I wanted to write you and tell
you about the great experience I had here in Rehoboth. For the second year
now I have been helping to raise money for the J.A.G. Fund. The J.A.G.
Fund donates all of its proceeds to the American Brain Tumor Association.
Last summer I was able to help raise $150. Although no donation is ever
too small, I had hoped for a better response. This summer has provided
just that. I am proud to say that the community has helped bring in $1200!
I would like to take the time to thank those who made a donation.
I would like to thank the following for their support of the J.A.G.
Fund: everyone who attended the July 11th Tea Dance, CAMP Rehoboth, The
Blue Moon, The Roadhouse, The Wooden Indian, and the Back Porch. A very
special thank you to Don "Austin Powers" Wilder who helped make
the Tea Dance a successful endeavor. "Austin Powers" braved
ninety degree heat and humidity in a blue velvet suit to help support
Brain Tumor Research. His Polaroids helped bring in over $300!
Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank Yum Yum Pan Asian
Bistro who made it all possible by hosting the Tea Dance on July 11th and
allowing us to raise money for a great cause. All of this would not have
been possible without the help of everyone at Yum Yum. Again thanks to
everyone who donated to the J.A.G. Fund. We raised $1200!!! Anyone who
would like to send a tax deductible donation can send it to "the
J.A.G. Fund", 123 East Ashland Street, Doylestown, PA 18901.
Brian Cardello
Thirty years into the gay civil rights movement, gay people are being
killed, fired and denied many civil rights that other Americans take for
granted. One response by gays is to remain closeted, hoping not to be
killed or hurt and waiting for other people to improve things.
A far better response would be for every gay American to first
"come out" to everyone and then to openly and pro-actively work
for full equality for gay citizens. Yes there is some risk, but what is
the alternative? Living a life of cowardice and deception? That is neither
noble nor moral, and it is a lousy example to set for gay youth. "But
we will lose our jobs!" say some. "Better than to lose your
integrity," we reply. "Our families will disown us!" some
protest. "That is sadly possible, but it is their decision not to
love you for who you really are," we answer.
Without blaming the victims, we nonetheless know that "closetedness"
is a choice. And if all gay people were "out" and actively
pursuing equality, we would have it by now instead of still being lynched,
bashed and deprived of major civil rights.
Douglas and Corey Marshall-Steele
This is our third year back to your wonderful seaside town. Rick and I
have the options of going to P-Town, Ogunquit, or even Fire Island, but we
don’t. We love Rehoboth Beach and its residents. We have been thinking
of purchasing a home upon our retirement or maybe before!
We have met many people in out past trips. When we make happy hour at
the Blue Moon this weekend it will be as if we had never left.
We had friends from DC turn us on to Rehoboth, and we have been staying
on Hickman Street for the past two years, two weeks at a time.
Letters from Camp Rehoboth is one of the first things we pick up to see
what is going on in town. It is our social director for part of our stay.
Keep up the good work, but don’t tell too many people about your
little town, I like it just the way it is.
Craig Magaw
I never thought much about my role as a gay Aunt until I read Murray
Archibald’s article, "Gay Uncles and Auntie Mame." My partner,
Inez, and I have just returned from my family reunion which took place at
my parent’s place on a lake in Maine. There have been 17 Bailey reunions
in almost as many years, and since Inez and I have been together for 14
years, folks have come to expect and accept us. Who else would buy a
bucket of colored chalk and help my brother’s kids write "WELCOME
BAILEYS" in 3 foot letters across the driveway. Inez always buys a
fishing license, but spends most of her time putting worms on the hooks of
little people so they can experience the thrill of catching a sunfish—I’m
not sure who’s having the most fun. There were 75 Baileys at this
reunion, mostly Baptists and Mormons. The ever-growing generations include
inter-racial marriages, the divorced and the adopted. This sharing of
lives, if only for a day a year, is enriching for us all.
So now we’re back home to Delaware/DC. We’ll have Inez’s young
niece and nephew visiting next week here at the beach. Another nephew’s
fiance from California is living in our DC house so that she can be closer
to her betrothed, a Marine. One never knows what these experiences
together will lead to. Last summer, Inez and I invited my Mom and Dad, and
9 year old niece, to go to Sweden to visit our family there for the first
time—a thrill for us all. Now this same niece, at 10, is about to embark
on a 1 month student exchange program to New Zealand. At 17, she won’t
be afraid to go to a college more than a 2 hour drive from home! She’ll
hopefully see a world of options for her life.
Like Murray, our canine kids (Rudy and Xena) are all we can handle on a
regular basis, but we sure do love all those nieces and nephews. Inez is
one of 9 kids, and I am one of 4, so there are plenty to love.
Kathleen Bailey
Saturday, August 14, Rehoboth voters have an opportunity to vote for
the election of two City Commissioners, and I am running for re-election
for a second term as Commissioner. I want to thank all the Camp Rehoboth
readers who have supported me in the past and in this election. I urge all
who are committed to further progress in maintaining and enhancing
Rehoboth as a place that everyone can enjoy to come out and vote for me
again on Saturday.
Camp Rehoboth readers know my record, both in Rehoboth and in
Washington, D.C. where I served for 12 years on the City Council, of
commitment to respect, diversity, quality of life, and good government. As
a Rehoboth Beach homeowner for 11 years, and the parent and grandparent of
Rehoboth Beach residents, I have a strong investment in our city’s
future. Like you— whether you are a homeowner, property owner, or
business owner, year-round or part-time resident, straight, gay, single or
in partnership—I care deeply about preserving and enhancing the
qualities that make Rehoboth such an attractive place to live, work, and
visit for everyone. As I have served you on the Commission over the last
three years, I have listened carefully to your concerns and have taken
very seriously your interest in keeping taxes low and fair, in delivering
city services efficiently, and in the importance of planning. I support
sensible approaches to our ongoing problems of traffic congestion,
parking, and trash collection. I am a strong supporter of the Main Street
program and downtown revitalization. I am pleased at our progress, but
know we have much more to do, including better cooperation with the county
and state to deal with the impact of Rt. 1 development. We need to listen
to good ideas, and be willing to change when needed. Camp Rehoboth itself
is a good example of the kind of inclusiveness, focus and help so useful
to moving our city forward and I am pleased to have worked with you as a
supporter of the Sundance and Love benefits, and other important events in
our community.
The polls are open at the Rehoboth Convention Center, behind City Hall
at 229 Rehoboth Avenue, on Saturday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Please call me at 302-227-4927 if you have any questions about the
election, my views, or to share your ideas. I am always happy to hear from
you, and I look forward to working with you for three more years to make
Rehoboth an even better place for all of us.
Betty Ann Kane, Commissioner
Back to Top of Page 
