The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Manheim Farm Show Building/Community
Center
Sunday, August 1, 2021 2:00 p.m.
President Tom Walczak
called the meeting to order at 2:08 PM, welcoming everyone and led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Tom Walczak reminded everyone the July 2021 Meeting Minutes are
available for review on the back table; he will ask for approval later in the
meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Bob Kuether
reported there are 379 members, 8 more than a year ago.
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Connie McLaughlin:
Rapp’s Dam Bridge is closed since hit again; took whole portal and first
4-6 knee braces out.
Joe McCarthy: Rapp’s Dam Bridge had ornate portals
with crown molding and gingerbread cut; will be more costly to replace. He hasn’t heard about the contract to
rehabilitate Kintersburg Bridge. Joe is also waiting to hear of commitment for
Bartram Bridge rehab. Repairs on Hassenplug Bridge
will begin end of September. Joe also
received a call to put in new floor at Shearer’s Bridge.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Tom Walczak –
Tom has not visited any bridges since last meeting. Watson’s Settlement Bridge
in Maine was destroyed by fire on July 19th; it was built in 1911. The
US Postal Service is unveiling a new postage stamp of Bollinger Mill Covered
Bridge in Missouri for the state’s Bicentennial.
First Vice President Jim Smedley:
Jim will research to order the postage stamps from Missouri of first-
day issue; he will send out an email of the information. The start to rehab the Waterford Bridge in
Erie County has been delayed until spring 2022.
Second
Vice President Ray Finkelstein
– No report
Third Vice President Frank Mailey
– No report
Fourth Vice President Bob Griner
– Not present.
Treasurer Bob Kuether – Saw Hunsecker’s
Bridge, took pictures to use for a new T-shirt. Bob expressed thanks for the
cards/well wishes for his 70th birthday and his/Judy’s 49th
anniversary.
Historian Fred Moll - The headache bar (height
restriction device) on Pleasantville Bridge was destroyed by an oversize
garbage truck; it has been 18 months since the last time this was hit and saved
the bridge. Fred previously wrote to the
Berks County Commissioners, suggesting they move the device away from the
abutments to save future repair costs by a stone mason; the reply was a
break-away device was going to be installed.
Fred also suggested they install a camera.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey –
No report.
NEWSLETTER:
The deadline to
submit information is October 3rd.
ILLNESSES/DEATHS
of MEMBERS: Paul Styer from Shermansdale passed
away.
OLD BUSINESS: Bob Kuether
presented gifts to Gloria Smedley and Steve Wolfhope as appreciation for their years of service as
officers; 6 yrs. for Gloria, Recording Secretary and 6 yrs. for Steve, 3rd
VP.
Tim and Connie McLaughlin comprise the
Nominating Committee for 2022 Officers. Connie
announced the slate of officers: Tom Walczak is not continuing as president; Bob Griner, 4th VP also wants to step down. Jim
Smedley, Ray Finkelstein, Frank Mailey, Bob Kuether, Fred Moll, Pam Heisey
and Pam Mailey have volunteered to continue in their
current positions. Nominations are being
accepted. Please see Tim or Connie if
you are interested in any position. Current
officers can also run for a vacant position.
September’s meeting will include election of officers.
SAFARI:
Jim Smedley announced
the Safari to SE Ohio is still on for August 28 to 30, 2021. Reception meeting will be Friday August 27th,
at 7:00 p.m. to go over Safari guidelines and cover any last minute
information. We will need to adjust to any mask mandates, so be sure you have a
mask along. About 35 people have
submitted their registration fees to date.
NEW
BUSINESS: Bob Kuether showed a covered bridge quilt that was donated to
the Society. It will be raffled off at
December’s meeting. Tickets are on sale
now – 3 tickets for $1.
October Meeting will be at Manheim
Community Center, starting at 2:00 p.m.
NEW
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Greg
Williams shared a NH covered bridge picture from flea market.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July meeting minutes were approved as
presented.
NEXT
MEETING: Saturday
September 11th at Poole Forge for annual picnic. Bring your own paper products, silverware and
beverages. A decision will be made after
the Ohio Safari if will still be potluck.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:05
p.m.
PROGRAM
TODAY: Bob and Judy Kuether presented a power point of
pictures and information on “Covered Bridges of Cumberland County, Part 2”.
Respectfully Submitted
by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, September 14, 2021.