Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA
Sunday, November 3, 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 October Meeting Minutes were available for review at the back table; these were approved later in the meeting as presented.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 240 members for 2024–2025, with 1 new member: Sandra Joy from Reading.
MEMBERS' BRIDGE REPORTS:
Tim McLaughlin – Tim and Connie saw Mercer's Mill and Speakman Bridges. They plan to travel to Erie County and attend the re-opening ceremony for Waterford Bridge #2 on November 15th.
Joe McCarthy – Joe reported on the following bridges: (1) Workers are ready to remove abutments at Rudolph and Arthur; many trees were cut down. (2) Knox has been repaired and is open; it has a new cedar-shake roof. (3) Joe's workers did a one-day repair at Forry's Mill. (4) He visited Green Sergeant's in NJ and looked at the extensive repairs underneath. (5) Joe was contacted to repair Hughes and learned it may be moved. (6) Grant money for Kintersburg's rehab is moving ahead; timbers are rotting badly. (7) He visited Ackley in Michigan (a bridge originally from PA). (8) He will be involved in the ceremony for Hassenplug's 200th anniversary since he worked on its rehab.
Ted Smith – Ted shared an article from the Capital Gazette (Annapolis, MD) encouraging a visit to see covered bridges and colorful leaves. Maryland had 35 covered bridges in 1937; now 6 remain.
OFFICERS' REPORTS:
President Bob Kuether – Bob reported the Annual Executive Board meeting was held the previous day. Dates were set for 2025 meetings, dinners (May 4 and December 7 at Yoder's Family Restaurant), and the picnic at Poole Forge on September 7. Meetings will continue to be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbia.
First Vice-President Jim Smedley – (1) Jim and Gloria traveled to Massachusetts in late October for the NSPCB Annual Dinner; 28 people attended at a cost of $30 (catered buffet). Along the way, they visited 1 bridge in MA (Ware-Gilbertville) and 5 bridges in CT (Comstock, Johnsonville, Barn Yard, Gold Mine, and Worthington Pond). They also stopped by Bogert's Bridge in Lehigh County and saw the posted rehab plans. (2) There was discussion at the Board meeting about the calendar contest. There are currently 5 members judging the photos; 3 more judges will be added. The judges do not know who took the photo and cannot judge their own or their spouse's photos. In 2024, 4 members who never had a photo in the calendar were included; in 2025, 3 more new members were included. Jim also asked members to send him photos of current bridge damage.
Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Not present. Jim Smedley shared Ray's email report: Schlicher's Bridge is to be repaired. Ray will be presenting on November 14th at a local library on "Lehigh Valley Bridges, Past and Present."
Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.
Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony and Karen saw Neff's Mill and Lime Valley Bridges; both are in good shape. Tony is considering a mini-safari in 2025 and asked members for ideas.
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam shared about the bridges she and Frank saw while traveling with Jim and Gloria to MA and CT: (1) Ware looked nice with natural siding, green metal roof, and red portal with white trim; a posted sign read "horses have the right of way." (2) They could not get to Johnsonville — it was down an overgrown bank with no road or path found. (3) At Gold Mine, there was construction with moving of dirt and redirecting of water; horses and a stable were on the grounds; a nice natural wood bridge. (4) Worthington had a winery on the grounds; an event had been held on the bridge earlier, with white-cloth-covered tables and lit chandeliers inside. (5) Barn Yard is a new, natural wood bridge.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.
Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.
Historian Fred Moll – Fred presented a program on "The Restoration of Dreibelbis Covered Bridge" on October 20th for the Historical Society of Kutztown (he gave out many rack cards). Fred received a letter from PennDOT that an emergency order was issued to repair Schlicher's 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.
ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Ray Finkelstein fell and is in the hospital for observation; he had some bleeding on the brain which has stopped. (2) Steve Wolfhope is recovering from hernia surgery. (3) Jim and Gloria visited charter member Gladys Smith in the rehab center; she broke her foot when she fell and will have a long rehab. (4) Virginia (Ginny) Eyrich died October 24, 2024.
OLD BUSINESS:
Poole Forge Decorating – Sunday, November 24th at 12:00pm. Some will also address dues reminder cards and decorate Christmas card bags.
NEW BUSINESS:
Wooden Covered Spans – Ray Finkelstein has resigned as editor. Bob Kuether is seeking a member to take over this publication.
Safari 2025 – Jim and Gloria Smedley will lead the 2025 Safari. They plan to go to WV in January to find a motel and drive a route. Jim is not yet sure if it will be a 2- or 3-day safari. The likely dates are September 13–14 or September 20–21, depending on motel availability. Connie McLaughlin will be designing the T-shirt and patch again.
2025 Fundraisers – Bob Kuether shared the Board's suggested fundraisers for 2025: a book and model silent auction at the March meeting; bake sales at April and November meetings; lunch/meeting at Hoss's in July; Easter egg sales at March and April meetings; and a Popcorn Loft sale later in 2025. A 50/50 raffle will be held at meetings, except when a bake sale is held.
Covered Bridge Anniversaries in 2025 – Bob Kuether shared notable anniversaries: (1) Hassenplug in Union County will be 200 years old — it is the oldest drivable covered bridge in the US and the oldest standing in PA; TBCBSP would like to be involved in any celebration. (2) Sheeder Hall in Chester County, Hollingshead in Columbia County, Day in Washington County, Penitentiary in Union County, and 3 bridges in Sullivan County (Forksville, Hillsgrove, and Sonestown) all turn 175 years old. Josiah Hess and Knoebel's in Columbia County and Waterford in Erie County turn 150 years old.
Presentations and Displays – Members are asked to advise Bob Kuether when presenting a program or setting up a display about covered bridges. This information is needed to complete the Sales Tax Exemption Form and for the Year in Review presentation.
VETERANS RECOGNITION: Pam Mailey conducted a ceremony to honor veterans present: Tina Conn (Navy), Don Gunzenhauser (Air Force), Bob Kuether (Army), Jim Smedley (Army Reserves), and Ted Smith (Army and Reserves). Pam thanked them for their bravery and sacrifices in answering the nation's call to duty.
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: (1) Tina Chandler shared a woven coaster with a covered bridge, purchased at Good's. (2) Michael Chorazy shared a Philadelphia Inquirer article entitled "Living and Dying in Sullivan County," which highlighted Forksville Bridge. (3) Connie McLaughlin read Sara Beth Kohut's book Crossing Under Cover and enjoyed it, learning some new things.
PROGRAM: "Covered Bridges of the Lower Susquehanna Valley Basin in 1954" — a photo collection of Ellwood S. Grimm, presented by Jim Smedley.
NEXT MEETING: Sunday, December 8th — Annual Christmas Dinner at Yoder's Family Restaurant and Buffet. Gather at 11:00am with buffet meal at 11:30am (cost $23).
Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary.