Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, East York, PA

Sunday, July 7, 2024

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 1:58 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. No guests or new members were present.

JUNE’S MEETING MINUTES: Are on side table; Bob will ask for approval later in the meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 370 members for 2023-2024 with 1 new life member, Gary Krick from Newburgh, IN. (Life Member #112).

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Greg Williams – Greg visited the following bridges: Fleisher’s, Klinepeter’s, Dreese’s (needs paint job) and Aline (flowers were at one portal, brush/trees at other portal). He also stopped at Red Bridge and spoke with Nathan Lesh from the Perry County Historical Society who was filling in stones at each portal end; he had also painted the portals white and removed the graffiti inside the bridge. A security system has been installed and a bench is to be placed there.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – Bob said it is not going to work out to paint Jack’s Mountain Bridge and asked for other suggestions of bridges to paint.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Jim and Gloria traveled to Frederick County, MD to see the new headache bars installed at Loys Station and Utica Mills Bridges. The bars were installed away from the bridges, providing turnaround areas for over-sized vehicles. They saw about 15 roadsters, including a 1909 Ford at the bridge and took a picture of them going through. They also spent 3 days in NH and VT with Frank & Pam Mailey to visit various covered bridges.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Ray reported Schlicher’s Bridge in Lehigh County was hit by an over-sized box truck on June 24^th; the truck tore the whole portal off.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – No report.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Frank and Pam travelled with Jim and Gloria Smedley to attend the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges Meeting on Contoocook Covered Bridge (NH) and visit various bridges. The meeting was changed to a Zoom meeting due to severe storm warnings, so they visited more bridges instead. In NY, they visited Blenheim Bridge (double barrel) and Lily Park (non-authentic). They stopped at the following bridges in VT: Henry, Paper Mill, Silk, Williamsville (damage to roof brace inside portal with bungee cords supporting it), West Dummerston and Creamery. In NH they visited West Swanzey, Cresson, Slate, Coombs, Ashuelot (rotting wood and peeling paint), Green River (beautiful scenery with waterfalls, nice reflection of bridge in water) and Carlton. On their way home, they visited Pumping Station in MA, and 2 bridges in PA: Zimmerman’s and Rock (had deck and handicap ramp built there).

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – Not present.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

Historian Fred Moll – Not present; no report.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Fall PA Crossings Newsletter is October 6^th.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Jim Smedley spoke to Michael Chorazy who had major spinal surgery on June 19^th; he will be starting rehab in 2 weeks and was grateful for the cards/notes he received. (2) Joe Calabrese reported Ginny Eyrich is now in a Nursing Home.

OLD BUSINESS:

Annual Safari – September 14-15 to Washington& Greene Counties. The group is staying at Quality Inn, Waynesburg; 25 rooms are reserved with 5 more still available. Safari T-shirt orders are due at the next meeting, August 4^th.

NEW BUSINESS: Bob Kuether thanked Frank and Pam Mailey for delivering Country Store items to Lancaster Visitor’s Center for their gift shop. He also thanked Jim Smedley for helping him pick-up donations of old newsletters and books.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Bob Kuether said Sara Beth Kohut’s new book “Crossing Under Cover” is available for $20 and 2025 Calendars are for sale for $11.

NO PROGRAM TODAY: Meal at Hoss’s Steak and Sea House

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

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, August 4^th at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA. The Program will be “Covered Bridges over Octoraro Creek” by Sara Beth Kohut.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:22 pm.

Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, July 27, 2024