LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Wow! The summer is here, and off to a great start-I can feel it in my bones, it's going to be a good one. Of course, that great feeling comes, in part, because CAMP Rehoboth just closed on the property at 39 Baltimore Avenue. We now have a permanent home upon which to build the community center. We are thrilled that it's on the same ground where CAMP Rehoboth started almost twelve years ago. When Murray and I first moved to Rehoboth full time, 39 Baltimore Avenue was a part of our plans, and we leased the entire property in order to get things started. Financially, that first year was a disaster for us, but it did allow us to hook up with Lambda Rising, build the rainbow fence, and start the foundation for what is today CAMP Rehoboth. Now we've come full circle, and it's exciting and satisfying to see the way things are working out. To all of you who are making the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project (CRCCP) a reality, I say thank you-especially to our attorney Ellen Feinberg, who has gotten us through the closing with such ease. On page 8 CRCCP committee member Dan Goren answers more questions about the Community Center. If you are interested in getting involved in the project, please join us for the Founder's Circle, Black and White Beach Ball at the Atlantic Sands on Saturday, June 1, or call the CAMP office.
As the summer gets busier and busier, it's always important that we take the time out to laugh at ourselves when the opportunity presents itself. For example, we thought we had everything set for the closing on the property for CAMP Rehoboth. The morning of closing we learned that all four officers had to be there, and we had scheduled only the secretary and president. With a bit of quick detective work, it was determined that Vice President John Berdini was somewhere on the Old Landing Golf Course, without a cell phone. On the highway, as I neared the golf course, I suddenly caught sight of him zipping down the fairway in his golf cart. I quickly pulled the car to the side of the road, jumped over the fence, and chased after him frantically waving my arms. All ended well however, John made it to the closing, I avoided a heart attack, and there was nobody on the golf course with a camera! The camp courtyard has long played an important role in the well being of our community by providing a gay friendly space open to everyone. The symbiotic relationship that has grown between Lambda Rising, Lori's Caf, Community Pride, and CAMP Rehoboth has created a great space, and this year it seems to be busier than ever. It was so busy, in fact, on the Saturday morning of Memorial Day Weekend, that Kathy Weir, our office administrator, had to take on the additional title of courtyard coordinator. Tickets were being sold for the ladies Mermaid Splash event on June 29, for the Henlopen Theater Project's summer season, for Bingo-a-go-go, the Rainbow Chorale concert, and the Black and White Beach Ball. With music in the evenings and book signings at Lambda, it was a record breaking weekend-just ask Lori about the forty pounds of chicken salad she sold on Saturday! I mentioned Kathy Weir a moment ago, and as many of you know, we wouldn't know how to get through a day without her. She makes all of our lives easier, and her laugh makes us all happy. She is a tireless champion of the small causes and needs that no one ever talks about. She is one of the true heroines of our community. Last week she was taking her lunch break (yes, we do allow her out of the office from time to time) on the boardwalk, when a large, aggressive gull, straight from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, swooped down and snatched the sandwich right out of her hand. She returned to the office hungry, and with a somewhat shocked Tippi Hedren-like expression on her face. "It's been one of those days," she said. "I need a hug." Don't we all. Happy summer 2002. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 06, May 31, 2002 |