LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
"Don't rain on my parade"..."Singing in the rain"...and "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down," could all be fitting anthems for the first few weeks of the 2003 beach season. We will not despair, however, for officially the summer doesn't even start until June 21 and doesn't usually kick into high gear until July 4. Speaking of the fourth of July, big plans are in the works for love 2003. This year, the Love Committee has added an extra night of dancing by including a Friday night Retro Ball. DJ Mark Thomas is even now searching his extensive collection for just the right songs to bring back memories of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Love light man Paul Turner has promised to dig up a few old fixtures to "turn back the hands of time," and with a live performance by Martha Wash to top off the evening, it should all add up to a night from the golden age of disco. On Saturday Night, DJ David Knapp spins us back into the present at the Love 2003 Main Event. Love 2003 benefits Sussex County AIDS Committee (50%), CAMP Rehoboth (40%), and the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center (10%). Tickets and information about all the Love activities are available at CAMP Rehoboth or by visiting the Love Web site at love2003.org. The black and white beach ball on May 31 was a great success, adding another $50,000 in pledges to the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center capital campaign. The HeART of the Community Art Auction raised another $22,000, and a lot of excitement. Our thanks to all the artists who participated, and all who worked to make the event a success. For more information about the Founder's Circle see page 36 or call Andrea Andrus at CAMP Rehoboth, or email her at andrea@camprehoboth.com. One of the best things about being a part of the Rehoboth community is the connections we've made over the yearsand continue to make everyday. At the recent Gary Fisher art opening at Dos Locos, Murray and I were reminiscing with Marvin Miller about all the years that we've all been a part of the Rehoboth Beach community. During the conversation, Marvin mentioned how much he enjoyed the Black and White Beach Ball, and how important it is to see all the people who are making a real commitment to this town by pledging their support to the Community Center. Each year during the Black and White Ball, we've cut a ribbon in a different color of the rainbow as we count down the years before the new Center is built. This year Anyda Marchant (the writer Sarah Aldridge) and her partner of over 50 years Muriel Crawford cut the ribbon as members of the Board of Directors held it aloft. Filling the room were many of the gay and lesbian leaders of our community as well as many of the local politicians and artists. "The HeART project is the fusion of heart and art," Murray said to the crowd. "It's about the spirit that dwells in this funny little crossroads of a place that we have all grown to love. Not because of what or where it is, but because of you, and me, and all the people who come from so many places to claim Rehoboth as a part of their lives. Here we connect with one another. Here we share a vision with one another." He's right. That sense of connection is what makes this such a wonderful place, and it's why CAMP Rehoboth exists at all. There are many opportunities and ways of getting involved in the work of CAMP Rehoboth. Stop by the Community Center to sign up as a volunteer, to buy tickets for upcoming events, or just to say hello. With Love, The CAMP Rehoboth Follies, The Women's Project, CAMPsafe, Sundance and all the other events and activities there are endless opportunities to connect. Besides, if the weather doesn't change soon, we'll be forced to begin construction on the CAMP Rehoboth ark! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 7, June 13, 2003 |