TBCBSPA General Meeting at Knoebels October 9, 2011

Joyce called the meeting to order at 2:00.

Joyce welcomed everyone and noted that it’s a beautiful day for a drive and for the festival.

Joyce reminded everyone that the September 11 meeting was cancelled due to the flooding in much of PA from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. She thanked everyone who sent in reports of damage to bridges in PA and other states. She also thanked Jim & Gloria Smedley for spreading the news via email and Facebook. A list of bridges lost in the flooding will be posted on the internet today by Bob & Trish Kane. Joyce also noted that we used that day for a more extensive board meeting, which was very productive.

New members Anthony & Deirdre Warren are here today from Canada.

The minutes of August 6, 2011 were approved as presented.

The August and September treasurer’s reports were read by Bob and were approved as read.

Covered bridge reports from members:

Ben Evans reported that he and June finally were able to take a week in August for bridging. They visited 57 authentic, historic bridges in 12 counties in southeastern Ohio. Only 13 carry traffic, but they are in very good condition. Then on Sep. 9 & 10, after the floods, they headed out to check the bridges in Lehigh and Bucks Counties. The 6 bridges in Lehigh County were unaffected. In Bucks County, Knecht’s, Sheard’s Mill, Moods, South Perkasie, Pine Valley, and Schofield Ford / Twining were accessible and undamaged. They could only drive to within 0.2 miles of Van Sant, so Ben walked the remaining distance and found the bridge unaffected. Cabin Run, Erwinna, Frankenfield, Loux, and Uhlerstown were impossible to reach, but they have not heard news of any damage to those bridges.

Pat Cook reported that she and Bonnie went to Somerset and Westmoreland Counties last month and saw Barronvale (PA-36-03), Burkholder (PA-56-01), and Kings (PA-56-06) bridges. All looked nice. They also saw 12 romantic shelters. Yesterday they visited Knapp (PA-08-01), Forksville (PA- 57-01), Hillsgrove (PA-57-02), and Sonestown (PA-57-03), the last 2 of which were devastated. They also saw Hollingshead (PA-19-34) and Parr’s Mill (PA-19-29) and their conditions are the same. Rupert (PA-19-33) is closed and has a tree stuck in the side.

Tom Walczak reported that he helped out at the Society booth at the Washington-Greene festival on 9/17. On 9/18, he visited 10 Washington County bridges and found only minor issues: Jackson Mill (PA-63-18), McClurg/Devil’s Den (PA-63-13), Krepp’s (PA-63-19), Brownlee (PA-63-09), Wyit Sprowls (PA-63-29), Plant’s (PA-63-26), Sprowl’s (PA-63-03), Day (PA-63-12), Bailey (PA-63-08 #2), Hughes (PA-63-17). On 10/17, he visited 5 bridges in north-central PA: Logan Mill (PA-18-01); Keefer Station (PA-49-02), which is closed due to damage to siding from flooding; Richard’s (PA- 19-41 / PA-49-07); Johnson (PA-19-37); Parr’s Mill (PA-19-29), which is still closed. Yesterday he visited bridges in Sullivan, Lycoming, and Bradford Counties: Rupert (PA-19-33), which has a tree sticking in the side of the bridge; Wanich (PA-19-18); Shoemaker (PA-19-06); Lairdsville (PA-41- 03), which was supposed to be done by now, but is still in pieces; Sonestown (PA-57-03), which has lots of damage, litter around it, and a field full of river rock nearby; Knapp’s (PA-08-01), which was beautiful; Forksville (PA-57-01), which was fine; Hillsgrove (PA-57-02), which was badly damaged along with the road and nearby houses; Cogan House (PA-41-02); Buttonwood (PA-41-01). Today he visited several Columbia County bridges: East Paden (PA-19-11); West Paden (PA-19-12 #2); Josiah Hess (PA-19-10); Patterson (PA-19-26), which had the road washed out, but the bridge is open and passable; Kramer (PA-19-23 #2).

Officers reports:

President – Joyce Soroka

Visited the Dr. Knisely Bridge (PA-05-16) on 8/20. It was recently repainted and had some floorboards replaced. It looks nice. Talked to 2 travelling couples and gave them the Bedford County Covered Bridges brochure. Saw 2 bridges in Maine in August. Helped at the 3-day Washington-Greene festival. Thanked everyone who helped at the festival. Thanked her parents and sister who helped with preparations and accommodations. Visited Martin’s Mill Bridge (PA-28-01) and Witherspoon Bridge (PA-28-02) on 10/1. Neither had any damage. Pine Valley Bridge (PA-09-12) in Bucks County has been rehabilitated. Frankenfield Bridge (PA-09-09) was hit by a truck last week. Joe Bush, a Bucks County engineer, said there is no damage to any of the county’s bridges.

First VP – Michael Chorazy

Joyce thanked Michael for continuing in his role as First VP for an extra 2 months.

Michael visited all the Washington County bridges. On 9/17, he represented the Society at Historic Poole Forge’s Ironmaster’s Heritage day and made 2 covered bridge presentations. Traveled to Siegrist Mill Bridge (PA-36-37) which was completely swept off its abutments by the floodwaters of Tropical Storm Lee and is resting in the creek. Pinetown Bridge (PA-36- 05) was pushed hard by the floodwaters and is distorted and closed to traffic. The county plans to repair both bridges, but it could take a year or more. This weekend, he visited Kidd’s Mill (PA-43-01), McConnell’s Mill (PA-37-01), Banks (PA-37-02), and Newtown Falls (OH- 78-01).

