LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Matters |
by Murray Archibald |
Say it again... 19 years of Sundance
With this being the 19th year for Sundance and the 16th year for CAMP Rehoboth (and I've been involved in all of them), I sometimes wonder if I have anything new to say at all. Lately I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over again, year after year, issue after issue, event after event, Sundance after Sundance. Maybe, however, repetition is not such a bad thing. Recently, I had lunch with Bob Bonitatia long time Rehoboth regular and a friend since the early 1980sand we were talking about communication. "You have to keep telling people what you do," he said, "even when it feels like you're only 'tooting your own horn.'" His advice is something I thought I had learned a long time ago, but in retrospect and considering the memory capacity that most of us seem to have, a once a year repetition of why we believe in CAMP Rehoboth and Sundance and the work we do in this community is undoubtedly not enough. At that same lunch meeting, Bob had a copy of the 1989 Washington Post Magazine that featured Rehoboth Beach. Blazoned across the cover of the magazine were the words "The Battle for Rehoboth." Inside, the magazine detailed the struggles of our town as more and more GLBT people made it their summer destination. We started CAMP Rehoboth not long after that, of course, and by the time the Washington Post Magazine did a follow up story, 10 years later, many of the issues seemed to have resolved themselves and Rehoboth was on its way to truly being a place that welcomed all people. I believe that CAMP Rehoboth played a big part in the change in attitudes that occurred in this town. I also believe that Sundance is the perfect expression of the spirit of CAMP Rehoboth and the essence of what makes this a great community. Sundance raises a lot of money for this community, but it also brings us together as a community. It is both functional and ceremonial. It is a rite of passage. It is a good time and it can be experienced on a number of levels from pure fun to intense work depending on ones involvement and participation. Most of us originally came to Rehoboth because of the beach, because of the parties, and because of the extraordinary friendships we made here. We came because it was fun; we stayed because it was reala real community, not just a summer place. Over the years Sundance has made a very real difference to this community. Over the years Sundance has raisedand by that I mean clearedclose to two million dollars for this community. For those who have never attended a Sundance, it is a two night event. The first night is a huge cocktail party and buffet with all the emphasis on the more than 500 items in the live and silent auction. The second night is the dance. From the energetic and upbeat remixes and anthems of Sundance DJ Mark Thomas to the gorgeous lights of Paul Turner it is an evening full of spirit, of music, of friends, of hope, and of love. Some people choose to go to the auction, some choose the dance, but for the full effect and the most fun, I say don't miss either night. As I was writing this column I sent out an email asking some questions about Sundance. "It offers me the opportunity to use my creativity to raise money to help those struggling with HIV, like me," says Sundance Team Captain Arthur Dochterman," and support CAMP Rehoboth which does so much to foster a sense of community for so many people. I love how Sundance brings people with diverse interests together and we become family for the weekend. That sense of family extends beyond Labor Day weekend throughout the year in Rehoboth." Maureen Keenen agrees, Sundance is about "seeing all the people I have not seen in almost a year," she says. "Although it marks the end of summer, the fun time I have seeing everyone come together and have so much fun and be so generous makes me glad I am a member of this community." Fay Jacobs says of Sundance: "It supports CAMPand CAMP built, supports and sustains Rehoboth as awelcoming gay community." I believe that we need Sundance because it is about community, it is about taking an active, vibrant part in the life of our town and the people who come here and call it home." The best known GLBT symbol is the rainbow and Sundance has for many, many years been in my mind (and in my themes) The Rainbow Party. In this year's Sundance painting there is a rainbow band that floats across the bottom of the piece and contains a variety of symbols that represents the diverse peoples, beliefs, and identities that exist in the world around us. Within the rainbow there is a place for every colorand every faith, and every age, and every race, and gender, and sexual orientation. Within the rainbow there is room for all and a home for alland that is what CAMP Rehoboth and Sundance have always been about. And, yes, I have repeated that over and over again in the years since we started CAMP Rehobothand I most likely always will. Murray Archibald is Founder and President of the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth, and an artist in Rehoboth Beach. "Sundance is a celebration of our community. A time to reacquaint ourselves with old friends and welcome new friends into our community. A time to celebrate life, our commitment to each other and our community". Steve Hoult "I can't name a single favorite thing about Sundance, there are too many to choose from! The transformation of the Convention Center always amazes me...the delight in perusing the silent auction tables to see what wonderful items the area merchants have donated... feeling my pulse race when the bidding becomes frantic on a live auction item...or the joy of seeing familiar faces once again." Glen Pruitt Photos: Sundance Auction 2005 (photo by Chuck Snyder); Volunteer Thank You Thank you to the following CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Volunteers for the period of August 12-August 25. Dick Bailey Tony Burns Harvey Chasser Allen Cosavant Allen Cuff Robert Dellanoce Paul Fessler Chuck Flanagan Mark Gruber Steve Janosik Sheldon Lebowitz Charlie Lee Anne Mundel Bob Nagy Jim O'Dell Chuck Oakes Maggie Ottato Steve Proctor Gean Rabian Barb Ralph Thad Rauhauser Chris Sampson Steve Schaefer Guillermo Silveiro Rich Snell George Whitehouse Scott Wiemers The Rainbow Thumb Club Steve HoultCoordinator Tony Ghigi Scott McHugh Shawn Noel Bud Palmer Roy Perdue Ken Reilly |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 16, No. 12 August 25, 2006 |