LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Ronald Reagan's death and the media coverage that has accompanied it has opened a window into the past that I have to admit I find a little difficult to look through. As he began his term in office the first deaths from AIDS began to occur. By the time he left office in 1988, our world had been profoundly changed, and we had lost more friends and loved ones than many of us can even remember. It was a sad and frustrating time because for so many years it seemed that no one in the government wanted to acknowledge the tragedy that was taking place all around us. I've heard a lot in the last few days about Reagan's optimism but, at the time, that optimism did not seem to include us and our friends who were dying, and I remember those days with anger and bewilderment.
Though great progress has been made in the treatment of HIV and AIDS since Ronald Reagan's term in office, the disease is still with us and we are still doing our best to deal with it. June 27 is National HIV Testing Day and CAMP Rehoboth is one of the places where you can get an AIDS test. On both June 27 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, come by CAMP Rehoboth for a free, anonymous HIV test. Sal Seeley, our CAMPsafe director, offers HIV testing all the time, of course, but you may want to call first to make sure he is available. For information about Testing Day, CAMPsafe, or any other AIDS related needs, contact Sal at 302-227-5620. It's almost election time in rehoboth again, where three candidates are running for two seats on the city's Board of Commissioners. Incumbent Rich Sargent, seeking his fourth term as Commissioner, is joined by newcomers Patrick Gossett and Tjark Bateman. Patrick has served on the Rehoboth Beach Planning Commission for the last six years and has worked hard on the Comprehensive Development Plan. In an upcoming issue of Letters, we'll give the candidates a chance to respond to a series of questions of particular interest to the GLBT community. On Saturday, June 19, the 12th edition of the CAMP Rehoboth beach book will be available. The Beach Book is a directory of summer addresses and phone numbers, and invaluable in keeping track of both old and new friends during the summer season. My thanks to Greg Albright for once again arranging the printing of the Beach Book (which he has done for a long time), and to Charlie Lee and Kathy Weir for all their help in putting it together. Congratulations and thanks to bill gunning and joe greoski, who celebrated their 25th anniversary at the Atlantic Sands hotel on Baltimore Avenue. Instead of gifts, the generous duo encouraged everyone to make a donation to the CAMP Rehoboth Founders' Circle Capital Campaign (and they brought back long time Rehoboth favorite Gladys Kravitz and her Karaoke machine). It was a fun party, but it also demonstrated how individuals can simply and easily make a difference in our communityraising both money and awareness. Our thanks to all who helped to make this year's sold out black and White Beach Ball a success. Not only did it help us to boost our pledges for the Capital Campaign, but the HeART of the community art auction raised an additional $36,000. The theme of this year's HeART project, HeARTwork, was reflected by the artists as well as all who participated. Building a community takes a lot of heartand a lot of work. Our "heartfelt" thanks for the generous support. The "work of the heart" continues over the next few weeks with the Bachelor Auction (June 19), Mermaid Splash Dance (June 26), and the Love 2004 Weekend over the Fourth of July holiday (July 2-5). For tickets, call 302-227-5620. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 14, No. 7 June 18, 2004 |