The Way I See It

Next month, CAMP Rehoboth presents it’s fifth annual Women’s Weekend, which includes the Women’s Conference—with speakers Chrissy Gephardt and Governor Ruth Ann Minner—and two exciting concerts—comic Kate Clinton, and recording artist, Margie Adam. For details about this extraordinary weekend, including show times and Conference workshops see pages 66-67 of this issue. Tickets are $30 per event, $55 for two events, or $75 for the complete package, and sell fast so make your reservations early. Though the focus—especially of the Conference—is on women, all events are open to all. Based on my own experience in previous years, the concerts are simply great entertainment no matter one’s sex or sexual identity.

Back in the 70s when I moved to Washington from Atlanta, Lambda Rising Bookstore was an exciting—almost intoxicating—discovery for me. For many of us, its out and visibly gay presence gave us the courage and inspiration to deal with coming out in the world around us. Years later, when Murray and I first moved full time to Rehoboth and the idea of CAMP Rehoboth first began, we felt that it was important that a gay bookstore be a part of the courtyard space and we immediately thought of Lambda Rising. As fate would have it, at the same time, Lambda’s owners were looking for a Rehoboth Beach location, and the rest is history. Now, years later, as the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center continues to grow, we are glad to announce that Lambda Rising will continue to grow with us. In the late spring/early summer of this year, when CAMP Rehoboth moves into "our place" next door and the courtyard is opened and expanded, Lambda Rising will move into larger quarters in our old location at 39 Baltimore Avenue. For more details about the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center renovation and construction see the 2005 CAMP Report.

Last month, Marc Acito retired from writing his syndicated column "The Gospel According to Marc." Letters from CAMP Rehoboth was the second publication to pick up the column and it has been a part of this magazine for the last four years. Marc’s amusing look at gay life quite often elicited outloud chuckles from the staff as each column was proofed and prepared for publication. We will miss the laughter he brought into our lives and wish him continued success with his book, How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theater.

while i’m talking about retiring—chris riss is retiring as producer and Emcee of the CAMP Rehoboth Follies. His hard work got the event started three years ago and his continued efforts helped to establish it as an integral part of the summer season. Our thanks to Chris for that work, and for all that he continues to do for CAMP Rehoboth. At the present time, a new Follies Team is working on some exciting new plans for Follies 2005, so watch for details about one of this year’s most outrageous event. And though July might seem far away now, this is the perfect time to start working on a skit for this year’s show. To get involved with the 2005 Follies production team or to sign up to do a skit, contact the CAMP Rehoboth office.

2005 is going to be an exciting year for CAMP Rehoboth. Between the renovations and move and all of our regularly scheduled activities and events, there’s bound to be some confusion from time to time. We ask for your patience during transition times and are always thankful for your continued support.