Welcome to a new year of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. As you peruse this first issue of volume 31, you’ll notice a few changes.
First off, I’m thrilled that Tony Burns agreed to grace our cover for this issue. For 30 years, Tony has been behind the camera, taking countless photos for CAMPshots. If you’ve been part of the CAMP Rehoboth LGBTQ community, chances are Tony has snapped your photo at one time or another, and he may even have given you a copy. Tony may still take a few pictures for us in the future, but he is taking a step back from this volunteer gig. We are so grateful to Tony for all his work over the years and will strive to do him justice as we continue CAMPshots.
Next, after a 26-year run, Fay Jacobs’ column, CAMPout, has come to an end. Fay retired both her column and her role of editor. Fay has graciously stayed on to help our new editor for this issue and may be writing from time to time. Nevertheless, it does indeed feel like the end of an era.
I’m thrilled that we are honoring Fay by creating an LGBTQ youth writing scholarship in her name. The scholarship fund will be housed at the Delaware Community Foundation and will benefit LGBTQ youth for generations to come. To contribute to the Fay Jacobs LGBTQ Youth Journalism Scholarship Fund, visit: camprehoboth.com/fayjacobs.
Finally, if you’re flipping through this issue looking for Murray Archibald’s CAMP Matters column, sadly you won’t find it. Murray wrote his two beautiful farewell columns in the last two 2020 issues of Letters. Be sure to check them out if you missed them. Murray is taking more time these days to focus on his art, and I’m sure you, like me, are looking forward to seeing what he creates. Murray will also be taking many of our cover photos for this volume of Letters, including the photo of Tony on this issue.
I’m thrilled that the Board of Directors has decided to honor Murray and his late husband, Steve Elkins, by renaming our main gathering room as the Elkins-Archibald Atrium. CAMP Rehoboth would not be here today without their vision, leadership, and commitment. Read more about the Elkins-Archibald renaming in this issue.
Even in a non-pandemic year, adequately celebrating Murray, Fay, and Tony would be a difficult task. I look forward to the day we can all be together to celebrate in person. I have no doubt that when we are all able to celebrate together again it will be quite a party!
In this issue we welcome our new editor, Beth Shockley. In Beth, we are fortunate to have found someone who combines tremendous experience as an editor-in-chief with a passion for the mission and vision of CAMP Rehoboth. I know you will enjoy getting to know her as much as I have. As we embark on this 31st volume of Letters, we are well aware we have big shoes to fill. But with the amazing Letters from CAMP Rehoboth team, I am confident we are up for the challenge.