An Open Letter to the Post Star for our Friends, Sponsors, and Patrons of Adirondack Drums:

  We would like to Thank You All for our past 28 years of success in our presentation of Adirondack Drums.
We are beyond words for what happened to our show this year, our 29th. As many of you know, we have been extremely blessed our past 28 years, and we know you approved, because many of you returned year after year. For that, we are truly thankful.
We are now faced with a dilemma of dramatic proportion. We would like you to read this letter thoroughly, appreciate our efforts of the past, and reach into your hearts to help us continue for the future.
The Fort Edward Lions club is a not for profit organization. Most all monies raised through this endeavor, are distributed locally, for eye glasses, hearing aids, assistance for the elderly, contributions to our local schools, and so on. We have given money to scholarship programs in Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, Fort Edward, Argyle, Hartford, Greenwich, Schuylerville and more. We have also donated to local families of firefighters injured in the line of duty to assist in their costs associated with traveling to the burn center in Westchester. We have also given to students that have been selected to leadership programs in Washington DC. We support local food pantries, have been a major contributor to the Fort Hudson Nursing Home. The list goes on and on. We have been able to do all of this, and so much more, with the proceeds of our drum corps show. This is our only fundraiser, and many Lions work on this effort for the entire year to bring this show to you.
Our dilemma now is this. The Lions Club has paid in full for this show, (over $25,000.00) that as you all know by now, was cancelled due to lightning in the area. We cannot get a refund from DCI for this event, even though they are the ones that cancelled it. We also understand that their expenses were the same as if the show had taken place. Unfortunately, so were ours.
What we are asking is this. We held an emergency meeting Saturday morning on the 4th of July, and have decided to ask the ticketholders of this year’s event, to consider their purchase, as a contribution to the Lions club, so that we can continue in our efforts in making our community, and yours, a better place to live. We understand completely, your frustration in the events of this past week. We feel the same way. We also gave hard earned money for something we did not receive.
For those that would still like a refund, Please send us your ticket stubs, in a Self addressed stamped envelope, to The Fort Edward Lions Club PO BOX 411, Fort Edward NY, 12828, and we will honor your request.
 
 
 
Some people think that we have never planned for this type of situation. Please be assured that we have. In the past we have purchased rain insurance. During average weather, this is a very costly item, and it is rated (priced) in accordance with the weather of the prior seven days of the event. Considering the rain we have had (approx. 25 of the last 30 days), this year it was not an affordable option. It is also dependant on a specified amount of rain in the 3 hours immediately proceeding the scheduled time of the event. (Lightning not a factor). We have also considered the civic center, and that has also turned out to be a less than ideal solution.
In closing, again, we thank you for your support and truly hope that this year’s events will not tarnish the future of Adirondack Drums. Next year will be our 30th year, and we will continue to give you our best, as that is all we have to offer.
Sincerely,
The Members of the Fort Edward Lions Club