LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
In Brief |
Pride Festival 2003 Unity Through Pride The 7th Annual Delaware Pride Festival will take place on Saturday, September 27 from 12-6 p.m. at Gordon's Pond in Cape Henlopen State Park. The event, which originated in Wilmington, was moved to the Rehoboth area last year in an effort to better include the large gay and lesbian presence in the southern part of the state.
This year's theme, "Unity Through Pride," seeks to bring together the many facets of the GLBT community for a day of celebration. The event is not only fun, but will also showcase many of the gay and lesbian groups that exist in Delaware. Headlining this year's festival is singer CeCe Peniston, and New York City comedians Jessica Kirson and Danny Cohen. Local musicians and drag performers will also be performing throughout the day. Delaware Pride seeks to create a more visible and united GLBT community through outreach, education, and referrals. The all volunteer organization raises money throughout the year to pay for the festival. If there is money left at the end of the year, it is awarded as grants, which are announced at the beginning of January. The Delaware Pride Festival is free, but State Park fees will be in effect ($2.50 in state, $5 out of state). Overflow parking and a shuttle will also be available. For more information about Delaware Pride visit their web site at www.delawarepride.org. Fill Your Plate at the Celebrity Brunch The premiere hosts of the first Celebrity Chefs' Beach Brunch, The Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach and WSFS, a statewide banking institution, invite the public to sample cutting edge fare and libations from a dozen of the Cape Region's finest restaurants Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A choice group of chefs will band together to present their signature dishes at the Atlantic Sands on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach to benefit Meals on Wheels Delaware, which provides funding for nutritious meals for the homebound to Lewes-Rehoboth Meals on Wheels and Sussex County Senior Services (CHEER) Participating chefs include Scott Kammerer, Atlantic Seafood Company; Leo Medesch, Back Porch Caf; Peter McMahon, Blue Moon; Lauren Cox, Caf Sol; Jean-Luc Charpentier and Mary Jane Stanton, Celsius; David Lynch, Classic Catering; Michael Schreiber, Cloud 9; Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats; Carl Georigi, Eclipse; Kevin Reading, Espuma; Chris Bunting, Eden; Matt Haley, Redfin Seafood Grill; Roberta and Klaus Wuttke, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory; Danielle Pompetti, Sugar Plum Caf; and Dan Butler, Toscana Kitchen and Bar. The chefs will each set up a table so that guests have the opportunity to stroll around and socialize in the Swan Ballroom and observe them putting together their culinary creations. A silent auction will offer a variety of interesting items on which to bid during the event. Individual tickets are $75 per person of which $55 is tax deductible, while program advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available as well. For information and tickets, call 800-62-MEALS, email mowdel@aol.com or visit mealsonwheels.org. CAMP Event for Sarah Aldridge Novel Mark your calendar for Sunday, Oct. 19 from 4-5:30 p.m. as Camp Rehoboth throws a book publication party for literary icon and hometown author Anyda Marchant. Marchant, who has written lesbian literary works for over 30 years under the pen name of Sarah Aldridge, has just released her 14th novel, O, Mistress Mine. On Oct. 19, CAMP Rehoboth will host the author, and her partner of 55 years, Muriel Crawford, and invite the public to drop by the CAMP office and meet the couple, celebrate the publication of the book, and have the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of O Mistress, Mine. Set on a university campus, the story blends an examination of a complex lesbian relationship with impassioned points of view on some very contemporary social topics. And, it's the book's contemporary themes which make this publication event so noteworthy. Noteworthy, because Marchant, at age 92, has an enthusiasm for writing and a delight in voicing her very strong opinions that would exhaust a person one-third her age. Her words on "far right" organized religion, same-sex marriage, adoption, abortion and discrimination, in addition to a contemporary love story make this book a great read. From her professional literary beginnings as a founder of Naiad Press to her current publication house A&M Books, Marchant/Aldridge is a fascinating Rehoboth neighbor. In addition to the hometown connection of the author, the book's cover art is by local artist Julie Baxendell. Plan to join Anyda and Muriel at CAMP Rehoboth, Sunday, Oct. 19 to raise a toast to the author, learn a little about O, Mistress Mine, and be part of this great literary celebration prior to the national release of the book. For more information, call CAMP Rehoboth at 302-227-5620. Delaware HIV Consortium Names Peter Houle as New Executive Director Peter Houle has been selected as the Delaware HIV Consortium's new Executive Director, according to Arlene Bincsik, President of the Consortium's Board of Trustees. He takes the place of Sue Weimer, who left the post in July 2003. Houle will assume his duties in early November. "We were fortunate to receive resumes from a number of qualified candidates from all over the country," explained Bincsik. "Peter's skills and experience, coupled with a strong staff, will position the Consortium to address the important issues identified in its strategic planning process last year." Peter Houle comes to the Consortium from Phoenix, Arizona, where he was the Executive Director of AIDS Project Arizona, that state's largest provider of HIV/AIDS services in prevention, education and care. He also served as the Executive Director of the AIDS Care Network in Rockford, Illinois. In all, he has been involved in the AIDS arena for over 15 years as an administrator, volunteer and educator. The Delaware HIV Consortium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to see that Delaware residents with HIV are provided the highest quality AIDS-related education and services available. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 13 September 19, 2003 |