The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting and Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA

Sunday, October 2, 2016

 

President Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m.  He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:  New members Pam Mailey, Ortha Sosiewicz, and Bill & Carol Schleig were in attendance.  It was also nice to see Rose Giannattasio, Ortha Klischer, and Eugene and Bernandine BiSanti.

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

TREASURER’S REPORT: 388 members renewed for 2016-2017 (21 more than 1 year ago). 218 members renewed for 2016-17.  Treasurer Bob Kuether also provided an annual Treasurer’s report.

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

Tim and Connie McLaughlin updated the Society on the progress of Speakman #1 (PA-15-05) reporting it is near completion.  Bitzer’s Mill (PA-36-04) is stripped down to its truss. They also stopped by Mercer’s Mill (PA-15-19 & PA-36-38) and Smith’s in Delaware (DE-02-01 #2) and both bridges are in good condition.

Joe McCarthy said his company completed work on Speakman #1 on Friday.  The painters and roofers will be working on the bridge this coming week and some blacktop work has to be done.  Joe will let us know when a reopening date is set.

Tina Conn and her granddaughter took the Lehigh County driving tour recently.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Tom Walczak – On September 17-18 Tom helped Bob with the Country Store at the Washington-Greene Festival. Tom noted a new stringer bridge has been built near Ebenezer Bridge (PA-63-14).  He traveled to Indiana County, PA to visit all four of their bridges and reported all of them in nice condition although Kintersburg (PA-32-05) has a broken lower chord and needs painting.  McConnell’s Mill (PA-37-01) painting is finished and the bridge has been reopened.

First Vice President Jim Smedley – No report.

The PA Crossings deadline is today October 2nd. It should be in the mail about October 14th.  Jim mentioned that members will notice a few changes have been made to the Newsletter format.

Second Vice President Ray Finkelstein – No report.

Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope – Steve stopped by Speakman #1 Bridge recently.

Fourth Vice President Tim McLaughlin – (See his report with Connie above in members section.)

Historian Fred J. Moll - No report.

Recording Secretary Gloria Smedley –Provided members with how the Lasagna Dinner logistics will work when we start the meal after our Business Meeting.  Tom thanked Gloria for all her hard work to organize the Dinner Fundraiser.

Corresponding Secretary/Program Chair Pam Heisey - No report.

Treasurer Robert Kuether – Bob announced if everything goes well including the weather cooperating we will paint the portals of Pleasantville Bridge (PA-06-01) on Saturday October 15th.  Bob reported on the Washington-Greene Festival.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate and crowds were a bit less than last year.  Bob thanked everyone who helped at the festival.  Bob invited members to help at the Knoebels Festival, Poole Forge Bridge decoration, and the Christmas show in Harrisburg. Bob also thanked Bob Greer for a recent donation of 100 stamps to the Society, Bill Haag for donating a large tarp and Brian McKee for donation of books. He also mentioned a Memorial donation in memory of his father, Fred Kuether, was given by NAWIC and Karen Renzi, an organization Linda Havens was a member of.

REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS – Bill Haag’s mother passed away a couple of weeks ago.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS - None

 

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS

Connie McLaughlin displayed a key chain with a covered bridge she got while in NH.  Tom spotted a covered bridge quilt and Greg saw a covered bridge sweatshirt recently in a store.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September minutes were approved as presented.

NEXT MEETING

Our Next Meeting will be on November 6, 2016 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and will include our semi-annual Bake Sale.  We will conduct our regular business meeting at 2:00pm followed by a presentation by Pat Cook entitled “Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

 

 ADJOURNMENT

 The meeting was adjourned at 2:47 p.m. followed by our Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser.

 

Respectfully Submitted by Jim Smedley for Recording Secretary, Gloria Smedley

October 10, 2016