LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
August is the high point of the season in Rehoboth, and though there are often long lines at the restaurants and clubs, and the streets and beach are crowded, it's still my favorite part of the summer. I love the camaraderie and banter of people on the streets. I love seeing old friends and meeting the "new kids in town." I love Lingo's roasted chicken, summer tomatoes, and an occasional ride in the back seat of the Sea Dragon. I also have to confess that I love knowing that September (my other favorite month) is just around the corner, and life is about to return to a bit more normal pace. Before September, however, comes labor day weekend and the 16th annual Sundance at the Rehoboth Convention Center. With almost 400 Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts signed up, Sundance 2003 Heartbeat of the Silver Rainbow is sure to be another great success. In case you're one of those "new kids in town" I just mentioned, and have never heard of Sundance, it's a two night event. The first night is a huge live and silent auction, cocktail party and buffet. The second night is the dance. Both nights include an open bar. All the money raised from the event goes to Sussex County AIDS Committee and CAMP Rehoboth. Tickets are $60 for both events, or $40 per event. They sell out fast, so reserve early. Volunteers have begun collecting the nearly 500 items that will be a part of the auction. If you would like to donate an item, or volunteer for the event, call CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620. Tickets, t-shirts, and this year's print of Murray Archibald's Sundance painting Heartbeats, can be purchased at CAMP Rehoboth, or on line at www.sundancebenefit.com. Speaking of sold out events, tickets for the 2003 Follies went even faster than last year, and we were turning people away days before showtime. My thanks to Chris Riss and all who worked to make this year's event such a successtroupe members, stage and tech crew, and volunteers. Congratulations to the winnersFirst Place, Delmarva Divas; Second Place, The Power Surges; Third Place, Victoria's Secrets. On page 6, Fay Jacobs proves there's "no business like show business," as she hears from participants in this year's Follies. on saturday, august 2, camp rehoboth hosted a cocktail party for The Mautner Project at the Community Center on Baltimore Avenue. The Mautner Project is the only national organization dedicated to lesbians with cancer. As a part of the event, Mautner Executive Director Kathleen DeBold presented an award to CAMP Rehoboth for outstanding commitment to lesbian health. Kathleen's kind words about CAMP Rehoboth reminded me that one of the most important things we do is connect. Sometimes those connections are person to person, sometimes group to group, sometimes person to group. Making connections is central to the original mission of CAMP Rehoboth. Thanks to all who help us succeed, and thanks to all who worked to make Saturday's event both fun and informative. As CAMP Rehoboth and the community center continue to grow and expand, all of us involved want to make sure that we are always open about everything that is going on in its day to day operation. At this time of year it is customary for us to run financial statements in Letters. This year, on pages 96-98, we're reprinting details from our most recent tax return. Anyone with questions or comments about any of the CAMP Rehoboth financials should contact me or our treasurer Natalie Moss. Though the date has not been finalized, we are planning an early fall meeting of the Project Advisory Committee, the Founders' Circle, and anyone else who is interested in the progress on the new Community Center. We hope this workshop will give us another opportunity to hear suggestions about the Center from the community, and for everyone to meet our architect, Bob Hotes of DPK&A. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 11, August 8, 2003 |