Second VP -- Greg Williams

Visited Richards Bridge today and saw the debris. Reported that Siegrist Bridge is scheduled to be repaired by June 2012. Left the Society pamphlets on his windshield at today’s car show.

Third VP -- George Conn – not present, no report

Fourth VP – Gloria Smedley

Has been busy posting news on Facebook. Our page got over 10,000 views after the flooding. She thinks it’s good that bridges are being talked about, even when the news is bad. She is still taking orders for the Society logo shirts.

Recording Secretary – Heather Watkins

Visited the 3 bridges in Sullivan County: Forksville, which is fine; Sonestown and Hillsgrove, which are both in bad shape. Visited Creasyville, Sam Eckman, and Jud Christian in northern Columbia County and all 3 are in good condition. 2 Corresponding Secretary and Program Chair – Pam Heisey – not present, no report

Treasurer – Bob Kuether

Thanked everyone who helped out with the country store at the Washington-Greene festival. Thanked Joyce for doing the driving. Thanked everyone who helped at the booth this weekend. Visited Rupert, Esther Furnace, and Davis bridges and saw the damage.

Historian – Fred Moll

Reported on the condition of all Berks County bridges: Pleasantville (PA-06-01) is still in good shape. Griesemer’s (PA-06-03) needs paint. Kutz’s (PA-06-05) needs paint. Wertz’s (PA-06-06) is badly in need of a new roof, which is scheduled to be done in 2012. Dreibelbis (PA-006-07) has warped to a serpentine shape and the portal on the sawmill side is leaning downstream. Red Rock Construction Company of Mexico fixed a similar problem at Wertz’s Bridge in 1984. That information should be on file with the county, but no one seems interested in saving the bridge.

Newsletter co-editors – Jim & Gloria Smedley

Jim attended the dedication ceremony on 8/24 for the signs done by Susquehanna Greenway placed at Fowlersville, Rupert, and the Twin Bridges in Columbia County. Jim & Gloria gave a covered bridge presentation to a senior group in MD on 10/4 and they are donating their payment back to the Society. On 10/20 at 2 pm, they will present a plaque to the students who made the video about the Kreidersville Bridge (PA-48-01). The newsletter will contain a lot of information about damage to bridges from the 2 recent storms; the deadline is today. Jim visited Davis (PA-19-16), Esther Furnace (PA-19-20), and Rupert (PA-19-33) bridges, which are all closed due to storm damage, and brought photos for everyone to see.

Sharing sessions

The next sharing session will be in November by Doris Taylor.

Reports of illness or death of members

Joyce reported that Bob Munson from the NYSCBS passed away on 10/6.

Joyce reported that Dick Bailey from the NYSCBS is very ill.

Old business

Reminder of the raffle ticket sale for 2 nights at the Harvest Moon Bed & Breakfast.

New business

Steve Wolfhope used a special printer to create a window sticker of the Society logo. He is currently testing its durability.

Since the September meeting was cancelled, it was decided that elections would be held in November. Michael agreed to stay on at First VP until the election is held. 3 The nominating committee consists of Pat Cook and Edie Flurkey. Pat presented the slate of officers for the 2011-2012 year: President Joyce Soroka First Vice President James Smedley Second Vice President Gregory Williams Third Vice President George Conn Fourth Vice President Gloria Smedley Recording Secretary Heather Watkins Corresponding Secretary/Program Chairperson Pamela Heisey Treasurer Robert Kuether Historian Fred Moll

It was mentioned at a prior meeting that Red Bridge in Perry County would get $6,000 worth of temporary repairs by P Joseph Lehman. Joyce found out that this work will go toward the permanent repairs and must be done before winter because the bridge is in “imminent danger of collapse”. Arlene Bradley made a motion for the Society to donate $1,500 toward these repairs. Clyde Bradley made the second motion. The members voted unanimously to donate the money.

Ben Evans noted that Bob Kuether spends his personal money to travel with the Country Store and should be reimbursed. He made a motion: “Before closing the books on any TBCBSP Country Store event, the Country Storekeeper(s) are authorized to reimburse themselves for all expenses incurred to transport the country store to the event and maintain same at the event from the proceeds of the event and/or the Country Store treasury.” Arlene Bradley made the second motion. Joyce noted that we do appreciate Bob’s efforts, but we do not know the profits from these events because of inventory. After much discussion about the wording of the motion, Ben withdrew it and made a new motion: “Before closing the books on any TBCBSP Country Store event, the Country Storekeeper(s) are to be reimbursed for expenses incurred to transport the country store to the event and maintain the same at the event from the proceeds of the event and/or the Country Store treasury according to guidelines set by the executive board.” Judy Talmonti made the second motion. The members approved the motion unanimously.

Announcement of covered bridge events

On Oct. 20 at 2 pm, a plaque will be presented to the students who made the video about Kreidersville Covered Bridge. All are welcome to attend.

The Society will hold an auction on Sat. Nov. 5 at noon at the Manheim Township Building. 164 lots of donated items have been prepared.

On Friday, Nov. 25 we will do the Christmas decorations at Poole Forge beginning at 8:30 am. George and Tina will decorate a real tree inside the mansion. The permanent electricity has been installed inside the bridge. The large wreaths hung on the portals are in need of replacement. Any donation, maybe from a business, would be appreciated.

Wed. Nov. 30 through Sun. Dec. 4, the Society will have the Country Store at the Farm Show building in Harrisburg. Bob has brochures containing a $1 coupon.

The next meeting is November 6 at the Manheim Township Municipal Building at 2 pm. We will hold the Election of Officers, Memorial Service, and bake sale.

4 The meeting was adjourned around 4:00.

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