Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 2:00pm

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. No guests or new members were present.

MAY’S MEETING MINUTES: On the back podium; Bob will ask for approval later in the meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 367 members for 2023-2024 including 3 reinstated.

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Joe McCarthy – Joe’s Company repaired the portal at Leaman Place Bridge (Lancaster County). He was told by a County official that a 35 year old, driving a mustang, did a “burn out” in the middle of the bridge which tore out the portal. Joe’s Open House at Timber Framers on May 17^th and the mini-safari following to some Lancaster County Bridges went well. Joe has drawings prepared to rehabilitate Bartram’s Bridge (Chester/Delaware Counties) and is waiting for the “go-ahead”. He also hopes to demolish and rebuild Kintersburg Bridge (Indiana County). Concrete work on Rudolph and Arthur Bridge (Chester County) is to start over the summer with his Company doing the timber work.

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie visited the following bridges and reported: Shearer’s Mill (looks good); Knapp’s/Luther’s Mill (looks spectacular, but water pools at both ends); Buttonwood (a few boards missing); Cogan House (mold on north side); Sherman/Harrington/Keepville (looks rough, noted some missing boards); Banks (looks good - accumulates dust on interior white walls); site of Waterford (cranes on site – being completely rehabilitated); and those bridges on the May 18^th mini-safari. Tim and Connie attended a breakfast on the Hayes Clark Bridge in the Laurel Reserve and saw Mary Ann Pyle Bridge. They also visited four PA Welcome Centers to set-up or update displays for “See PA Covered Bridges Week”.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – Bob said PENNDOT in Adams County is not responding to his inquiries about painting Jack’s Mountain Bridge; Knox/Valley Forge Bridge also needs painted, but would be another lengthy approval process since also state-owned. Bob has 7 boxes of old Portals and Wooden Covered Spans; see him if interested in any copies.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Jim and Gloria took a day trip to Lancaster County Bridges to see if work had been completed. Mercer’s Mill, Colemanville and Jackson’s Sawmill Bridges received a new metal roof and looked nice. Keller’s, Zook’s and White Rock Forge Bridges were scheduled for painting and some siding replacement but the work has not been done. Also, most of the flooring for Lime Valley Bridge has been replaced.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Not present, no report

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony and Karen set-up displays at 2 PA Welcome Centers.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam and Frank attended Joe’s Open House at Timber Framers with Jim and Gloria Smedley and saw the wood with the carved skull/crossbones, found when he rehabilitated Dreibelbis Bridge. Joe McCarthy said this carving was randomly carved on all 40 beams; may be warning of arsenic on wood. Pam and Frank also set-up a display at a PA Welcome Center.

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – Judy thanked all who took care of placing/updating displays for the PA Welcome Centers (12 of 13 had displays with 1 center closed).

Historian Fred Moll – Fred is wearing his Pleasantville Covered Bridge shirt that he designed in 2004 for the celebration of its rebuilding. Fred also prepared a booklet containing 41 black and white pictures for that occasion.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Summer PA Crossings Newsletter is today.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Tim Cohen is not here today; he recently fell outside. (2) Tom Walczak and his Dad are doing OK. (3) Michael Chorazy is having spinal surgery this month.

OLD BUSINESS:

Annual Safari – September 14-15 to Washington/Greene County. Quality Inn, Waynesburg, still has four rooms available for the group. T-shirt order forms are at the front table; also in June’s newsletter.

NEW BUSINESS:

Hoss’s Fundraiser – Judy Kuether has cards for you to take to present at Hoss’s for our fundraiser on July 7^th. The Society receives a portion of the proceeds when sales exceed $300. Gathering is 12:30pm with meeting at 2:00pm (you can eat anytime that day). Last year’s earnings were $154.97.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Bob Kuether showed Sara Beth Kohut’s new book “Crossing Under Cover” (available for $20).

PROGRAM TODAY: “Covered Bridges of West Virginia” by Michael Chorazy.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The May 2024 minutes were approved as presented.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, July 7th, 12:30pm for meal at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, 3604 E. Market St. York with meeting to follow at 2:00pm..

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

DRAFT Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, June xx, 2024