LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Splish Splash: It's that Season Again! |
| by Fay Jacobs |
| As the season comes into focus, we've got dancin' on our minds!
While this will be the fourth season for a June dance, set for the Convention Center on June 25, there have been some changes made to make sure that the event is even more fun and reaches a broader audience than ever before. Formerly called the Mermaid Splash, this successful woman's dance always attracted guys who love to dance too. So now it is to be known simply as Splash! '05. With Rehoboth abuzz with the battle cry, "We need a really big place to dance," Splash 2005 has it covered for the last weekend in June and has put the welcome mat out for all who love great music, a big dance floor and lots of summer fun. Partners Restaurant is the presenting sponsor this year, and well-known DJ Jame Foks is planning for a diverse crowd and music for all. Splash organizers promise a really special event. Rehoboth resident Jane Blue is the head of the organizing committee for Splash! '05. She and her crew are working hard to put all the pieces together for a really terrific evening. "I guess my job is to keep everybody in touch and keep them all working on their separate jobs," Jane says. As a retired operations manager for Bristol Myers-Squibb, Jane certainly knows how to organizeand there are bound to be very few Exedrine headaches in the planning. The organizers have been meeting all winter long to hone their plans and get ready to make some money for the event beneficiaries. This year the funds from the fun will go to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary to provide a safe and loving environment for homeless and/or neglected cats and dogs in Sussex County at a proposed no-kill shelter, as well as to CAMP Rehoboth for its many outreach and service programs. These are two organizations that folks are delighted to work hardand dance hardto support. What's Jane's motivation in working so hard for a splashy evening? "It's an opportunity for me to do the kind of volunteer work I always wanted to do, but couldn't when I was working," she says, "and besides, having come out in the 1960s, I never thought an atmosphere like this would exist for me in my retirement. This is a great chance to participate." It's a sentiment like that which also led to the broadening of the audience for Splash. Jane says that over the years many guys have attended and had a great time. But last year, prior to the dance, one group of men approached Jane and asked if they could be included. "They said they felt that the women did so much for the men's community, especially fighting AIDS and caring for people, that it was their turn to assist the women's community and give back," says Jane. So now it's a Splash for all, women and men of all ages. The goal is a spectacular showing of diversity, much like the kind encouraged by presenting sponsor Partners Bistro. "We all live here, love and respect each other, and we can dance together to have a great time and raise some money," Jane says. "That's what we want it to become." To that end, the Splash Committee members are out seeking more sponsorships (Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, EXP Magazine, and Out Gear are Platinum Sponsors), organizing raffles, a silent auction, advertising and marketing, distribution of posters, arranging for those all important snacks, ticket production and sales, decorations, security, and bar organization. There's a new Splash logo, and lots of great energy. This year's theme is Underwaterperfectly in sync with Rehoboth's Dolphin sculptures! Splash! '05 Committee Members, along with Chairperson Jane, are Lois Cortese, Kathy Davison, Ruth Dickerson, Lynn Gaites, Nancy Kaiser, Joanne Kempton, Faye Koslow, Mary McElhone, Wendy McKeever, Judy Olsen, Sandra Pace, Barbara Passikoff, Michele Peeling, Jill Stokes and Louisa Watrel. Pick up your tickets for this June traditionit's not Flash Dance, it's Splash Dance! Tickets ($20) are available at CAMP Rehoboth, Pelican Loft, Out Gear, Attic Treasures and Partners Bistro in Rehoboth, and Journey's in Lewes. |
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LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 15, No. 4 May 6, 2005 |