Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Annual Christmas Dinner and Monthly Business Meeting Minutes

Yoder's Family Restaurant, New Holland, PA

Sunday, December 7, 2025

The TBCBSP's Annual Holiday Meal was held at Yoder's Family Restaurant in New Holland, PA starting at 11:30am; 64 people attended the brunch buffet followed by the monthly meeting.

President Gloria Smedley called the meeting to order at 1:07pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Multiple guests were present.

November's Meeting Minutes were available for review on the table; these were approved later in the meeting, as presented.

TREASURER'S REPORT – Judy Kuether reported 266 members for 2025–2026, 4 members less than a year ago. The November bake sale netted $217.25.

MEMBERS' BRIDGE REPORTS

Joe McCarthy –

• An Amish group repaired Leaman's Bridge.
• He is waiting for the wood to arrive to complete Neff's Mill Bridge.
• The wood should arrive soon for Bartram's Bridge.
• His team dismantled Kintersburg Bridge and the wood was transported to his shop to evaluate what can be used for the rebuild. Joe met a couple from Lebanon at this bridge; they were seeing their 160th PA covered bridge.
• He has talked with local officials about Kennedy Bridge; he will be building a 40' long, burr arch bridge in the park; it will be named Clyde Scheib's Memorial Covered Bridge.
• Joe is talking with Eastern Highway to do the timber work for rehab at S. Perkasie Bridge.

Sara Beth Kohut – Pine Grove Bridge is repaired and open after being hit by an oversized truck.

Bob Griner – Bob shared that it was a real honor and treat to see Joe McCarthy's work picking up and taking Kintersburg Bridge away.

OFFICERS' REPORTS

President Gloria Smedley –

• On November 19th, Gloria and Pam Mailey went to the Gettysburg Library to hear Donna King, member, speak on the 24 Covered Bridges of Adams County. Donna volunteered to give this presentation at one of our meetings.
• Jim and Gloria helped with decorations of the Bridge, Gazebo, and Tree in the Mansion at Poole Forge.

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Work is to begin in spring/summer on S. Perkasie Bridge which was damaged by Hurricane Ida. The bridge will be moved some, to be away from the water. Funding is from FEMA and PEMA.

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Work has started at Bogert's Bridge; the roof and siding have been removed. The bridge is to be raised 2 feet with the rehab.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – No report.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – No report.

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – No report.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

Historian Fred Moll – No report.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline for the next newsletter is Sunday, February 1st.

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS

• Steve Wolfhope is dealing with numbness in both feet and not driving now.
• Sandy Adrian from NJ fell and was hospitalized for 2½ months. Her sister also died.

OLD BUSINESS:

Presentation: On November 12, Jim Smedley presented “Covered Bridges of Lancaster County Past and Present” to the Chickies Church Senior group. About 80 folks attended. They gave our society a $100 donation which Jim presented to Treasurer Judy Kuether.

National Register of Historic Places Signs – Gloria Smedley reported:

• Sachs sign was installed at the bridge on November 25th. Looks great!
• Rice's sign was delivered to Frank Campbell, Commissioner, on November 19th to install.
• She received the Grant check of $2,050 for signage at Red Bridge; sign was ordered.
• She received a response about Wehr's Bridge; will move forward, gather information, and submit the Grant.
• Representatives for Bogert's Bridge are definitely interested in a sign and will get back to Gloria on it.
• Gloria contacted the Juniata Historical Society about possibly applying fire retardant and submitting grants for a Historic Transportation and NRHP signs at Academia Bridge, the longest in PA. They are interested! Gloria will attend their January 15th meeting for further discussion.

Donation for Rudolph & Arthur: Gloria Smedley said we received $5,000 from Barbara and Robert Hart for Rudolph & Arthur Bridge; these funds were not needed for the rehab, so Gloria sent an email and letter to the Hart's to see how they would like the funds used; no response to date.

Fall Online Fundraiser: The fundraiser ended December 1st. Gloria thanked all who purchased and donated. We raised a total of $391 ($241 from purchases and $150 in donations from members).

York Christmas Show – Pam Mailey reported the Country Store was a vendor at this show on December 6th; the booth was manned by Gloria Smedley and Pam. Merchandise sales were about $300 (no hoodies or sweatshirts), but the booth cost $160. TBD if we will pursue next year.

2026 Calendar Update – Gloria stated we originally ordered 425 calendars and had only a few remaining. Since sales were good and the York Show was coming up, we reordered another 25.

Undecorating Poole Forge – Sunday, January 11, 2026. Time TBD.

NEW BUSINESS:

Bradley Donation: Gloria explained the Society was contacted by the son of Arleen & Clyde Bradley. Clyde died years ago and now Arleen is going into a health facility and taking only a few covered bridge items with her. The remaining items will be donated to our Society (a lot). Their son plans a trip to Lancaster and will deliver one carload. Plans will be made to go out and get the rest. Bob Kuether is planning a silent auction in March of items donated by the Bradleys.

Easter Egg Sales – Pam Mailey will sell Easter eggs made by her church, Fishing Creek Salem U.M. at the March meeting. An e-mail will be sent prior to the meeting for any pre-orders.

2026 Safari to Chester County – Gloria and Jim Smedley met with Heather and Paul Watkins to go over the Safari-leader responsibilities. Heather reported on preliminary plans to see 15 bridges in Chester County. Hotel information and dates (May or June) will be finalized soon.

Attendance Drawing – Gloria explained that all names on the sign-in sheet are entered into a drawing to receive a free ticket to a future dinner (or cash equivalent). This drawing will take place at our November 2026 meeting.

Country Store: Bob Kuether has items for sale that make nice Christmas gifts. The wooden covered bridge is also available for donations toward the Preservation Fund.

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Gloria showed the cork/covered bridge trivets she made, for sale.

NEXT MEETING:

• Sunday, March 1st, 2:00 at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA. Program by Fred Moll entitled “Berk's County Heritage Center including Wertz's Bridge”.
• Easter Eggs Sale (this meeting only).
• Silent auction of Clyde and Arleen Bradley's donated items.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1:50pm.

Respectfully submitted by Pamela Mailey, Secretary – December 21, 2025