LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Profile: An Interview with Patrick Gossett & Howard Menaker |
by Mark Aguirre |
Patrick Gossett and Howard Menaker make their Rehoboth Beach home at 16 Dover Street. They have both been involved with the Rehoboth Beach community for a number of years. Howard has been active in the Rehoboth Beach Homeowner's Association where he has helped lead several general membership meetings. Patrick has been a member of the Planning Commission since 1998 when he became one of the first openly gay men to be appointed to a leadership position in Rehoboth Beach city government. They make their other home in Lanham, Maryland.
Mark: How did you first meet? Patrick: It was June 29th, 1979 at the Lost and Found in Washington, DC. That was the Saturday night bar for many people in Washington in those days. I was with a group of friends, Howard was with a group of friends and people started to introduce one another. To this day we don't remember anyone else who was there. We danced the night away. Mark: Which of you used the "L" word first? Howard: I first referred to Patrick as my "lover" within a few months of meeting. (The term "lover" was once popularly used by gays to describe a significant other.) We were walking in front of the Department of Transportation Building on Seventh street SW and discussing a common friend. I said something about how that friend would or would not treat my "lover." Patrick looked at me and smiled and said, "Is that what I am?" Mark: Have you met each other's family? Patrick: Very much so. We spend holidays and vacations together. They have all been to Rehoboth. They like Rehoboth very much. My mom was a constant visitor and became friends with all our Rehoboth friends. Family is very much a part of our lives. Mark: How long have you been visiting Rehoboth? Howard: I started visiting Rehoboth soon after I moved to Washington in 1979. Patrick started visiting Rehoboth in 1972. We first rented for the season in 1993. We purchased and renovated our current home in 1996. Mark: Why did you decide to make a home in Rehoboth? Patrick: Rehoboth has an appeal of compassion and caring for friends and neighbors. These are some of the elements that make this community attractive. Even when we were seasonal renters we felt part of our community and neighborhood. Yesterday there were twelve people on our front porch who just stopped by to visit. That's what makes this a nice community. Mark: You have a wonderfully preserved old home. Have you both always had an interest in old homes? Howard: It was originally Patrick's interest. I've come to love it. We both value tradition, family history, and places that have a history. Rehoboth has such a rich history that's one of the reasons we love this home and so many like it here. Mark: How did you get involved with the Planning Commission? Patrick: Even when we were renting I attended the Friday night Commissioner meetings. I wanted to learn more about the community. It was 1997 when one of the city commissioners approached me about an interest in a vacancy on the Planning Commission. At that point I wasn't completely aware of the duties and the responsibilities of the Planning Commission. After a couple of meetings with the Mayor about the role of the commission I felt as if I would be able to effectively contribute to the Planning Commission and the Commission's responsibilities to the residents of Rehoboth. Mark: Why are you involved with the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association? Howard: I became involved just through an interest in the Association and their representation of homeowners. We first attended meetings and it grew to a more active volunteer role. Given my experience in Robert's Rules of Order and participation in other volunteer organizations I was asked to help conduct meetings over the last couple of years. Mark: What would you recommend to others who may be interested in making a "Rehoboth Beach memory?" Patrick: To me it's more important for the community to preserve an understanding of where the earlier generations came from. I like maintaining the memories of an earlier generation and an earlier Rehoboth. Speaking to people like Irene Simpler, Evelyn Thoroughgood, and Ed Hill, in appreciating their memories and their influence on Rehoboth. It is up to us as keepers of the history of the community to carry forth those memories. Mark: Do you think you will retire to Rehoboth? Howard: Absolutely, without question. We hope to live here year round as soon as possible, and enjoy Rehoboth as full time residents. Mark Aguirre is a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. He may be reached at markaguirre@aol.com |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 06, May 31, 2002. |