Hi everybody! Welcome to the 1997 season of "Being Scene," CAMP Rehoboths ultimate showcase for whos who and whats new at the beach.
I have to admit folks, being asked to write Rehoboths "gossip" column is a bit unnerving. After all, Im following in the footsteps of two of the most tired...Oops, I mean admired columnists to ever grace the pages of this publication. I have some awfully big shoes to fill.
Luckily, I seem to recall some good advice my dear mother told me when I was just a boy. "Hugo," she would say firmly. "if you want to be a successful columnist, you have to learn how to keep a secret.....in circulation!" Well, that advice alone should put me in the top ranks of Americas Most Wanted, but hey, whats a gossip column without a good secret or two?
Now, now, everyone, quit swearing under your breath. I was only joking. Do you really think Id write your secrets in my column? I would never do that, I promise. Besides, there wouldnt be anything left for me to talk about at Cloud 9!
Okay, okay, in all seriousness everyone I just want us to have a safe and fun summer. Are you with me on that? Lets throw great parties. Lets share good times with friends. Lets show our Rehoboth spirit and camaraderie! After all, no one does it like we do it in Rehoboth (hows that for a bumper sticker!), so lets begin, shall we?
Ahhhhh, the beginning of a new season. Fresh air, sunshine, a brand new kidneywhat else does a beach bunny need to start the summer off right? Well, according to the natives of Rehoboth, the answer is growth (Not that kind of growth, you pervert, the business kind). Rehoboth is booming this year with new in-town businesses and lots of pretty changes. So many, in fact, people are actually doing the speed limit down Rehoboth Avenue! The biggest and probably the most shocking change this season is the absence of the illustrious landmark once known as The Strand. The famed building, which was also home to the Surf Side Diner and West Side Cafe, was completely torn down this past winter to make room for the new Mariners Station; a retail walk-through connecting Baltimore and Rehoboth Avenues. The new retail walk-throughdespite all the demolition despairis a wonderful and convenient addition to our Rehoboth. Not only does it cater to shop-a-holics everywhere, it makes the long walk home from Blue Moon at 2 am a helluva lot quicker!
Further down Rehoboth Avenue is a brand new two story retail complex called First Street Station. Get your credit cards handy cause this is quite a complex. If youre the kind that really likes to shop til you drop, then check out the newly constructed retail stores where the old Mae Hall McCabe Real Estate office used to be at 122 Rehoboth Avenue, and at 52 Rehoboth Ave. where the former Style Guide building used to be. Want more? Sure you do, but theres enough new stuff in Rehoboth to fill three more columns! The best thing to do is slip on those rollerblades and glide down the streets yourself.
If shopping doesnt interest you, then maybe this will: The Rehoboth Social Scene. A hundred-plus beach-goers got a head start on summer when they paraded into Tom Glassics DC townhome on May 3rd to celebrate Rob Manleys 30th birthday. Among the crowd was 901 King Charlesand Patrick Menasco and David Benning, 605 Scarboroughs Jim Thompson and cuddly Chris Anderson, and 2 Blackstones housemom Brian Creamer and fashionably astute Paul Rappaport. The biggest birthday surprise of the evening came when the hardwood floor fell several inches from under everyones feet, giving new meaning to the phrase "sunk-in living-room." Although some of the attendees were shaken by the occurrence, othersparticularly those who survived last summers deck collapse at 316 Hickmans Betty Ford Clinic Partysimply maintained a cool "been there, done that" attitude.
Thanks to Tom Minnuto and Chris Riss annual Beach House Rush Party in DC, shares at the beach sold quickly. Old houses filled empty slots, while entirely new houses were formed. Among this seasons freshman class is David Latiecqs 25 Lake Comegys, Jeremy McCallahans 213 Rodney, and Joe Conrads 11 Grove. Changing residences this year are John Goldblum and ex-patriots from last years 18 George to 2610 Eagles Landing, while Dirk Smith has taken over 208 Hickman, forcing the Richmond Revue next door to #204.
