Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society
of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Manheim Farm Show Building/Community
Center
Sunday, November 7, 2021 2:00 p.m.
President Bob Kuether
called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m. He welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Bob Kuether reminded everyone the October 2021 Meeting Minutes
are available for review at the back table; he will ask for approval later in
the meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Judy Kuether
reported there are currently 273 members for 2021-2022, including 9 new members
this month, 19 less members than a year ago.
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Heather Watkins:
Heather and Paul visited 3 bridges in Sullivan County; all in good shape
and Sonestown Bridge had been repaired and is open to traffic.
Greg Williams:
Saw the fire damaged Waggoner’s Mill.
Pat Cook: Saw Waggoner’s Mill, Kauffman’s Distillery,
Adairs and New Germantown bridges.
Tim Cohen:
Saw Smith Bridge which is still open, despite repairs not done.
Connie
McLaughlin: Reports Harmony
Hill Bridge is still closed. Also, saw a
bridge in Burlington VT. She was in Glimmerglass
State Park near Cooperstown, NY, but didn’t see any signs for the Hyde Hall Covered
Bridge. Jim shared the
bridge is the oldest bridge in existence.
Bonnie Shultz:
Bonnie shared an article from Country Extra Magazine about Ashtabula, OH
covered bridges.
Fran Krecek:
Fran is from Lancaster County Visitor’s Center and reported she is
giving out more information about covered bridges with increased interest.
Ted and Beth Smith:
Saw Cornwall Bridge in CT; also saw a covered bridge in Upper Sheffield,
MA that had a sign posted indicating the first UFO incident occurred here
(verified as true).
Dave Evans: Shared the Uncovering PA link by Jim
Sheine that includes waterfalls and about 15 covered
bridges with directions to get to them.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Bob Kuether: Bob is busy with the Country Store
and membership dues.
First Vice President Jim Smedley: Jim doesn’t have any update on Waggoner’s
Mill Bridge.
Second
Vice President Ray Finkelstein:
Ray saw Rock (nice) and Zimmerman’s (weathered) bridges in Schuylkill County.
Third Vice President Frank Mailey:
No report.
Fourth Vice President Tony Abramo:
No report.
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey:
The Officers’ Annual Reports are available for review.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey: Pam thanked everyone for the food donations
that her church will take to the Manheim Central Food Pantry.
Treasurer Judy Kuether: No report.
Historian
Fred Moll: No report.
ILLNESSES/DEATHS
of MEMBERS: Ray
Finkelstein reported fellow member of the White Hill Historical Society and
past member of TBCBSP, Jeff Donat, passed away last
week. Michael Chorazy
reported Ruth Ann Miner, previous governor of DE, passed away at age 86; she
was instrumental in having the Smith Bridge rebuilt. Bob Kuether
reported Doris Taylor shared that Peggy Taylor is in a long term care home with
Alzheimers (see Bob for address). Frank Mailey has
blocked arteries in legs and heart; will see surgeon next week to determine
next steps. Jim Smedley thanked everyone
for the cards after his 2 serious falls and the death of his 99 year old
mother.
OLD BUSINESS: Bob Kuether reported the Bloomsburg Covered Bridge Festival
(October 6-9) was successful; we had double the display space and almost $9,000
in sales. He thanked the helpers: Frank/Pam Mailey,
Doris Musselman, Ray/Linda Finkelstein, Tony/Karen Abramo and Tim/Connie McLaughlin. Bloomsburg charges a
mercantile tax for sales over $5,000; the society only owed $5.92.
Judy Kuether reported the Holiday Luncheon will be December 12th
at Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet in New Holland with a Sunday Brunch, gather
starting at 11:00 a.m. and meal beginning at 11:30 a.m. Judy will email the list of attendees for the
Christmas card exchange. If you paid for the 2020 Anniversary Dinner that was
cancelled due to COVID, see Judy so your money is credited to this meal.
HONORING
of VETERANS: Pam Mailey
led the ceremony. The following were honored
for their service to our country as a soldier, protector and hero: Ray Finkelstein, Air Force; Don Gunzenhauser, Army; Tina Conn, Navy; Bob Kuether, Army; Jim Smedley, Army
Reserve; Ted Smith, Army.
NEW
BUSINESS: Bob Kuether announced we
will decorate the Historic Poole Forge Covered Bridge, gazebo and place a Christmas
tree in the mansion on Saturday November 20th starting at 9:00 a.m. We
need volunteers to climb ladders to hang garland and wreaths. We will also address dues reminder cards and
prepare bags for the Christmas card exchange.
The Country Store will be at the Christmas Craft Show at the Harrisburg
Farm Show Building from December 1-5.
Connie McLaughlin’s sister works at a College near Ohio and asked about
having a speaker for a Zoom class about covered bridges. Connie asked for anyone that would be
interested to contact her.
NEW
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Tina
Chandler reported that Tractor Supply has popcorn tins with a covered bridge
picture. Steve Wolfhope
said the 2021 World Guide is out and includes a new PA bridge in Jefferson
County. The Guides will be available for
$15 at the Executive Board Meeting on November 13th and the December 12th
Holiday Luncheon.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October meeting minutes were approved as
presented.
PROGRAM
TODAY: Power point
presentation by Jim Smedley of Old Covered Bridge Post Cards.
NEXT
MEETING: Holiday
Luncheon on Sunday, December 12th at 11:00 AM
at Yoder’s Restaurant and Buffet in New Holland. The Executive Board Meeting
will be Saturday, November 13th at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in
Manheim, from 9:30AM – 3:00PM.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:25
p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, November 29, 2021