LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
As I sit down to write on this beautiful first day of June, Im reminded of that old song, "June is busting out all over." At the same time, however, I cant shake the nagging feeling that Ive used that exact same line in another June issue sometime over the last decade. Its fitting, I suppose, that my partner Murray pointed out a t-shirt on display over the Memorial Day Weekend that read simply, "Out of Memory." Need I say more! Speaking of the Memorial Day weekend, it was spectacularwe couldnt have asked for better weather. From our enCAMPment on Baltimore Avenue it was apparent that the town was hopping. That is, of course, if you could get through the traffic on Route 1! Delawares transportation department promised new synchronized traffic signals would improve the congestion, but anyone trapped in the backup Sunday knows better. Fay Jacobs joined me last month for "sensitivity training," an annual class for the Rehoboth Beach Police Department. Because of Chief Doyles strong support for this program, I have found that the summer officers he has hired seem more in tune to the diverse makeup of our town. Over the years the whole character of these sessions has changedfor the better, I think. They have become less confrontational and more open discussions. The gay and lesbian community is an integral part of the Rehoboth landscape, and Im glad to see it reflected in the attitudes of the police. LOVE is in the air again LOVE 99, that is. (And yes, Ive probably said that before, too!) LOVE 99, for those who have never participated, is the first of the summers big fundraising dances at the Rehoboth Convention Center. It takes place Sunday, the 4th of July. If you are interested in being a sponsor or host of this years event, simply fill out the form found on page 10 of this issue and drop it by (or fax or mail to) the CAMP office, 39 Baltimore Avenue. For tickets, call Box Office Tickets at 800-494-TIXS. The LOVE festivities actually start Saturday, June 12 when the Blue Moon and Budweiser present Bachelor Auction 99 to kick off the benefit. For years Budweiser (and N.K.S Distributors) has been a big part of our LOVE and SUNDANCE activities here at the beach. Throughout the month of June, Anheuser-Busch and N.K.S., the local wholesaler, will donate a portion of all BudLight sales at participating restaurants and bars in our area to the LOVE 99 fund. Tell your favorite bartender that you would LOVE a BudLight! In the May 21 issue, I neglected to name the campsafe lifeguards. You saw them on the last cover of LETTERS (Franklin Maphis, Mike Dittbenner, Russ Burns and Mike Fehrens) and will find them on the CAMPsafe postcards in bars, guesthouses and businesses throughout Rehoboth. Theres even a rumor that Mike Fehrens was carrying the CAMPsafe banner on Poodle Beach over Memorial Day Weekend. Unfortunately, Mikes camera went body surfing, exposing the film. If you happen to have a photograph from the beach, wed love to have a copy for our archives. With all the "business" of the summer season it is sometimes easy for me to forget the reason we all started coming here in the first place. Theres the ocean, of course, but theres also the fact that this is a great place to make new friends and enjoy old ones. I was talking to someone over the weekend who was experiencing his first summer in a group beach house. It reminded me of our first beach house on Norfolk Street twenty years ago. In many ways Rehoboth has changed over those twenty years, but in many ways it hasnt. There is more traffic, more stores, more restaurants and more people, but it is still a great place to make life long friends. It is still a good place to make CAMP. Since I seem to be in the mood to repeat myself, let me say once more that, at CAMP Rehoboth, dialogue about who we are as gay and lesbian, transgendered and bisexual people is important to us. It has always been our hope that LETTERS from CAMP Rehoboth provides a place for that dialogue to take place. Let us hear from you. Let us know what you think. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 6, June 4, 1999 |