Claiming that one powder room wasnt enough for his silver screen queens, agent Marty Horwath broke his contract with 204 Hickman and signed his Hollywood brat-pack (Jon Swift, Dave McDonnell, Dan Burkhardt and Rob Rosenbluth, Jon Donatzko, Don Blyler and Kevin Keller) to a new studio: 213 Terrace. When asked why they arent throwing their annual movie-parody party, a stressed John Swift announced, "Why dont you try and put T-Rex in drag and see how successful you are!"
Speaking of parties, several of Rehoboths well-established houses are already gearing up for their summer main event. All the kings horses and all the kings men at the 901 King Charles palace (Joe Freeman and Patrick Menasco, David Benning, Matt Blocher, Bruce Bornfleth, Rod Douglas, Richie Eckert, Tom Korakis, Scott Wells, Bryon Fusini, John Gallagher, Mike Kearns, Paul Hofer, Hans Kline and Rob Williams, Rob Manley, Ralph Randazzo and Matt Snyder and John Talkington) have reportedly locked in a date and time to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Over at 10 Terrace - Dave Parham, Tim Price, Bob Oswald, David Cochran, Ben Stern, Tom Glassic, Todd Hotham, Mike Cap and Rob Crosby are preparing for their much anticipated party. Rumor has it that their laundry room door is equipped with several guest proof locks these days. And naturally, Rehoboth wouldnt be the same without the July 4th bash over at 10 George hosted by Chris Riss and housemates Tom, Richard, Kevin, Paul, Rob, Scott, Mark, Loukis, Vasile and Scott. Much like the housemates listed on the invitations for last years 10 George party, these new guysoddly enoughdont have last names either. Chris Riss wasnt available for comment. Stay tuned for specific dates and times to these and other fabulous house parties this summer!
In the meantime, theres plenty to do. The women of Rehoboth wont be wasting any party time this Memorial Day when their first Tea Dance kicks things off at the Renegade on Saturday, May 24 from 5 to 8 pm. Then, from 9 to 2 am, lady promoter extraordinare, Jame Foks, requests that women "splash" on over to the Rehoboth Convention Center for SPLASH 97, a dance benefit for the Sussex County AIDS Committee (SCAC) and the Mautner Project of Washington D.C. Just in case you miss the Tea Dance on Saturday, the women are doing tea all over again on Sunday, May 25 from 5 to 8 pm at the Renegade.
Dont worry fellas, there is something for you, too. Join the LOVE97 Co-Chairs Murray Archibald, Charlie Codacovi, Tim Credle, George Domurot, Steve Elkins, Wilson Gorrell, Todd Hultquist, Steve Jones, John McLaughlin, Tom Minnuto, Dave Parham, Craig Rocklin, Peter Rosenstein, Mark Trinkaus, and Jim Whittaker at Savannahs for the official LOVE97 kick-off party on Sunday, May 25 from 9 to 12 pm. Sponsors of LOVE97 will receive admission to the open bar event and Bill Goldsteins fabulous sponsor party July 4th weekend. Dont forget to bring your check booksLOVE97, held July 5th at the Rehoboth Convention Center from 8 to 2 pm, is benefiting Food & Friends of Washington DC, Sussex County AIDS Committee (SCAC) of Delaware, HERO of Baltimore, and the AIDS Information Network (AIN) of Philadelphia.
Finally, Rehoboths fifth annual BEACH BOOK directory is being produced right this moment. If you want your phone to ring this summer, get your house listed. Just fill out the form found in this issue or look for Chris Riss or Tom Minnuto with their clipboards on the beach this weekend. Have the names of your beach house members handy (correct spelling please), along with your house address and phone number. Forms can be returned to CAMP Rehoboth at 39 Baltimore Ave., or by fax at 302 227-5604, or e-mail: info@camprehoboth.com.
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5/16/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.