Sometime in the course of this busy summer
season, when Murray and I were both exhausted from too many deadlines, not
enough sleep, and a mountain of work still to be done, he suddenly looked
at me, smiled, and said, "you know, one day when we’re old and grey,
we’ll look back and remember these as the best times of our lives."
This morning is the Monday after the Follies, we’re a couple of days
behind on deadline for this issue, and Sundance is looming on the near
horizon, but he’s right, and I am glad to be alive, and glad to be a
part of this community—even with all the "drama" that
sometimes comes with it.
Speaking of drama, back in the winter when Murray suggested that CAMP
Rehoboth should do the opening number at the Follies, I was quick to say
yes, but had no idea how much fun I would have. Once we were joined by
Glen Pruitt, Thom Pemberton, and John Hulse (and discovered that pink
tutus were involved) the fun really got started, and sometimes we could
hardly get through rehearsals we were laughing so much. I hope that all
the troupes who participated in this year’s Follies had as much fun as
we did because that means that they are all winners. Our thanks to all who
worked hard to make the event a success. For a recap of this year’s
Follies, see the photos in CAMPshots.
On the Monday before the follies, the CAMP Rehoboth board of directors
held its annual retreat. As a part of that meeting the final draft of our
Strategic Plan was discussed and I, once again, would like to thank all
the members of the community who helped us put it together. Though the
busy summer has caused us to run a little behind in its completion, the
Strategic Plan will be published early in the fall of this year. In
September, we have also scheduled an independent audit for CAMP Rehoboth
and its results will be published upon completion. Much of the rest of the
retreat was spent in a discussion of plans for our new Community Center
space. My thanks to all the members of our Board of Directors for their
deep commitment to CAMP Rehoboth and to this community.
On Saturday, August 14, voters in Rehoboth Beach will go to polls to
elect two new members of the city’s Board of Commissioners. The seats
currently being held by Patti Shreeve and Rich Sargent are both up for
grabs. Rich is running again; Patti is not. Rich is joined by candidates
Patrick Gossett and Tjark Bateman. See "CAMP Forum" where all three candidates respond
to some questions we thought might be of interest to the readers of
Letters.
Back in the mid 80s, Murray and I shared a beach house with Michael
Brossette. Michael died from AIDS in 1997, but left a lasting mark on our
community. He was a founding partner in both Cloud 9 and Celsius
restaurants, and at the time of his death was President of the Delaware
HIV Consortium. After he passed away the Michael Brossette Fund was
established by the Consortium to provide emergency assistance to PWAs in
Kent and Sussex County when other funds were not available—for people
who fell through the gaps in the system. Demands on the fund are now
causing it to run low, and I know that it would have made Michael happy
for the Consortium to be able to continue to serve those in need. To
donate to the Fund, checks should be made out to The Michael Brossette
Fund and sent to the Delaware HIV Consortium or to CAMP Rehoboth.
A moment ago I said that Sundance was "looming on the
horizon," and so it is. In the weeks between now and Labor Day
weekend, all of us will be getting ready for our biggest event of the
year. To be a Sponsor, Supporter, or Host of Sundance, call CAMP Rehoboth
at 302-227-5620 or visit
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