Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Saint Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Vice-President Jim Smedley called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

WELCOME GUESTS AND NEW MEMBERS: Robin Ward attended her 2nd meeting and planned to join the Society.

JULY MEETING MINUTES: At the back table for review; later approved as presented.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 349 members for 2024-2025.

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Joe McCarthy – (1) Joe reported trusses were raised at Rudolph and Arthur Bridge; his Company will complete the lumber work in 4-5 weeks. (2) Glen Hope Bridge will need completely re-done. (3) Joe received approval to tear down Kintersburg Bridge and rehab. (4) He has not received the OK to start Pine Grove and Neff’s Mill Bridge repairs. (5) An Oregon Company received the contract to repair S. Perkasie Bridge. (6) PennDOT contacted Joe to replace running boards at Sheeder-Hall Bridge.

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie saw the trusses raised at Rudolph & Arthur Bridge and said it was very interesting to watch. They also visited Glen Hope Bridge.

Sara Beth Kohut – Sara Beth proposed having a meal on Rudolph and Arthur Bridge in May 2026 for See PA Covered Bridges week. Let her know if you’d like to help plan.

Gloria Smedley – Gloria and Jim attended the raising of the trusses at Rudolph and Arthur both days and said it was amazing to see the trusses placed so precisely. She also thanked Joe McCarthy & Company for providing lunch one day.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Bob Kuether – Not present; no report.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Jim and Gloria visited Rudolph & Arthur Bridge on Friday/Saturday to see the trusses raised and visited nearby Glen Hope Bridge. They also stopped by Foxcatcher Farms Bridge in Fair Hill, MD; work will begin this Fall to replace sideboards and fix any other damage caused by Hurricane Ida, and then paint the bridge.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Not present. Ray emailed a report that he gave a presentation to the Rotary Club on July 25^th on “The History of Bogert’s Covered Bridge” and the history of the Society with about 30 people present. Ray also reported the contract for Bogert’s Bridge rehabilitation was awarded to H & P Construction, Inc. who had lowest bid. Work is expected to start in late October or early November.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Frank and Pam visited Academia/Pomeroy and Lehman’s Bridges; both look OK. They also saw Fleisher’s Bridge.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony and Karen saw the following bridges: Forry’s Mill, Shenck’s Mill and Siegrist (needs painted).

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam continued her sharing of Rack Cards and left some at the Spruce Hill Lunch Café near Academia Bridge.

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – Not present; no report.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report

Historian Fred Moll – Not present.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS/PUBLICATIONS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Fall Newsletter and Wooden Covered Spans is Sunday, October 5^th.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Joe and Marianne Calabrese’s son, Joseph, died on July 17^th. (2) Paul Watkins’ sister died July 28^th. (3) Fred Moll fell, was hospitalized, in rehab and now home. (4) David Smith’s health is failing (only remaining Charter member). (5) Ray Finkelstein continues w/health problems. (6) Karen Abramo continues to recover from hip surgery. (7) Connie McLaughlin went from brace to normal shoe on left foot.

OLD BUSINESS:

Hoss’s fundraiser - netted $199.61 for the Society.

NEW BUSINESS:

National Historic Register Signs – Gloria Smedley reported: (1) The rehab date on the Hassenplug marker has been corrected to read 2022. (2) The Adams County Commissioner has approved getting a sign for Sachs Bridge and will forward the necessary information to Gloria to proceed. (3) Gloria still has not received a response that the Township received PennDOT approval to place signs at Sheeder-Hall Bridge.

Hassenplug 200^th Celebration – Saturday, August 16^th from 1:00-3:00. Speakers include the Commissioner, Mayor and Joe McCarthy. Signs of the event will be put along the road.

Rice Bridge Painting – Saturday, August 23^rd, starting 9:00-9:30 to paint the portals; the painter will paint sides August 20th-25th. Perry County Commissioners approved.

Safari Update – Jim & Gloria Smedley plan to run the route again in August. T-Shirt orders were due today and will be handed out at the September meeting.

Nominating Committee – Joe McCarthy read the nominees for officer positions for 2026- 2028: President – Bob Kuether, Gloria Smedley; 1^st VP - Jim Smedley; 2^nd VP – Ray Finkelstein; 3^rd VP – Frank Mailey; 4^th VP Tony Abramo; Treasurer – Judy Kuether; Recording Sec. – Pam Mailey; Corresponding Sec. - None; Historian – Fred Moll. VACANT: Corresponding Secretary. See Joe if you would like to be nominated or to nominate another person.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Gloria showed her empty Red Bridge beer bottles, for anyone that wants them for their collection.

PROGRAM TODAY: “The Best Safaris Outside Africa” by Gloria Smedley. She also showed 2 videos of raising the trusses at Rudolph & Arthur Bridge. Jim Smedley noted that we still need a Program for November.

NEXT MEETING: Annual Picnic/Meeting Sunday, September 7^th, at Historic Poole Forge.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:45pm.

Respectfully Submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, August 24, 2025.