Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 2:00pm

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Members Scott and Linn Bomboy were introduced (attending their 1st meeting).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 366 members for 2023-2024 (8 less than a year ago) with 1 new member, Janice Sebastian from Wyomissing, PA.

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie saw 6 Chester County bridges and took snow pictures. They also saw Knox Bridge at sundown and noted a lot of mildew on it.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – A silent auction of books and pictures from the Country Store is at the back tables. He also ordered 10,000 Rack Cards which were counted and wrapped in packs of 100; Bob and Judy delivered 6,400 Cards to “Gateway on Display” for PA Welcome Centers.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Since our December meeting, Jim and Gloria visited 20 bridges in PA and 3 in MD. Their highlight was seeing the recently rehabilitated Zimmerman Bridge in Schuylkill County and Factory Bridge in Union County which both look really nice. They also visited the Herr’s Mill Bridge at Stone Gables Estate (Elizabethtown) which was decorated with many holiday lights.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Ray thanked all for prayers, cards and kindness in the passing of Linda’s Mom. He sees Bogart Bridge frequently & plans to attend the May 7th Community Night.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Frank and Pam saw 7 bridges; Pam will elaborate.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony reported Shenk’s Mill Bridge needs cleaned up and painted (moss is growing on it). He also drove the route for the upcoming Mini-Safari.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – In February, Pam and Frank traveled to Snyder and Juniata Counties and saw: Aline (brush cleared and needs painted); Dreese’s (slight lean to left, portals need painted); Klinepeter’s (cameras at each portal and lights inside); North Oriental (looks good but 1 board off upper portal); East Oriental (saw across field, in poor condition, roof caved in). They also saw Red Bridge in Perry County (noted previous graffiti at portal was removed) and Landis Mill Bridge in Lancaster County.

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – Judy reported donations over $800 for the Preservation Fund at last meeting.

Historian Fred Moll – Fred wrote 2 letters to Berks County Commissioners to paint Griesemer’s Bridge; he was informed the bridge is 5^th on the list for repairs. He wrote a 3rd letter regarding Wertz Bridge and applying NoChar. On March 7^th, he will present to Hamburg High School on rebuilding Dreibelbis Bridge.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Summer Edition of PA Crossings Newsletter is Sunday, June 2, 2024.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Judy Guidara (Altoona) is dealing w/cancer. (2) Ortha Klischer (Milford) passed January 8, 2024. (3) Patricia Tabor (Philadelphia) passed December 31, 2023.

OLD BUSINESS:

Easter Egg Fundraiser – Pam Mailey has eggs ($2) & chocolate covered pretzels ($3.50) for sale today.

Cash Raffle – Gloria Smedley has tickets for sale. The Raffle drawing will be held at the May Anniversary dinner with prizes of 35%, 10% and 5% of total collected.

Calendar Updates – Bob Kuether has 20 calendars remaining for 2024 at a reduced price of $7. Jim Smedley needs photos for the 2025 calendar; send to him by March 17^th.

NEW BUSINESS:

65^th Anniversary Dinner – Sunday, May 5th at Yoder’s Family Restaurant; Bob would like 65 attendees!

Annual Safari, September 14-15 – Bob and Judy Kuether are the leaders. The Safari is to Washington/ Greene Counties. The Quality Inn, Waynesburg has saved 25 rooms for our group.

Mini-Safari, May 18^th – Tony Abramo is leading the Safari to 6 bridges in Dauphin, Schuylkill and Berks Counties. The Safari begins at Fort Hunter/Everhart Bridge at 8:30am. A lunch stop at Pine Grove Diner and group photo at Henninger Bridge is included. Driving distance is 112 miles; will be about 6 hours.

See PA Covered Bridges Week, May 11-19 – Judy Kuether is looking for volunteers to update the display board for a PA Welcome Center then, set-up, remove and store the board. Judy will supply the table, table covers and handouts (tables and covers will be returned to Judy for use at other events). Judy will contact the Erie Welcome Center about keeping their display board and updating the pictures. Judy will also contact Tom Walczak about the poster for the boards.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Christine Weaver shared a new Gettysburg map/guide that included Sachs Bridge. (2) Sara Beth Kohut’s book, “Crossing Under Cover” will be available for sale in about 2 months at $19.99. It covers the 14 bridges of Chester County, some in Lancaster County, 2 in NE Maryland and Delaware. (3) Jim and Gloria Smedley received donations of picture scrapbooks from Shirley Ebersole, Franklin County; they scanned photos of bridges no longer existing. Scrapbooks are at the back table with the auction. (4) Darlene Bucher donated books and other items to the Society.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The December 2023 minutes were approved as presented.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, April 7th at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. Bake Sale and Food donations. Program will be “Covered Bridges of Lehigh County” by Ray Finkelstein.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:55pm.

Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, March 30, 2024