Carolyn Horn and Rose Schmidt
Carolyn Horn and Rose Schmidt met through a mutual friend in Washington, DC in 1989, and were married in Canada in 2005. They lived in the metro DC area and have owned a home in Lewes since 1989. Carolyn and Rose called Lewes home from 2008 to 2014. Then they decided to make the move to Panama City, Florida. However, they still have their house in Lewes and use it throughout the year. Carolyn and Rose are moms to two rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniels named Bella and Winston.
Carolyn is a native of Washington, DC. She received her degree from Florida Southern College. After college, Carolyn taught Physical Education in Florida for a few years, and worked on a couple of guest ranches in Wyoming before moving back to Washington, DC to teach for the remainder of her career, retiring in 2008.
Born in upstate New York, Rose spent most of her life in school; Siena College (NY), University of Notre Dame (IN), and Georgetown Law (DC). She spent her legal career in “big firm” DC, and Marriott International. Currently, Rose is a semi-retired lawyer working part time supporting the Global Design division of Marriott International.
They play golf when they can, love to scuba dive but don’t get to do that as often as they would like, and they spend quite a bit of time traveling the world.
When did you start volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth?
We began volunteering in the early 1990s.
What events/activities have you been involved with as a volunteer?
Our main volunteer activity is Sundance. We look forward to working on Sunday as folks pick up their items from the auction. We especially like helping at the “second chance” auction. We’ve helped to set-up and break-down at different events. Also, we jump in if there seems to be a need and we are in town.
Of the many events held by CAMP Rehoboth, which is your favorite and why?
The “second chance” auction during Sundance weekend. Bob Ramsey is such a hoot. He can wrangle money from Scrooge.
Favorite season here at the beach and why?
Fall—especially, October. It is still warm, but the crowds are less, the traffic has eased, and restaurant service improves.
Name a childhood mentor or someone who influenced you while growing up.
Carolyn: My Dad. He treated me like he treated my big brother, teaching us the same things. I learned to drive the tractor, use a chain saw, and sail the Patuxent River.
Rose: My Grandma. She came to the United States from Germany at 16 not speaking a word of English. She successfully raised four kids through the depression and took me under her wing teaching me German, and taking me to Germany so that I would know her hometown and my German family. While my Grandma has long passed, I still visit my German relatives every year.
If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do?
For Carolyn, it would be playing ball with Winston. For Rose, it would be playing a video game.
Favorite U.S. city and why?
Carolyn: No favorites. I am not a “city” girl. I tolerate visiting cities for Rose.
Rose: New York City. The city is so vibrant and pulses energy. Anything you want you can find—usually 24/7.
Night owl or early riser and why?
Both of us are early risers (thanks, in large part, to always having dogs). We definitely have trouble staying up past 10 p.m.
Best year of your life and why?
We hope we haven’t experienced it yet. We want to have more great things to look forward to.
Favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. It is secular and all about family, friends, food, and football.
The LGBT community has made significant progress in the fight for equality over recent years. Did you expect to see this in your lifetime and why or why not?
Rose: I didn’t give LGBT rights much thought until college as I dated guys throughout high school. Once I realized who I was, I thought there would probably be slow acceptance over time. I went to Roman Catholic colleges, so I tried to be a role model by being out, but, also successful by academic and social standards.
The swiftness that marriage equality was achieved was totally unexpected and a welcome surprise to us both.
How long have you been coming to Rehoboth?
Carolyn: I have been coming here since before I was born (in the womb). One side of my family is from Rehoboth Beach, and a few relatives still live in the area. While growing up, my parents, brother and I loved to visit Rehoboth at all times of the year. My great grandfather owned Horn Pavilion. It was located at the end of the pier that went out into the Atlantic Ocean from downtown Rehoboth (it was blown away in one of the Nor’easters), he owned several shops in town, and he was the owner of Blue Hen, a movie theater on Rehoboth Avenue.
Rose: I began coming to Rehoboth Beach in the late 1980s.
Since you began coming to Rehoboth, name the biggest change you’ve seen.
Beyond the obvious, like Rehoboth is now a 12 month a year rather than a seasonal city, the biggest change is the way the LGBT community and the rest of the town have meshed. You find “straight” folks volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth events, and CAMP, and other LGBT groups, volunteering at “straight” events. There is truly “room for all”!
Describe an ideal date night.
For both of us, it is probably a great cocktail, an excellent meal, and a fabulous bottle of wine. Now, if you could just get rid of those calories!
What are you most thankful for?
That we found each other, that we are financially secure, and that we still have lots of life to look forward to.
Carolyn and Rose, thank you for being a part of the CAMP Rehoboth family, for volunteering these many years at Sundance, and for your willingness to help out at events whenever you are in town. Even though you now call Florida home, we are very happy you continue to be a part of the CAMP family.