July 4th weekend at the beach can be a nightmare for many because of the crowds, but those that had come to join in the festivities of Love 2005 certainly did not let that cloud dampen their spirit and fun!

I had not attended previous Love events because of the holiday crowds. I was one of those that shied away from the beach environment. However, this year I was determined to battle the crowds as I so wanted to hear Julian Marsh play one last time before his retirement. So, with a ticket purchased I was set to come to Rehoboth to dance away Saturday night listening to Julian spin! In the meantime I had entered a Centaur music contest to win 2 VIP passes for the entire Love 2005 weekend… and to my surprise I was the fortunate winner! So now was I not only going to the dance Saturday night hearing Julian play but would also have the opportunity to meet him. Due to the efforts of the CAMP Rehoboth staff a personal meeting was arranged… which was far and above my expectations!

Recognition must be given to the CAMP Rehoboth staff and volunteers for all their hard work and perseverance in order to make this event so incredibly successful. As a VIP pass holder, I did attend the events of the weekend and was totally amazed at how smooth and free the events moved—very well organized!! While at the dances I chatted with a few others and they too remarked at how well organized the dance was and that the arrangement of the Convention Center was very conducive for dancing and off dance floor movement.

So CAMP Rehoboth and gang, keep up the GREAT work.

Curry Smith

I’m in Rehoboth Beach three or four times a year to visit my mother and her partner, and I have to admit that I look forward to each visit.

Really.

I’m also gay and it is great to have a mother with whom I’m able to discuss all facets of my life, but it’s even better to be able to visit her in one of the most enjoyable gay enclaves in the country.

During my title year as Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2004, I had the opportunity to travel to GLBT communities throughout the United States. Small communities, large communities. In blue states, in red states. I even found myself in Omaha.

But I rarely encountered a stronger sense of community than I have in Rehoboth Beach.

At the recent Black and White Ball, the diversity of the crowd shocked me: retirees, working people, professionals, leathermen, artists, chicken and chicken hawks all in one room. It would have taken five or six separate fundraisers in Los Angeles to reach these various groups.

I’ve also had the pleasure to attend Sundance twice, both times awed by the experience.

And with only several thousand year-round residents, Rehoboth’s GLBT community maintains one of the nicest and most vibrant community centers I‘ve seen anywhere. The sense of commitment and purpose from its staff and volunteers seems to genuinely reflect the entire community’s devotion to the GLBT cause.

You’ve got a thriving business community. A film festival. Some fun bars. (You don’t really have a dance club, so you lose five points, but that‘s a minor issue.)

The Rehoboth GLBT community should know that whatever it is doing it should keep doing because it is working.

You do us all proud.

Marc Watrel
Mr. LA Leather 2004

In March 2004 the Diamond Edge Foundation sent CAMP Rehoboth word that we were going out of business. At that time we sent a check in the amount of $500 from our assets for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project. We also promised that if, as we completed the dissolution process, there were any remaining financial assets, we would donate them to the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project, too.

Well at long last we have come to the end of our process and have enclosed a check to CAMP Rehoboth in the amount of $390.31 for the Community Center Project.

The closing of an organization dedicated to providing education around issues of sexual orientation has been a sad process. However, Diamond Edge Foundation founder Judith Armstrong, fellow board member Thom Meehan, and I take great comfort in the knowledge that in its demise, DEF has been able to take part in the creation of the community center. We celebrate the value CAMP Rehoboth brings, not only to a resort community, but to our state and our region.

Best wishes in the years ahead!

Harvey Manchester, Jr, Treasurer of the former Diamond Edge Foundation

A major blunder was prevented by Dennis Barbour, candidate for City Commissioner, and Mayor Sam Cooper, on Saturday July 2.

Acting on a complaint by a resident living on the south-end of the boardwalk that five bicycles were chained to a fence on private property, the police were preparing to also impound over 100 bicycles chained to wind fences on the beach at the end of the boardwalk. Two officers decided to have city workers cut the locks off all of the bicycles and a truck was on the way to collect them. When Dennis was alerted to what was happening, he called Mayor Cooper who immediately called Chief Banks and stopped the impoundment.

Thanks to the fast actions of Mayor Cooper and Dennis Barbour, over 100 people found their bikes where they left them and were able to cycle happily on home after a pleasant day at the beach.

This is the kind of leadership the residents of Rehoboth need. Please remember Dennis Barbour and Mayor Sam Cooper when you vote on August 13.

Tim Spies

Letters to Letters should be addressed to Editor, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Or e-mail editor@camprehoboth.com. Please include your name and daytime phone number for verification.