The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting & Pasta Dinner Fundraiser

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA

Sunday, October 1, 2017

President Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m. and led us in the pledge of allegiance.

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None

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

TREASURER’S REPORT: We have four new members this month; Mark & Audrey Christ and Greg & Teresa McDuffee. We have 386 members renewed for 2016-17, 2 less than 1 year ago. Treasurer’s report was approved as read.

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

Katie Helm visited Cedarburg Bridge (WI-46-01) in Wisconsin which was in nice condition. She also saw some bridges in Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada; Little Lepreau River (NB-03-06), Digdeguash River #4 (NB-03-09) and Canal Bridge (NB-03-01) and said she was disappointed in the condition of all three bridges and the existence of graffiti. Katie also saw Creamery Bridge (VT-13-01) and said it was in nice shape.

Joe McCarthy said his company is currently cutting the third truss for Blenheim Bridge and when completed and shipped to New York about 65% of the bridge will be in New York. He will also soon start work to repair Loux Bridge (PA-09-11).

Pat Cook stopped by Dellville Bridge (PA-50-16) and said it appears they are continuing to work on the bridge.

Greg Williams Stopped by Kauffman’s Distillery Bridge (PA-36-32 #2) and said it looks good. He also shared an article from a local paper about the owner of Herr’s Mill Bridge (PA-36-21) wanting someone to remove the bridge from his property for just $1.

Mike Rudnick was in New York for the National Society’s meeting at Hyde Hall Mansion in Glimmerglass State Park, New York and was able to visit Hyde Hall Bridge (NY-39-01).

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Tom Walczak spent some time at some Washington-Greene festival sites last month. He said the festival was not attended as well as past years. He stopped by the site our Society usually occupies at the festival near Ebenezer Bridge and noted it was now mostly the site for the Washington County Tourist Agency. Tom noted some nice improvements to the park and also the abutments at Ebenezer Bridge (PA-63-14) have been repaired. He saw other festival sites and bridges at Henry Bridge (PA-63-16), Hughes Bridge (PA-63-17), Carmichaels (PA-30-21 #2) and White Bridge (PA-30-30), all in good shape except Hughes Bridge still sags in the middle. He also saw the newly rehabilitated Pine Bank Bridge (PA-63-35) in Meadowcroft Village.

Last week Tom went to western Ohio to scope out locations for the 2018 Safari in Preble and Greene counties. He saw 7 bridges in Greene County, 4 in Preble County, 1 in Butler County, 1 in Madison County and Armstrong Bridge (OH-30-12) in Guernsey County.

First Vice President Jim Smedley – Jim informed members the delay for rebuilding Dellville Bridge was caused because Lycoming Supply Company intended to use white pine to replace truss members and Perry County wanted them to use yellow pine, a stronger wood. Commissioners had to authorize $66,000 in additional funds to use the yellow pine.

The deadline for PA Crossings is today, October 1^st.

Fourth Vice President Tim McLaughlin and his wife Connie stopped by Speakman #1 Bridge (PA-15-05), Rapp’s Dam Bridge (PA-15-14), and Kurtz’s Mill Bridge PA-36-03) and all were in nice condition. He noted he saw Lime Valley Bridge (PA-36-23) and there appears to be some damage to it from a truck. Tim also noted brochures about Chester County bridges are available at the Chester County Visitors Bureau.

Treasurer Robert Kuether stopped by the Paden Twin Bridges (PA-19-11 & PA-19-12 #2) and also Stillwater Bridge (PA-19-21) where they are replacing siding.

REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS – Dick Roy, longtime member of our Society until his recent illness has passed away. Doris Musselman is in Grandview Nursing & Rehabilitation in Danville. Pat Cook’s mom is in the hospital. Michael Chorazy asked Jim Smedley to say hello to everyone for him and he hopes to see all of us in November.

OLD BUSINESS – None

NEW BUSINESS – Bob Kuether told members the Society will consider painting Aline Bridge (PA-55-04) in Snyder County next year and, time permitting, may organize a cleanup crew for the bridge in November.

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Bob showed Society members many new covered bridge items he obtained and will soon make them available for members at Knoebels Covered Bridge Festival in October and our Christmas Dinner in December. Katie Helm saw some “Covered Bridge Potato Chips” while in New Brunswick. Tina Chandler shared seeing new covered bridge puzzles and jars at a store in Quarryville, covered bridge puzzles at Wal-Mart in Kennett Square and advertisements for a light-up picture and shirts from a magazine.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September minutes were approved as presented.

NEXT MEETING - Our Next Meeting will be held on November 5, 2017 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Manheim, PA. The program will be “Reconstruction of the Moose Brook Bridge” by Bill Caswell, President of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges.

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m. following by our Pasta Dinner Fundraiser. Tom thanked Gloria Smedley and all who helped to provide our Society with the Pasta Dinner.

Respectfully Submitted by Jim Smedley, for Gloria Smedley Recording Secretary

October 15, 2017