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The Salmond Bridge as a salt shed. Photo by Dick Wilson

Photo by Dick Wilson>

Charlie Elflein and Dorothy L. grover, Chaurman, on October 26, 1986, Dedication Day for the Salmond Bridge, seen in the background.>

      On Sunday, October 26, 1986, a truly special event took place in the covered bridge world. For the first time, a discarded historic structure was brought back to life as a functional, public highway covered span. Here in the town of Weathersfield, Vermont, folks gathered for "A Celebration of the Relocation and Restoration of the Salmond Bridge." The weather was typical for a Vermont autumn day, being cool, damp and rather rainy, but it certainly did not dampen the hearts of those who came and paid tribute to this beautifully restored landmark.
      Arriving at the bridge around 1:00 p.m., I therefore had the opportunity to photograph and examine the structure before all the people arrived for the dedication ceremony, scheduled to commence at 2:00 p.m. What really impressed me was how lovely its new location is, being 2 miles east of Amsden and just north of State Route 131 on Henry Gould Road. It looks beautiful, just like it has been here all of its life. With a picturesque dirt road, surrounding trees and meadows, rolling hills and the towering profile of Mt. Ascutney to the north, this is certainly an extraordinary "new home" for the covered bridge. Quite often when our old spans are moved, the new location leaves much to be desired. That is not the case here in Weathersfield; this setting for Salmond Bridge is Vermont at its very best!
      Walking through the structure, I noticed this to be a 12-panel multiple-kingpost. According to my recent count, there are approximately 100 multiple-kingpost truss covered bridges remaining in the United States, with over half of them in Ohio. New England possesses only 15 MKPs (11 in Vermont and 4 in New Hampshire), so this is becoming a rare truss-type, indeed.
      Unlike the majority of MKPs in other parts of the country, Salmond Bridge has its panels closer together than we normally see. This variation was devised by James F. Tasker of Cornish, New Hampshire. He not only constructed Salmond, but built many other bridges of similar design in Windsor County, Vermont and Sullivan County, New Hampshire. So in Salmond Bridge we find a very unique form of construction: a Tasker-type multiple-kingpost.
      Examining the landmark further, I found it to be 53 feet in length (from end panel to end panel), and 18 feet wide. There are four small windows on each side to provide better light and visibility. Salmond even contains some old signs still clinging to its weathered timbers, which advertise products of days-gone-by. Peeking underneath the span, I was extremely pleased to see the bridge restored authentically. It is still a genuine all-wooden bridge without the ugliness of steel I-beams and steel bolts. In true Vermont fashion, it is unpainted, also. In an age when we find more and more of our historic covered bridges being painted, it is gratifying to see one left natural. While all spans are interesting, I have always felt that unpainted ones are far more aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and they just seem to harmonize better with the rural landscape.
      With my photographing completed, I heard a car pull up and, sure enough, it was Dorothy Grover. After hearing so much about this remarkable woman in our covered bridge newsletters and publications, it was a great pleasure to meet her in person. Many, many people worked to have Salmond Bridge moved from Amsden, where it served as a storage and salt shed for 27 years, but the one individual who acted as "spark plug" for the project was Dorothy. She felt in her heart that Salmond Bridge was a priceless, irreplaceable part of Weathersfield's heritage, and wanted to have this treasure saved for both today's and future generations to enjoy and cherish. There were many battles along the way, but thanks to Dorothy and the Save Our Salmond Covered Bridge Committee, the bridge has been given new life.
      One-by-one, the people started to arrive for the dedication. It was delightful to see the old covered bridge in place over Sherman Brook, and to also observe the smiling faces of both young and young-at-heart as they gazed at the historic landmark sitting there proudly. Many came up to Dorothy and congratulated her for accomplishing what seemed to be an almost impossible task.
      Shortly after 2:00 p.m., the dedication for Salmond Bridge began. With the weather chilly and damp, most folks elected to stand inside the structure to partake of the special event.
      Karl Stevens, Weathersfield's first town manager and master of ceremonies, began by introducing the committee that had engineered, despite strong opposition from a majority of the select men, the bridge's transformation from a town salt shed to a usable bridge. On the Save Our Salmond Covered Bridge Committee were Dorothy Grover, Kenneth Blum, Neil Daniels, Esther Kelty, Elizabeth Murray, Joseph Stoughton, Andrew Titcomb and Willis Wood. These people worked many, many hours to make Salmond a functional covered bridge again.

