Welcome to the December issue of Letters! I’ve kicked off the month with one of my favorite things: I saw my first snow geese of the season this morning. They are one of the many things I love about living here; it was terrific to see them back.
It was terrific as well to see so many fun and/or informative columns “flock” across my desk this month—there’s lots for you to enjoy, here. I mean—goat yoga?! Thank Mary Jo Tarallo for that one.
But before you really dig into the holiday reflections or tasty foodstuffs, take a look at pages 12 and 13. There, you’ll find so much evidence of Pride in Progress. There are not only “the numbers,” but also some great insights into CAMP Rehoboth’s impact in the community. So many more reasons to be of good cheer this holiday season.
And then turn to Wes Combs’ and Leslie Ledogar’s columns to learn just a little about what’s next in store. The new Strategic Plan was just passed by the CAMP Rehoboth Board, and lots of exciting challenges await. Plan to be part of it all—to paraphrase the familiar catchphrase, “it takes our community.”
About those holiday moments I sped past a paragraph or two ago—our writers have crafted some great stuff for you. Terri Schlichenmeyer weighs in on reindeer—let’s just say Santa chose wisely. Pattie Cinelli has her first Christmas tree in decades and is basking in its glow. Clarence Fluker reports on the joy he finds in an annual holiday letter he receives, and Eric Wahl has lots to say about evergreens. But wait—what about poinsettias? Rich Barnett’s got those covered.
Meanwhile, Tara Lynn Johnson looks back to New Year’s Eve 2019—and the ill-fated resolutions she made for the year-that-moved-indoors. Christopher Moore—a new contributor—looks back even further, to the fateful, (wonderful) summer of ’97, which he spent in Rehoboth. Ah, youth!
Looking ahead to 2024—Nancy Sakaduski writes about the somewhat checkered history of those New Year’s Day parade icons (in Philadelphia, anyway), the Mummers. Ed Castelli tells you just what to serve as you watch.
Of course, it’s not a season that’s all goodness-and-light for everyone. In fact, its lack of (actual) light can be really difficult for some folks—see Sharon Morgan’s column on SAD. If you were at the World AIDS Day service at All Saints’ Episcopal Church on December 1, you heard one attendee’s report of living with HIV. If you missed hearing Christopher Costas speak—or even if you heard him but wanted to know more—you need look no further than page 74.
As we close out this year of Letters, I wish you the happiest of holidays—whatever and however and whenever you celebrate. It’s been great connecting with our readers this year, and I’m eager to carry that into 2024. Look for our next issue online and in its distribution boxes on February 2. Meanwhile, you can always reach me at editor@camprehoboth.com. ▼