May 7, 2003
Dear Neighbors:
For those who don’t know me my name is Hal Rhoad and for 22 years I have had the pleasure of organizing the annual “Forth of July” fireworks show on Lake Burton. Thanks to your generosity and with lots of good help and advice from several of you this continues to be a great evening of fun. Unlike most fireworks shows Lake Burton has no “corporate sponsor”. For 22 years basically “you send it and I spend it” has grown from a $3000 show to this years $19,000. (See financial statement enclosed)
Details for this year are as follows:
When: Saturday, July 5, 2003
Where: South End of Billy Goat Island
Rain Date: Sunday, July 6, 2003 (See note below)
Last year was a record year, again, for contributions (see attached financial statement), as a result of your generosity we are able to put together a $19,000 show. We again are asking for a $30 per family contribution, many of you are more generous than that and it is appreciated. Our reserve fund has improved this year. Approximately 1560 letters went out last year and approximately 650 families sent in a contribution (see contributors list enclosed).
Pyrotecnico out of New Castle, PA is again our show producer. Because of the growth of the show and the large shells included please stay back at least 900 feet from the shooting site and out from under falling embers as this is an obvious fire hazard.
Rain Delay: Our “rain policy” is as follows: If it is raining at 9:30 pm on Saturday, “shoot night”, then we will delay the show 30 minutes and reevaluate our chances of shooting. We will then and only then make the decision to shoot or postpone the show until Sunday night. An announcement to postpone will come by bullhorn from the crew on the island after consulting with me. There is no reasonable way to contact all of you by phone. Storms can blow through quickly. If it is raining you will have to use your best judgment as to whether to come out so you can hear an announcement to postpone. Let’s pray for perfect weather and not have to worry about rain!
We are still accident free for the past 21 years! I would like to ask all of you to treat the lake as NO WAKE ZONE to and from the show. Also, please make sure running lights, life preservers, and fire extinguishers are there and in good order – let’s be safe!
SPECIAL THANKS to Pat Thompson of Shoreline Construction Company for the use of his barge to transport the truckload of shells and equipment safe and dry to and from Billy Goat Island. THANKS PAT!
ALSO, MY THANKS to Wildcat Volunteer Fire Department for helping with safety and logistics; Mason Whitney with Whitney Realty, The Mountain Patrol, and the Georgia Power Company for their much appreciated help with this event.
Best Wishes for a Great Summer!!!
Hal J Rhoad
Make checks payable to: Lake Burton Fireworks. Please use the enclosed self-addressed envelope with all contributions and mail by July 1st, 2003 (in order to ensure proper listing on the contributor’s list). Also, please write on your check how you prefer you name to be listed on the contributor’s list. If you have any questions, please contact Linda Mixon or me at 770-449-1444 x 254 and x207 respectively. Our address is Lake Burton Fireworks c/o Cherokee Metals Company, 4648 South Old Peachtree Road Norcross, GA 30071. E-Mail is lindamixon@cherokeemetals.com or halrhoad@cherokeemetals.com