The 7th annual Autumn meeting of the VCBS will be held at the Montshire Museum in Norwich, Vermont on September 30, 2006 beginning at 10 a.m. After a short meeting we will have the opportunity to see the Smithsonian Institute's traveling Covered Bridge Exhibit. If you'd like more information you can visit http://www.sites.si.edu
     We received a discount from the Montshire Museum of Science for our entrance fee. The cost of admission is $6.00 and that will also allow us to see the Covered Bridge exhibit as well as the rest of the museum.
     We will be serving coffee, tea and snacks during the meeting. You will either have to bring your own lunch or go out to eat in Hanover or Norwich.
      The Montshire is located off exit 13 (watch for the Montshire interstate sign), I-91 in Norwich, VT, five miles north of White River Junction, VT, directly across the Connecticut River from Hanover, NH, home of Dartmouth College.

July 13, 2006, Union County, Ohio - The Upper Darby, or Pottersburg covered bridge was moved off the Big Darby Creek to make way for a modern bridge. See the article by Holly Zachariah, of the THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH by going to the link below:
http://www.dispatch.com/emailme/emailme.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/13/20060713-D1-03.html
      According to the World Guide to Covered Bridges, 1989 edition, The 94-foot Upper Darby bridge, WGN 35-80-01, was built in 1868 using the Partridge truss.
[Thanks to Charles Dinsmore for forwarding the article - Ed.]

August 24, 2006 - Below is a link to an article from the Maysville Online newspaper regarding the recently restored Goddard Covered Bridge in Flemingsburg, KY. The Goddard Covered Bridge, (WGN 17-35-06), the last remaining Town lattice covered bridge in Kentucky, was rehabilitated by Intech Construction of Lexington, KY based on designs for temporary shoring, bracing, and repairs produced by DCF Engineering, Inc. of Cary, NC
      David C. Fischetti, PE of DCF Engineering and bridgewright, Arnold M. Graton of Ashland, NH provided consultation services in a Design-Build contract with Intech Construction under the auspices of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Steve Donovan of the Buffalo Trace Covered Bridge Society and Patrick Kennedy of Kentucky Heritage were among the advocates instrumental to the success of the project. The Dry Stone Conservancy, of Lexington, KY coordinated reconstruction of the stone abutments.
http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2006/08/16/local_news/3862bridge.tx
[Thanks to Dick Roy for forwarding this article - Ed.]

July 13, 2006, Union County, Ohio - The Upper Darby, or Pottersburg covered bridge was moved off the Big Darby Creek to make way for a modern bridge. See the article by Holly Zachariah, of the THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH by going to the link below:
http://www.dispatch.com/emailme/emailme.php?story=dispatch/2006/07/13/20060713-D1-03.html
According to the World Guide to Covered Bridges, 1989 edition, The 94-foot Upper Darby bridge, WGN 35-80-01, was built in 1868 using the Partridge truss.
[Thanks to Charles Dinsmore for forwarding the article - Ed.]

Friday, June 30, 2006 I have been in correspondence with Chris Young, a Columbia County (PA) Commissioner and President of the Columbia County Covered Bridges Association in regards to the flood damage in their area. On wednesday as you are already aware the West Paden Tin Bridge was washed away. Now, the Josiah Hess Bridge, PA-19-10, is in danger of collapse.
      At first appeared that it was OK but as the water began to recede it became evident that the flood waters had eroded the foundation and abutment and a noticeable sag developed at one end of the bridge. Please check out the website: http://www.bentonnews.net for photos of the damage. They are trying to get a crane in to support the bridge with a steel beam to avert its collapse. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they are successful. Hope to see some of you this weekend at our meeting & picnic in Lancaster. Sincerely, Tom Walczak
[Thanks to Jim Crouse for forwarding this article - Ed.]