Joseph Stoughton, a 5th generation Weathersfield resident riding with Harry Olney in his 1931 Plymouth. Photo by Edith Hunter

      Special mention was made to an 83-year-old committee member, Joe Stoughton, who had probably "skinny-dipped" beneath the bridge in its grander days when it spanned the North Branch of the Black River northeast of Perkinsville. Mr. Stevens also brought out a story about Joe turning around a team of horses while within the confines of the multiple-king post structure. That must have been quite a feat!
      Dorothy Grover, the chairman of the bridge committee, thanked her fellow committee members in a brief, but emotional speech. She also commended Armstrong and Edith Hunter, publishers of the former Weathersfield Weekly newspaper. "I don't believe it ever would have flown without them," she said of the bridge restoration and relocation effort.
      Others that were publicly thanked included Vie Jarvis of Ascutney, the excavating contractor of the bridge site; Wright Construction of Mount Holly, the major contractor of the job who moved the bridge to its new location on October 15th; the Weathersfield Historical Society; Weathersfield town officials and the town's public works employees who had the Henry Gould Road graded after the bridge was moved; and the Mack Molding Company of Cavendish for a "generous donation."

Merry Christmas, Dec. 6, 1986 your first Christmas at your new home over Sherman Brook on the Henry Gould Road, Weathersfeild, Vermont. Photo by Edith Hunter.

      In her long list of thanks, she mentioned the generous donations made by the Connecticut River Valley, National, and New York State covered bridge societies. These three organizations are to be highly commended for not only making a contribution once, but time and time again.
      Also speaking was Andrew Titcomb, who gave a brief history of the structure and mentioned the Tasker brothers, who had built the bridge. Being an architect, Titcomb drew up plans for the Salmond Bridge restoration, and he even owns a covered bridge in Perkinsville, the Stoughton span. According to his research, Salmond was constructed about 1875. That makes it a little older than the Stoughton Bridge, which was erected in 1880.
      Marion Meyer, president of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges, planned to take part in the ceremony as well. Unfortunately, with the NSPCB annual meeting scheduled for October 26th, she and her husband Adlin, were unable to attend.
      I felt honored that Dorothy Grover asked me to read Marion's beautiful message to all those present. This well written letter clearly expressed that "never have we seen so much accomplished in so short a time."

A Picnic beside Salmond Bridge Photo by Dick Wilson, August, 1987

      Other people taking part in the program were Donald King of the Weathers field Historical Society; and Rieman Christian, the 93-year-old "Mayor of Ascutneyville," who wrote a lovely poem to honor the bridge.
      Next was the highlight, as the committee members al1lined up at the west portal to see Dorothy Grover cut the ceremonial red ribbon. The ribbon was cut, everyone cheered, and Vermont now had another functional highway covered bridge open for public use. Windsor County now possessed 13 covered spans, and moved into "first place" with Lamoille, as the Vermont county with the largest number of covered bridges within its boundaries.
      First to cross the bridge was Karl Stevens with his brothers, Everett and Richard - all third generation Weathersfield residents - driving a team of oxen. The team was followed by Allan Johnson with his horse and cart, and Harry Olney of Springfield driving his rebuilt 1931 Plymouth Phaeton.
      Following the picture-taking, the large crowd retired to sample the delicious cake decorated with a picture of the bridge. Besides the cake, there were cookies, cider and coffee for all to enjoy.
      With the project completed and paid for (the final cost totaled $34,389) the bridge is the property of the town and will serve as a historic landmark and recreational area. Former town clerk Elizabeth Murray has donated a parcel of land near the bridge, asking that it be used to establish a picnic area. The committee hopes to organize a clean-up day at the site to ready the area for summer recreational use.
      Other plans include staining the new wood to match the old, and preserving the roof with a tar substance.
      All covered bridge hobbyists should be extremely proud of what has been achieved in Weathersfield. Because people cared and kept working for what they knew was right, we have a beautiful historic bridge preserved in a pristine little valley in Vermont. Long may it stand to weather the seasons and show people that we have the common sense to save precious reminders of our past
.       To me, it just seems fitting to conclude with a passage from Rieman Christian's poem: "The old covered bridge is standing by the brookside, we have put it where it should be for all people to view with pride."
[This article first appeared in the March 1987 issue of the NYSCBS Courier, republished here with the assistance and blessing of Dick Wilson - Ed.]
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Haverhil-Bath Bridge, WGN NH-05-04 Photo by Hoyle-Tanner & Associates, Inc, 01/24/07.

