Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting, Sunday, March 1, 2026

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA.

President Gloria Smedley called the meeting to order at 2:00pm, welcomed attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Gloria welcomed a guest, Anthony (Joe & Maryann Calabrese’s son).

MEETING MINUTES: December’s Meeting Minutes were available for review and were later approved as presented.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 334 members for 2025-2026.

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie visited Bogert’s and Sheeder Hall Bridges on Feb 14th.

Joe McCarthy – (1) Joe was on a 3-state road trip and saw the only remaining covered bridge in S. Carolina (Campbell’s) which is small and in a park. (2) His team found a lot of rotted timber on Kintersburg Bridge and recently ordered new timber. This bridge will be a Howe Truss using about 52% of existing timber. (3) Joe started timber framework at Bartram’s Bridge. (4) Joe’s team worked on 8 of the 15 Bridges scheduled for the Chester County Safari. Several of his team members and families are going to join the Safari. (5) Plans are moving slowly for the creation of a park and Joe building the Clyde Scheib Covered Bridge. This bridge will be about 40’ long and assembled near Clyde’s beloved Kennedy Bridge.

Greg Williams – Greg visited Rock, Sachs, Heikes and Zimmerman Bridges. He noted that Zimmerman has graffiti at one portal.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

President Gloria Smedley – (1) In January, Jim and Gloria visited some bridges in Lancaster/ Chester Counties including Neff’s Mill and Pine Grove, both recently repaired after vehicle damage; Lime Valley is in good shape. (2) They also visited Academia (the longest covered bridge in PA) and attended the Juniata Historical Society’s meeting to present about fire retardant and historical signs for the bridge. The bridge has a nice 250th anniversary of the U.S. bell with a bridge on it on display inside the bridge. (3) In February, they visited Sachs Covered Bridge and noted lots of graffiti inside.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – (1) Jim and Gloria visited some bridges in western PA when getting donations from Arleen Bradley. Jim reported: Trusal, Thomas Ford and Harmon’s Bridges looked good; on their second trip there, they saw Shaffer, Snooks and Dr. Knisley Bridges (Dr. Knisley needs painted). (3) In mid-January, they noted work at Sam Wagner Bridge (likely completed now). (4) In Perry County, they took a snow trip to see Waggoner’s Bridge over Bixler Run, and Book’s along Sherman’s Creek (state owned - recently painted). They also saw Adair’s, Bistline, Enslow, Mt. Pleasant (leaning), and New Germantown (all need painted). (5) They are inquiring if the recent plan to rehabilitate /repair these bridges owned by Perry County includes painting. (6) Jim provided a presentation to the Woodcrest Villa Senior Community in January on “Covered Bridges in the Civil War.”

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – No report.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – No report.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam was recently asked to do a presentation about covered bridges on April 8^th (2pm) for the Dallastown Nursing Center Assisted Living.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

Historian Fred Moll – No report.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline for the Summer 2026 Newsletter and Wooden Covered Spans is Sunday, June 7^th.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: Member, Jeff Hewitson passed away February 11, 2025.

OLD BUSINESS:

Poole Forge Un-decorating (Bridge, Gazebo and Tree in Mansion) – Gloria thanked those who gathered on Jan 11^th to remove decorations at Poole Forge Bridge, Gazebo and Mansion tree.

National Register of Historic Places Signs

On January 23rd Gloria participated in a Zoom meeting with the historian from the Pomeroy

Foundation who wanted to learn more about covered bridges. Another Zoom will be scheduled

early March to discuss creating a customized badge with our Society’s logo to add to the signs we are awarded for PA bridges. Following is the status of the signs:

· Hassenplug, Sachs, and Rice: Installed.

· Red: Order placed; sign in production.

· Wehr’s: $2100 grant received and sign was ordered.

· Bogert’s: Gathering information.

· Academia: Gathering information for both a NHRP and Historic Transportation sign, one for each side of the bridge.

· Sheeder-Hall: Gloria revived efforts on this. They responded and are gathering information for both a NHRP sign and an Historic Transportation sign, one for each end.

· Bartram’s, Shearer’s, and Bogert’s: Interested in NHRP sign; gathering information.

· Poole Forge: Interested in both types of signs; gathering information.

