LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
What a summer! I'm afraid that if they go any faster I'll miss them altogether. In fact, as I look back over the decade I find it hard to remember exactly what happened in which summer. Yesterday, Murray and I were looking for an article he had written about SUNDANCE. We knew which issue it was, but we couldn't remember the year. The new "gay nineties" have just about joined the old ones and become historysomething to reminisce about when we finally get around to building that gay and lesbian retirement home that some of us keep thinking about. We are, however, a long way from retirement, and as CAMP Rehoboth and Letters from CAMP Rehoboth continue to grow, it is a challenge to make the right decisions that will carry us into the year 2000. Physically we are about as big as we can be in our home on Baltimore Avenue, and yet we are not eager to give up our space for another. It is our home and we don't want to move from the shadow of the rainbow fence. With this Labor Day Issue of Letters topping 100 pages for the first time (it's 112 pages), plus the added stress and activity of SUNDANCE, we may have to start pitching tents in the courtyardafter all, it is a CAMP. I've mentioned it twice alreadyyou're going to find it mentioned a great deal more throughout this issuebut I don't want you to miss out on SUNDANCE 99, the Labor Day Weekend, end of the summer, two night, extravaganza Dance and Auction at the Rehoboth Convention Center. On page 6 of this issue Murray writes about this year's Rainbow Renaissance theme and on the next page offers a little peek into what this year's auction will bring. We couldn't do it, of course, without the incredible support that comes from our more than 400 Hosts, Supporters and Sponsors (listed on page 8 and 9), our corps of volunteers, and all the businesses and individuals who make generous donations to the Auction. Tickets are now on sale at Lambda Rising and at CAMP Rehoboth on Baltimore Avenue and at "happy hour" time in the CAMP Courtyard. They always go fast, so don't be left standing at the door. Saturday, September 4, is the Silent and Live Auction and Cocktail Buffet, 7-10 p.m., and Sunday, September 5 is the Dance, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., music by Mark Thomas, lights by Kurt Wunsch, and an open bar both nights. Tickets are $50 for both nights or $35 per night. The event benefits Sussex County AIDS Committee and CAMP Rehoboth. For the past two years CAMP Rehoboth has been developing its AIDS awareness program called CAMPsafe. This year the program, under the direction of Bill Sievert, has become even more visible and involved in the community. Bill has kept all of us both well informed and amused with his articles for this magazine during the summer. The upcoming Safe Sex Men's Retreat is scheduled at the Renegade Resort the weekend of October 2 - 3. The very popular seminars, The Anatomy of Pleasure and The Dating Game are conducted by the Whitman Walker Clinic and have limited space available, so make your reservations ASAP. Don't miss this. Speaking of sex, we have been asked to "gently" warn everyone again that public sex is against the law. In Rehoboth it may very well get you arrestedespecially if you are trespassing on private property. I don't want to sound like a broken record, but under Megan's Law if you are convicted of a sex offense you will be required to register as a sex offenderinformation is then made public wherever you go. It's been too nice a summer, I don't want to see it spoiled for anyone. Have a great labor day weekendI hope to see you at SUNDANCE 99. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 12, Aug. 27, 1999 |