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - Hello from Adams County! Jack's Mountain Bridge, Fairfield, Pa is closed due to flooding. I have not been able to get out my street (Carroll's Tract Road) which intersects with Route 116 to check on the bridge. The water is still rising - luckily I am on the higher side of the road and most of the flooding is just across from me. Haven't heard about Sach's or other 2 Adams Co. bridges. - Pam

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - As you are probably aware, much of central and southern New York State is flooded and in a state of emergency. I just received a call from Dave Peterson who is the Manager of Glimmerglass State Park where the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is located. The situation is not good. The park is completely flooded and, of course, closed. Shadow Brook has now reached the bottom of the bridge and if the rain doesn't subside, will soon spill over onto the deck of the bridge. Although that is not good, bridges have been known to survive a little water and the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge has survived for 181 years so I am trying to remain optimistic. Dave's main concern is what debris may come down stream and hit the bridge, possibly taking it off its abutments. If this should happen, we will more than likely lose this bridge.
      Please keep your fingers crossed and say a special prayer for all our bridges here in New York. As of this moment, the Hamden Covered Bridge is ok, but I don't know about the others in Delaware County. I am also very worried about the Ashoken Turnwood and Grants Mills bridges. I'll keep you posted as I learn more. - Trish Kane

Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - I received a forwarded email message this evening from Tom Kipphorn, member of the TBCBSP, with the terrible news of the loss today of the West Paden Twin Bridge, PA-19-12, in Columbia County, PA. Yes, it was just a little over a month ago (May 25, 2006) that many of us gathered there to celebrate the refurbishment of the Twin Bridges & Park. Little did we know that day that it would be short lived. The West Paden Bridge was the Burr truss bridge and the longer of the two twin bridges and the one directly over the channel of Huntington Creek.
      As most of you are aware, Pennsylvania and many states in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic region are suffering devastating flooding at the present time. It seems that two nearby cottages in the vicinity of the West Paden Bridge were swept away by the flood waters and lodged against the bridge causing it to be destroyed as well. Please check out the website www.bentonnews.net/home.htm for a photo of the destruction.
      I have not heard of any other covered bridge losses at the present time but I fear more bad news as many of the streams and rivers have not crested yet. Let's keep our fingers crossed. If you hear of any reports, I'd appreciate to hear from you. And as always, please feel free to pass this info on to those who I may not have email addresses for. - Tom Walczak
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by Trish Kane, Membership Coordinator Summer is almost over and I'm not sure just where it went. It seems like summer arrives and before you know it, it's gone. But none-the-less, I hope you had an opportunity to visit some of our bridges. If not, don't let the autumn season pass you by without taking time to visit them. It is such a spectacular time to photograph them. The Vermont Covered Bridge Society welcomes new members Bruce and Pat McDonald from Barre, VT, Paul & Deborah Lindberg, Enfield, NH, and Jack Tecce, Derry, NH. Welcome to the Vermont Covered Bridge Society. Although we may not want to think about it, this is just a reminder that the holidays will soon be upon us. For our members who like to shop early, don't forget a gift certificate for a membership to the Vermont Covered Bridge Society is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the entire year. 2007 Early Renewal Contest We will once again be offering our Early Renewal Contest. This contest has been a huge success and helps the Society so much! Paying your membership fees before the December 31 deadline not only qualifies you for a chance to win a nice gift, but saves the society additional postage expense having to send reminders that your dues are due. Here are the prizes for this year's contest: One year free membership to the VCBS; a lovely covered bridge welcome sign or a gift bag filled with covered bridge items. Eligibility - for this year's contest you must: 1) *Pay your membership dues before December 31, 2006. That's the key! (Please note that if your 2007 membership has been paid in advance of this date, or if you are a life member, your name will automatically be entered into the drawing.) 