Geist Neighbors,

This year marked a very successful 2nd annual “Blast on the Bridge at Geist” – the weather was great and a huge crowd enjoyed the fun! Thanks to Marty Miller of Mad Bomber Fireworks, the show was awesome! Big thanks to Scott Foster at Eddy’s and Miller Coors/Monarch Beverage, these businesses and all the supporting organizations and community-minded sponsors deserve your thanks and your patronage. Without them and the time given by all our volunteers, this wonderful community event would not be possible! A special thank you for the support of our fire, safety and enforcement entities who operate as a team to insure the well being of all who attend this awesome Independence Day celebration.

Giving thanks extends to all the homeowners that generously donated this year, we are thankful for your support and your understanding that we are dependent on your contributions. The 4th of July celebration at Geist is fully funded by generous contributions and every single dollar makes a difference. We thank all of our contributors who feel passionately about our community and the importance of giving back. You should be proud of the part you play in making this event a reality.

For those that didn’t contribute this year, we have a personal plea for your participation. This is a great event and we would love to have you join the long list of generous supporters. Please consider supporting us in 2011. We also continue to raise funds for this year’s fireworks and all of the Geist Lake Coalition’s initiatives. So if you enjoyed this year’s show, it is not too late – please consider donating this year as well.

As you can imagine, this volunteer-run and donation-funded event takes a village and a lot of Puccini’s pizza to pull off. We also need to continue to work together to ensure it is possible next year. We look forward to welcoming all of our 2010 supporters back. We also look forward to new supporters and volunteers who want to join the fun for the first time in 2011!

Thanks to years of unwavering effort by co-founding board members and past President’s of the Coalition, Ed Villanyi and Scott Rodgers. To our newest board member and treasurer, Bob Grennes. Special thanks to Lorene Graves, Kim & Dave Irish, Kelly McClure, Susan Jones, Tom Boyd and Sean Lewis for the important roles they all played to make this year’s event a success. Big thanks to Tom Britt and his atGeist magazine for supporting the Coalition and many other community events throughout the year.

For a complete list of our contributors, supporters, volunteers and important information about the Coalition’s mission, activities, and ways to make a financial donation.. please visit: www.GeistLake.org

See you at Geist!

Warmest Regards,

Brian Hall
President
Geist Lake Coalition
Event Chair, Blast on the Bridge at Geist

The Geist Lake Coalition (GLC) was established in 2000 and is a nonprofit coalition of neighborhoods surrounding the Geist Reservoir. The GLC effects positive change and community action, it is managed by volunteers who are passionate about the safety, water quality, property values and enjoyment of this fragile public resource.

P.O. Box 103, FIshers IN 46038

2010 Geist July 4th Blast on the Bridge Event Volunteers

Geoff Bowles Steve Burns Madeline Brewer Skylar Brewer Lorene Colgan Dominick Colgan

Lucy Collins Emily Coughlin Madison Dorsey Maria Dorsey Matt Dorsey Phil Graves

Eli Graves Donna Grennes Cole Griffin Caroline Hall Kelsey Hall Jill Hall Kelly Hebenstreit

Bridget Heilman Ashley Holmes Matt Huffine Dave Irish Matt Jefferson Kevin King

Mary King Naudia King Karleigh Latinovich Kirsten Lewis Gwen Marcantonio Gregory Murphy

Greg O’Herren Lisa Peters Robin Peters Trevor Peters Katya Peters Lena Peters John Rodi

Eric Rolle Derrick Rolle Marcia Simmermon Glenn Stanley Paige Sylvester Anna Villanyi

Ted Villanyi Robert Willsey

Hello Geist Neighbors, Friends and Lake Lovers. Your help is needed again this year to support the 2010 Blast on the Bridge at Geist – 4^th of July Celebration event.  We want to sincerely thank you for your past support and participation since this is an event supported solely by businesses, residents and lake users. In these tough economic times we would like to keep this wonderful celebration and community event alive. 

