Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of
Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia,
PA
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 2:00 pm
President
Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:00 pm and led the Pledge of
Allegiance. George Rothlingshofer’s sister, Lisa, was
introduced as visiting from Florida.
JULY’S MEETING MINUTES: Are on the back table for review; will
ask for approval later in meeting.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 367 members for
2023-2024.
MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:
Tim
McLaughlin – Tim and
Connie attended the 175th Anniversary of Martin’s Mill Bridge with
Bob and Judy Kuether. Tim estimated
80-100 people were in attendance and he showed the booklet that was provided to
attendees. They also drove most of the September
Safari including about 14 bridges with Bob and Judy. They stopped at the PA Welcome Center on
I-79N and said they had great displays.
Tim and Connie also visited Leaman Place Bridge and noted the signs were
gone about closure for construction; saw repairs being done on the right
wing-wall.
Joe
McCarthy – Joe reported
that engineers said Leaman Place Bridge needed immediate repairs; due to
concrete deteriorating underneath, causing the bridge to droop. Joe’s crew did the repairs in 4 days. Joe ordered the wood for Rudolph and Arthur
Bridge to start his work in 2025. Lobar
Assoc. is contracted to replace the abutments. The bridge will be an exact
duplicate of the one previously destroyed by Hurricane Ida.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
President
Bob Kuether – Bob and
Judy attended the 175th Anniversary celebration at Martin’s Mill
Bridge in Franklin County. The Annual
Safari is September 14th-15th to Washington/Green Counties. Tim and Connie McLaughlin drove Bob and Judy
to drive the Safari. All will need to
exercise caution in driving; noted a lot of unpaved roads, some with no guard
rails. The hotel still has 3 rooms
available for the group. Lunch on Saturday of Safari, will be at a park with
pack your lunch. T-shirt order forms are due today. Safari Patch was designed by Connie
McLaughlin; picture is at front table.
First
Vice-President Jim Smedley
– Jim and Gloria visited Jericho Bridge, MD and reported that the damaged
portal was repaired and the bridge was recently painted. Jim reported the road through Rapp’s Dam
Bridge will close August 12-23 for construction of a headache bar to protect
the bridge. Also, an oversized vehicle
heavily damaged Schlicher’s Bridge in Lehigh County on June 20th; all
portal boards were taken out, including one roof beam and interior bumper boards
were damaged.
Second Vice-President
Ray Finkelstein – Not
present; no report.
Third Vice-President
Frank Mailey – No
report.
Fourth
Vice-President Tony Abramo
– No report.
Recording
Secretary Pam Mailey – No
report.
Corresponding
Secretary Pam Heisey – No
report.
Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.
Historian
Fred Moll – Not
present, however, Fred emailed the following report: Fred visited Kutz's Mill Bridge near Kutztown, PA and found the siding and
truss in good shape. However, because in 1959 they did not know how to
preserve covered bridges, back then they repaired the flooring in the bridge by
replacing the wooden floor with a concrete floor. They also installed metal
guard rails inside the bridge that now are rusted and in need of paint.
If they would have installed wooden guard rails they would not have this
problem. Fred will follow up to see if the rails are painted.
NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to
submit information for the Fall PA Crossings Newsletter by October 6th.
ILLNESS/DEATH
OF MEMBERS: (1) Ray and Linda Finkelstein are recovering from COVID.
(2) Michael Chorazy is
progressing from back surgery and will start physical therapy soon. (3) Wanda
Boone has a stress fracture of her right foot.
OLD
BUSINESS:
Judy
Kuether reported we earned $167.84 at our Hoss’s fundraiser (20% of bill).
NEW BUSINESS:
Bob
Kuether reported the Perry County Historical Society painted the portals at Red
Bridge in Liverpool, and was seeking donation(s) for a bench and plaque. TBCBSP
donated $500 for the bench and a plaque, recognizing the Society’s donation,
and some board replacements; they have been installed (picture at front table).
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1)
Sara Beth Kohut’s book “Crossing Under Cover” is available for $20. (2) 2025
Calendars are available for $11. (3) Tim
McLaughlin showed a shadow box with the Irish Blessing on the glass and a
covered bridge in the background. (4) Pam
Mailey showed a 8” long rock with a covered bridge
painted on it; found at Salvation Army.
PROGRAM TODAY: “Covered
Bridges over Octoraro Creek” by Sara Beth Kohut.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The July 2024 minutes were approved as
presented.
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, September 8th, 12:00 pm for annual
picnic at Historic Poole Forge, Narvon, PA., with meeting to follow.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:20 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, August 25, 2024