I remember going to the very first Beach House Rush Party in 1994. It was held at Trumpets on 17th Street in DC. The place was packed. Some people were selling shares in their beach houses. Others, like me, were looking to buy a share (half shares, I might add, were roughly $500a drop in the bucket compared to today). As I maneuvered through this crowded room of boisterous beach-goers, I sensed a special energy or camaraderie about them. This wasn't a bunch of strangers in a bar. These people really knew each other. Their connection was something that only time and shared experiences could have given them. I wondered what summers were like in Rehoboth and the fun they had together. At 22 years old, I was excited and intimidated, but certain I wanted to be part of it.
Midway through the party, the producer of the event took the stage. With microphone in hand, he introduced himself as Chris Riss and proceeded to thank all the people that helped him bring life to the first annual Beach House Rush Party. With each name Chris mentioned, the crowd cheered and applauded. It became obvious to me that Rehoboth wasn't just another beach resort. It was a strong, unified, supportive community. And it was this very sense of community that attracted me.
Today, as fate would have it, I produce the Beach House Rush Party. Chris Riss, who was a stranger at the time, is now one of my closest friends. When I stand on stage each year thanking all the people that helped bring the party to life, that fantastic sense of community comes over me. I feel amazed and inspired by the generosity of Rehoboth's people. And I realize that the best gift someone could receive doesn't come in the form of a door prize but in the form of kindness and giving.
The Beach House Rush Party celebrated its 8th year on February 4th. I couldn't have been more pleased with its success. And that success is due in part to the incredible kindness and giving from so many people in Rehoboth. With my deepest gratitude, I would like to thank the following:
First and foremost, thank you to the staff of CAMP Rehoboth. Steve, Murray, Kathy, Tricia and Sal are probably the busiest bunch in all of Rehoboth. Their efforts for the community are endless. They are the backbone of the Beach House Rush Party, and a great source of inspiration. This party would not happen without them. Thanks a million, CAMP!
Door Prize Providers. The people who own and run the businesses that donated door prizes for the party this year simply blew me away with their generosity. Some of them have been giving incredible gifts since that very first year, such as the Blue Moon's Joyce Felton and At Melissa's Melissa Clink. All of them are wonderful and thoughtful people whom I admire and respect. I encourage everyone to give back to these incredible businesses: Abizak's, At Melissa's B&B, Atlantic Color Lab, Beach Essentials, Blue Moon, Cloud 9, Coffee Mill, E.C. Shades, Gold's Gym, It's a Breeze, Lighthouse Inn, Mallard Guest House, Purple Parrot, Rehoboth Sport & Kite, Robert Thomas Salon, True Essence, and Yum Yum.
Mark Lee and the staff of Lizard Lounge. We have found a warm and inviting space at the Lizard Lounge. It has been the home of the Beach House Rush Party for the past three years and hopefully many more. Mark Lee is among the most thoughtful, organized and professional people I've had the pleasure of working with. He is a key figure in the Beach Rush Party's overall execution and success. Thank you, Mark and staff, for your hard work and support.
Beach House Rush Party Volunteers. Truth be told, this party would fail miserably if it weren't for volunteers. I can't thank this year's volunteers enough for taking time out of their Sunday afternoon to assist. It's not an easy job herding 400 people through the front door, explaining how things work and sending them on their way. It's a lot harder than it looks. Soto Bill Alldredge, Gary Miller, John DiGregorio, Joe Dunn, Kevin Reid, Mike Casey and Thom Harristhank you, thank you, thank you!
DJ Kostas. Kostas is the resident DJ at Lizard Lounge. Every year he keeps the crowd bouncing to his unique selection of music. This year, when a problem with the sound system prevented us from having music, he was kind enough to give me a stack of his very own CD compilations to hand out to the crowd. What a great guy!
The Cherry 6 Committee. I always welcome a little cross-promotion. So when these guys asked me if they could set up a table at the party, I allowed it. This year's Cherry 6 committee is made up of many new faces who I know will bring great things to this annual fundraiser. As a door prize, they gave two tickets to the Saturday night main dance event at the Old Post Office Pavilion. Again, more generosity!
Everyone else. A party is not a party without people. My final thanks goes out to all of you who attended this year's event (and even those of you who just told someone about it). From old faces to new faces, I was pleased to see so much enthusiasm for Rehoboth Beach. I look forward to seeing you again next year!
Hillary Clinton, in titling a book she wrote several years ago, coined a great phrase: "It takes a Village." It does, indeed, and I'm proud of ours.
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 11, No. 2, Mar. 9, 2001