The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting and Bake Sale

Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, PA

Sunday, April 8, 2018

 

President Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:09.  He welcomed everyone and lead us in the pledge of allegiance.

 

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:  Not a new member but attending his first meeting was Ken Olson of Sykesville, MD.  New members Larry and Pat Whitaker of Exton PA were also in attendance.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Tom reminded everyone the minutes were available for review and he will ask for approval later in the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Bob Kuether had to leave for a funeral and asked Jim Smedley to read the treasurer’s report.  We have two new members, John & Jeannie Goryl of Harrisburg, PA.  We have 388 members renewed for 2017-2018, 6 more than one year ago.  The treasurer’s report was approved as read.

 

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

 

Barbara McCauley sent a card to the Carbon County Commissioner’s Office thanking them for their care of Little Gap Bridge (PA-13-02).  They responded with a phone call and a lengthy conversation about bridges.

 

Clyde Scheib mentioned that Bob Greer donated 300 candles for this year’s luminaries at Kennedy Bridge (PA-15-13 #2).

 

Pam Mailey was out with her husband and happened upon Gibson’s Bridge (PA-15-10).

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

 

President Tom Walczak had no bridge report but has been busy with other bridge business behind the scenes.  

 

First Vice President Jim Smedley – No bridge report.

 

The deadline for PA Crossings is June 9th  during our safari weekend.

Second Vice President Ray Finkelstein had friends from Maine visit and took them to see all the Lehigh County covered bridges.  They really enjoyed it.  All the bridges are in good shape other than Bogert’s (PA-39-01).   He is working with a gentleman from Congressman Toomey’s office getting information about grants that we might be eligible for.   He contacted the Lehigh County commissioners and Allentown commissioners. One of the commissioners in Lehigh is a real covered bridge fan and he is trying to get an okay to do a presentation at one of their meetings.  Ray will be at the Lower Macungie Annual Community Day on May 1st again this year.

 

 

 

Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope – Steve saw Weaver’s Mill (PA-36-02), Poole Forge (PA-36-01) and Speakman #1 (PA-15-05) since our last meeting.

 

Fourth Vice President Tim McLaughlin visited 5 bridges:  Bucher’s Mill (PA-36-12), Erb’s (PA-36-34), Keller’s  (PA-36-13), Eberly’s Mill (PA-36-04) and Speakman #1 (PA-15-05).

 

Historian Fred J. Moll was not in attendance as he is still recovering from knee surgery.  Gloria Smedley read his report.  He plans to visit the Berk’s County bridges soon and will report on them at the Anniversary Dinner.

 

Recording Secretary Gloria Smedley- No report.

 

Corresponding Secretary/Program Chair Pam Heisey is a member of the PA Canal Society.  They have a picture of Uhlerstown (PA-09-08) on their recent newsletter.

 

Treasurer Robert Kuether - no report.

 

REPORTS OF ILLNESSES OR DEATHS – None.

 

OLD BUSINESS –  None

 

NEW BUSINESS – Tom Walczak obtained the proclamation for this year’s See Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges Week from the Governor’s Office.  It has the wrong dates at the top. He will see if this can be corrected.  Tom read the proclamation.

 

Jim discussed the 2019 calendar.  28 members submitted 244 photos plus 14 photos carried over from last year’s submissions.  There were many snow photos - 9 of top 33 rated photos were snow photos.  Unlike last year we had many Lancaster County photos and again had an abundance of Chester County photos.  Five bridges are shown for the first time in our calendars which is now in its 11th year:  Sheeder-Hall (PA-15-12), Hewitt (PA-05-26), Forry’s Mill (PA-36-28), Neddlie Woods (PA-30-26), and Rupert (PA-19-33).  Three photographers have photos in the 2019 calendar that have not had one for a few years:  Judy Kuether, Heather Watkins and Pat Cook.  Jim thanked Michael Chorazy, Gloria Smedley, Steve Wolfhope, Ray Finkelstein and Heather Watkins for being our calendar judges and all of the members who submitted photos.  Jim is waiting for proofs to come back from the printer and if everything goes smoothly the calendar should be available at the May Anniversary Dinner.

Jim announced that today is the deadline for ordering a safari T-shirt.

Judy Kuether displayed the 2019 60th Anniversary quilt.  Raffle tickets will be available at the Anniversary Dinner in May.  The reaction to the quilt was overwhelming positive – it is beautiful.

Tom mentioned several items that were discussed at the executive board meeting held prior to this meeting.  We are planning a one day covered bridge tour of Perry County bridges in August.  We will rent a van at the cost of about $30-$40 per person.  The majority in attendance were interested in going on the tour.

 

We also plan to hold a fundraising dinner at a nearby Hoss’s Restaurant immediately following our October meeting.  A percentage of the proceeds from that day’s dinner will go to the society.  More details to follow.  The majority of the group in attendance today was interested in participating in the dinner.

 

Lastly, the board discussed eliminating the February meeting.  This meeting has always been problematic due to weather.  It is also Super Bowl Sunday.  A show of hands indicated that the entire group was in favor of eliminating the February meeting.  Tom will review the bylaws as to the next steps to obtain final official approval of this change in schedule.

 

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEM –   Greg Williams picked up a plate of the bridges of Hummelstown and was given a picture of the Twins (PA-19-11/19-12 #2) by a friend.   Connie McLaughlin had brochures available for two car shows – one at Poole Forge and a second that used a picture of Speakman #1 on their brochure. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March minutes were approved as presented.

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m. following today’s presentation by Steve Wolfhope entitled “Covered Bridges of Oregon, Washington & Northern California”.

 

NEXT MEETING - Our Next Meeting will be our Fifty-Ninth Anniversary Dinner held on May 5th at Dutch-Way Farm Market Restaurant, Gap, PA from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted by Gloria Smedley, Recording Secretary

April 10, 2018