Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.

67th Anniversary Dinner and Monthly Business Meeting

Yoder’s Family Restaurant

Sunday, May 3, 2026

 

The TBCBSP’s Annual Anniversary Meal was held at Yoder’s Family Restaurant in New Holland, PA starting at 11:30am; 64 people attended the brunch buffet followed by the monthly meeting; grace given by Eric Wiening.

 

President Gloria Smedley called the meeting to order at 1:00pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Guests of Joe McCarthy and Carol Wright were introduced.

 

April’s Meeting Minutes were available for review & approved later in the meeting, as presented.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Judy Kuether reported 384 members for 2025-2026; 8 less than last year.

 

MEMBERS’ BRIDGE REPORTS:

Joe McCarthy - (1) Joe’s part of the Bartram’s Bridge project is done, however, the Township Supervisor said there are no funds to finish the siding at this time. (2) Joe’s Company is re-building Kintersburg Bridge at his shop; he will advise when walls are complete so members can view it before being moved to Indiana, PA for rebuild in October. (3) The romantic shelter he’s building in a park to honor Clyde Scheib will be a big community event, tentatively in September.

 

Tim McLaughlin – Tim & Connie saw Speakman #1 and Harmony Hills; reported they look good.

 

OFFICERS’ REPORTS: 

President Gloria Smedley – Gloria passed By Willows Bridge on Rt. 30.  Gloria & Jim took their display to the I-83 Welcome Center for Pennsylvania’s Tourism Week through See Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges Week (SPCBW).

 

First Vice-President Jim Smedley – No report.

 

Second Vice-President Ray Finkelstein – Ray said Bogert’s is being worked on slowly.

Third Vice-President Frank Mailey – Pam will report on activities.

 

Fourth Vice-President Tony Abramo – After 40 years, Tony saw an Amish buggy go through Eshelman’s Mill Bridge for the first time.

 

Secretary Pam Mailey – Pam & Frank saw Red Run which needs siding repairs and painted, and Bucher’s Mill Bridges.  They also placed the display at the Franklin County, I-81 Welcome Center for Tourism and SPCBW.

 

Treasurer Judy Kuether – No report.

 

Historian Fred Moll – No report.

 

NEWSLETTER EDITORS: Jim Smedley reported the deadline for the Summer 2026 Newsletter and Wooden Covered Spans is Sunday, June 7th.

 

ILLNESS OF MEMBERS: 

·       Michael Chorazy took ill from low blood sugar resulting in a seizure and was hospitalized while on vacation in Spain.

·       Mike Rudnick is having back issues.

·       Connie McLaughlin had a stress test and subsequent stent placed in her heart.

·       Tim Cohen stopped rehab; it is very hard to understand him, but he can read texts.

·       Steve Wolfhope has neuropathy in his feet, so driving is difficult; he is working on using hand-held gears to drive.

 

OLD BUSINESS:   

National Register of Historic Places Signs – Gloria reported that due to the difficulty in gathering documentation for the Historic Transportation signs, she will not be able to submit 10 signs to have our Society’s badge added to them.  Since it takes 10-12 weeks to get the signs, she didn’t want to wait on those already awarded for what could be another year before she has 8 more.

·       Hassenplug, Sachs, Rice, Red: Installed

·       Wehr’s: 4-6 weeks more before delivery of sign.

·       Sheeder-Hall National Registry and Historic Transportation signs ordered.

·       Academia National Registry sign ordered. 

·       Poole Forge: National Registry and Historic Transportation signs awarded.  Awaiting funds.

·       Bartram’s, Shearer’s, Bogert’s: Waiting information to apply for NHRP signs.

·       Bucks & Perry Counties: Waiting to hear back.

 

8 National Register Signs awarded ($16,800)

2 Historic Transportation Signs awarded ($4,956)

$21,856 total grants awarded

 

NEW BUSINESS:    

Country Store – Items here for purchase including the Bradley’s donations.

 

2027 Calendar update: Calendars are available for sale.  Those here who had photo(s) in the calendar were given their free calendar.

 

Painting a Bridge: Gloria spoke to the owner of Dr. Knisley, James Claycomb, who is thrilled to have his bridge painted.  Our painter, Bill Stockum, gave a quote of $8,500 to paint the bridge which was approved by the Board.  It should take 6-7 days to paint, tentatively in early June.

Fire Retardant:

·       Academia (Juniata Co.)  The Juniata County Historical Society has planned a bridge cleanup day on May 16th. Our painter Bill Stockum will apply the retardant for $800 sometime after that date.  The retardant has been delivered to Bill’s home. 

·       Wagoner’s (Perry Co.).   Jim & Gloria Smedley and Pam & Frank Mailey will apply the fire retardant on Thursday, May 7th starting at noon.  Anyone else who would like to be there is welcome to join us.  It is a short bridge so shouldn’t take long to complete the application. 

·       Fort Hunter (Dauphin Co.).  Graffiti has been removed.  Tentative date to apply retardant is Wednesday, May 20th starting at 11:00.  Anyone is welcome to attend.

 

2026 Safari to Chester County: (1) Heather Watkins provided an update on Safari.  There will be a meeting Friday evening at 7:00pm for further directions.  It will be an 8:00am start each day.  (2) Jim & Gloria picked up the safari shirts from the printer, sorted/bagged them for pick-up today. Thanks again to Connie McLaughlin for donating time and effort to create the artwork.

 

Attendance Drawing: Remember to sign in!  All names on the sign in sheet are entered into a drawing to receive a free ticket to a future dinner (or cash equivalent).  Drawing will take place at the November 2026 meeting.

 

See PA Covered Bridges Week (May 9th -17th): Sara Beth read the Proclamation from the Governor’s Office.  Judy Kuether mailed handouts and rack cards of updated information to the 4 Welcome Centers with permanent displays.  The rack cards now include the QR code.

 

Discover Lancaster Visitor’s Center Hospitality Booklets: Thanks to Christine Weaver for supplying us with the Discover Lancaster Hospitality Booklets.

 

COVERED BRIDGE ITEMS:  Tony Abramao saw a cast iron, covered bridge bank at a shoppe on his “Best Kept Secrets Tour” in Lancaster County.

                                       

NEXT MEETING: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 2:00pm at St. Paul Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA. Program by member Donna King McClane entitled “Let’s Talk About Adams County Bridges”.

 

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 1:45pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted by Pam Mailey, Secretary, May 28, 2026.