2) Complete the membership form in this issue of the newsletter and return it with your check made payable to the VCBS no later than December 31st. The mailing address is: VCBS, PO Box 97, Jeffersonville, VT 05464-0097. Your name will then be entered in the drawing for one of three lovely prizes mentioned above. Keep in mind that only memberships paid by December 31st are eligible for this contest. Don't wait until you get so busy with the holidays that you forget to send in your membership dues as you will miss out on some nice gifts. Do it today while you are thinking about it. Winners will be announced in the winter issue of our newsletter. *To save you time, you might like to consider paying your membership fee for two years, instead of one. Or, think about changing your membership or joining one of our Giving Societies mentioned on the form. Your support is so important to our preservation work and what a nice gift to the VCBS too. Happy autumn everyone! Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries: September 4            Don & Pauline Prideaux 4            Johnny Esau 5     Robert Salvi 9     Tom Walczak 10     Rudy & Marjorie Bettis 10     Rudy Bettis 10     Gordon & Priscilla O'Reilly 15     Lou & Mary Zabbia 17     Doris Taylor 17     Euclid & Priscilla Farnham 21     Wilfred Thompson 29     June Evans October 6           Dick Wilson 7           Conrad & Dorothy Nagengast 9      Erwin & Virginia Eckson 11      Trish Kane 13      Mary Phillips Hyde 18      Leo Fleury 20      Phil Pierce 21     John & Joanne Billie 22     Ellen Everitz 28      Joyce Soroka November 6            Kathy Knight 13           Bruce Wagner 15           Linda Crouse 17            Kathleen Winn 18     Euclid Farnham 18     Bob and Mary Ann Waller 22     Marikka Guay Return to Top Dear Joe:       On July 2nd, my family and I visited the Coburn Bridge (first of many we saw on our three days in VT). We were horrified to see a huge RV pulled up to the portal of the bridge. One man was on top of the RV trying to see if they could get it onto the bridge. He was actually laying there, trying to see if his arm would fit under the portal boards. The AC on top of the RV would never had made it under those boards! I told them they could not cross that bridge, but I think they knew that already. As I aimed my camera at them, the RV was slowly (and skillfully) backed up and turned around towards Rt 2.       There is a yellow warning sign at the entrance to Coburn Rd (as you know) to let folks know of the 9' 8" clearance ahead. People like that are just plain scarey! I love Vermont and its covered bridges and it would sadden me to see one lost to such carelessness. Miriam Wood, OHBA Return to Top Thank-you to all volunteers to date and also to those supporting up-coming events. The Montshire meeting will be an outstanding event - commercial ads for the related covered bridge exhibit are already on television. These events are the backbone of VCBS activities and volunteers who support them and put them together are its life-blood. All members who want to be a vital part of these activities and events are most welcome. VCBS elections are coming up this fall. Please consider running for a VCBS office and/or appointment as a committee chair/member. Let me know of your interest and your name will be put on the ballot or appointed to whatever committee work you desire. One further note: Thank-you to Bill McKone for the $210 donation he earned for VCBS as a volunteer for activities in the events of another organization. John Weaver President VCBS Return to Top THE NORTHEAST POW /MIA NETWORK The goals of our organization match those of activists nationwide in our approach to the Prisoner of War /Missing in Action issue: the return of all LIVE American POW/MIAs, repatriation of the remains of those who have died, and comprehensive explanations for cases where the previous two options do not exist. Our efforts are to establish awareness in our Country that will reduce such losses to the lowest possible level during present and future operations against America's enemies. Great attention paid to maintaining physical reminders of the issue's continued significance. Symbolism in the form of the international logo's appearance on flags, pins, decals, articles of clothing, and accessories bolsters awareness. Wearing POW/MIA bracelets honors those individuals who still wait and evokes conversations on the issue. We are involved in acquiring and disseminating information on this issue. Presentations and discussions with community organizations, schools, veterans' organizations, and through a broad spectrum of events allow us to convey our concerns to the public. We are actively involved in the legislative process, as we attempt to provide protection for those who serve our Country, and for their families and loved ones should loss occur. We attempt to address the needs of families and returned POW/MIAs, and assist in coordinating activities with associated groups and promoting effective information flow. We are a volunteer organization, veterans and non-veterans, using awareness, communication, education, legislation, and compassion to assuage the pain associated with one of the most devastating outcomes of service to one's Country. As we honor POW/MIAs, returned and still waiting to come home, we aggressively pursue means to return the missing and protect those serving. Don Amorosi, NY Chair Vets Serving Vets 1-518-792-2057 Return to top Joe Nelson, P.O Box 267, Jericho, VT 05465-0267 This file posted November 9, 2006