The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society
of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Manheim Farm Show Building/Community
Center
Sunday, April 11, 2021 2:00 p.m.
Vice-President Jim Smedley called the
meeting to order at 2:10PM welcoming everyone.
He reminded all of the need to continue social distancing and wearing a
mask. Jim led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jim reported that Tom Walczak,
President, would not be at the meeting due to the declining health of his dad,
Anthony, after heart attack on February 13th and placement in Long
Term Care Facility.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Jim reminded
everyone the November 2020 Meeting Minutes are available for review on the back
table; he will ask for approval later in the meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: There are currently 377 members, 6 more members
than a year ago. The report was approved as read and will be filed for audit.
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Joe McCarthy:
Dreibelbis CB looks good; he looked underneath Bogart’s CB and notes
danger of further damage. Rehab is planned
for Hassenplug CB starting June-July and Bartram’s CB this Fall.
Bonnie Shultz: visited Campbell Bridge, only CB in S.
Carolina; is painted and looks nice.
Connie McLaughlin:
saw Gibson’s, Smith and Speakman CBs; no changes noted.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Tom Walczak: reported the contract for $440,000 to
repair and paint Bank’s Bridge; work was to begin April 5th. Tom
contacted the Governor’s Office about the Proclamation for “See PA Covered
Bridges Week”. He will also have the
poster ready for Jim to email to everyone.
First Vice
President Jim Smedley: Beach Fork/Mt. Zion CB in Kentucky burned
down in March after a large explosion (had just been rehabilitated about 2
years ago). A message from Bill Caswell
advised that Barnyard Bridge, a new CB near Hartford, Connecticut is nearing
completion.
Second Vice
President Ray Finkelstein
– Ray walked the area of Wehr’s CB and
noted the abutment was hit and damaged.
Guth’s CB is still closed and PennDOT has not returned his call of
inquiry. As of February 13, 2021, $1.165M is committed for Bogert’s CB rehab;
also looking to get $1.3M Grant from PA Conservation Grant and Resources.
Third Vice President Frank Mailey – No report.
Fourth Vice President Bob Griner – Not present, no report.
Treasurer Bob Kuether – No report
Historian Fred Moll
- Fred sees Dreibelbis CB frequently; it is still shining brightly and
in good shape.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey - No report
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam and Frank saw Harmony Hill CB near
West Chester; only one-way traffic and hasn’t had chance to drive through it
yet.
NEWS
LETTER:
Jim Smedley reported the deadline to
submit information is Sunday, June 6, 2021.
ILLNESSES/DEATHS
of MEMBERS:
Member David Lee Hoke, 86, from
Lancaster, PA passed away on November 14, 2020.
Anthony Walczak, Tom’s dad, is in long
term care facility.
Has anyone heard about Ben and June
Evans (reportedly they moved)?
OLD BUSINESS:
Connie
McLaughlin: pictures of CB for The Cat’s
Meow wooden displays are on back table.
The first to be released are: Green Sergeant CB, NJ, Humpback CB, VA,
Knox CB, PA and Zumbrota CB, MN with plans to release 10 in all. The TBCBSP
logo is on back side; the society will receive $2 for each sold.
NEW
BUSINESS:
May 2nd meeting was to be the
Anniversary Dinner at Dutch-Way; however, due to COVID-19, the full buffet is
not open, cost increased and we would be limited to 40 attendees. Proposal is to meet at Manheim Community
Center for a pizza party, from local business, with no cost to members
(donations can be made). Members agreed
to a variety of pizzas and drinks. Jim
will send an email out to respond if attending and preference for kind of
pizza.
June 6th meeting is as
scheduled at Manheim Community Center.
July 4th meeting was to be the
fundraiser at Hoss’ in Lititz, however the business is closed. Our regular business meeting is changed to
July 11th at Manheim Community Center with Bob Kuether presenting
the program, “Covered Bridges of Cumberland County, Part 2”.
August 1st meeting will be at
Manheim Community Canter; September 12th meeting will be the annual
picnic at Poole Forge.
See “PA Covered Bridges Week” is May
8-16th. Volunteers are needed
to place displays and handouts in the 11 PA Welcome Centers during business
hours of 9:00AM-5:30PM. Some centers
have already contacted Judy, requesting displays. See Judy if you can help.
Tony Abramo is planning a one-day Safari
for Saturday, June 19th through Northern Lancaster County. Stops will be made at 8 covered bridges with
a lunch stop at Terry Hill restaurant (see handout).
Jim Smedley is going forward with plans
for Southeastern Ohio Safari August 28-30th (Saturday, Sunday and ½
day Monday). He and Gloria will travel to Ohio late May to check on motel and
lunch accommodations (if lunch sites are unavailable, may need to pack). Further information will be provided in June
issue of PA Crossings, including t-shirt order form and reservation
information.
Jim Smedley reported the 2022 Calendars
should arrive by end of April to have at the May meeting; 93 new photos were
submitted by 20 members. There are 5
photos of bridges in the 2022 calendar that have never been in any of our
calendars. Congratulations to Connie
McLaughlin who has 3 photos in the new calendar; her photo of Hall’s Mill in
Bedford County was the highest-rated photo and will be on the cover. We sold 425 calendars last year and had to
turn down 25 more orders; ordered 400 calendars for this year (the ad in PA
Magazine may have increased orders last year).
Country Store should also be at festivals this year which will help with
calendar sales.
Judy Kuether reported she received a
check for $15.48 in February for use of Amazon Smiles. If you purchase anything on Amazon, remember
to select TBCBSP as charity so we receive a percentage of sales.
Tony Abramo asked if anyone would be
interested in a used jigsaw puzzle exchange.
Response was positive. Please contact Tony so this can be planned.
NEW
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS:
Bob Kuether indicated the Twins Covered
Bridge puzzle is for sale at the back table.
Connie McLaughlin reported she took an
old, wooden CB item and refurbished it for a mailbox w/address plaque.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November’s meeting minutes were
approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
NEXT
MEETING: Next meeting
will be held on May 2, 2021, 2:00PM at the Manheim Farm Show Building. There will be a no-cost to members pizza
luncheon followed by the business meeting; there will not be a program.
PROGRAM TODAY: Bob Kuether: “Covered Bridges of Cumberland County, Part 1”
Respectfully Submitted by Pam
Mailey, Recording Secretary, May 1, 2021.