Wow! Here we are again! This is the Memorial Day issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, and with its publication we celebrate the official start of the 2012 summer season in Rehoboth Beach. The great gift of living in a resort community like Rehoboth Beach is that the change of seasons is about far more than just weather; as the summer arrives, we welcome back our many seasonal residents, beach house friends, and vacationers. I’ve lived and worked on Baltimore Avenue in downtown Rehoboth Beach for more than 20 years, and though the winter and spring seasons are much livelier than they used to be, it’s still fun to watch our town gear up for the high season. Welcome to summer 2012.
As I always do at this time of year, here a few reminders for a safe and happy summer: 1) Treat our town as your own. In other words, don’t do anything here that you wouldn’t do at home. 2) Don’t get so swept up in the summer party that you forget to “play safe.” Our CAMPsafe program provides free condoms, HIV testing, and counseling, but only you can protect your health. 3) We are fortunate to have a great relationship with the summer police force, but that won’t help you if you’re caught driving while intoxicated or while using your phone. 4) There are no nude beaches in the Rehoboth area, so boys, don’t get caught with your pants down—or women, without your tops. If something does happen, we can suggest lawyers or doctors in the area. Don’t hesitate to call.
On May 3, CAMP Rehoboth’s Black and White Beach Ball will return to the summer lineup. Made possible by our Presenting Sponsor PNC Wealth Management, the B&WBB will feature the 2012 HeART of the Community Art Auction, with 25 amazing works of art. Some of the art can be seen on page 10 of this issue; all of it can be previewed on our website at camprehoboth.com, and at the Sneak Peak Preview Party at CAMP Rehoboth on Sunday, May 27 from 4-7 p.m. Proxy bidding will be available to buyers who are interested in purchasing art, but unable to attend the June 3 event. Tickets to the B&WBB—to be held at the Clear Space Theatre on Baltimore Avenue— are $75 and are limited. Purchase tickets online or call the CAMP Rehoboth office.
As we’ve already said many times this year, this summer will be the 25th Sundance, and we are all working to make it an amazing event. It is our hope that anyone who has ever been a host, a supporter, or a sponsor of the event, will join us for this extraordinary anniversary event. Please save the date now, and make plans to join us on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend for our biggest event of the summer season. Contact me for information about sponsoring this year’s Sundance 2012: The Legend of the Silver Rainbow, or for information about becoming a Summer Sponsor.
In politics, the president’s new stance on gay marriage was front page news. How it will affect the fall election remains to be seen, but I hope it represents a turning point on the matter. Undoubtedly it will galvanize some of our opponents, but I was amused by a post Murray’s niece put on Facebook that showed two photos: one was an old black and white image of people in the ‘60s protesting inter-racial marriage and the other was of today’s gay marriage protestors. The caption: “Imagine how stupid you’re going to look in 40 years.” Here in Delaware, couples continue to benefit from the passage of our Civil Union Act, and CAMP Rehoboth has been the location of many of those services. To have a civil union photo included in Letters, email a high-resolution image to me.
Thank you to all the many volunteers and members whose efforts make CAMP Rehoboth possible.