Wow! This is the final summer 2013 issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth! Though it comes out on the weekend before the holiday, this is the Labor Day issue—and one of the biggest of the year. Our thanks to all the advertisers and supporters for another great season! Though the weather has been a bit strange this season, it has not stopped it from being a good summer for Letters and all the other CAMP Rehoboth programs, events, and activities.
It is way too early, of course, to count the summer as over, and the best is yet to come. Labor Day weekend has always been a special time to celebrate with our summer friends—both ones we’ve known for years and the new ones we meet each summer. For the past quarter century, Sundance has been the way we end the summer season in Rehoboth Beach, and this year’s Sundance 2013: Rainbow XXVI – Circus of the Summer Sun is going to be a spectacular “under the big top” experience. Saturday, August 31, from 7-10 p.m. is the Sundance Live and Silent Auction, with auctioneer Lorne Crawford, a cocktail buffet by Matt Haley’s Plate Catering, desserts by Touch of Italy, an open bar, and over 500 exciting auction items. The centerpiece of the auction night is a Celebrity European cruise from Accent on Travel, with a choice of over 50 itineraries. It includes a balcony stateroom for two, 7-14 days of travel, and is good from May-October of 2014. The second night of Sundance is the dance, and the real reason the event was started in the first place. On Sunday, September 1, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center will come alive with music by Mark Thomas, lights by Paul Turner, and the amazing décor created by our Sundance Team Captains and their talented volunteers—plus there is again an open bar all night. The event wouldn’t happen without the support of hundreds of volunteers, Sponsors, Supporters, Hosts, auction donors, and all who come out to support it—and just dance!
Speaking of Supporters of CAMP Rehoboth—we have many—and we depend on them to help us do our work. Last week, Anna March and Adam Pesachowitz renewed their membership to CAMP Rehoboth and made an additional $1,000 donation to support the CAMP-Mautner Cares project. CAMP-Mautner provides transportation, housekeeping, and other services to seriously ill men and women in our area. Recently, the Mautner Project became of part of the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington DC, but that has not changed our relationship with Mautner, and the CAMP-Mautner Cares project continues to be important to us. For information on adding a client to the program or to volunteer, contact Sal Seeley at CAMP Rehoboth or Jacquetta Brooks at the Mautner Project.
I never like to let a summer season come to a close without reminding our Rehoboth summer visitors (and full-time residents, too) that life in our little beach resort goes on even after the weather cools off and the suntan lotion has been packed away for another time. The shoulder seasons here at the beach are my favorite, especially the fall. I love the busyness of the summer, but the autumn festivals make it a really great time to enjoy our community and all that it has to offer. The Rehoboth Autumn Jazz Festival (October 17-20) is the first in the festival lineup. Celebrating its 24th year, the Jazz Fest features a fantastic collection of first rate jazz performers and musicians. The Sea Witch Festival (October 25-27), is also celebrating 24 years—and it’s the perfect event for all families—gay and straight! Rounding out the fall festival threesome, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (November 6-10) is at the top of everyone’s list of favorite off-season events. The five-day festival features close to 100 independent films: American, international, features, documentaries, and shorts.
Thanks for a great summer! Join us Labor Day weekend for Sundance, and come back this fall for some of the best weather of the year.