NEXT
MEETING: Next meeting
will be held on November 1, 2020 2:00 p.m. at Manheim Farm Show Building.
Respectfully Submitted: Pam
Mailey, Recording Secretary, November 2, 2020.