East Fairfield Bridge, WGN VT-06-03 Photo by Hoyle-Tanner & Associates, Inc, 01/24/07.

Hutchins Covered Bridge, WGN VT-06-07 Photo by Hoyle-Tanner & Associates, Inc, 01/24/07.

January 24, 2007 - As promised, I am providing some updates for our covered bridge projects. This is a very busy time for us as we are working on a total of six different covered bridge projects in NH and VT. I'll provide updates on some of the other projects as they progress; a few are just starting:
     

Haverhill-Bath Covered Bridge - [NH-05-04] The Towns of Haverhill and Bath have signed an agreement with Wright Construction for the rehabilitation of this bridge, the oldest covered bridge in New Hampshire. The bridge utilizes Town Lattice trusses with added arches and a unique sidewalk on the upstream face. HTA will be providing construction phase services for this project. Construction is expected to begin in late spring/early summer with a one year construction duration.
     

East Fairfield (VT) Covered Bridge - [VT-06-03] This Queenspost Truss bridge has been closed since 1991, with a full rehabilitation scheduled starting in the fall of 2007. The project includes repairs to the east abutment and wingwall and a complete rehabilitation of the bridge. Upon completion of repairs, the bridge will be opened to traffic with a six-ton load limit. We are working with the Vermont Agency of Transportation on this project.







     

Hutchins Covered Bridge - [VT-06-07] Rot damage through a leaking roof. Steel beams were added and the roof repaired as temporary measures until permanent repairs can be made. The project involves repairing the trusses, approach improvements and replacement of the existing floor beams and decking so that the bridge can be posted for a higher, 10 ton live load limit. This is our second covered bridge in the Town of Montgomery, with the first being the rehabilitation of the Comstock Covered Bridge that was completed in 2003. Both bridges were built by the Jewett brothers with the Hutchins Bridge being 10 feet longer.






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Bath, NH, January 8, 2007 - The Bath Covered Bridge, WGN 29-05-03, was reopened after being closed for three weeks for repairs. The bridge is posted for 3-tons allowing only pedestrians and light traffic. The bridge is closed to truck traffic, including emergency vehicles and school buses.

Bath Bridge, WGN 29-05-03 Photo by Tom Keating, September, 2005.

      The bridge was closed December 16 when DOT inspectors found three floor joists severely cracked and support blocks out of position. The bridge was reopened when temporary repairs were completed.
      The town had sought bids for a $90,000 repair project, but there were no bidders. Meanwhile, the bridge is on DOT's funding list for restoration in 2009 for an estimated $1.6 million in state money, the town to pay 20 percent.
      The restored bridge will be posted for 6-tons for light traffic only. Emergency vehicles will continue to be banned.
      Bath Bridge was built in 1832 in four spans using the Burr Truss. It is 374-feet, six inches long with spans measuring 117'6", 66'6", 62'6", and 80' in a single lane. It is posted for six tons, no trucks.
      The current span is the fifth on this site. The first, built in 1794, was lost to a flood and replaced in 1806. The second and third bridges were also lost to floods and replaced in 1820 and 1824. The fourth bridge was burned in 1830. The last bridge was completed in 1832 at a cost of $2,900.
[Our thanks to VCBS Life member Ann Ovit for forwarding the Caledonia Record clippings from which this report was compiled -Ed.]

