The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

St. Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:00pm

 

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:04pm.  He welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Carl Young from Cape Cod and Robert Myers (1st meeting) from Quakertown were in attendance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bob Kuether reminded everyone the May Meeting Minutes are available for review at the sign-in table and will ask for approval later in the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Judy Kuether reported there are currently 383 members for 2021-2022.

 

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

Gloria Smedley – Gloria and Jim attended the mini-safari to NW Lancaster County and the May 16th presentation at the Dillsburg Library by Bob Kuether.

 

Joe McCarthy – Joe reported Bogert’s Bridge is still in the design phase.  Kurtz’s Mill Bridge was a hit and run.  It will need extensive shoring to replace the one post.  Joe and Company continue to rehab Hassenplug Bridge with all timbers in place; put in 9 new vertical posts and 8 new sections of arches.  The old posts are going to be made into plaques and sold per the Mifflinburg Mayor.  Joe has not heard anything about repairs to Sam Wagner Bridge.

 

Carl Young – Carl visited 20 bridges this past week.  Henry Farms Bridge has a lot of vines growing through the lattice work.   Foxcatcher Farm Bridge in MD has a small crack in one main support beam and is closed to park traffic; the state is evaluating how to repair this.

 

Tom Walczak – Tom placed the covered bridge display at the Mercer County Welcome Center (I-80 from Ohio) and included free post cards.  He visited Kidd’s Mill and Diehl’s (Turner’s) Bridges and reported they are in good shape. Tom also shared that New York is dedicating their newly built covered bridge in Bennington on June 9th.  It has an asphalt floor with the wooden beams beneath.

 

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie placed the covered bridge display at the I-90 Welcome Center in Erie.  They saw Banks Bridge (looks phenomenal since newly painted) and attended the mini-safari.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – Bob and Judy attended the mini-safari. Bob did a covered bridge presentation at the Dillsburg Library.

 

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Jim and Gloria took a day trip to Union County to see the progress on Hassenplug Bridge.  The trusses that Joe repaired look great; workers were cutting out the steel grated flooring.  They saw Millmont Bridge which is still closed; Jim found out the Commissioners have been in contact with PennDOT for plans to fix/reopen this bridge.  Also saw Hayes and Aline Bridges.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Ray reported that $1.3 million from the Trexler Fund will be used to rehab Bogert’s Bridge.  He attended a public meeting on June 4th; the two bids to design plans for rehab were submitted by Gilmore & Associates and Joseph Lehman.  Ray also gave a recommendation for Lancaster County Timber Framing/Joe McCarthy for the construction work.  He saw Geiger’s Bridge which still has the siding and roof off; he sent an e-mail to Penn DOT for status on reparis.  Ray thanked Tony and Karen Abramo for a fun mini-safari.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Pam, Frank and Judy Kuether went to Pike County and Delaware Gap to put the covered bridge displays at the PA Welcome Centers.  Bob and Judy Kuether and Frank and Pam Mailey placed the covered bridge display at the I-81 Welcome Center in Adams County and then saw Martin’s Mill, Witherspoon and Ramp Covered Bridges. Frank and Pam also attended the mini-safari.

 

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony and Karen saw Osterburg, Snook’s, Dr. Knisley, Ryot and Cuppett’s Bridges in Bedford County.  He reported all are in good condition; however, Dr. Knisely could use some minor sideboard repairs and painting.  Tony recommended stopping at the Reynoldsdale Fish Hatchery Visitor Center near Dr. Knisley’s Bridge.

 

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – May 16th was the Covered Bridge presentation by Bob Kuether at the Dillsburg Library on Adams County Bridges, lost bridges of Cumberland County and lost bridges across the Susquehanna River. Jim and Gloria Smedley, Greg Williams, Pam and Frank Mailey, Bob and Judy Kuether attended.  Although there were only 4 other attendees, they had many questions and enjoyed the presentation.  TBCBSP donated covered bridge books to the library. Pam shared an article from the Spring and Summer Recreation & Fun Guide by Kapp Advertising entitled “Visit a Covered Bridge”.  This included myths and the real reason the bridges are covered, to prevent deterioration of the wooden parts caused by weather.

