Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of
Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA
Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 2:00pm
Vice-President
Jim Smedley called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed everyone and led
the Pledge of Allegiance. Malissa Hilliard (Bonnie Shultz’s daughter-in-law)
was introduced as a new life member (#109).
SEPTEMBER MEETING MINUTES: Are at the back table; Jim will ask for
approval later in the meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 380 members for
2022-2023 and 205 members for 2023-2024.
MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:
Tom
Walczak: Tom saw
Spellacy Bridge, a new covered bridge built in Holmes County, OH. It opened September 1, 2023, has 2 spans and
is 300’ long. Tom also received notice
of Ortha Klischer’s 100th birthday on July 7th;
you can still send her a card.
Joe
McCarthy – Joe stated
Lancaster County has money to spend on rehabilitation of covered bridges and
has contacted him to do repairs. Millmont Bridge will be repaired again since it wasn’t done
properly. Joe and his brother, Tim, had a fantastic time on Safari and
expressed thanks to Jim/Gloria.
Paul
Garber – Paul shared
that Factory Bridge at New Columbia is being repaired.
Tim/Connie
McLaughlin – Tim
commended Jim/Gloria Smedley on a great Safari.
In addition, they saw the following bridges: in NY- Munson, Hyde Hall,
Salisbury, Jay, Eagle Mills, Copeland Farms Bridges; in VT – Village,
Sanderson, Gorham, Hammond, Depot, Cooley, East Shoreham Railroad, and Pulp
Mills Bridges. Their total of bridges
was 43 (30 on Safari + 13 others).
Bonnie
Shultz – In addition to
the Safari, Bonnie and Malissa saw Chiselville and
Arlington Bridges in VT, and Eagleville and Buskirk Bridges in NY.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President
Bob Kuether – Not
present
First
Vice-President Jim Smedley
– Jim/Gloria led the VT Safari. They also
saw Zimmerman Bridge in Schuylkill County.
It has been put back over the roadway with roofing, siding and portal
boards being installed. Work is to be
completed by end of October or early November.
Second Vice-President
Ray Finkelstein – Ray
commended Jim/Gloria Smedley and Bill/Jenn Caswell on their leadership on
Safari.
Third
Vice-President Frank Mailey
– Frank/Pam attended the Safari and saw some additional bridges (see Pam’s
report).
Fourth
Vice-President Tony Abramo
– Tony/Karen attended the VT Safari and also saw Taftsville
Bridge (VT). They also saw a Vermont
Covered Bridges Calendar at the Vermont Country Store.
Recording
Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam
and Jim Smedley will be presenting on the History of PA Covered Bridges at the
New Cumberland Library’s Cultural Series on Sunday October 22nd at
3:00pm. Pam Mailey will also present on
Haunted Covered Bridges at the Littlestown Senior Center on October 26th
at 10:00am and at the RedLand Senior Center on
November 2nd at 10:30am. Pam and Frank enjoyed the VT Safari and
also saw 5 Bridges in NH: Rowell, Contoocook Railroad, Dalton, Waterloo, and
Packard Hill. On their way home, they
saw 5 more bridges in VT: Cornish-Windsor,
Worrall, Bartonsville, Hall and the Kissing Bridge at
the VT Country Store.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.
Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.
Historian
Fred Moll – Fred will
be doing a PowerPoint Presentation on Sunday, October 22nd at the
Heritage Center in Berks County; the program is titled “Bridges across the Tulpehocken”, including concrete, iron, stone and 8 covered
bridges.
NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline is
today to submit information for the Fall Edition of PA Crossings Newsletter.
ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1)
Bob Kuether had a car accident and subsequent hand surgery to repair 3
ligaments. (2) Jim wished Connie
McLaughlin well in her continuing treatments and recovery. (3) Tim Cohen is at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital
after having a stroke.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Pam
Heisey conducted a memorial service for members who were reported as deceased
in the last year and ended with a moment of silence. The members were: Russell S. Funk (11/29/2020
– member for 21 years); Charles W. Elflein (9/10/2022 – member 47 years); John
Klucker (1/30/23 – member 9 years); Noelle Green (7/16/2023 – member 13 years).
OLD
BUSINESS: Jim reported there were 77 people on the VT Safari and thanked everyone
for following the guidelines to make it a successful Safari.
BLOOMSBURG COVERED BRIDGE
& ARTS FESTIVAL: Judy
Kuether reported the Festival is October
5th-8th, with set-up on October 4th. With Bob’s accident, he is not able to go, so
she is looking for someone to drive the van to and from the festival.
NEW BUSINESS:
Bake
Sale – Meeting on
November 5th
Decorating
Poole Forge Bridge, Gazebo & Tree - Saturday, November 18th
starting at 9:00am.
Christmas
Dinner –
Sunday, December 3rd at Yoder’s Family Restaurant and Buffet; gather
at 12:00pm, brunch buffet at 12:30pm.
Cost is $23/person; reservation forms will be in your newsletter.
2024
Safari Options – Jim Smedley shared some options for the in-state 2024
Safari and asked for members’ input.
Ideas: Washington-Greene Counties (Judy volunteered she/Bob would lead);
Chester County; Indiana/Clearfield Counties.
Will be discussed at the November Officers’ meeting.
PA
Magazine – Judy was
contacted to include information for ordering the Society’s 2024 Calendar.
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Joe McCarthy and Jim Smedley had
copies of the book, “Theodore Burr and the Bridging of Early America”, which is
available on Amazon for $58 softbound and $60 hardback. (2) Pam Mailey showed a
laser-cut ornament in the shape of a maple leaf with a moose and covered
bridge, that she bought in VT.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The September 2023 minutes were
approved as presented.
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, November 5, 2023 at Saint Paul
Episcopal Church, Columbia PA. This will
also be our 2nd bake sale for the year. The Program will be “Adams County Covered
Bridge History” by President Bob Kuether.
NOTE: Officers Executive Board Annual Meeting, Saturday, November
4th at the church (watch for email of time)
PROGRAM: “Our Society’s Year in Review, October 2022-September
2023” by Gloria Smedley
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:00.
Respectfully submitted by
Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, October 26, 2023