This is the next to last summer issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth for the 2014 season—with only the Labor Day issue still to come—and here we are, already well into August. This should be the “dog days of summer,” but with our somewhat cooler and wetter weather than usual, it hasn’t really felt very dog dayish to me. In fact, there were places across the country where they recorded all-time record coolest temperatures for the month of July. Weird, isn’t it, the nuances of climate change? I’m not sure how that subject has gotten so politicized; caring for the world we live in just seems like common sense for all of us.
Rehoboth Beach is a great place to live! Over the years, our little town keeps showing up on a variety of “best of” lists including: a best place to retire list, a best beaches list, a best boardwalk list, and even a best gay beach in the world list. Our town’s leadership has done a great job in creating a beach resort that still has a small town flavor. CAMP Rehoboth and our LGBT community have worked hard to make it a safe and inclusive place for everyone. The recent Rehoboth Beach Museum Beach Ball, brought all sorts of Rehoboth folks together—gay and straight—and as it always does, reminded me that we live in a wonderfully unique community.
The day after this issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth comes out is Election Day in Rehoboth Beach. One of our nephews is getting married that day, so this will be only the second election that Murray and I have missed in the 24 years we’ve lived here fulltime. We’ve already voted by absentee ballot, but I will miss my usual job as an election judge, and the opportunity it gives me to see everyone as they come in to vote. Whatever the outcome of that election, our thanks to all who are willing to serve our town as elected officials. Our thanks as well to all the candidates who participated in last issue’s Candidate Forum, and for participating in the Rehoboth Beach Homeowner’s Association/CAMP Rehoboth Candidate’s Forum at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on July 25.
For all of us here at CAMP Rehoboth, August is all about Sundance, and we are counting down the days until the big event arrives on Labor Day weekend. Amazingly, this is the 27th Sundance! As usual, the first night of Sundance (Saturday, August 30) is the live and silent auction, with more than 500 items, food by Plate Catering, and featuring auctioneer Lorne Crawford. Night two (Sunday, August 31) is the dance, with music by Mark Thomas and lights by Paul Turner. Both events have an open bar all night—and considering current drink prices, the $45 ticket price is a real bargain! A ticket package for both nights is an even better deal at only $80. Tickets to Sundance, as well as Sponsor/Host packages that include admission to the private Sponsor Lounge at the dance are available on the CAMP Rehoboth website, or by calling CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620.
The official Sundance week kicks off on Sunday, August 24 with the Sundance Land and Sea. The event, which started out several years ago as the Sundance 5K, now includes a 5K run, a 1 mile walk, a 1/2 mile swim, and a biathlon (1/2 mile swim\5k run—and since it is, after all, a CAMP event, costumes are still encouraged for those who just want to sashay! Register for the Sundance Land and Sea at seashorestriders.com. Pre-registration is $35 (5K run, 1/2mile swim, or 1 mile walk) or $40 (biathlon); race week, the prices go up to $40 and $45.
We could never make it through the busy summer season without the support of our amazing volunteers, members, and sponsors. Many thanks to all who give of their time, their talents, and their energy to make the work of CAMP Rehoboth possible!