The Geist Lake Coalition (GLC) was established in 2000 and is a nonprofit coalition of neighborhoods surrounding the Geist Reservoir that is managed and operated by volunteers who are passionate about the health, safety, and enjoyment of Geist Lake and the community.  The GLC attempts to effect positive change and community action. 

All funding for GLC initiatives comes from fundraising and sponsorship efforts.  Our successes would not be achievable without the generous contributions from our community. The Blast on the Bridge at Geist – 4^th of July Celebration is the GLC’s signature event.  For the past 10 years each July 4^th celebration has been bigger and better and 2009 was quite an event.  In spite of the record breaking cold and constant rain, the evening was well attended and enjoyed by all.  We are making plans for the 2010 event to be even better and let’s hope warmer and drier. Without your support we risk this being a family holiday tradition of the past! 

We need your help in other ways too.  One of the Coalition’s initiates was to launch the Geist Watershed Alliance (GWA) to help address Geist Lake water quality related issues. The critical and current topic being addressed by the GWA is the infamous blue-green algae and invasive aquatic plants that have affected Geist Lake the last few years. Identifying and addressing the causes and resolutions to blue-green algae and other emerging issues, like the recent Zebra Mussels identification are complex problems that will take years to resolve, but we have to start. 

The GWA is nearing completion of our first Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Project.  We are committed to compete for additional state and federal grants.  Future projects are aimed at planning and feasibility initiatives, followed by biological and engineering implementation projects.  You can direct your donations to be used strictly for GWA initiatives if you wish.  For more information please visit: www.geistwatershed.com. We would also like to recruit additional volunteers and further raise community awareness about these efforts. 

At the risk of repetition, both the Geist Lake Coalition www.GeistLake.org and Geist Watershed Alliance www.GeistWatershed.com are nonprofit, volunteer organizations that are focused on keeping Geist Lake a safe, healthy, and enjoyable asset for all of us to enjoy.  Contact any of us with questions or suggestions and please do your best to support these community organizations and events. 

Thank you for your support! 

Scott Rodgers      Brian Hall              Ed Villanyi             Bob Grennes 
Founding Director  Founding Director       Founding Director       Treasurer 
Scott@Scottr.com   Bhall@Reprographix.com  Edward_Villanyi@ML.com  Bob.Grennes@gmail.com 

  
Please send your donations to: Geist Lake Coalition, PO Box 103 Fishers, IN 46038 or make a donation online with the PayPal button on this site.

Additional Detail for the 2010 July 4th Blast on the Bridge Celebration

CELEBRATE – PARTICIPATE – DONATE

It was a priviledge to see so many die-hard families brave the less than ideal weather for the Fireworks Display, the Boat Parade and AWSA Wake Board Show. Equally exciting was the positive attitude of the sponsors, vendors and volunteers that helped support this event. We have received so many positive responses that the new venue location afforded a wider audience of local residents to experience the festivities. Just imagine what the potential of this event can ultimately be on a warm and dry summer evening! A special thanks to Scott Foster, owner of Eddy’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill and Miller Coors / Monarch Beverage as our event sponsors. Their support and passion for this event was spectacular!   

The 2009 July 4th Blast on the Bridge was a far more complex event to execute than in years past. We had Marion and Hamilton County Police and Sheriff’s Offices as well as Fishers and Lawrence Township Fire Departments, plus ESG Security in a superbly coordinated fashion making sure this event was safe, as well as enjoyable for all to experience. Community Hospital EMS also provided First Aid support and Ritron equipped the entire staff with radio communication, plus Guardian Relocation came through with all the trash receptacles. Holy Spirit at Geist was incredibly kind in offering up parking for the increased crowd, Gordon Plumbing provided all of the sanitation and hand washing stations and Kroger added water and Pepsi to the mix. Puccini’s fed their fabulous pizza to all Police, Fire, Medical and Event Volunteers. The Marina Limited Partnership was gracious in their assistance and support as always. Scott Roddy from WKLU Oldies 101.9 and Tom Britt from www.atGeist.com kept everyone energized and informed on the event status as well as promotion. Big thanks to the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and their efforts!   

And a special kudos to Marty Miller of Mad Bomber Productions, for a great fireworks show.   