Walpole, NH, January 25, 2007 - A new bridge will replace the double arched bridge built in 1907 and lost to the October, 2005 flood.
      At the New Hampshire Department of Transportation hearing held January 24, residents of Walpole and the surrounding towns of Langdon, Alstead, and Actworth favored a hybrid timber, steel and concrete design proposed by Benson Woodworking over an originally favored "butted box" design.
      Residents are invited to submit further comments on the design choices or other aspects of the project through Feb. 3 to Mr. Joel McCarty, chairman of the commission, C/O James Moore, director of project development, New Hampshire DOT, P.O. Box 483, Concord, NH 03302-0483 for inclusion in the official record.
      DOT project manager Robert Landry said that a decision on the design would be made a week or so after the conclusion of the comment period.
[Thanks to Tom Keating for sending this news item to us. To read the full story, go to: http://www.eagletimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=4&ArticleID=2335&TM=233.277 - Ed.]

Park County, IN, December 29, 2006 - The Jackson Covered Bridge page on http://www.parkecountyliving.com is up and ready to be read. There are pictures showing the bridge in June, 2006, before the rehabilitation and again in December, 2006, after the rehabilitation had been started.
      The progress on the rehabilitation of the Jackson Covered Bridge will be documented on this website on a regular basis. The photos of the Bridgeton Covered Bridge reconstruction from January 12 through November, 2006 are also there.
      If you would like to purchase the Friends of Parke County Covered Bridges DVD of the Bridgeton Bridge rebuilding, a link is provided to their order form. - Katharine Marsolf
[Thanks to Jim Crouse for forwarding this item - Ed.]

Indianapolis, IN, January 3, 2007 - Indiana House Bill 1034 asks the state to increase the annual appropriation from $1,250 to $2,000 per bridge.
      The increase would affect 79 bridges maintained by counties and cost the state an additional $59,250, according to the state's Legislative Services Agency. The funds would come from the Motor Vehicle Highway Account. The bridges now receive under $100,000 a year in state funds.
      State Representative F. Dale Grubb, who introduced the bill, said he pledged to seek the increase after attending the rededication in October of the Bridgeton Covered Bridge in Parke County, two-thirds of which lays within Grubb's district.
      Grubb said the annual Parke County Covered Bridge Festival rivals the Indianapolis 500 in terms of the number of tourists it draws. Tourism is the county's second-most important industry, behind agriculture.
[Thanks to Jim Crouse for forwarding the article from which this news was taken - Ed.]

Ossipee, NH, January 8, 2007 - The Whittier Covered Bridge, WGN 29-02-08, was closed last fall to all traffic by the board of selectmen out of concern that the span may fail.       The down-stream lower chord was found to be rotted due to a roof leak. A Paddleford Truss with auxiliary arches, the downstream truss is sustained mainly by the laminated arch.
      A report to the selectmen last December stated that the bridge needs to be stabilized until funds are raised for long-term restoration. Stabilization is estimated to cost between $92,000 to $130,000. The cost of restoring the bridge is estimated to be from $763,000 to $850,000.
      The Town is seeking funds for the repairs and has applied for a Land and Community Heritage Investment Program grant of $50,000. Federal funds may not be available until 2008.
      The bridge may be stabilized by supporting it on steel I-beams or by removing the bridge from the river by cranes.
      The 132-foot Whittier Bridge spans Bearcamp River at West Ossipee Village once serving old NH Route 125. The present bridge was built in the 1870s by Jacob Berry, the fourth bridge to serve this crossing since 1791.
      The most recent restoration of the bridge was completed by Milton Graton and Sons of Ashland, N.H. in August, 1983 at a cost of $85,000, the funds coming from Gordon Pope and the state. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in the spring of 1989.
[Our thanks to Tom Keating for forwarding the article from which this report is taken. -Ed]
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December 21, 2006 - Joe, While I was on vacation in the White Mountains in early October, I followed signs to the Newry Bridge [Sunday River, ME-09-04]. near Bethel, Maine. I reached the bridge just before the start of the Julie Philbrook/William Dupuis wedding. I had heard of such uses for a covered bridge, but this was my first time to experience one, just by happening to show up at the right time.
            Best regards, Lyn Whiston

