NOVEMBER 2007 MEETING MINUTES

SUNDAY NOV. 11^TH – CRYSTAL HOUSE, BIG FLATS, NY

Our Holiday Dinner Meeting was attended by 50 members of our society. Our raffles brought in $185.00. The 2 month raffle (a framed fabric covered bridge scene from the Musser’s collection) was won by Bob Betler. A covered bridge figurine was won by Don Spraker. Canned popcorn donated by Doug & Polly Smith was won by Reid Bader. A calendar donated by Ron & Al McGay was won by Hazel Watson. A basket of delicious baked items donated by Marcia & Dick Bailey was won by Peg Betler. TV trays that were topped with various covered bridge tiles donated by Dave & Marikka Guay were won by their daughter Jenn Graves. This was a lot of fun as was the 50/50 drawing done by Marty Hornung to the tune of “Shake It Up Baby”! The drawing was won by Doug and Polly Smith splitting $84.00 between them and the society.

President Donna Freeland officially opened the meeting at 1:13 with a big thank you going out to several people including: Sam (owner of Crystal House) for providing the delicious and wonderful Thanksgiving style dinner – Chuck and Nancy Knapp for making arrangements and setting up the beautifully decorated bags in which to deposit our members Christmas cards- Hank and Sally Messing for donating the many covered bridge centerpieces. Our Charter Members Homer Fogle and Jill Michielsen stood up to our applause. Next our lifetime members did the same. Next the October Meeting Minutes were read and accepted with a motion by Dave Guay and 2^nd by Ruth Scott. Donna Freeland updated the news on Betty Peck as not feeling well and being unhappy at the nursing home where she is staying. Donna suggested that we try to keep in touch with her. Hank Messing then gave his treasurer’s report. Balances: Checking $6,097.97- Savings $27,095.61- Richard Wilson Memorial Fund $2,104.83- CDs $22,212.03. Membership: Total 394 including 9 honorary and 385 paid.

We are 8 members less than last year at this time.  Gift memberships again were suggested, even possibly purchasing one before leaving today. Hank and Sally Messing had given one to the electrician that had just worked at their house. The officers slated for 2008 by the nominating committee of Linda Schott, Hank Messing and Nancy Knapp and passed by the membership are: President: Donna Freeland, 1^st Vice President: Martha Hornung, 2^nd Vice President: Nancy Knapp, 3^rd Vice President: Richard Bailey, Treasurer: Henry Messing, Recording Secretary: Linda Schott, Corresponding Secretary: Marcia Bailey, Trustee: Wayne Marshfield. The proposed changes to our by-laws were accepted and adapted. A copy of correct and new by-laws will be posted. There was a motion passed in favor of not holding The New York State Covered Bridge Society responsible for sending out copies of the by-laws to all members unless requested. There was also a motion made and passed that a copy of the by-laws should always be kept on hand. Dave Guay announced that tomorrow a climate controlled storage facility will be rented by the society in Glens Falls, NY.  The rent will be $65.95 per month with a $9.95 charge for the lock and key. Dave will pick up archive items from Jeanette Wilson. David Frantz suggested checking on renters insurance; however many felt it may not be needed as most of the items cannot be replaced. Jenn Graves suggested doing some scanning and making a storage CD on a computer. Joyce Soroka thought that binding some of our past issues of the Courier into 5 year bundles and sold at our yearly auction would be a good idea.

Some news from the floor. The Beaverkill Covered is now on the National Register. Jeanette Wilson reported that according to the National Covered Bridge Society in Mass. the Contoocook Railroad CB has been completed. The new world guide book will not be out in time for Christmas because of some problems they are having in China. Their society’s dues are going up to $20.00 in 2008 and also, their newsletters are received three days after their meetings due to the process in which they are produced. Dave Guay reported on the dedication of the Jay Covered Bridge. He and Marikka felt that it was an exciting, well organized community event that also included dedicating a park and steel bridge all at the same time. The Jay Covered Bridge is now only open to walkers and bicycles. Dave also attended a meeting of the Vermont Covered Bridge Society. Thirteen members were present. Donna Freeland mentioned the idea of donating $300.00 to the Bucks Co. Covered Bridge Society in Pa. to help with their fire retardant on their covered bridges. A motion was made by Hank Messing to pass with a 2^nd from Homer Fogle. With the motion passed Joyce Soroka will pass on the check to Wayne Siefert . Joyce announced that information collected shows that 12 covered bridges can be treated with fire retardant for $6,000. Joyce also informed us that the dedication of the Moods CB in Pa. will be on April 12, 2008. She said she has seen the raised trusses. We were also told that Pat Cook’s husband has had a knee replacement. We all wish him well. The Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society in Pa. will be having their Christmas dinner on December 8^th in Lancaster Co. In an E-Mail  Joyce received information on a stalled bill in Pa. that would bring stiffer penalties for arson or harming covered bridges in any way. Sending letters may help to bring it about. Our Historian Dave Guay thanked Joyce for all her information on the Pa. covered bridges.

Our tentative meetings for 2008 were given:

March 9 – De Pacific’s Restaurant Victor, New York- Reservations-Jill & Bob Michielsen – Program- Dick Bailey – Peru slideshow-Centerpieces- Linda Schott

April 13- Deposit Historical Society Museum-Deposit, NY- Program-Sean McDermott- Old Covered Bridges of Delaware Co. and Broome Co.

May 18- Place? Dick Bailey searching- program- Charlie Elflein?-slideshow

June 8 - Americana Winery – North of Trumansburg, NY (Cayuga Lake area) - Chuck Knapp will set up

July 13 – Klyne Esophus Museum- Esophus, NY- Dick Bailey getting details- possible trip to Perrine’s CB

August 10- Jay CB- Jay, NY- Bring a picnic lunch- Donna Freeland making contacts- Booths may be set up at their flea market

September 14- Auction- Hamden Town Hall- Hamden, NY

October 11&12 - Fall Safari- Ashtabula Co. CB Festival, Ohio- Bus Tour? Longest CB in USA (Bridge 17)

November 8 – Executive Board Meeting – Piatro’s Restaurant? - Elmira, NY?

November 9 – Holiday dinner meeting- Crystal House- Big Flats, NY

Chuck Knapp Reservations