Click here to see an interesting list of the 2009 sponsors, homeowners and businesses that made this event happen (page 2) , or scroll down on our sidebar).  Scan it carefully because without these individuals and companies we would not have an event, much less one that is of this quality and caliber. This ultimately gets down to individuals that have an interest in our lake community and making a difference. Yes, we want you to support this event financially, after all, this event is 100% financed by donations and staffed by volunteers. Yes, we still need to generate additional dollars to cover the event. We increased the size of the pyrotechnics alone to well over $40,000 in 2009! This is only a portion of the total expenses incurred to put on an event such as this.   

In other words, we have a short-fall to make up, hopefully with your help!   

Thank you again for your support, and please acknowledge those who make a difference in our community. To make your donation, please use the paypal button on the top right of this page, or send a check payable to the Geist Lake Coalition to the address below it.

The 2009 July 4th Annual Fireworks Celebration will be a major turning point in expanding our event into a very special family oriented spectacle.  We are moving the fireworks display to a more central location on the Geist Reservoir, just south of the Fall Creek Bridge at the Marina.  The Fall Creek Bridge will be blocked off in its entirety the evening of July 4th for spectator viewing starting at 7:30PM!

Coors Light/Eddy’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill are our primary event sponsors and Oldie’s 101.9 is our radio sponsor and will be on site at the Geist Marina broadcasting starting at 3:30PM, as well as a music simulcast timed to the fireworks display at dusk.  The Geist Harbours Property Owners Association (GHPOA), Marina Limited Partnership, Repro Graphics, Obsidian Enterprises, Ritron, atGeist.com, Indianapolis Yacht Club, N3 Boats, and many more local businesses will be continuing their sponsorship.  Our greatest source of pride for event sponsors continues to be local residents that always rally with their contributions that make up a full 50% our funding each year.  Partial list of sponsors is on the backside of this letter (For a complete list of early 2009 and past 2008 eventsponsors please go to: www.geistlake.org for detail).

Now for even more good stuff!  Earlier in the evening we will kick off our first Annual Boat Parade starting at 6:30PM culminating at the Fall Creek Bridge for judging at 7:30PM.  This will be a fun family oriented feature where we will have prizes for the best decorated boats.  The theme is red, white and blue.  We want to encourage everyone to decorate your boats with lights.  First Place is a Traveling Trophy and a choice of a 2010 Dock Slip, or Winter Storage courtesy of the Geist Marina.  Second Place is a very special Ski Nautique Rocking Chair donated by N3 Boats, Third Place from Indianapolis Yacht Club is an Intro Package for a Geist Lake Tour and Dinner for two at the IYC.  Entry forms available at the Eddy’s and the Geist Marina Showroom.

There will be a Wakeboard Show starting at 8:00PM on the North side of the Fall Creek Bridge.  Food and beverage vendors will be on site as well.  Free event parking at Holy Spirit at Geist Parish is available with shuttle buses to the Geist Marina starting at 7:15PM.  Security and medical assistance on site too.

This fireworks show is completely sponsored by contributions from our generous residents and local businesses and is organized by the Geist Lake Coalition (geistlake.org)  Please jump in and help support this great community event.  Please pass the word for contributions, participation and volunteering.  Yes, we need volunteers!

The Geist Lake Coalition (geistlake.org) is a 100% volunteer based organization that is committed to making a difference in our Geist Lake community. Our organization funded the purchase of the Fisher’s Fire Department’s Fire and Rescue Boat and directly spawned the creation of the Geist/Fall Creek Watershed Alliance (GWA) www.geistwatershed.com. The GWA is focused on improving water quality and best practices on our lake and in the entire watershed area.  We recently received a significant grant to study our current algae problem.  Thank you again for your support.

Please become a sponsor of the 2009 Fireworks on Geist Lake!

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Show size is directly proportionate to the level of contributions!

Click here to download the Sponsorship form.

Thank you for your past support and thanks in advance for your consideration this year!

Founding Directors: Brian Hall, Scott Rodgers, Ed Villanyi, Amy Riesmeyer