This past spring, $225.00 was spent to replace the cedar ridge boards. Since then there have been no leaks. This season I was able to spend $4,449.20 to purchase shingles for the roof. This was the lowest of three quotes from three vendors. They are matching 18" Blue Label #1 quality cedar shingles with a "B" rated fire treatment. Our goal is to complete the new roof in the spring.

New York State budget cuts continue and have been fast and furious not leaving much money to work with this year, and it will be even less next year. Outside funding and/or possible grant money is still needed in order for the roof to be fully repaired. Anyone wishing to donate monies should direct their donation to: Richard Sheckells, Park Manager, Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Your donation will be put into the Natural Heritage Trust account that is earmarked for the covered bridge roof material. Rich hopes to be able to coordinate the labor as a combined effort between Glimmerglass employees and the regional restoration/rehab crew. If you are able, please consider a donation to this worthy cause and help preserve this historic landmark. NOTE: Again, a very special thanks to the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges for their generous donation to help repair the roof on the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge. It is very much appreciated.

Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center - Exciting News!!

It has been a while since we updated you on the progress of the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center and we have some very exciting news to share with you.

First, the room has been completely painted including the ceiling and floor. The secure room where the photographs, slides and postcards will be stored is also completed. And the third week in November saw the installation of six beautifully hand crafted, solid oak bookshelves. The room looks very nice and it will be exciting to watch the center expand as we begin to move donated collections into the center in December.

But, wait! We have even more exciting news! A generous benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has designed a matching gift program specifically for the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Resource Center. They will match any monetary gift donated to the center before December 31st up to $3,500. You can even donate a gift in memory of a friend or loved one. And donors gifting $1,000 or more will have their name prominently displayed on our donor's plaque. This is a wonderful opportunity for the center and Covered Bridge Enthusiasts to have their gift doubled. Keep in mind all gifts are tax deductible for 2010 but in order for your gift to be matched by the program, the check needs to be dated no later than December 31st.

We are extremely grateful to this benefactor for assisting us in this endeavor and we hope you will seriously consider a monetary gift to the center and assist us in this matching gift program. Whatever amount you can afford will be most appreciated and to put to good use. To donate, make your check payable to the Oxford Memorial Library and put TBCBRC in the memo line on your check. Then, mail your gift directly to the Oxford Memorial Library, PO Box 552, Oxford, NY 13830.

Other news . . .

Would you like to see New York's Covered Bridges in the comfort of your own automobile? Well, now that journey is much easier. The Driving Tour of New York's Covered Bridges is now complete and is available to the public. The full color tour includes turn by turn driving instructions, statistics and color photos of each bridge along with a brief history (including some scans of old photos/postcards) of each of New York's 33 covered bridges. For more information, contact Bob and Trish Kane at bobtrish68@frontiernet.net bobtrish68@frontiernet.net or call 607-674-9656.