The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Hoss’s Steak and Sea House, Lititz, PA

Sunday, October 14, 2018

President Tom Walczak called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m. He welcomed everyone and led us in the pledge of allegiance.

NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS: Member Barbara McCauley’s son, Jim attended our dinner and meeting.

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 announced new members Lyn Adams (added to Jeff Adams’ membership), Robert Jensen, Dr. Dorothy King, David Morrison and LIFE members John and Colleen Murray. We have 403 members, 17 more than one year ago.

MEMBERS’ REPORTS:

Heather Watkins visited Sonestown Bridge (PA-57-03) in Sullivan County and found some damage to the siding probably caused by the floods.

Joe McCarthy announced Sheeder-Hall (PA-15-12) has been repaired and is now open to traffic. The damage to the bridge was done on the side that was not repaired a year ago. Joe reported the damage to Siegrist’s Mill (PA-36-37 #2) from the summer floods. Joe’s company put a bid in to rehabilitate Dreibelbis Bridge (PA-06-07) in Berks County. Joe remarked that an initial inspection showed only 20% of the timbers at Dreibelbis Bridge need replacing. Blenheim Bridge (NY-48-01 #2) is considering providing a rail trail near the newly build bridge. Joe asked members to make sure we take a leaf blower with us to blow off any leaves or debris that resides in the bridge before we do any work on it. Joe removed the graffiti from Speakman #1 Bridge (PA-15-05).

Pat Cook and her husband Ken attended the National’s Tour in Ashtabula County. Newly visited bridges for them were West Liberty Bridge (OH-04-P) and Riverview Bridge (OH-04-unassigned). Pat also saw the two rail trail bridges, Tare Creek (OH-28-02 #2) and Maple Highlands Trail (OH-28-04) and 5 Romantic Shelters. Pat Reported Dellville (PA-50-16) has the south span basically finished but nothing started on the north span. She also saw Lime Valley (PA-36-23) and Neff’s Mill (PA-36-22 #2) which is still on the ground undergoing repairs.

OFFICERS’ REPORTS:

President Tom Walczak stopped at Ebenezer (PA-63-14), Henry (PA-63-16), Leatherman (PA-63-20), White (PA-30-30) and Lippencott (PA-30-25 #3) bridges during the Washington-Greene counties festival on September 16^th. He attended the National’s Tour in Ashtabula County on Sunday, September 23^rd. Tom mentioned four Presidents from various societies attended the safari.

Tom asked members if they viewed the recent NOVA Documentary on Blenheim Bridge and about half had seen it. Members thought it would be a good idea to show the documentary at an upcoming meeting. It was agreed to show the film at either the March or April meeting in Manheim.

First Vice President Jim Smedley and Gloria enjoyed the National’s Tour on Saturday, September 22^nd. They also visited Jim McClellan Bridge (OH-15-02 #2) and Sell (OH-15-01 #2) on their way to Ashtabula County. Jim and Gloria stopped by K.C. Klingensmith and Bob Griner’s house to pick up loose leaf binders filled with about 14,000 slides donated to the Society by Brian McKee and Karen Bittinger.

Third Vice President Steve Wolfhope and Gloria had an enjoyable time at the National’s Tour last month. They also saw Blue Bird Farm Bridge (OH-10-04), Jim McClellan Bridge, Tare Creek and Maple Highlands Trail bridges, Harding Memorial Bridge (OH-18-25), and Everett Road Bridge (OH-77-01 #2) all in nice condition.

Treasurer Bob Kuether and Judy provided a program on Dauphin County Bridges to the Historic Harrisburg Association where they attracted two new members. Bob thanked all those who helped out at our booth during a very successful year at Knoebel’s Montour-Columbia Covered Bridge Festival. The Society had more sales this year than any previous year. Bob reminded members about decorating Poole Forge Bridge on Saturday, November 17^th starting at 9:30 a.m.

Historian Fred Moll shared some stories about his day at Wertz’s Bridge in Berks County. Fred provided two talks to visitors at the bridge during the Heritage Festival on October 7^th. Between talks he invited questions and conversation with visitors about the bridge. Conversations included discussions about boring bees in the timber, brown bats at the bridge, and blocks of wood placed at the arches of the bridge.

ILLNESSES/DEATHS of MEMBERS: Joe and JoAnne McCarthy thanked everyone for the cards and condolences on the recent loss of JoAnne’s father and mother.

NEW COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS: Wal-Mart has a covered bridge calendar and Christmas cards with covered bridges on them.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September minutes were approved as presented.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 2:53 p.m.

NEXT MEETING - Our Next Meeting will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Manheim. The presentation will be “Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal” by Pam Heisey. It will also be our Bake Sale and members are encouraged to bring a canned good for the church’s food bank. Tom thanked everyone for attending our Dinner Fundraiser here today at Hoss’s Restaurant.

Respectfully Submitted by Jim Smedley for Gloria Smedley, Recording Secretary

October 21, 2018