I’m always amazed to discover that we have come to the end of another year of publishing Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. This is the last issue in the 2010 season; we will return on February 4, with the first issue of 2011. For the past 11 years, Kathy Weir has served as administrative coordinator for CAMP Rehoboth, and as such, has been an integral part of the production team for this magazine. Kathy began working for CAMP Rehoboth as my assistant almost 12 years ago, and though I know that everyone will miss her, I suspect that I will miss her most of all. In CAMPmatters Murray says goodbye to Kathy and hello to the New Year and to our new administrator Lynda Goold. To officially say goodbye to Kathy, please join us at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on January 29, at 4 p.m.
This fall we kicked off our new CAMP Rehoboth Business Partnership program. Business Partners receive a link in the Rehoboth Beach Guide on our web site.The guide includes food and wine, lodging, shopping, and services available in the Rehoboth Beach area communities. For information about becoming a CAMP Business Partner contact Tricia Massella at imagine3d@aol.com.
December 1 is World AIDS Day, and in Rehoboth Beach we will observe the day with our annual Candlelight Walk and Service of Remembrance and Hope. This year, our local activities are a part of the worldwide Lights for Rights advocacy project which seeks to shine a light on access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, support, and human rights. The day’s events begin at 4:30 p.m. with a reception for the World AIDS Day art exhibit at CAMP Rehoboth. At 6:30 p.m. the Candlelight Walk will begin at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, followed by the Service of Remembrance and Hope at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue at 7 p.m. The evening will end with a light supper at the church. To have the name of a friend or family member added to the list of names to be read at the Service of Remembrance and Hope, please contact me at editor@camprehoboth.com.
Murray and I are always in the south with family for Christmas and New Year’s day, which means that we miss the Starburst Gayla on New Year’s Eve. That’s our loss, I’m sure, because I know how hard the Gayla committee works to make it a spectacular evening for everyone. Though the event is primarily a women’s dinner and dance, everyone is welcome. Dinner and dance tickets are $95 and require reservations. Dance tickets are $50. Dinner is served between 7:15 and 8:45 with music by Viki Dee. The dance, with DJ Peggy Castle, begins at 9 p.m.
As a part of our strategic planning process for CAMP Rehoboth, the long Range Planning Committee is comparing our goals from five years ago to the reality of today. Five years ago we set out to: increase the size of our space in order to accommodate CAMP Rehoboth’s expanding programs, activities, and community events; make our community a safer place for LGBT people to work, live, and vacation; expand health and wellness programs for both men and women; and to become a primary point of contact for information, networking, and referral services for the LGBT community and the community at large. Thanks to the amazing support of this community we have been able to do all that, but the work’s never done, and we continue to need your support. As 2011 comes to a close please consider making an end-of-the-year gift to CAMP Rehoboth, upgrading your current membership level, or becoming a member for the first time.
This has been an amazing 20th anniversary year for CAMP Rehoboth; thank you to all the volunteers; donors; members; committee members, Board and Council participants; sponsors, and to everyone who joined us for any of our CAMP Rehoboth events and activities. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!