LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
I have to admit, the summer is moving so fast I can't seem to catch up. Oh well, what else is new, right? Rehoboth is an amazing little place with an ever growing list of activities and events to keep us busy, (I'll never know how Tony Burns makes it to so many different things every weekend!) Last Saturday afternoon Murray and I had the pleasure of attending the Italian wine tasting benefit for Sussex County AIDS Committee, hosted by Teller Wines and Master Sommelier Luca Mazzotti at Salero. The event was beautiful, and the mood was certainly enhanced by the spectacular view of the Rehoboth beach and boardwalk in all its summer glory. Most of us originally came to Rehoboth because of the beach. Now we have a multitude of reasons to be heregreat restaurants, parties, events, festivals, and a growing arts community, to name a few. The growing GLBT community in the area is making politics more interesting as well. The recent Delaware Stonewall Democratic Club event at Dr. Jim D'Orta's Silver Lake home, attracted a huge crowd of Delaware movers and shakers who came out to hear US Representative Barney Frank. Congressman Frank was joined by an impressive list of Delaware politicos that included Governor Ruth Ann Minner; State Treasurer Jack Markell; Democratic Party Chairman Rick Bayard; 14th District Representative Pete Schwartzkopf; and City Commissioners Mark Aguirre, Betty Ann Kane, and Patti Shreeve. The clear message was to get involved and to get others involved. Congratulations to Delaware Stonewall President Tim Spies and everyone who worked to create such a successful and exciting event. On page 6 Fay Jacobs talks to Representative Schwartzkopf about what's happening in the State Legislature. The weekend of July 18, Dignity/Washington hosted their annual visit to the Rehoboth area. As a part of their festivities, they took time out to present the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center with a $250 donation. In thanking the group, Murray talked about Rehoboth being a crossroads where we have the opportunity to touch the lives of many people from a multitude of places. The mission statement that has been a part of CAMP Rehoboth from the beginning calls us to be a networking organization. One of the most exciting things about my job is seeing all those connections. One of the biggest ways for individuals and businesses to connect with the community is the annual Sundance Benefit Labor Day Weekend. Last year's event raised $175,000 for Sussex County AIDS Committee and CAMP Rehoboth. This year's event will be the 16th Sundance, and we hope to make it the best one yet. Sundance is a success because of the tremendous support we get from the community as Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts. Now is the time to sign up if you want to have your name, business, or logo in this year's printed material which includes posters, invitations, banners, and ads in numerous publications, including this one. You can sign up by calling or coming by the CAMP Rehoboth office or you can do it all on line at www.sundancebenefit.com. At the annual CAMP Rehoboth board of directors retreat in July, we welcomed new Board member Howard Menaker, elected to fill the position vacated when Dan Goren moved full time to Florida. Howard brings extensive experience in community relations, media relations, and state and local political relations. My great thanks goes out to Danand his partner Peterwho worked so hard to get the Community Center Project going and who gave so generously of his time and talents to CAMP Rehoboth. For more about Howard Menaker, see page 22. As this issue goes to press, the finishing touches are being added to this year's Follies' extravaganza. From the bits and pieces I've been able to overhear, it's sure to be another wild night at the Convention Center. See you there. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 10, July 25, 2003 |