LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Last week we were talking about plans for this year's New Year's Eve and someone made the comment, "once in a thousand years," and it hit me suddenly that for once we can say that, and mean it. It has been argued that the real millennium doesn't start until 2001but who caresthe numbers change at midnight on this December 31, and that's all that matters to most of usand our computers. And so it is that we come to the last issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth before the year 2000. This next season will be our tenth year. Ten years old! And yet, that's nothing when compared to the last century, the last millennium. In fact, the modern gay movement as we know it is still in its infancy. We can glean from history that there have always been homosexual people, but they did not exist in the world as we do today. As we stand on the cusp of the millennium and look to the future of gay and lesbian people, it has to be with a certain excitement that we are a part of this transition. It also has to be a time for us to come together and talk about what it means to be gay. As I look around Rehoboth I see so many gay and lesbian people involved in the community effort. I see them giving of their time and energy, and I see them using their care giving skills, their teaching skills, and their creative talents to make this a better place to live. At some point in this new millennium that is our future, it is our hope that CAMP Rehoboth will grow into a community center that provides not just space for the gay and lesbian community, but a place where discussions about who we are can take place in a safe and creative way. Speaking of creative plans, we are in the process of putting together a CAMP Project Advisory Committee that will become the creative work place for future CAMP Rehoboth projects and programs. The group is not limited in size, and is designed to provide a forum for community involvement. It will begin to meet in January 2000 to discuss a variety of issues including gay and lesbian youth, women's health, retirement and aging, community space, and grant programs. If you are interested in serving on this committee, contact Murray Archibald, Bill Sievert, Penny LeCates, Steve Hoult, or me. December 1 is World AIDS Day and once again the activities in the Rehoboth area will include a candlelight walk followed by a service of remembrance and hope at Epworth United Methodist Church on Baltimore Avenue. The gathering for the walk will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the Rehoboth bandstand. Immediately following the service there will be a light supper in the church fellowship hall provided by the Blue Moon and Subway. Also on December 1, take part in the Delaware HIV Consortium's Cup of Caring by purchasing a cup of coffee from The Coffee Mill and the Donut Connection in Rehoboth or the Second Cup in Milford. More information on World AIDS Day activities are found on page 6. It has been an amazing year for CAMP Rehoboth. Actually, it's amazing for all of Rehoboth, it seems. Everywhere I look I see buildings going up for commercial and residential use. The big summer holiday issues of this magazine felt like books, SUNDANCE 99 raised over $145,000, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival had a tremendously successful second year. With Thanksgiving kicking off the winter holiday season next week, now is a good time to say thank you to everyone who worked to make this a great year for our community. I am thankful for all the support and love that this community has to offer. Have a great holiday season. We'll be back in print in time for Valentine's Day. See you in 2000! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 15, Nov. 24, 1999 |