Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting, Sunday, April 12, 2026

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA.

President Gloria Smedley called the meeting to order at 2:04pm, welcomed attendees and led the Pledge of Allegiance. She welcomed President of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges (NSPCB) Bill Caswell and his wife Jenn from New Hampshire and Scott Bomboy, Chairperson of the Bucks County Covered Bridge Association.

MEETING MINUTES: Were available for review and approved as presented, later in meeting.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 337 members for 2026-2027 (8 less than a year ago).

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS

Joe McCarthy – Joe was in NY and sent his report to read. Bartram’s is complete on his end; Eastern Highway still has work remaining, to be finished about April 21^st. Joe received all approvals to order timber/steel parts for Kintersburg Bridge; delivery will be in mid-August with a “raising” in mid-October. September still looks good for the Clyde Scheib Memorial Bridge.

Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie visited Bartram’s to see status of repairs. They also saw Gibson’s, Jackson’s Sawmill, Colemanville, Lime Valley and Neff’s Mill; reported all were good.

Scott Bomboy – BCCBA received 2 Grants: First to update their app to include 250-year celebrations at bridges and Washington’s Crossing; the 2nd for September’s annual event at Sheard’s Mill. He also reported Van Sandt’s Bridge is leaning/wobbly w/a buckle in 1 corner.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

President Gloria Smedley – (1) Gloria spoke to Mr. Moroney, Asst. Warden at the prison, about Penitentiary Bridge. The floor fell out and they have plans for rehabilitation, including moving it to a more general area. Mr. Moroney also said there is a Mural of the bridge in the dining hall of the prison, and that the bridge is very important to the Warden and Prison. Gloria offered that both the NSPCB and TBCBSP could help; they will talk again. (2) Adams County wants to add a cap to the wing walls at Sachs Bridge since stones become loose and are stolen. They may seek funding from NSPCB and TBCBSP to help support this effort after checking state regulations about modifying the structure since listed on National Register of Historic Places.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – (1) Joe McCarthy and Jim went to Anderson Farm Bridge in Adams County on March 21st at the request of the owner, to evaluate the damage to the bridge since it was placed over the pond in 1994. There were many things wrong with the bridge, but it could not be properly inspected since the pond was near the bottom of the bridge. They could see the lower chords were fractured on both sides. Joe said the bridge would need to be lifted to dry land for repair but felt the bridge would collapse when lifted. He estimated a cost of $300,000-$400,000 to repair the bridge but his company declined to perform the work because of the risk of collapse. The owner is not willing to pay to repair the bridge; he thought it would cost only $10,000-$20,000. (2) Jim and Gloria saw 8 bridges in Perry County and Ramps in Cumberland County with Bill and Jenn Caswell on April 11^th. They are anxious to see what Perry County is going to include with their rehabilitation efforts. (3) On March 11^th, Jim provided a presentation to the Triple A Chapter of New Oxford, PA on Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges. There were about 60 people present and they donated $50 to our Society.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Not present.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – No report.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – (1) $285 was raised from Easter egg sales at our March meeting and with Gloria’s sales at Windy Hill Senior Center. (2) On April 8^th, Pam presented to 15 attendees at Dallastown Nursing Center about PA’s Covered Bridges. She is invited back to present on Haunted Covered Bridges in October and to play piano for a sing-along in June.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – $364 raised w/silent auction and e-bay sales for “Bradley donations”.

Historian Fred Moll – Fred/Shirley visited Poole Forge, Pleasantville and Greisemer’s Mill in March; they noted paint is badly peeling off Greisemer’s (the Society previously painted Greisemer’s September 27, 2013). After writing a letter to the County Commissioners in 2023 about peeling paint/rusting roof, he was simply informed the Planning Department would inspect the bridge in June 2023. He later had phone conversations w/PennDOT and was informed Greisemer’s was 5^th on the list for repair. Finally, in the Reading Eagle News of March 13, 2026, bids were to be sent to the County Courthouse for rehabilitation of the bridge.

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

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Fred Moll had a recent heart operation. (2) Ray/Linda Finkelstein continue w/medical issues. (3) Connie McLaughlin continues to struggle w/ chronic pain. (4) Gene Ross, from VA, died on March 25th. (5) Sandy Adrion died February 5th.