Hall Creek Pony Truss. WGN 61-02-P11 Photo by Nicolas Lecomte December, 2006

January 20, 2007 - Hi everyone, Last December, Mr. Nicolas Lecomte, from Beaucanton, Abitibi has reported the existence of an unknown pony bridge here in Quebec. That bridge is located on Hall Creek on an abandoned road north of Val Paradis, hometown of the Pionniers Bridge (61-02-32). The World Guide number for this new bridge is 61-02-P11.
            Gerald Arbour

January 19, 2007 - Here is an official State of Indiana web-site which should be of interest. The study is 192 pages, so if you download that, I hope you have a fast connection. It looks to be very interesting: http://www.in.gov/dot/programs/bridges/inventory/index.html
           Jim Crouse

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      Hoyle, Tanne & Associates are pleased to announce that Sean James, P.E., SECB has been selected as the recipient of the 2007 New Hampshire Young Engineer-of-the-Year Award as presented by the New Hampshire Joint Engineering Societies.
      Sean has been with HTA since graduating with BSCE and MSCE degrees in 1995. He has steadily gained experience and responsibility progressing from a Project Engineer to his current position of Project Manager and Associate of the firm. His background in bridge and structural engineering includes specific expertise in historic covered bridge rehabilitative design where he has become regionally known as an expert in the field of covered bridge design.
      This is a very prestigious honor, as Sean was nominated and selected anonymously by his peers in the industry.
      Sean is a graduate of the University of Maine having completed both his Master and Bachelor of Science degrees focusing on structural engineering. Sean is a NH-1icensed Professional Engineer and has demonstrated his commitment to the profession as an active member of the Structural Engineers of New Hampshire and the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. Sean is also a member of the Vermont Covered Bridge Society.
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Joseph Conwill, ME - On camber, its main function is to prevent sag. You don't want sag, because not only does it look stupid, but also it causes irregular loading stresses. High speed loads shoot onto the bridge and come down with a slam some twenty or thirty feet in, causing extreme stress at those locations. The ideal is a perfectly level floor, but you will always have some settling due to creep of the timber. Camber prevents sag. Camber, in a small degree, is also aesthetically graceful. It is not desirable in a high degree in multi-span bridges because high speed loads will then plop down with a slam at every pier. You hope the loads won't be traveling fast over a covered bridge, but some of them always will.

Robert Durfee, P.E. - NH - What is its function? When a covered bridge is constructed, he main structural elements (trusses, floorbeams and decking) will sag or deflect downward under its own weight. This is known as the dead load deflection. For a Covered Bridge 100 feet in length, this dead load deflection can be quite large and noticeable, about 4 to 5 inches. To the public, a bridge with its trusses and floor decking deflecting or sagging that amount gives the appearance that the bridge is failing or in distress. The public may not be comfortable crossing this bridge, even thought the bridge is quite sound, and capable of supporting the loads with this sag in it.
      Since covered bridges are constructed with timber, they tend over a long period of time to deflect or sag as a result of creep as well. Creep is the tendency of the timber members and connections to permanently deform as the structure tries to move and relieve stresses in its members. It takes a long period of time (sometimes 30 to 50 years or more) for creep to develop in a covered bridge. Many a covered bridge that has a sag in the floor deck is a result of creep over a long time. Although a bridge may sag as a result of creep in the members, it is still sound and capable of supporting loads.
      To counteract these deflections or sags, and to give a bridge the appearance of being sound, bridge designers and builders construct bridges with upward or positive camber in the structural elements to counteract the dead load deflections. Thus, if a covered bridge is expected to have a total deflection of 5 inches, positive camber is built into the bridge of between 6 to 7 inches, so the net result is 1 to 2 inches of upward camber after the bridge is erected.       Is it Necessary? Camber is necessary in a bridge for aesthetic purposes only. Camber is designed and built into covered bridges to counteract the immediate deflection (dead load deflection) and the long term deflection (creep), and give the bridge the appearance of being sound and functional.

