Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA

Sunday, August 7, 2016

 

President Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m. and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:  New members Bill and Carol Schleig from Harrisburg were in attendance.

Tom reminded members the minutes are in the box for review and approval later.

TREASURER’S REPORT (read by Gloria Smedley in Bob’s absence).  383 members renewed for 2015-2016 (16 more than 1 year ago). 119 members renewed for 2016-17.

 

MEMBERS’ REPORTS.

Tina Conn is back from her 27 day cross country bus trip.  A surprising stop on the trip was a visit to Roseman (IA-61-07) and Cutler Donahoe (IA-61-02 ) in Winterset, Iowa.

Joe McCarthy reported that there is a problem at Knox (PA-38-15-15#2).  They are hoping to open it in October.  All materials are now on site for work to begin on Speakman #1 (PA-15-05) starting Monday, August 8th.

Mike Rudnick visited bridges in Ashtabula County, Ohio and several in northwest PA.  He has plans to visit bridges in upstate NY near Oxford and in PA next month.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS

President Tom Walczak and Tim Cohen visited Weaver’s Mill (PA-36-02) and Red Run (PA-36-10).  While there Tom spoke with the man who owns Red Run who told him of all the problems going on with the bridge.  He hoped to see it rehabilitated.  The work to fix the abutment would be at least $30,000.  In 2014 a company donated the materials and the bridge got a new roof.  Tom’s nephew and wife were visiting from New Orleans and he was able to introduce them to their first covered bridge, Banks (PA-37-02).  Yesterday Tom visited Glessner (PA-56-08) in Somerset County which he found in good condition.

First Vice President Jim Smedley and Gloria attended the bridge marker ceremony at Hyde Hall Bridge (NY-39-01 ) in Cooperstown on July 17.  While traveling to and from Cincinnati to visit family they stopped by Dent’s Run Bridge in WV (WV-31-03) and 7 bridges in central Ohio, 5 of which were in Licking County.  The most interesting venture was seeing the Boy Scout Bridge (OH-45-04) where they were taken on a private tour of the camp and to the bridge by a maintenance employee.  With the exception of a couple of the bridges in fair condition, most are in good to excellent condition.

The deadline for the fall issue of PA Crossings is October 2nd, the date of our meeting and lasagna dinner fundraiser here at the church.

Second Vice President Ray Finkelstein and Linda were rather busy this past month highlighting the month with a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party on the 23rd.  It was a great time with all the family together which doesn’t happen often.  On July 9th he went to the Erwinna Arts and Crafts Festival and visited Erwinna Bridge (PA-09-04) and Uhlerstown Bridge (PA-09-08) which were both in good shape.  He had with him 10 flyers that can be posted in bridges with tear offs with information to join our society.  He will give these to Bob who is going to request permission to put these in Columbia County bridges.

Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope – Steve and Gloria are planning a trip next week to finish up the New Hampshire bridges he hasn’t seen and to take in some train rides.

Fourth Vice President Tim Cohen – no report.

Historian Fred J. Moll was absent but Jim Smedley read his report.  This month he had his nose stuck in old newspapers from the 1800’s working on a covered bridge research project.  Consequently, he did not visit any actual covered bridges this past month.

 

Recording Secretary Gloria Smedley – Gloria and Jim met Judy and Bob at the I-83 Welcome Center where the society has a permanent display shelf in a glass case there.  Since visitors had often asked how they could purchase items on our shelf, they changed out the items on display so it now includes only items available for sale in our Country Store.  They also added a small sign with our store keeper’s, Bob Kuether, contact information.  Hopefully, this will be another venue to increase sales of covered bridge items.

Corresponding Secretary/Program Chair Pam Heisey - No report.

Treasurer Robert Kuether – Bob was absent but Jim Smedley read his report. The Kuether Family thanked everyone for all the cards, emails, and kindness with the death of Bob’s father Fred Kuether.  Bob and Jim picked up photo albums from the Granddaughter of Mary Clewell that were donated to the society.  Custom orders placed at the last meeting for shirts and hats with our society logo on them will be completed and available at the September meeting.

 

REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS – None.

OLD BUSINESS – None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

There was a short discussion about our 2017 safari.  Ray Finkelstein volunteered to lead a 2-3 day safari of the Bedford and Somerset County bridges.  Tom said the Executive Board would discuss this further and then bring it before the membership again at a later date when we have more members in attendance.

 

Gloria reviewed the details of our Lasagna Fundraiser Dinner to be held at the October 2nd. 


The Nominating Committee of Pat Cook and Greg Williams have assembled the slate of officers for next year.  Greg Williams read the list as follows:

President - Tom Walczak

1st VP – Jim Smedley

2nd VP – Ray Finkelstein

3rd VP - Steve Wolfhope

4th VP – Tim McLaughlin

Treasurer – Bob Kuether

Recording Secretary - Gloria Smedley

Corresponding Secretary - Pam Heisey

Historian - Fred Moll

 

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS

Greg Williams shared two placemats and a painting of a covered bridge.

Steve Wolfhope mentioned that Indiana is considering a covered bridge for their new license plates.  Anyone can go on line and vote for the design.

Mike Rudnick stopped in the Bedford County Visitors Center where he found lots of covered bridge items for sale.

Tina Conn picked up a solar license plate key chain with a covered bridge on it during her cross country trip.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July minutes were approved as presented.

Today’s program was given by Jim Smedley, entitled “Covered Bridges in Kentucky and Tennessee”.

The new members Bill and Carol Schleig won the two free Christmas Dinner tickets today.

NEXT MEETING

Our Next Meeting will be on September 11, 2016 due to the Labor Day Weekend here at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. 

 

 ADJOURNMENT

 The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

 

Respectfully Submitted by Recording Secretary, Gloria Smedley

August 11, 2016