OLD BUSINESS:

National Register of Historic Places Signs – Gloria reported on the following bridge signs:

(1) Red – Sign delivered to Perry County Historical Society on March 26^th for installation.

(2) Wehr’s – Gloria received the $2,100 Grant funds and ordered the sign on Feb 24^th.

(3) Academia – Gloria submitted the Grant which was awarded April 6^th.

(4) Sheeder-Hall and Poole Forge – Gloria submitted Grants for the NRHP and Historic Transportation signs.

(5) Bartram’s, Shearer’s and Bogert’s - Gloria is waiting for information to submit Grants.

(6) Bucks County Bridges – both Gloria and Scott Bomboy reached out to Bucks County officials about obtaining signs, with no response to date.

(7) Perry County Bridges – Frank Campbell, Commissioner and Perry County Historians are gathering information for signs at other bridges, like at Rice’s Bridge.

NEW BUSINESS:

2027 Calendar Contest: Jim reported they had 152 photos submitted by 20 photographers with 4 new photographers, 4 bridges that were never in our calendar and 8 counties represented. He had an abundance of photos from Washington, Somerset, and Perry Counties but lacked photos for Spring which is usually the case. Ratings from the 7 judges were higher than previous years, which indicates some nice photos. Thanks to Connie, Gloria, Heather, Ray, Sara Beth, Steve, and Tony for rating the photos. The winner of the $25 gift card, for submitting a photo, was Richard Zitrick. Each photographer who has a photo in the 2027 calendar will receive a free calendar (one/family).

Painting a Bridge: Gloria reported that Commissioner Frank Campbell said we can’t do any work on the bridges that Perry County has planned for work (Rice’s, Mt. Pleasant, New Germantown, Enslow, Fleisher’s and Dellville all owned by County). Jim and Gloria saw Dr. Knisely Bridge in January and reported it is in dire need of painting. The Board voted to have our painter, Bill Stockum, paint the bridge since it is in Bedford; he agreed and will submit an estimate. Gloria is also waiting for permission to paint, from the owner.

Fire Retardant: Gloria reported:

(1) Our painter, Bill Stockum, will spray the retardant at Academia Bridge (Juniata County) for $800. NSPCB pair $2,387 for the retardant.

(2) Quote for $528 was approved by NSPCB for Fort Hunter (Dauphin County) and retardant was picked up by Jim/Gloria. Plan to apply after graffiti is removed.

(3) Quote for $528 was also approved by NSPCB for Waggoner’s (Perry County) and retardant was picked up by Jim/Gloria. Date to spray TBD.

(4) Gloria sent emails to spray Bartram’s (Chester County) with no response to date.

2026 Safari (May 16-17) – (1) Heather Watkins reported most of the route planning is complete but there is limited parking at most bridges, so, need to carpool. Currently, 51 are signed up to attend and patches are at the printer. Please complete the lunch form to select your sub meal for Saturday and note if you are going to the restaurant for Sunday lunch. (2) Jim Smedley reported 97 Safari shirts were ordered and should be ready for pick-up at May 3^rd meeting.

Attendance Drawing: Gloria reminded all to sign-in on the attendance sheet; names are entered into a drawing at the November Meeting for a free future dinner or cash equivalent.

See PA Covered Bridges Week (May 9-17): Gloria sent the request for the Proclamation to the Governor’s Office for it to be returned by April 27^th. Volunteers will place displays at 14 Welcome Centers, Lancaster County Visitors’ Center and Chester County Visitors’ Center.

Presentation: On May 13^th, Gloria Smedley will present a Program at Windy Hill Senior Center.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Connie McLaughlin saw Loy’s Station Bridge in a magazine ad for Frederick County, MD. (2) Eric Wiening saw a question on “Jeopardy” where the answer was “What is a Covered Bridge”.

PROGAM TODAY: “Some of the Many Achievements of the Late Arnold Graton” by Bill Caswell, President NSPCB.

NEXT MEETING: 67^th Anniversary Dinner on Sunday May 3rd. Brunch at Yoder’s Family Restaurant; gather at 11:00am, buffet meal at 11:30am followed by our meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 4:05pm.

Prepared by Pam Mailey, Secretary, April 28, 2026