LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
How can it be that the Fourth of July weekend is already here? Time, it seems, definitely moves faster the older we get, (which as of yesterday was a whole lot closer to 50 for me than I care to think about!) Oh well, youre only as young as you feel (right?) and besides, fireworks and the Fourth of July always make me feel like a kid again. So be sure to grab a blanket and a few friends and head down to the beach on Sunday, July 5 at 9:30 p.m. for the Rehoboth Beach fireworks display. Theres something magic about a beautiful summer night, the ocean, and a huge crowd of "kids" of all ages with upturned faces oohing and ahhing at the brilliant pyrotechnics in the sky. Oh yeah, keep your fingers crossed about that "beautiful summer night!" Speaking of magic, once again LOVE is in the airthats LOVE 98, of course. For four years now, the LOVE benefit dance at the Rehoboth Convention Center has been a part of our July 4th weekend here in Rehoboth. The interesting thing about this event is the way it raises money for AIDS organizations in four different citiesRehoboth, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington. Rehoboth is a great melting pot and crossroads for these mid-Atlantic cities, and events like this help us to make new friends as well as to work together for the common good. Our hats are off to all who have worked to "MAKE LOVE THIS JULY 4TH," as the posters proclaim. See you on the dance floor! Last weekend, Murray and I (and a great many others) had the pleasure of attending a 40th Anniversary celebration for Ken Watkins and Bill Cooley at Cloud 9. Having only reached half that number ourselves, we agreed that Ken and Bill are an inspiration to all of us attempting to live in committed relationships. Its hard enough for straight couples to stay together and our culture gives them a built-in support system. It is important that we find ways to do the same within the gay and lesbian community. It is also important that we find ways to honor and celebrate the committed gay and lesbian relationships in our midst. Congratulations Ken and Bill, thanks for the inspiration. While Im saying thanks, let me put on my Sussex County AIDS Committee Board member hat and say thank you to all the members of the Washington Gay Mens Chorus who donated their time and talents to make last Saturdays benefit performance a wonderful evening for the standing room only crowd who filled the Rehoboth Convention Center. The Chorus is committed to serving the gay and lesbian community wherever they can and their efforts are very much appreciated. They make us laugh and they make us cry and they touch that mysterious "gay" place that is a part of our souls. Most of all they remind us of who we are and that we do not stand alone but as a part of a great community. Im told that plans are already underway to have the Chorus come back next yearsomething I know a great many of us will look forward to eagerly. As always at this point in the season it is time to jump into plans for SUNDANCE 98and as always we are looking for volunteers, sponsors, hosts, and auction items. This will be the eleventh year of SUNDANCE and we hope to make it the best one ever, and we also hope that each and every one of you will be able to take part in some way or another. But enough of SUNDANCE, lets not rush the summer any more than it already is. For now, its the Fourth of July and its all about LOVE. Have a great one! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 8, July 3, 1998. |