This is an exciting election for the GLBT community and for the Rehoboth community at large. We have an opportunity to elect a highly qualified woman to the Commission who also happens to be a Lesbian. With Pat’s election we will have three representatives of our community on the commission. Three highly qualified people who are a credit to Rehoboth Beach community.

Pat Coluzzi and her partner Dale have been Rehoboth property owners since 1994 and Pat has been a voter in Rehoboth since 1997.

Pat has been a leader in the community and she and Dale have been active in CAMP Rehoboth. Pat is a business owner and a member of the Board of Rehoboth Beach Main Street. She knows the issues we need to continue to address in Rehoboth.

Pat is a real leader and we have an opportunity to elect another person to the Commission that we will all be proud of. I urge you to vote for Pat and tell your neighbors to do the same.

Peter D. Rosenstein

I recently went out to Chicago to the Gay Games. The intent of our trip was specifically to see the opening ceremonies produced by our own local Ric Kirby. I have always admired and respected Ric’s work products but I was blown away by the magnitude and complexity of the production of the Opening ceremonies at this year’s Gay Games. He did an unbelievable job.

Karen Sundquist and I had the pleasure of seeing him behind the scenes and just what he was up against. Despite Ms. Kirby’s belief she is in charge of everything, she could do nothing about the horrible heat and then rain that cancelled half of the dress rehearsal, except deal with the circumstances in true professional form. From the opening moment to the last of the fireworks, the show was nothing short of outstanding, but I expected nothing less. I now, however, have a much better appreciation for what Ric does and we are blessed to have such a true and wonderful professional and friend amongst our ranks here in Rehoboth.

Maureen Keenan

On Sunday, July 9th, we launched our first major fund raiser, Cause 4 Paws, for the construction of Safe Haven No-Kill Animal Sanctuary to be built on Shingle Point Road between Lewes and Georgetown. We are happy to report that the event was a major success and will help bring us closer to achieving our goal of providing a safe haven for animals in need.

We would like to thank all the people who attended, all the volunteers who worked to bring the event together and all the wonderful individuals and businesses who donated items, services and money to Cause 4 Paws.

A special thanks to the generous area establishments that provided food and drink for our event. They include: Ann Marie’s Seafood and Italian Restaurant, Aqua Grill, Bin 66, The Back Porch, The Blue Moon, Cloud 9, The Coffee Mill, Celsius, Confucius, The Cultured Pearl, Dogfish Head Brewery and Eats, Espuma, Fins, Fish On, Roly Poly, Stoney Lonen, and Svedka Vodka.

And, of course, we thank Letters From Camp Rehoboth for all the work you have done for us and for all the good work you do for our community. We are truly blessed to have you here!

We hope that everyone will continue to support Safe Haven and all the other good people and organizations in our area that through the years have been working to take care of our precious animals. Look for us next year when we plan to bring you Cause 4 Paws 2!

Meanwhile let us all work together to make Sussex County a safe haven for all the dogs and cats that need us!

Chairpersons: Nancy Leidy, Maggie Ottato, and David Ruffo

This summer, if you have been up and about in the early mornings to walk your self or your dog along Baltimore Avenue or to join friends for coffee at Lori’s, you may have noticed that on Wednesdays the Courtyard at Camp Rehoboth is transformed into a what could be an outdoor park in China. Since June 7th, folks have been meeting there amidst flowers, trees and cheerful birds to learn and practice Tai Chi together. What a wonderful and healthy way to begin the day. Beautiful soft music, gentle movements and friendly atmosphere are conducive to developing an exercise program that is very beneficial to health and mental health. Any one can join in at any time. It is fun and gives a sense of "community."

Tai Chi originates from China and is practiced throughout the world as an effective form of exercise for health. It consists of fluid, gentle movements that are relaxed and slow and can be practiced almost anywhere and is a suitable form of exercise for almost everyone.

In fact, a multitude of research studies have shown that Tai Chi helps to relieve stress, pain and stiffness, improve concentration, balance, posture, and heart and lung function, enhances the flow of Chi, increases strength, and reduces falls.

If you want to try something really different, that just might launch those plans to "get in shape" while in the company of wonderful people, please give it a try. Wear cool, soft clothes and comfortable shoes! Hope to see you there.

Susan Hamadock, Silver Lotus Training Institute and Center for Healing Arts