LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
Since early July we have been living in what is often referred to as "the dog days of summer." Though several sources I googled informed me that the dog days lasted from July 3-August 11, many of us, I think (and Webster's agrees) would extend that time period through early September. The expression comes from the conjunction of the "dog star" Sirius with the sun which occurs in late July. The ancient Romans believed that Sirius added heat to the sun and was the cause of the hot sultry weather. As far as I'm concerned, however, the dog days of summer could best be summed up be the big Labrador I stepped over in front of the Blue Moon last week. Lying on its side and panting rapidly, he pretty much looked the way most of us felt at the time...hot, hot, and hotter.
One sure thing for all of us here at CAMP Rehoboth is that when the weather gets hot, you'll find us getting ready for Sundance. Sundance is, of course, our biggest event of the year, and one of the biggest in the area. Extending over two nights at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Labor Day Weekend, Sundance has become the way that many of us officially mark the end of the summer season. This year, Saturday, September 3, is the Sundance Auction (where you can find almost anything in almost every price range from among the over 500 items being sold), and Sunday, September 4 is the Sundance (with music by Mark Thomas and lights by Paul Turner). Both nights include an open bar. Tickets are $40 for one event, or $70 for both, and are available on our Web site at www.sundancebenefit.com, at CAMP Rehoboth, or at Lambda Rising in Rehoboth. Proceeds will benefit Sussex County AIDS Council and CAMP Rehoboth. Tickets for both nights go fast, but because we don't sell as many tickets to the Auction, it sells out first. For more about Sundancepast and presentsee Murray's CAMPmatters column on page 6. In a Sundance related matter, signed, limited edition prints of Murray Archibald's 2005 Sundance painting are now on sale at the CAMP Rehoboth office or on the Sundance Web site. The prints are smaller versions of his Sundance paintingthis year titled Heart (In The Wings). Prints from previous years are also available, though from what I understand we are getting very close to closing out 1997 and 1998. As has always been the case, 100% of the money raised from the prints and the painting (like all of the items in the Sundance Auction) will be donated to Sundance. This issue of Letters will hit the stands the evening before the 2005 Rehoboth Beach city elections, so by the time many of you are reading these words that election will be over. For several years now, I've worked the polls as an election volunteerand this year have even been appointed an election judgeand I always enjoy watching the process and seeing the many people from all parts of our community as they come to cast a ballot. There was a time, of course, not so many years ago, when the thought of openly gay elected officials was inconceivable to many people in the areaand it was exciting when first Mark Aguirre and then Patrick Gossett was elected to the Board of Commissioners. In this election, there are three openly gay candidates on the ballot and quite a difference in some of their views and visions for the future of Rehoboth. It is a sign of the changes that have come to Rehoboth over the years, that whether a candidate is gay or straight no longer seems to be much of an issuewhich is just the way it should be. As a quick reminder, we have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities related to both Sundance and the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center available. Give us a callit's a great way to make new friends and have a good time. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 15, No. 11 August 12, 2005 |