Jay Entertainment & Music Society

WEEK 3 UPDATE – JEMS REPAIR FUND

🎶🎵 $15,000 MATCHING DONOR CHALLENGE (through May 31) 🎭🎤🎸

Week 3, and we are going strong! We now have $8,125 raised under the matching challenge!! With the matching funds, that’s $16,250!

This week, community members joined JEMS board members to repaint the lobby a cheerful shade of green. Many thanks to Phyllis Fox, and Richard Apelt for joining the painting parties. The fresh color beautifully highlights the lobby’s mural, and we’re excited about how the space is coming together. Next up: moving everything back into place, deep cleaning, and preparing for our countertop re-installation.

In case you missed our last update, an incredibly generous Jay community member has pledged to match every dollar donated to JEMS between now and May 31, up to $15,000. These funds will go directly toward critical building repairs following the lobby floor collapse.

Any donation—large or small—makes a real difference. Your support will help us reopen as planned during this DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT campaign.

Ways to give:

• Donate in person at the CONTRA DANCE on May 13

• Donate right here online.

• Mail a check to: JEMS, P.O. BOX 150, Jay, NY 12941

For those just catching up, here’s a quick overview:

Last October, the theater’s lobby floor collapsed due to long-term leaks and structural rot. We contracted Vincent Family Construction to complete the repairs and install heating in two affected bathrooms.

After removing the damaged floor and sealing the concrete slab, fluctuating temperatures caused snow and ice to melt around the building. This led to additional water infiltration near the check-in counter. We have also discovered rot in the sill along the southern exterior wall—issues that will significantly increase repair costs.

How YOU can help:

These unexpected developments mean costs will exceed our initial estimates. The floor repair alone is approximately $30,000, and additional repairs remain uncertain. While community support has been strong and deeply appreciated, we still have a way to go to meet both the original and expanded needs.

Thank you for being part of this effort. Your generosity is helping bring this vital community space back to life.

With gratitude,

The JEMS Team

Yes! Your donations will help, and can be made online

Checks can be made out to JEMS and mailed to: JEMS, PO Box 150, Jay, NY. 12941

We thank our JEMS community for your patience, and support during this challenging time.

A HUGE thank you from the JEMS Board to Elyse Roller and Joan Shulein for donating their $1,000 Kindling Award to JEMS! We have enjoyed the many community gatherings they have brought to the Amos & Julia Ward Theatre, and look forward to many more to come. Congratulations on being recognized for your essential work in building community ties, pride, and social opportunities. You two are truly local “JEMS”!

PAST EVENTS

JEMS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephanie Battisti - President

Connie Miller - Vice President

Dennis Bakos - Secretary

Dawn Tonneau - Treasurer

Deirdre Garland - Board Member

Rance Bloom - Board Member

Mike Battisti - Board Member

Barbara Steen - Board Member

Larysa Murray - Board Member

Michael Rafferty - Board Member

Steve Turbek - Past President

For booking entertainment: Rance Bloom bloom.rance@gmail.com

For Hall rental (parties, etc.): Stephanie Battisti srbattisti@gmail.com or 518-637-1018

Please feel free to contact ANY board member if you have any questions regarding donation, event sponsorship and theater sponsorship. Or, feel free to contact Stephanie Battisti, President, at: 518-637-1018 or email us