 

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.

 

Treasurer Judy Kuether – See Frank and Bob’s reports.

 

Historian Fred Moll – Not present; no report.

 

NEWSLETTER: Jim Smedley reported the electronic edition will be sent out June 8th, before Gloria and he go to NY for the Covered Bridge Leaders’ Summit.   The hard copy will be mailed June 13th.

 

ILLNESS/DEATH of MEMBERS: (1) Member Ed Shields died June 2nd.  (2) Jim Smedley spoke with Ginny Eyrich; she is in Complete Care at Berkshire Nursing Home. (3)Tim Cohen is having dehydration issues and is currently unable to drive. (4) Steve and Gloria Wolfhope are recuperating from COVID.  (5) Bob Kuether had a recent, bad fall and is walking with a cane.  (6) Pam Mailey is having repeat carpal tunnel surgery on June 24th.

 

OLD BUSINESS: (1) Bob Kuether reported he ordered 10,000 Rack Cards with the PA Welcome Centers receiving 6,000.  Thanks to Jim and Gloria Smedley, Pam and Frank Mailey and Bob and Judy Kuether for sorting into packets of 100 and shrink wrapping them.  (2) Seven Wooden Covered Spans were returned for incomplete postage (post office error).  Everyone should have received their copy.  (3) Judy reported the next meeting will be a Hoss in East York for a fundraiser.    There is a limited menu due to staffing.  Plan to eat at 12:30 pm with meeting around 2:00 pm. Judy has cards to accompany each bill to share with friends/family. We need to have $300 in orders to receive a percentage of the sales. (4)Tim and Connie McLaughlin reported on the Annual Safari to Bucks County August 20-21; this includes a visit to Green Sargeant’s Bridge in NJ. They obtained permission to drive/caravan through the park, down to Schofield Ford Bridge.  This will be the last bridge on Sunday, followed by many selections for lunch in the area. Order forms for the Safari t-shirt are available and will be in the upcoming newsletter; deadline to order is July 10th.

 

NEW BUSINESS: (1) Judy Kuether discussed the September Picnic at Poole Forge and took a vote to decide if it will be pot-luck to share food or bring your own meal.  The majority voted for pot luck as done pre-COVID. (2) Bob Kuether polled the group for interest in attending a Senators Baseball Game against the Reading Phillies in August.  Frank Mailey has a call into Group Sales for more information; there is also the option for a catered meal before the game (more information will be provided at July’s meeting.  (3) Bob Kuether announced we will collect donations of food items for this church’s Food Pantry at our August meeting; no bottles are accepted. (4) Bob Kuether also polled the group for interest in going to Koziar’s Christmas Village to see the light displays and covered bridge.  Tentative date is Saturday, November 5th or 12th.  Pam Mailey announced if we have more than 20 attending, we receive a group discount and a free guide to lead the group through.  (5) Best wishes to Janet Orlandi who is present today and moving to Missouri.

 

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS:  (1) Pam Mailey showed the crock she bought from a consignment store with a painting of Harmony/Gibson Bridge. She also purchased another larger crock of a covered with Amish Buggy that will be raffled off at the December Christmas dinner.  (2) Jim Smedley showed the book by Scott Bomboy entitled “Wooden Treasures, The Story of Bucks County’s Covered Bridges”.  It is 200 pages with 220 photos, many courtesy of the TBCBSP archives and provided by Jim. List price is $29.99.

 

NEXT MEETING: Fundraiser (meal and meeting) on Saturday, July 9th at Hoss’ Restaurant, East York.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The May 2022 meeting minutes were approved as presented. 

PROGRAM TODAY:  Game Day; Bingo led by Judy Kuether.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:20pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted by Pamela Mailey, Recording Secretary, June 23, 2022.