March 1, 2004 Dear Friends of Conneaut Lake Park, When you think about Conneaut Lake Park, what are your memories? Can you remember .......the thrill of the first time you rode the Blue Streak, and if you were lucky enough to be in the front seat, how you couldn't see the tracks as you hung over the top of the first hill? .......the taste of the French fries with vinegar, the feel of cotton candy and the sounds from the Penny Arcade? .......the spooky Fun House with the laughing lady and your crazy image in the mirror? .......the stern reminder not to 'accidentally' crash again into someone on the Dodgem? .......Dreamland Ballroom and dancing with your first real love to Les Brown and his Band of Renown or Sam the Sham and the Pharos? Or just listening to Perry Como? .......fireworks falling just above your head while you stood on the Boardwalk or the thrilling ride on the Miss Conneaut or a slow cruise on the Barbara J? .......the smell of the leather saddle and the unexpected pony's gait as you circled the Pony Track? .......showing off on your water skis as you passed the Beach, hoping that the right girls noticed? .......feeding the goats in Fairyland Forest while you held your grandma's hand? .......sneaking into the Beach Club to watch the wet t-shirt contest or being brave enough to enter? .......remember your first paycheck when you were a ride-op, waitress, lifeguard or maybe Connie Otter? .......and how could you forget your prom or your honeymoon at the Hotel Conneaut. There are many reasons why Conneaut Lake Park must never close its gates to our children and grandchildren. It is a landmark of historic importance, vital to the economy of Conneaut Lake and the surrounding area. It brings thousands of visitors to Crawford County every year, and now that it belongs to all of us and is held as a charitable trust, we must do all we can to help the Park survive and keep the memories coming. Will you help to "Keep the Memories Coming"? Conneaut Lake Institute is a non-profit organization of interested volunteers, founded in 1999 for the advancement of the Conneaut Lake area. Recognizing the Park's importance, the Institute has accepted the challenge to raise money for improvements that will give the Park opportunity to move ahead toward a year-round operation. Our challenge is to raise at least $600,000. Unless checks state otherwise, all donations will be allocated as follows:
Up to $150,000 These monies will be
used to obtain an additional matching funds loan from $150,000 to $499,999 These monies will be used for repairs, improvements and upgrades. $500,000 and up These monies will be used to meet the financial obligations of the Park. Your donations are tax deductible and will be held in escrow until Conneaut Lake Park receives the Mercer County State Bank loan. To maintain accountability, Conneaut Lake Park will present the Institute with invoices for work performed at the Park by contractors and suppliers. Donations will be used to pay bills directly up to the fund contribution limit. An accounting of the distribution of your funds will be available upon request. We hope that you will take the time to send this letter to others you know who have wonderful memories of Conneaut Lake Park. We would like to hear about your memories. Please send them to the webmaster and we will include them on our bulletin board. Please do what you can to Keep the Memories Coming. Sincerely, The Board of Directors, |
