The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, New
Holland, PA
Sunday, May 1, 2022 at 11:30am
The TBCBSP Annual Anniversary Dinner
was held at Yoder’s Restaurant/Buffet, beginning with a brunch buffet followed
by the monthly meeting. President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 1:05pm. He welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Bob Kuether
introduced his sister Mary, from Minnesota and her son David from Ohio, sister
Carol, from Harrisburg and cousin Irene, from Lebanon.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Bob Kuether reminded everyone the April Meeting Minutes are
available for review at side table and will ask for approval later in the
meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Judy Kuether
reported there are currently 382 members for 2021-2022, four more than a year
ago.
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Joe McCarthy – Joe and Company are currently rehabbing
Hassenplug Bridge; this includes new I-beams, with
the oak floor and running boards to be put back. Siding and flooring is planned for June.
Joe reported Dreibelbis
Station Bridge looks fantastic, however a woodpecker pecked a hole at one end, in
the portal. His office has also been in
contact with people about repairing Bogert’s Bridge.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Bob Kuether
– No report.
First Vice
President Jim Smedley
– Not present.
Second
Vice President Ray Finkelstein –
Ray announced Geiger’s Bridge is in the process of repair; all siding and
roofing are off. PA Department of
Transportation gave $1.3M in grant monies to help rebuild Bogert’s
Bridge. Ray will try to attend the May
20th Public Meeting about this.
Third Vice President Frank Mailey
– No report.
Fourth Vice President Tony Abramo
– Tony and Karen delivered displays to I-81 and US-15 PA Welcome Centers. They saw Keefer Mill Bridge in Montour County
and noted the inside is covered in graffiti. They also saw Newfield Bridge in
NY; it is in good shape and has a sprinkler system.
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam and Frank saw Gibson’s Bridge; looks nice
but moss and twigs need cleaned off the roof.
Monday, May 16th is the Covered Bridge presentation by
Bob/Judy Kuether at Dillsburg Library. Pam and Bob Kuether
placed displays at the Washington and Green County PA Welcome Centers; doing
Pike County and Delaware Gap tomorrow.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey
– No report.
Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.
Historian Fred Moll – Pleasantville Covered Bridge was hit
again; they have the license plate number of the truck that damaged the bridge.
NEWSLETTER:
Gloria Smedley reported the deadline to
submit information for the next Newsletter is Sunday, June 5th. Members should receive the Newsletter around
June 10th.
ILLNESS/DEATH
of MEMBERS: (1) James McCauley, husband of member
Barbara McCauley died on April 20th. (2) Judy Kuether
thanked everyone for concerns, calls and cards during her extended illness.
OLD BUSINESS: (1) Bob
Kuether thanked Jim & Gloria Smedley and group
for reviewing and selecting the photos for the 2023 Calendar. 400 calendars were ordered. (2) Governor
Wolf’s Proclamation for “See PA Covered Bridges Week” was read by Marianne
Calabrese. (3) Bob Kuether
said volunteers are placing display boards in the 13 PA Welcome Centers; some
will keep as permanent displays with pictures changing seasonally. (4) Pam Mailey reported 316 Easter Eggs and various bags of
Chocolate Covered Pretzels were sold at the March & April meetings as a
fundraiser (instead of bake sale) with proceeds of $170.50 for the Society. (5) Ray Finkelstein has the Wooden
Covered Spans today for pick-up. The
remainder will be mailed to members next week.
Let Ray know if you have a story about a bridge or which one is your
favorite for the next publication! (6) Tony
Abramo reminded all of the upcoming Mini-Safari on Saturday,
May 21st to see 6 bridges in NW Lancaster County.
NEW
BUSINESS: (1) Gloria Smedley reported on the Annual
Safari to Bucks County on August 19-20. Connie McLaughlin designed the T-shirt for
the safari (a screen print on a purple shirt).
Order forms will be emailed and will be included in the June Newsletter.
(2) Country Store items are for sale at the back tables including calendars,
miscellaneous sweatshirts, Perry County t-shirts, puzzles, books and flags.
NEW
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Heather Watkins donated Lenox items which Gloria Smedley has been
selling on e-bay with $146 received to date. (2) Bob Kuether
is considering 3 different bridge designs to make a new t-shirt.
NEXT
MEETING: June 5th at St. Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia at
2:00 pm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The April meeting minutes were
approved as presented.
NO PROGRAM TODAY (due to Anniversary Dinner)
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted
by Pamela Mailey, Recording Secretary, May 21, 2022.