LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Speak Out |
DavidNJ and E & D Consulting have joined forces to establish a "Bears for Kids" drive so that all the children who have to spend the Christmas holidays in the hospital will get at least one "toy" from Santa. Our intention is to give every child in Cooper Hospital in New Jersey and the E I DuPont Hospital in Delaware a stuffed animal. Should the drive be as successful as we hope, we intend to give stuffed animals to children in other hospitals as far as our supply will allow.
To make this a big success, we need your help. Not only do we need donated stuffed animals, we need drop off spots so that those who wish to help provide Christmas for the children in the Hospitals will have a "local" place to make their donations. We would, of course, pick up all donations you would not be expected to deliver them to us. We plan on doing the pick up of donated "bears" the week before Thanksgiving, but earlier pickups will be willingly provided should you request them. We currently have drop off spots in Dover and Rehoboth, DE and Somers Point and Atlantic City, NJ. We will be advertising the "Bears for Kids" drive on the Internet, in local papers, and at various sponsors we can contact. Drop off sites will be published on our web sites and in local papers. We also are publishing a Sponsors Book acknowledging and thanking all those who help. We hope to have the book completed when we do the pickup rounds. Thank you for you support. -- DavidNJ.com & E-D-Consulting.com The article I just read by Bill Sievert reminded me of a news item from many years ago. The incident that brought the parties before a judge had something to do with a particularly nasty encounter between an Ocean City merchant and a customer. The judges response should be tattooed on the open palm of every merchant who holds the customer in such contempt. The judge said, " For the life of me I cannot understand why you Ocean City merchants do everything within your power to attract customers to the beach, and then do everything within your power to make sure that they never return." I can certainly understand the frustration of small business people. I cant imagine why anyone goes to the beach to hang out in malls or outlets. I also have never fully understood the allure of shopping at the beach. Eating and drinking and purchasing those things that I have forgotten to pack or have lost along the way best describes my spending habits on vacation. But then Rehoboth isnt really vacation is it? I think that may be where the trouble lies. Mr. Sievert said it himself. Most of us who grew up spending summer weekends at the beaches dont really think of it as vacation and we dont spend like tourists. We also take the nastiness of "local" merchants and their employees in stride. Fortunately there are many merchants and employees who dont fit the mold. By the length of time Mr. Sievert says he has been in business I suspect that he isnt nearly as grumpy behind the counter as he is behind the computer. I confess that I couldnt do it. I worked at the beach for one summer and was more cynical than he appears to be. By the end of summer I was convinced that there was a standard of intelligence, good manners, and substance that one had to pass beneath to cross The Bay Bridge, and that the routes from the north were unforgivably unguarded. In light of all that, I still must chastise Mr. Sievert for making his regards for the beachgoer public. Darn, I ve done the same thing havent I? -- David Hastings, Gulfport, Florida I just wanted to drop you a line to let you know how much Ive been enjoying Bill Sieverts columns in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. After subscribing to the other weeklies in the off-season, I decided to try your publication and Im glad I did (frankly, the other papers gave me more local news than I needed). Bills columns have been right on target (especially the one on "Dr." Laura) and I appreciate the fact that the opinions are mixed with solid reporting (few columnists would go right to the source of their displeasure the way you did with the local radio programmer). Keep up the good work. -- Joe Meyers, Film Critic/Entertainment Editor for the Connecticut Post. Just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I enjoy receiving my copy of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth at my office. Everyone knows to leave it alone until I have had a chance to go through it. I especially like the diversity of the articles and columns. It is amazing that you people continually put out such a quality magazine. Until my first visit last month, I didnt know that CAMP Rehoboth was also involved in so many other aspects of creating a great community for gays, lesbians, bis and straights. You fill such an important roll in Rehoboth. Keep it up for all of us! Jayne Rogers |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 7, June 18, 1999 |