Many of our performing troupes have made this commitment year after year, win or lose and deserve special recognition. While under a variety of names and guises, our performers from Victoria’s Secrets, the Delmarva Divas, the Family Von Schlong, the Schnauzerhaven Gang, and the Camelot Players have been making Follies possible for the past 4 years. I want to extend a personal thank you to them all for their willingness to accept the new troupe guidelines, their openness to suggestions and their cooperation in making the event an even better experience for all.

Change is never easy but they embraced it and succeeded in making Follies 2005 a creative, fast-paced and entertaining evening. So we thank and salute them all and hope that more groups will step up and have the "courage" to put themselves on the line at Follies 2006!

Ric Kirby
Follies 2005
Skit Coordinator

I want to thank you for the opportunity to be a judge at the 2005 Follies. It was a wonderful experience to be able to watch very creative, talented, and entertaining performances.

More importantly I want to congratulate you on implementing appropriate changes to make this event better than ever. You listened to concerns from the 2004 audience, were receptive to feedback requesting changes, and utilized the input of people experienced in the entertainment industry in determining a revised format. The end result was a great night of entertainment that kept the audience engaged throughout the entire event. The stage hands did an amazing job of producing quality sound, hitting all the cues right on, and keeping the action moving.

As the community hears positive feedback about the 2005 Follies, I know that 2006 will be a sell-out.

Sue Early

P.S. The opening act is worthy of being a competitive entry.

I just wanted to drop you a quick note about the Follies. As you know, I have lived in Rehoboth Beach for 12 years and I have not attended any CAMP events until the CAMP Follies 2005. What a wonderful event! Christopher Peterson was devastating in his gowns and vocal renditions. The skits were much more professional than I had anticipated. The final group, the Delmarva Divas, had me clapping wildly, then cheering, and finally sobbing my eyes out as they paraded on stage with their signs spelling, "Fight Back." Of course, this was a clever setup for the final group number, "We Are Family" which had me singing along and crying at the same time.

Thanks to everyone responsible for such an entertaining, emotional evening.

Jerry Lamb

The letter from Tim Spies in the July 15, 2005 issue is beyond misleading. In fact, it is absolutely incorrect according to Police Chief Keith Banks. Never was the force contemplating the removal of 100 bicycles. This can be confirmed through the Chief.

As an ex-police officer with the NYPD, I am offended that Mr. Spies would try to use this as a cheap example of why Mr. Barbour and Sam Cooper should be elected. It demeans the good judgment of the Chief and his force. It suggests that the force cannot operate properly without the involvement of Mr. Barbour and the Mayor.

If this is the best example of "leadership" attributed to Mr. Barbour and the Mayor at this critical time, this City is in big trouble. Just a few days earlier, Rehoboth lost their funding for streetscape and our traffic, parking, and business situation continues to deteriorate. It is amazing that our Mayor and Mr. Barbour should be seeking credit for "saving the day" with respect to some bicycles. According to the Chief, with respect to this issue, there never was consideration for removing 100 bicycles. In fact, he applauded this use of transportation.

Apparently Mr. Barbour and the Mayor are deeply involved in the "issue" of bicycle parking, according to Mr. Spies, for which their "leadership" should be applauded. Unfortunately, this problem did not need the Mayor’s involvement and one can only imagine how Mr. Barbour became involved. I suggest that real leadership would have spent this valuable time attempting to resolve our accounting mess, budget (streetscape) shortfall, and meeting with state elected officials who can assist the city.

There is an alternative to the present leadership of this city and to Mr. Barbour. I strongly urge your readers to avoid being swayed by these made up issues and transparent political messages.

Real leaders and real leadership know how to focus on the serious issues facing this city.

Andy Staton

I need to clarify the circumstances of July 2. Your readers should know that I consider Chief Banks not only one of Rehoboth’s most valuable employees but a friend of our community. Chief Banks demonstrated strong leadership by intervening in a misunderstanding. We are very fortunate to have him as our Chief of Police.

Dennis Barbour

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.