The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge
Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Monthly Business Meeting
Manheim Farm Show Building/Community
Center
Sunday, June 6, 2021 2:00 p.m.
President Tom Walczak
called the meeting to order at 2:11 PM, welcoming everyone. Tom led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tom thanked Jim Smedley for leading
the last 2 meetings in his absence due to his Dad’s declining health. He thanked everyone for their cards, thoughts
and prayers.
NEW
MEMBERS AND GUESTS: None
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES: Tom reminded
everyone the May 2021 Meeting Minutes are available for review on the back
table; he will ask for approval later in the meeting.
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Bob Kuether
reported there are currently 378 members, 7 more members than a year ago.
MEMBERS’
REPORTS:
Greg Williams: He visited Red Run Mill, Schenk’s
Mill Bridge which now has headache bars at both ends, and Kauffman’s Distillery
which looks good.
Tony Abramo: He and Karen visited these Lycoming
area bridges on way to PA Welcome Centers, all in excellent shape: Frazier,
Buttonwood and Cogan. Also saw Knapp’s
in Bradford County which is in good shape.
Connie McLaughlin:
Saw Mercer’s Mill, looks good with flowers around. Smith’s Covered Bridge still shows damage
from truck. Gibson’s Bridge looks good; she sees this one a couple times a
week.
George Rothlingshofer:
He has been watching
the re-build of Ramp’s Bridge in Newville: now has running boards in place, is
all painted and about ready to open.
OFFICERS’
REPORTS:
President Tom Walczak -
Saw Ramp’s Bridge and Diehl’s/Turner’s in Bedford County (looks repainted). Tom
visited Banks Bridge which is closed to traffic for work (replacing smaller eye
beams) and Kidds Mill in Mercer County. Tom also placed covered bridge display at
I-80 PA Welcome Center with reported good response from travelers
First Vice President Jim Smedley:
Pictures of Ramp’s Bridge are in the upcoming PA Crossings with front
page photo taken by George Rothlingshofer’s drone.
Knowlton Bridge, Ohio was a three-span bridge: one span fell in 2018, second span
fell in 2019-2020, third span is ready to fall.
Plan is to get white oak lumber locally and rebuild; working on getting
funding.
Second
Vice President Ray Finkelstein
– Not present but sent report. Ray thanked all for cards and calls when Linda was
in rehab facility and said kind thoughts are greatly appreciated. Reported Manasses Guth’s Bridge is open to traffic again after being closed a
long time (truck had damaged beams). Also Wehr’s
Bridge wing wall has still not been repaired.
Third Vice President Frank Mailey
– He and Pam traveled to four PA Welcome Centers with Bob and Judy to pick-up
displays from See Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges Week. Saw Claycomb Bridge
at Bedford Village (looks good although unpainted).
Fourth Vice President Bob Griner
– Just saw first covered bridge in a year, outside building (Shearer’s).
Treasurer Bob Kuether – Thank you to everyone who went to
PA Welcome Centers, placed and picked-up displays for See Pennsylvania’s Covered
Bridges Week. Some Welcome Centers have requested a permanent display. Walked across Shearer’s Bridge; a lot of wood
is missing from the floor and it’s soft.
Historian Fred Moll
- Fred reported Wertz’s Bridge is in good condition. He received about 800 35mm slides, donated by
George Aranson, FL that his father, Robert (TBCBSP
member) took mostly from 1950-1960s.
Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – A big thank you from her church in Manheim for
food donations for the food pantry; they are trying to donate to the pantry
weekly.
Recording Secretary Pam Mailey –
No report.
NEWSLETTER:
Jim Smedley reported the deadline to
submit information is today, June 6, 2021.
You should receive the newsletter around June 15-16.
ILLNESSES/DEATHS
of MEMBERS:
Miriam Wood (Mim”)
passed away May 17th; a member until 2014.
She was a real “pioneer” for the society and covered bridges.
Anthony Walczak,
Tom’s dad, remains in long term care facility.
OLD BUSINESS:
Jim and
Gloria Smedley traveled to SE Ohio last month to finalize plans for the Safari
on August 28-30, 2021. Motel rate
remains $60 plus tax and fees per night with continental breakfast. Hospitality Room is available for our use, at
no cost. Plan about 2 ½ hours of driving
Saturday and Sunday; to see 6 bridges on Saturday, 7 on Sunday and 5 on Monday
on way home. There is some gravel on back
roads. Difficult area for rest stops and
restaurants, but are planned. T-shirt
orders are due July 11th so you can pick up at the August 1st
meeting. More details and motel
reservation and t-shirt forms are in the upcoming Newsletter.
Tony Abramo reminded the group of the Mini-Safari to Northern
Lancaster County on Saturday June 19th. Group will leave from Sheetz at 9:00 a.m. (Handout
on back table for details).
NEW
BUSINESS:
Tom and Connie McLaughlin comprise the
Nominating Committee for 2022 Officers.
Current officers should let Connie and Tim know today or ASAP if they
wish to continue or step-down.
August 1st meeting will be
at Manheim Community Center with Bob Kuether
presenting “Covered Bridges of Cumberland County, Part 2”.
September 12th meeting/annual picnic has
been changed to Saturday, September 11th at Poole Forge.
NEW
COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS:
Greg Williams shared a Bridging patch
he found at an antique store.
Pam Mailey
shared a newspaper photo of Harrisburg Chorus taken at Fort Hunter’s Covered Bridge
and an album containing pictures of Camel Back Bridge, standing and collapsing.
Bob Kuether
announced the 2022 Calendars are for sale for $10 at the back table,
miscellaneous T-shirts for $3, and the Twins Covered Bridge Puzzle.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May’s meeting minutes were approved
as presented.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 3:15
p.m.
NEXT
MEETING: Next meeting
will be held on July 11, 2021 at Manheim Community Center with Covered Bridge
Games.
PROGRAM TODAY: Bob Kuether:
“Covered Bridges of Cumberland County, Part 2” was postponed to August 1st
meeting, due to technical difficulties.
Respectfully Submitted
by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, July 7, 2021.