With the week-long July 4th festivities behind us, Rehoboth Beach now settles into its real “high” season. With most of July and all of August ahead, the best of summer 2012 is still to come. Enjoy the summer; “Have fun. Play smart.” That slogan, by the way, was created a number of years ago for our HIV/AIDS prevention/education program CAMPsafe, but it also serves as a good motto for summertime in Rehoboth Beach.
The Rehoboth Beach community has been deeply saddened by the bicycle accident that resulted in the death of Rusty Henman. The accident was made even more tragic by the fact that Brian Meegan, the driver of the car involved in the accident, is also a part of our community. While I did not know Rusty well, and I don’t know Brian at all, our sympathy goes out to all the many people touched by this tragedy. A memorial service for Rusty was held in Newark on July 7, and a local celebration of Rusty’s life is being planned for September 8 in Rehoboth Beach.
In our countdown to Sundance 2012 on Labor Day weekend, the month of July is all about signing up Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts for the event. Because this is the 25th anniversary Sundance, we would love to sign up as many past Sundance supporters as possible, as well as recruiting new ones. Sundance Sponsor, Supporter, and Host forms have been sent to everyone on our mailing list and are available on page 40 and 41 in the printed versionof this issue; even easier, just pay for it all online. This is an important milestone for us. Please consider being a part of Sundance 2012: Legend of the Silver Rainbow.
The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center is a busy place, especially at this time of the year. Partnering with other organizations has always been an important part of the mission and vision of CAMP Rehoboth. Over the whole week of July 4, we were pleased to welcome the HRC “pop-up” store to our front porch. If you didn’t get a chance to stop by and talk to Bradley Mayer, Kevin Lynch, and other members of their team, visit HRC.org for information on how to help—or to get one of those fantastic t-shirts they were selling. On July 6, we hosted an event for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). GLSEN works with educators, community leaders, students, and others to protect students from harassment and bullying and other anti-LGBT behavior in schools. For more information or to donate to GLSEN, go to glsen.org. At the GLSEN event we also welcomed members of the local PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), who served as volunteers for the event.
Tickets to Christopher Peterson’s Typhoon Judy on July 28 are selling fast—the $100 front table seating is sold out! Created by Darrin Hagen and Christopher Peterson with musical arrangements by Jim Rice, Typhoon Judy is not the same kind of show as Eyecons—the Christopher Peterson show we’re all used to seeing. This time Christopher plays only Judy Garland, and the production takes place one night in a raging Typhoon in Hong Kong. This is going to be an amazing night, and there’s only one performance. Don’t miss it; $75, $50, and $30 tickets are still available and may be purchased at CAMP Rehoboth and Proud Bookstore, or online at camprehoboth.com.
CAMP Rehoboth would not be able to function without the support we receive from our donors and volunteers—many of whom are one and the same. Please consider supporting CAMP Rehoboth in whatever way you can afford, both in time and financial gifts. During our summer membership drive all new rainbow level memberships are being matched (up to $5,000) with a 50% donation from our volunteer Development Manager Charlie Lee. On the volunteer side, Sundance provides our biggest volunteer opportunity of the year. Call CAMP Rehoboth now to sign up.