Leola Pierce, P.E. - Va - Yes, camber is necessary. To compensate for the live load it would carry and to bring the bridge to the required grade.

Phil Pierce, P.E. - NY - As to camber - from an engineering perspective, it is an intentional upward curvature of the superstructure to offset the downward deflection of it due to loads so that the net result avoids the appearance of sag. A sag in a bridge, while of no consequence in and of itself, implies poor capacity. Camber is discussed often with respect to trusses since the lack of it guides one to examine the condition of the bottom chord splices - locations that tell a lot about the condition of a truss. As the splices open up, camber is lost, and the truss begins to sag. Or, as in the case of the replaced Paper Mill CB in Bennington, VT, the crushing of the top chord due to rot, caused the bridge to sag as well as the enlarging of the bottom chord joints.
      So, keep in mind that camber is not related to stress or strength, it is simply a geometric characteristic of the superstructure of the bridge.

Sylvain Raymond (ATAWALK) Canada - Camber on a bridge, why? I asked that question many times and got the same answer every time!       It simply allows the structure to bend, absorb and distribute the weight. It more or less acts like the leaf-springs on a truck, but in reverse or with the weight below the curve, or IN the truss. Without proper camber, the life span of a busy covered bridge would be greatly reduced for it would have nowhere to go but down from the straight position.

John Weaver, VTCamber for timber structures: This is specified by design code and quite essential for good long term performance - to counteract creep and permanent (sag) deflections.

