LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
For those of us involved in the work of CAMP Rehoboth and Sundance, the end of the summer is always a time of friendly chaos. Until a few days before Labor Day weekend, when we move the entire Sundance operation to the Rehoboth Convention Center, our office at 39 Baltimore is ground zero for everything related to Sundance. Everyone visiting the office the last couple of weeks had to climb over auction items, posters, prints and an assortment of other things, some of which I can explain, and others, like the 150 yards of white spandex, will have to be seen to be believed. This will be the fourteenth time we've produced this event, and I'm still amazed at the incredible response from all the many volunteers, Sponsors, Supporters, Hosts, auction donors, and ticket buyers who make the event possible. For an overview of this year's Sundance 2001, see page 8 of this issue.
One of my favorite things about living at the beach is the area's wonderful fall season: the pace is a little less hectic, the weather beautiful, and most of the businesses and restaurants remain open, especially on the weekends. The area's growing arts community makes life even better with the Jazz Festival and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival adding a new dimension and excitement to autumn at the beach. To those who only know our town as a summer resort, you're missing a great time. See page 28, for a preview of things to come. For those of you who didn't make it by Cloud 9 last week to see the Letters from CAMP Rehoboth cover contest display, all the entries can be seen on the CAMP Rehoboth Web site at www.camprehoboth.com. The contest photos will go on line at the same time as our current issue, and should be available a few days after its release date. Again, thank you to all who participated. One of the great pleasures that come from being director of an organization like CAMP Rehoboth is that in the course of my work I have the opportunity to be involved with all the many groups that make up our diverse GLBT community. The non-gay friendly world tends to lump us all in together, but the truth is that quite often we segregate ourselves, men on one side, the women on the other, with the bisexual and transgendered frequently misunderstood and ignored by both. As plans for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center get underway, we are trying to meet the needs of our diverse community. It is vitally important that we continue to make room at the table for everyone, and that we celebrate together the unique gifts that each of usgay, straight, men, and womenhave to offer. I say it all the timeget involvedwe need you; the community needs you. For information on volunteering or participating in any of the programs or projects of CAMP Rehoboth call or come by the office at 39 Baltimore Avenue. One of the best ways to get involved in the work of CAMP Rehoboth is participating in the CAMP Project Advisory Committee, the group responsible for the creation of The Women's Project and The Community Center Project. The Advisory Committee is open to anyone who would like to participate. To get involved, call Kathy at the CAMP office. The end of each summer is always a time of mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, I'm ready to slow down and enjoy the fall, on the other I hate to see everyone head back to their homes in distant places. Murray and I have made many good friends during our twenty years of being a part of the Rehoboth community. To all who have worked to make this another great summer, I say thank you. We hope to see you this fall. In the meantime, please join us as we celebrate our twenty-third anniversary at Sundance 2001. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 12, August 24, 2001. |