The groundbreaking provided the first opportunity for us to introduce a major element of our new sustaining campaign, The GEM Club. The GEM Club (short for Give Every Month) asks participants to pledge a minimum of $100 a month to help cover the costs of our new mortgage and of maintaining the Community Center. As we move into the fall season, a new—and still in development—GEM Club Advisory Board will be responsible for developing the details of the Club and all the future activities and benefits for its members. We have also just released the first draft of our CRCC Wish List. Though we are still adding prices for many items at this time, the Wish List allows donors to underwrite the cost of items like new furniture, kitchen and light fixtures, courtyard plantings, and many other elements of the new Community Center building and courtyard. The third element of our sustaining campaign—The CAMPus Fund—will cover one-time donations, and pledges under a $100 a month. For information about our new sustaining campaign, call our Development Director Beth Fitton.

Though I must say I find it shocking that the time has passed so swiftly, Labor Day weekend and the end of the summer have both arrived. That means, of course, it’s time to Sundance. In the last issue of Letters, Murray remembered the first Sundance. This time he writes about the twentieth Sundance—in case anyone doesn’t know—is our big, two night event at the Rehoboth Convention Center on Labor Day weekend. Saturday, September 1 is the Sundance Auction with an open bar, cocktail buffet, and an incredible silent and live auction. Sunday, September 2 is the Sundance with music by Mark Thomas and lights by Paul Turner and an open bar all night. Tickets are $45 per night or $80 for both. Tickets are available online at sundancebenefit.com, at CAMP Rehoboth, or at Lambda Rising Rehoboth.

With the summer’s end upon us, the time has come to look ahead to the fall season—the fabulous fall season I should say as it’s one of the very best times to be in Rehoboth. On September 15, Delaware Pride will produce its eleventh annual Pride Festival, again at Gordon’s Pond State Park. See the PRIDE pagein this issue for details about this year’s Festival or visit their Web site at delawarepride.org. On Tuesday, September 25, the YMCA Block Party, benefiting the Sussex Family YMCA "Strong Kids Campaign, will take place on Baltimore Avenue. On September 28, don’t miss the CAMP Rehoboth night at Celsius Restaurant and on September 30 the Celebrity Chef’s Beach Brunch for Meals on Wheels. Though it doesn’t take place until November, now’s the time to make plans to be in Rehoboth for the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival—this year celebrating its tenth year. For information about Film Society membership or this year’s Festival visit their Web site at rehobothfilm.com.