Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, October 13, 2024 at 2:00pm

 

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed everyone and led the Pledge of Allegiance. He noted copies of the September Meeting Minutes were available for review at the back table; he will ask for approval later in the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 374 members for 2023-2024 and 185 members for 2024-2025 with 3 new members: Randall Dietz (Coal Twp), Bob and Peggy Wentz (Nanticoke).

 

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS: 

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie saw a total of 48 bridges, including those on Safari.  Bridges were located in PA, WV, VA, and MD.  Tim noted that Carrollton Bridge is stunning and Humpback Bridge was in rough shape with graffiti.  They worked at the Bloomsburg Covered Bridge Festival for 3 days and saw 3 more bridges; also saw Knox (now open), Rapp’s Dam (new headache bars), Sheeder Hall, Speakman and Poole Forge which was holding a Classic Car Show today.

 

Bonnie Shultz – Bonnie and Malissa visited Ebenezer, Henry and Wright Bridges before Safari.  They also visited Jack’s Mountain, Roddy Road, Loys Station, Utica Mills and 7 romantic shelters.

 

Steve Wolfhope – Steve and Gloria visited a couple bridges before Safari, then after Safari, saw bridges in Licking County, OH.  Steve noted: Davis Farm’s roof is ready to collapse; Spellacy is a large, beautiful bridge and Girl Scout Camp Bridge was repaired and graffiti removed; in excellent shape.  Of interest, Steve has visited 751 covered bridges to date!

 

Ken Slippey – In addition to the Safari, Ken and Cindy saw the following bridges: Colvin, Heirline, Diehl’s and New Baltimore in Bedford County; and Glessner, New Baltimore, Trostletown, Walter’s Mill, Barronvale, King’s (covered in graffiti) and Lower Humbert in Somerset County.   

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS: 

President Bob Kuether – Bob coordinated the Festival at Bloomsburg and thanked those who volunteered to work with him and Judy:  Diane, Ed, Tim and Connie, Tony and Karen, Jim and Gloria, Joe and Joanne, Bonnie and Malissa, and Pam.  He also thanked Tim and Connie, Pam and Frank and Sara Beth for driving them to test run the Safari and to Safari.

 

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – In addition to the Safari, Jim and Gloria saw Philippi, Carrollton, Dent’s Run and Barrackville Bridges in W.V.  After visiting family in Cincinnati, they saw more bridges: Bell’s Ford, Roann, North Manchester in IN; Montpelier Fairgrounds, Lockport, Spellacy and Stutzman’s Crossing in OH; and Jackson’s Mill, McClurg’s and Walter’s Mill in PA.  The highlight was seeing the rebuilding of Bell’s Ford Bridge near Indianapolis.  The trusses, upper ties and flooring were complete and over the water; the roof, siding and portal boards need to be done.  Completion is expected by end of November 2024.

 

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Not present; no report.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Frank and Pam had a covered bridge display at the Red Land Senior Center’s Open House on September 19th.  There were approximately 328 people and 22 vendors present.  Frank sold a few calendars and spoke to people about bridges and our Society.

 

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony and Karen attended Safari and spent 2 days helping at the Bloomsburg Festival.  Tony reported on a Lancaster News article that wood was replaced at Bitzer’s Mill Bridge, however abutments need repaired, so the bridge is closed until 2027. 

 

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Frank and Pam along with Jim and Gloria Smedley drove to see Red Bridge, noting repairs, new paint and removed graffiti.  They saw the bench and plaque that our Society donated money for.  They also visited Aline Bridge, which needs painted.

 

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.

 

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

 

Historian Fred Moll – Fred and Shirley missed Safari due to 12-day trip to Scotland/Ireland.  On Sunday, October 20th, Fred will present a program on “The Restoration of Dreibelbis Covered Bridge” at the Kutztown Historical Society, at 1:00pm; all are invited.  Although Fred made multiple inquiries, he received no response to paint Greisemer’s Bridge or apply No-Char to Wertz Bridge.

 

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Winter Edition of PA Crossings Newsletter is Sunday, February 2, 2025.  He is seeking a volunteer to take over the Newsletter and website!

 

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Doris Musselman recently fell and is recovering. (2) Gladys Smith, 1 of 2 living charter members, fell a couple weeks ago and will be in rehab for 5-6 weeks.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Safari 2024 was September 14-15 to Washington/Greene Counties; 40 attendees saw 16 bridges.

 

Bloomsburg Covered Bridge Festival was October 3rd-6th.  Sales and donations were $4,944.75, about ½ of last year’s sales.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Safari 2025 – Jim and Gloria Smedley will lead the 2025 Safari.  They took a poll of members to determine preferences for length of safari, location and month.  Outcome was that Safari will be a 2-day Safari to WV bridges, in September 2025.

 

Annual Officer’s Reports – Pam Mailey explained that the By-Laws require Officers to submit an Annual Report for the members’ review.  These reports are available at the front table.

 

Annual Officer’s Meeting – Saturday, November 2nd at the church, starting at 9:30am.

 

Poole Forge Decorating (Bridge and Gazebo) – Sunday, November 24th, at 12:00pm. Will also address dues reminder cards and decorate Christmas card bags.  Need all new LED lights for garland and wreaths.  Note: adjust the cameras that monitor the bridge, when we have the ladders.

Christmas Dinner – Sunday December 8th; gather at 11:00am, buffet meal at 11:30am. Cost $23.

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Pam Heisey conducted a memorial service to honor the following members who died in the past year, and ended with a moment of silence:

·        Marjorie K. Balliet, died 06/29/2024 (LIFE Member-24 Years)

·        William R. Haag, died 10/08/2023, member 14 years

·        Ortha G. Klischer, died 01/08/2024, member 32 years

·        Carl McDaniel, died 05/07/2024, former member 13 years

·        Patricia Tabor, died 12/31/2023, member 18 years

·        Anthony P. Walczak, died 09/05/2024, member 35 years

 

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Ted Smith shared that if you google Covered bridges in Ireland you will find none, but google in Switzerland and there are a lot of bridges.  (2) Bob Kuether stated there are new Country Store items for sale at the back table:  puzzles, ornaments, magnets.  (3) Tony Abramo had 3 framed covered bridge posters for anyone interested in taking.

 

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

PROGRAM TODAY:  “Our Society‘s Year in Review” by President Bob Kuether.

 

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia PA.  This is our 2nd annual bake sale and canned good donation for the church’s food pantry.  The Program will be “­Covered Bridges of the Lower Susquehanna Valley Basin in 1954” by Jim Smedley, 1st VP. 

 

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:37pm.

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, October 27, 2024