NEW BUSINESS:

2027 Calendar Contest: Jim Smedley reported this is our most lucrative fundraiser, netting about $2,000 for the Society. A drawing will be held at April’s meeting for those who submitted a photo, to win a $25 gift card. Also, each photographer having a picture selected/printed will receive a free calendar.

Painting a Bridge: (1) Gloria reported she tried to follow-up without success for painting Jacks Mountain in Adams County. (2) The board voted to paint Bistline in Perry County, however Bob Kuether said that Bistline is owned by PennDOT, making it difficult to proceed. (3) Response is pending from Frank Campbell, Commissioner, for another Perry County bridge we could paint.

Fire Retardant: Gloria shared that in addition to applying this to Academia (Juniata Co.), plans are in the works for Fort Hunter (Dauphin Co.), Waggoner’s (Perry Co.), and Bartram’s (Chester Co.). Representatives from each have responded positively. She is waiting for the bridge measurements to request the quotes and get approvals from NSPCB. Let Gloria know if you would like to volunteer to help spray retardant; applying the product is easy, using a typical garden or backpack sprayer.

Donations: (1) Gloria thanked Bob and Judy Kuether for their inventory of the Bradley collection, some for silent auction today. 119 items were listed on eBay with $258.42 sales to date. (2) Dave Smith’s son dropped off the last donations from his parents’ collection in February.

Easter Egg Sales: Pam Mailey shared that eggs are for sale today ($2.50 each) and chocolate covered pretzels ($4). Gloria will take orders/sell eggs at Windy Hill Sr. Center March 20 & 27.

2026 Safari to Chester County (15 Bridges): Heather provided an update and thanked Sara Beth Kohut for her help. Registration and shirt order forms are available at the front. Thanks to our resident graphic artist, Connie McLaughlin, for once again designing the shirt and patch.

Attendance Drawing: Gloria reminded everyone to sign-in for meetings. All names on the sign in sheet are entered into a drawing to receive a free ticket to a future dinner (or cash equivalent). Drawing will take place at our November 2026 meeting.

Country Store: Gloria said a member asked for an explanation of the Store. Basically, it is an

accumulation of donations and purchases made by the Country Storekeepers, Bob & Judy Kuether, and stored in 2 sheds on his property. Items are placed on eBay for sale ($1,500 total in 2025), brought to meetings, and sold at festivals during the year.

67th Anniversary Dinner: At Yoder’s Restaurant and Buffet on Sunday, May 3rd. Meet and greet at 11:00am with brunch starting at 11:30am, followed by our meeting. Forms to sign-up for the dinner were included in PA Crossings and are available at the meeting.

Website Redesign: Gloria is researching this but hasn’t started the design.

Dinner on the Bridge: No update.

Bylaws: Plans are still in the works to review and revise our Society’s Bylaws. If interested in being on the committee let Jim or Gloria know.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Gloria showed 3 new Cat’s Meow Shelf Sitters now in the Country Store: Philippi, Knox and Sachs (6 of each to sell). The vendor produced these to include our Society logo on the back with the agreement the Society would get 10% of sales. Gloria contacted the vendor and they upheld the agreement by sending us $479.90 in commission for 4 years of sales. Connie was instrumental in getting these made, with photos provided by her and Jim Smedley. Gloria will contact the vendor each year for our annual commission. See Gloria if interested in purchasing. (2) Greg Williams showed a plate of Colemanville Bridge; he also showed a puzzle by Memory Lane of butterflies and bridge, from Walmart. (3) Tina Chandler said Goods Store has covered bridge puzzles.

BREAK: Snacks and drinks available in the kitchen, thanks to Tony and Karen Abramo.

PROGAM TODAY: “Berk’s County Heritage Center, Including Wertz’s Bridge” by Fred Moll.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, April 12th, 2:00pm at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA. (Meeting is delayed a week because of Easter.) Program by Bill Caswell, President, NSPCB entitled “Some of the Many Achievements of the Late Arnold Graton”. Arnold was one of the last of the great bridge builders following in his father’s footsteps, Milton Graton. He is responsible for building and rehabilitating many bridges in the U.S.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:55pm.

Prepared by Pam Mailey, Secretary, March 12, 2026