Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, March 2, 2025

President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed attendees and guest, Tim McLaughlin’s neighbor, Mamie Doff. He then led the Pledge of Allegiance.

DECEMBER MEETING MINUTES: Are at the back table for review; these were approved later in the meeting, as presented.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 340 members for 2024-2025.

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Greg Williams – Greg saw Rock and Zimmerman Bridges; he noted graffiti on Zimmerman’s portal.

Joe McCarthy – Joe reported Little Conestoga #1 Bridge was hit; it will take a couple days for his workers to repair. His company, Timber Framers, will start work on Rudolph and Arthur Bridge, end of May. Joe is still planning for an Open House at his work site, to view the trusses when built.

Connie McLaughlin – Connie sees multiple cars in Harmony Hill Bridge, waiting for the red light ahead to turn green; is concerned for the extra weight in the bridge. She also reported a man living at the bridge. She saw Speakman #1 and reported it looked good and saw Mercer’s Mill.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – Bob reported on the meeting with Union County Commissioners and Historical Society to discuss the 200^th anniversary of Hassenplug Bridge celebration.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley - Jim and Gloria visited some bridges that will be in the September Safari; he reported all looked nice especially Philippi and the newly built Carrollton Bridges. They also saw Hassenplug Bridge in Union County.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – No report.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Frank deferred to Pam for combined report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – No report.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam and Frank saw Rock and Zimmerman Bridges; noted green and red graffiti at Zimmerman. Pam presented a program on “Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges” to the St. Joseph’s Leisure Club in Mechanicsburg on February 20^th with about 60 people in attendance. The Club gave a $50 donation to the Society’s Preservation Fund. Frank Mailey and Jim and Gloria Smedley also attended.

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – Not present.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

Historian Fred Moll – Fred shared his notes about the 2011 rehabilitation of Dreibelbis Bridge, as an introduction to his presentation today. He said that actual restoration didn’t begin until 2019. Fred was contacted to write a letter to the Federal Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program to emphasize the bridge’s importance and request funds for rehabilitation (received $1.4million).

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Summer PA Crossings Newsletter is Sunday, June 1, 2025.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Pam Heisey fell on concrete, was hospitalized 5 days due to concussion and serious eye injury. (2) Deaths were reported: Gary Bartoo (October 26, 2024); Gladys Smith, Charter Member (January 15, 2025); William Wilson III (January 16, 2025).

OLD BUSINESS:

Christmas Dinner – 62 attended; received $754 for the Restoration/Preservation Fund.

Easter Egg Sales – Pam Mailey reported her church eggs are for sale at $2 each and chocolate covered pretzels at $3.50. She will sell eggs and pretzels at the April meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Calendar Update – The deadline to submit pictures for the 2026 Calendar is March 16^th. There will be 7 people on the committee to judge the photos. Everyone who has a photo selected for the 2026 calendar will receive a free calendar (1 per household).

Publications – Jim and Gloria Smedley volunteered to be editors for the Wooden Covered Spans (WCS), replacing Ray Finkelstein. WCS will be issued in May 2025 and the PA Crossings in June 2025. Going forward, the Executive Board approved the WCS to be issued 3 times a year along with the PA Crossings Newsletter, starting October 2025 (front and back pages will be in color).

Lancaster Booklet – Christine Weaver works at Discover Lancaster Visitor’s Center who created a new booklet “Discover Lancaster Covered Bridges”, including bridge locations/driving directions, history of the bridges and pictures. She provided each household with a copy.

Sheeder-Hall Bridge Ceremony – Sara Beth Kohut reported the 175^th Anniversary celebration for Sheeder-Hall Bridge, located in Chester County, will be Sunday, May 18^th at 2:00pm. The Bridge is owned by PennDOT; representatives are looking for someone to attend on behalf of the Society.

Hassenplug Bridge – Bob Kuether stated orders for the Hassenplug T-shirt, designed by Connie McLaughlin, are due April 6, 2025. Judy has a sample of the “postcard” to view, that includes photo and historical information; these will be placed at PA Welcome Centers in May. Bob and Judy are working on a tri-fold brochure including the 10 Bridges celebrating the 175–200 year anniversary in 2025. Gloria Smedley reported on her work with Union County and Historical Society representatives and submitting a Grant to the Pomeroy Foundation for placement of a Historic Transportation marker and National Register of Historic Places marker at Hassenplug. County and Borough employees are enthusiastic and willing to install the signs at the Bridge.

September Safari Update – Gloria Smedley shared that information for hotels is in the newsletter. Jim and Gloria plan to drive the route in April to find restaurants and rest stops.

Bylaws Change – Jim reported the Executive Board decided that officers no longer have to provide written annual reports for their activities, since officers report this at monthly meetings. However, the President will still provide a written report or oral presentation, per their choice, as a summary of the Society’s activities. The members approved the changes to the Bylaws.

Donations – David Smith is the only remaining Charter Member of our Society. Jim and Gloria Smedley picked up a lot of covered bridge collectibles that David donated. Jim also went with David and his 2 sons to the Historical Society of Baltimore County to donate his scale model of Bunker Hill Bridge, MD.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Joe McCarthy shared his Shutterfly photo album of work done at Dreibelbis Station Bridge, that he and his workers received as a gift. (2) Bob Kuether noted the silent auction for books and other covered bridge items today.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia with bake sale. The Program will be “Saving History: The Early Days of Covered Bridge Preservation” by Scott Bomboy.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:30pm.

Respectfully Submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, March 23, 2025.