Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

Monthly Business Meeting

Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, New Holland, PA

Sunday, May 5, 2024

 

The TBCBSP held their 65th Anniversary Dinner at Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet, beginning with a brunch buffet at 11:30 am followed by the monthly meeting.  President Bob Kuether called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance. No new members or guests were present.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bob Kuether stated copies of the April Meeting Minutes are available for review at the side table; he will ask for approval later in the meeting.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported there was 1 new member, Linn Bomboy from Perkasie and 1 reinstatement, Krunal Thakore from Berwick.  Current membership is 367.

 

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS: 

Joe McCarthy – Joe’s Company will be doing the timber and siding work at Leaman Place Bridge.  Discussions are still in progress for repairs of Bartram’s Bridge. His design team is working on pricing to rebuild Rudolph and Arthur Bridge.  Joe invited all to the Timber Framers Open House on Friday, May 17th from 11:00-12:00, followed by a mini-safari to some Lancaster County bridges.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS: 

President Bob Kuether – Bob is awaiting response from the “State” to proceed with plans to paint Jack’s Mountain Bridge (considering August).  He received an estimate from the painter of $7,000 to paint the bridge and replace some boards.

 

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – Jim reported Indiana County has $578,000 in the fund to rehabilitate Kintersburg Bridge.

 

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Ray said bids will be accepted in May for price of materials to rehab Bogert’s Bridge.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Frank and Pam visited 4 bridges on way home from the Poconos:  Little Gap, Harrity (needs new roof); also Schlichers and Geigers which look good.

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – Tony has the March article from a Lancaster newspaper about the bridge damage in Lyndon, VT.  Karen and he drove the route for the mini-safari again, which is scheduled for May 18th (see handout). They also visited Schenk’s Mill (needs some cosmetic work), Forry’s Mill and Kauffman’s Distillery which look good.

 

Recording Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam thanked Christine Weaver for providing the Lancaster County Visitor’s Center Hospitality Booklets containing coupons/discounts for various businesses.

 

Corresponding Secretary Pam Heisey – No report.

Treasurer Judy Kuether – Judy reported the April bake sale netted $189 for the General Fund.

 

Historian Fred Moll – Fred previously reported a new stairway was to be built to connect Wertz’s Red Bridge to the Union Canal; funds were approved, but no work has begun. Fred located old photos of the rebuilding of Pleasantville Bridge during the years 2001-2002 which he turned into a powerpoint presentation titled “The Restoration of the Pleasantville Covered Bridge; this bridge was previously named Yoder’s Bridge.

 

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline to submit information for the Summer Edition of PA Crossings Newsletter is Sunday, June 2, 2024.

 

ILLNESS/DEATH OF MEMBERS: (1) Steve Wolfhope reported Gloria fell, and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation; she is now in rehab facility. (2) Tim Cohn said “I’m back” after a lengthy recovery from a stroke. (3) Carol Wright said she has a growth on her spine; has now shrunk by ¼” with medication.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

Cash Raffle – Gloria Smedley reported this 50-50 raffle raised $1,521 for the Preservation Fund. The winners today received $684 (35%), $195 (10%) and $98 (5%) with an additional $545 in donations.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Calendar Updates – Jim Smedley reported the 2025 calendar is available for sale.  The response was good for submitting photos, so the plan is proceed with a 2026 calendar.

 

See PA Covered Bridges Week – Sara Beth Kohut read the Governor’s Proclamation for “See PA Covered Bridges Week”, May 11-19.

 

NO PROGRAM TODAY

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The April 2024 minutes were approved as presented.

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, June 2, 2024 at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA.  The Program will be “Covered Bridges of West Virginia” by Michael Chorazy.

 

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 pm.

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Recording Secretary, May 25, 2024