In case you haven’t heard the news, The Chantels have been nominated for the 2010 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! Lois Harris Powell, one of the original Chantels, is a close friend and part of my Rehoboth family.
The last time The Chantels were nominated for the hall of fame they did not get in. The importance of public support wasn’t emphasized and, due to the fact that their popularity peaked in the 1950s and 60s, they did not get the online support that could have made the difference. Most onliners are younger and don’t appreciate the trailblazing history of the early vocal groups.
The Chantels was the first consistently successful all female group, paving the way for The Shirelles and The Supremes! We can only imagine the challenges they met in the 50s and 60s! You can hear them sing “Maybe” and “Look In My Eyes” on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website listed below.
Log on to www.rockhall.com/ induction2010 and scroll to the question “Who do you think should be inducted in 2010?,” you can write comments and voice your opinion.
Let’s make sure they get the credit that they deserve!
Kathy Wiz
Delaware Pride would like to thank the community and our sponsors for supporting the 13th annual Delaware Pride Festival, held in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday, September 19, 2009. This year, we enjoyed a record number of vendors and a record number of attendees! We added our Night of Remembrance candlelight vigil the night before the festival, and an alcohol vendor to the festival, both of which were great successes.
The 14th annual Delaware Pride Festival, to be held in September 2010, is already in the works! To learn more about Delaware Pride, an organization that is very active year-round, or to submit comments about the festival, please visit www.delawarepride.org.
Eric Morrison, Delaware Pride
After the loss of Jackie Ignacio, the first ones I called for help and direction were Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald. Thanks to the information I received from them I was able to line up a meeting place for everyone after the memorial service. My hat goes off to John at Cloud 9, his staff and chefs. They produced great food and some of the best service I have ever had in Rehoboth.
Once again, CAMP Rehoboth lived up to its mission and I knew when I called I would get the right information for the situation. Thanks again for all your help.
Fred Hertrich
Five bills that greatly effect gay and transgender citizens are before the U.S. Congress. One would topple the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bans federal recognition of same-gender marriage even in states where it is legal. Another would prohibit anti-gay and anti-transgender discrimination in the workplace. Another would allow foreign same-gender spouses of American citizens the same immigration rights as binational heterosexual couples. Another bill would allow gays to serve openly and without lying in the military. Another would protect from hate crimes. These five bills represent rights so basic they are taken for granted by heterosexual Americans. Far from the sinister motives our opponents impute to us, we who are gay and transgender American citizens only want to marry and live with our spouses, to be employed, to serve in the military and to be safe from hate crimes. This is that frightening Gay Agenda of which we have all heard.
Put even more succinctly, the Gay Agenda is simply this: equal rights in every state. Sounds pretty American to me.
Douglas Marshall-Steele
Letters to Letters should be addressed to editor@camprehoboth.com, or mailed to 37 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE19971. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.