Dick Wilson, NY - To me, the purpose of the camber is: After the bridge is built or repaired, and it is left to stand on its own, it will settle a little and still be streight or have a slight positive arch to it. Without the camber built in, after it settles, it would have a sag, and this would not be a good thing.
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Bob and I are members of numerous Covered Bridge Societies and when we look at their membership rosters, it is always fascinating to see how many states are represented in their membership. Since I am the Membership Coordinator for the Vermont Covered Bridge Society, I thought it would be interesting to see how many states are represented in our society. Out of 150 members, I think you'll find it interesting. Here they are: AR - 1, CA - 3, CT - 8, DC - 1, FL - 3, IL - 1, IN - 2, MA - 7, ME - 1, MI - 4, MN - 1, MO - 1, NC - 1, NH - 11, NJ - 3, NY - 13, OH - 8, Ontario, Canada - 2, OR - 1, PA - 6, SC - 1, VA - 1, VT - 70.       Please join me in welcoming the following new members to our group. Robert Durfee from Laconia NH; Richard Hart and Warren Tripp both from Groton, VT; and Kerry Potts from Sandusky, OH. A warm Vermont welcome to each of you!       And now . . . the winners of our Early Renewal Contest. But first, let me mention that 34 of you folks missed out on a great opportunity to win some neat prizes. Were you one of them? Why not mark you calendars now to pay your membership dues by December 31 so you don't miss out next year. Thanks to each of you who mailed your membership dues on time. It saves the Vermont Covered Bridge Society time and money. Money better used to help preserve our bridges. And a special thanks to those of you who paid your membership dues for two years. Not only does it save the Society time and money, but you as well.       Now the lucky winners: First Place - Bill & Beverly DeLancy from Cleveland Heights, OH who will receive a one year free membership to the VCBS. Second Place - Carolyn Clapper of West Charleston, VT who will receive a lovely covered bridge welcome sign. Third Place - Robert & Barbara McPherson from Akron, OH who will receive a bag of covered bridge goodies. Congratulations to our winners and thanks again for paying your membership dues before December 31st.             Trish Kane, Membership Coordinator Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries March 2      John Billie 2      Gordon O'Reilly 8      Neil Daniels 16      Bruce Laumeister 12      Priscilla Farnham 21      Thomas & Lisette Keating 23      Steve Miyamoto April 13      Gary Krick 22      Anthony Daniels May 3      Tom Davis 9      Erwin Eckson 10      Charles Lovastik 11      Hank & Sally Messing 12      James Crouse 12      Jeanette Wilson 17      Ron Bechard 18      Ruth Nelson 19      Mary Ann Waller 22      Irene Barna 27      June Gendron 28      Bill McKone Oops . . . Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget things that are important to us . . . like renewing our membership with the Vermont Covered Bridge Society. If there is an (06) beside your name on the mailing label of this newsletter, your membership has expired. Help us continue our challenging work by renewing your membership as soon as possible. Please make your check payable to: VCBS and mail to: The V.C.B.S., Inc., Attention Treasurer, PO Box 97, Jeffersonville, VT 05464-0097. Return to Top       The VCBS is anticipating another year of significant events - Our spring meeting at the Bennington Museum in April and our exhibit at the History Expo in June - just to name two. I am looking forward to meeting all of you at these up-coming events.       To keep our organization strong we rely on dedicated volunteers. We are still looking for someone to chair the Crafts Committee - purchasing and selling covered bridge merchandise to help fund our mission, as well as archiving covered bridge memorabilia collections are among the duties of the position.       Many thanks to Warren Tripp who has volunteered to cover bridge-watch activities at the Green Banks Hollow Bridge in Danville. However, we still need someone to lead bridge-watch activities in the Lyndon VT area. Dick Wilson 1937 -2007 "A Bridger's Bridger" A Sad Passing - Dick Wilson. Sylvain Raymond of Toronto writes: "It is always sad news about the passing of one who gave so much to a cause that brings us all together in such a fashion that strangers have developed into a strong affiliation over the years.       "It is hard indeed, but let's remember Dick for his energy and for his dedication. I myself never met him but his name was everywhere people treat of covered bridges. He was an inspiration and a guide. His name will endure as a pioneer--One who interested many, captivated many more, and shared a passion.       "My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and associates. We are all with you. We shared a passion, now together we must be the rocks upon which future bridges will be built." I couldn't have expressed these thoughts better. Sylvain speaks for us all.       John Weaver, President, Vermont Covered Bridge Society Return to Top VERMONT HISTORY EXPO The Vermont History Expo 2007 will be held the weekend of June 23-24, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Tunbridge World's Fair Grounds. Our set-up date is Friday, June 22. help will be needed by vcbs members. Volunteers please contact Irene Barna. A Covered Bridge Swap-Meet! This year Olin's Museum of Covered Bridges will hold its second annual Covered Bridge Swap Meet. Everything covered bridges, nothing but covered bridges. It's a great opportunity to sell those extras or pick up that unique bridge item you've been searching for! Come and join us for what is sure to be a good time. DATE: June 23, 2007 Rain or shine. PLACE: Olin's Museum of Covered Bridges. 1918 Dewey Rd. Ashtabula, Ohio 44004 two drives east of Olin's Covered Bridge. TIME: 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. TABLE SPACE: $10.00. Reserve by June 16. Call Julie Grandbouche at 440-998-0025. OUTDOOR ADMISSION: Free MUSEUM ADMISSION: $2.00 ages 10 and over. For question or directions, check the web site at www.coveredbridgemuseum.org or call Julie Grandbouche at 440-998-0025. Return to Top Joe Nelson, P.O Box 267, Jericho, VT 05465-0267 This file created April 25, 2007