Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society
of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Annual Christmas Dinner and Meeting
December 9, 2017
President
Tom Walczak was not feeling well so was unable to attend today’s dinner. Jim Smedley called the meeting to order at 12:40
p.m. welcoming everyone to our Annual Christmas dinner. He led us in the pledge to the flag.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Guests included a group from the Lancaster
Visitor’s Bureau: Christine Weaver, Wanda Wayne and her husband Barry Mortimer,
and Tom Cusick. Jim also recognized
those who traveled some distance to attend: Gene and Jeannine Ross from
Virginia and Stacey Dyrwal and her daughter Quamari from Pittsburgh.
Jim thanked those who
helped to organize today’s dinner – Judy, Bob & Desi Kuether, Linda Havens,
and Linda Finkelstein.
Treasurer Bob Kuether
read the monthly treasurer’s report. We
gained six new members in November -
John Cooney, Jim and Sandy Evans, Dwight Johnson, and Ernie and Kay
Jones. We have 327 members renewed for
2017-2018, 38 more than one year ago. Treasurer’s
report was approved as read.
Jim reminded everyone
that donations were being accepted today for our Bridge Preservation Fund. Donations can be placed in the covered bridge
model on the table in the back of the room.
He mentioned that minutes were available in the box for review and will
be approved later in the meeting.
MEMBERS’ REPORTS
Tina
Conn saw two bridges
in Georgia since our last meeting – Watson Mill (GA-97-01/GA-109-02) (beautiful
settings, 4 spans) and Howards (GA-109-01).
She also visited Bartram’s (PA-15-17/PA-23-02) which has been decorated
for the holidays.
Joe
McCarthy reported
that the south and center trusses are constructed at Blenheim (NY-48-01 #2). More trucks are on the way to the site. They will likely stop work and cover what
they’ve done until spring. He will let
everyone know when all the trusses are finished and being moved into place. Work on Loux (PA-09-11) is complete, repairs
are done, except for painting which will be done next week. Last night he took his crew to Poole Forge
(PA-36-01) to see the lights and hoping to encourage enthusiasm and get some
new members from his crew.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
President
Tom Walczak was not
present due to illness.
First Vice
President, Jim Smedley
– No report.
The
deadline for PA Crossings Newsletter is February 4th the day of our
first meeting next year.
Second
Vice President, Ray Finkelstein
– Not present.
Third
Vice President, Steve Wolfhope
helped with decorating Poole Forge.
While visiting Shady Maples last week he drove through Poole Forge to
see if decorations were holding up and they were.
Fourth
Vice President, Tim McLaughlin
visited Poole Forge and found the garland had blown loose so he reattached
it. He and Connie visited some Ohio
bridges while there for Thanksgiving.
They also saw Banks (PA-37-02) which needs cleaning, Thomas Ford (PA-32-06
#2), Trusel (PA-32-03) Harmon (PA-32-04) and Kintersberg (PA-32-05) where there
was cribbing and a jack under one end of the bridge. He showed a painting of Stonelick (OH-13-02)
he had brought in.
Recording
Secretary, Gloria Smedley
- no report.
Corresponding
Secretary / Program Chair Pamela A. Heisey – no report. She
wished everyone a Happy Holidays and New Year.
Treasurer Bob
Kuether thanked all
who helped with the decorations at Poole Forge and doing the reminder postcards
and Christmas card bags. He asked Pam
Mailey to report on the Christmas Show.
She thanked all who had helped and reported that we sold $1,720 total in
merchandise - $500 over last year.
Historian Fred J. Moll: On October 1st, 2017 he attended
the celebration for the 150th Anniversary of Wertz’s Red Bridge (PA-06-06)
in Berks County with a birthday cake and the singing of Happy Birthday. What he did not know at that time is that there
was to be an official proclamation for the bridge that had not arrived until
after the event. So the Berks County
Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with state Representative Barry
Jozwiak, will mark the occasion by unveiling an official
citation from the state House during a ceremony at the Berks County Heritage
Center on December 14 at 11 A.M. For
more information, contact Jazwiak’s office at 610-378-4407 or Christopher
Stress, executive director of parks and recreation, at 610-372-8939. The event will take about 10-15 minutes and
will be open to the public.
REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR
DEATHS: Gloria Wolfhope received a note from
Olive Jones. Olive is recovering from a heart attack in the spring but sends
her regards to all. Linda Finkelstein
took a bad fall and has been hospitalized overnight, just 2 weeks after kidney
surgery. She thanks everyone for the
many cards she has received. Brian McKee
is having hearing and sight problems due to a severe ear infection and his
partner, Karen Bittenger is having stomach and heart issues. Stacey Drywal thanked all for the many cards
she received after the death of her mother, Judy Talmonti. Judy was on the safari but soon after went
downhill quickly. Stacey told how her
mom loved the safaris and the members of the society. She plans to join in memory of her mom and
hopes to learn a lot from the group about the bridges.
OLD BUSINESS - 22 people attended the decorating of Poole
Forge this year – a great turnout!
NEW BUSINESS – Jim reported we have only a few
calendars left. We purchased 400 for
2018 and they are almost gone! Jim also reminded everyone the annual luminaries
at Kennedy Bridge (PA-15-13 #2) will be held on December 22nd and 23rd
at dusk. Clyde and Alda Scheib would
appreciate help from members.
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Dave Evans mentioned you can find covered
bridge items at antique shows. Gloria
Smedley said BJs has 4 different double puzzle sets with different covered
bridges on them. She purchased two of
each for Bob Kuether and they are available in the back. Michael Chorazy
provided the Society with some brochures of Frederick County, Maryland covered
bridges he picked up while traveling through the area.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Minutes were approved as presented.
NEXT MEETING: Our Next Meeting will be held on Sunday,
February 4th at St Paul’s Episcopal Church.
The program will be a movie on West Virginia covered bridges. Refreshments will be served.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was
adjourned at 1:35 p.m. Various raffles
with prizes were conducted.
Respectfully
Submitted by Recording Secretary, Gloria Smedley
December
11, 2017