LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Rehoboth Beach NEWS & NOTES |
by Tom Minnuto |
Welcome to the second installment of NEWS & NOTES. This time around, I've included quite a bit of health-related information. It's not the usual material you'll find here, but nonetheless, it's important to know. I hope you'll take a moment to read the first few paragraphs and give each of the topics some thought.
Protecting your skin at the beach. Last May, I was diagnosed with Basal Cell Cancerthe most common type of skin cancer due to exposure to the sun. Basal Cell Carcinoma, as it is called, is treated relatively easily, but the scar on my chest where it was removed reminds me that it could happen again somewhere else on my body. If I'm not careful, the next timeand I hope there isn't a next timecould be much worse, such as having Squamous Cell Carcinoma or Malignant Melanoma. Successful treatment for skin cancer relies on detecting subtle changes in the size, shape and coloration of moles on the skin over time. That is why it is important to check your skin on a regular basis. See a dermatologist if you are not sure how to proceed. And above all, be sure to wear SUNSCREEN. FACT: The number of skin cancers diagnosed in the U.S. continues to increase. There are an estimated 700,000 new cases each year. FACT: The rate of Malignant Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body if not treated early, is increasing at 6% per year, faster than any other type of cancer. FACT: Currently, one in six Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. I could go on forever feeding you information, but see for yourself at The Skin Cancer Foundation website, located at www.SkinCancer.org. I would also like to tell you about a girl named Leyla Harrison. She was a die-hard X-Files fan (known online as an X-Phile). When she passed away in February of this year due to Melanoma, the producers of the show wrote an episode in her honor. Leyla kept a journal of her ordeal with Melanoma on her website (link below). You can find the journal under the "Melanoma Information" section. She actually went into remission for a while and it's very sad to read her words knowing that she ultimately loses her battle against the disease. It's upsetting, but it will make you think twice. www.geocities.com/ Area51/Vault/1377/index.html Vaccinations on the beach. Attention all Poodle Beachers! You can now receive vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B on Queen Street and the Boardwalk. Just be on the lookout for the Bay Shore Van for Life. If you haven't been vaccinated for Hepatitis A or B, this is the most convenient opportunity you are going to haveand there's no excuse for not doing it because the van is right there as you walk by every weekend. Getting vaccinated could save you from contracting these serious diseases. In short, Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease that can cause "flu-like" illness, jaundice and severe stomach pains and diarrhea. Hepatitis B is also a serious disease that can cause short-term illness such as loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice, and pain in the muscles, joints and stomach. Long-term Hepatitis B illness can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer and death. The "A" vaccination requires two shots, one now and another after 30 days. The "B" vaccination requires 3 shots spread out over 60 days or more. It's just $15 per shot, and the Program Manager will contact you when you are due for the next one. For more about Hepatitis A & B, who should get vaccinated and how the viruses are transmitted, contact AIDS Delaware, 302-226-5350 or www.AidsDelaware.org. CAMPSAFE INTRODUCES CAMPCHATS. Join CAMPsafe and the Gay Men's Health Project of CAMP Rehoboth as they kickoff the new CAMPchat program. "CAMPchats" is a series of social meetings where the topics of conversation will include gay men's health, sex, relationships, and community. The first chat will be held on Thursday, June 7th from 7 p.m. 9 p.m. at Java Beach Coffeehouse (56 Baltimore Ave.) All are welcome. Bring a friend. The event is free and so is the coffee! The first chat will be a chance to learn more about these programs and meet other gay men. For more information call Salvatore Seeley at 302-227-5620. CHRISTOPHER PETERSON RETURNS TO RENEGADE. Who is your favorite female icon? Madonna? Marilyn? Judy? Bette? Barbra? They will all be at the Renegade this summer during Christopher Peterson's live female impersonation show, "Eyecons." Peterson uses his own singing voice for all his impersonations and he gets the crowd roaring with laughter. Do not miss out this summer. You can catch "Eyecons" every Friday and Sunday in June starting at 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more information call the Renegade at 302-227-4713. CAMP REHOBOTH COMMUNITY CENTER. CAMP Rehoboth is hosting a party on June 2nd, from 5 p.m. 7 p.m. in the new ballroom of the Atlantic Sands Hotel on Baltimore Avenue at the boardwalk. The party is to kick-off the Founder's Circle and 5-year capital campaign to raise funds for a community center in Rehoboth. Call CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620 for more details. BEACH BOOK DEADLINE. Sunday, June 3rd is the last day to get your forms in for this summer's Beach Book phone directory. Don't be left out. Books will be printed and ready for distribution the weekend of June 22nd (or sooner). Stop by the CAMP Rehoboth office (39 Baltimore Avenue) to fill out a form or register online at www.camprehoboth.com. Is your beach house thinking about having a theme party this summer? If so, reserve your house party's date and time on the Rehoboth Party Calendar. Your scheduled party will be mentioned in NEWS & NOTES. Available party slots are running out so sign up today by e-mailing NewsNotes2001@aol.com. HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY! To 515 School Lane's Jon Kaplan! Jon was the guy wearing the "Afro" and funky 70's outfit at Cloud 9 Memorial Day weekend. He couldn't resist going back to the good old days when disco ruled and he was only in his late thirties. CHEERS! To Jorge Alonso for selling 211 Lake for over $700K. He paid $400K just two years ago. Nice profit. Perhaps he should change the theme of his upcoming party from "Booty-Liscious" to "I got the Looty-Liscious." JEERS! To the town of Ellendale. Now that motorists are minding their speed through the 25 mph town, the police have turned to a new strategy for imposing fines: Targeting cars with expired tags. Those binoculars you see them holding aren't for bird watching you know. BEACH HOUSE OF THE WEEK: 321 Laurel gets the honor, hands down. This trailer troupe hit the scene Mem-orial Day weekend with matching tank tops and necklaces, its own CD compilation (thanks to housemate Craig), and an amusing house website: www.RehobothSummer.com. Who says living in a trailer puts a strain on the creative process. This group's creativity is, well..."double-wide." WEEKEND "RAP-UP!" It was rain as usual on Memorial Day weekend, but that didn't stop Rehoboth's summer crowd from following the house party circuit. The holiday weekend was off to a dynamite start at 515 School Lane's birthday celebration for housemate Jon Kaplan. Guests of the party were given a special tour of Cliff Lassahn's "dress-up" studio, which was home to just about every costume and make-up kit used by the Baltimore bunch over the years. The next day, Peter Rosenstein invited everyone for a wine and cheese gathering at 2801 Eagle's Landing. Immediately following was a farewell party at 205 Hickman for Peter Green and Mitch Dedert who are off to sunny California. And the boys of 122 Laurel surprised everyone with their baseball-themed "season-opener" party. The fun didn't stop there. That night, 23 Lakea group of weekly rentershosted a fraternity-style keg party. The buzz is that this upbeat bunch of renters (18 of them!) has plans to rent and have a party at 2 Queen Street next Memorial Day. 2 Queen is on the boardwalk next to the "Taco Bell" house. ...And you thought there was nothing to do in Rehoboth on a rainy weekend. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 6, June 1, 2001. |