For some reason, summertime always seems to pick up speed as we head into the second half of the season. For all of us here at CAMP Rehoboth, I suppose, it is the cumulative effect of publishing this magazine every two weeks, taking care of all the events and activities that take place at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, and preparing for Sundance, our biggest fundraising event of the year.
Speaking ofSundance, thank you to all who signed up to be a Sponsor, Supporter, or Host of Sundance 2014! Since the very first Sundance back in 1988, Hosts (later expanded to Hosts and Sponsors) have made Sundance possible. I am always filled with awe at the generosity of this community—not just to Sundance and CAMP Rehoboth, but to all the organizations in our area. Sundance 2014 will take place at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, August 30 and 31. The first night of Sundance is the live and silent Auction, with over 500 items, a cocktail buffet by Plate Catering, and an open bar all night. The second night is the Sundance with music by Mark Thomas, lights by Paul Turner, and the incredible décor that comes from our Sundance Décor Team. The dancing starts at 8 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m.; open bar all night. Tickets are $80 for both nights or $45 for one event, and are available on the CAMP Rehoboth website, or call 302-227-5620. For a list of Sundance 2014 Sponsors, Supporters, and Hosts, see pages 10 and 11.
The Rehoboth Beach City Elections will take place August 9, and we are pleased to present our annual Letters from CAMP Rehoboth Candidate Forum. This year, Mayor Sam Cooper is again being challenged by Tom McGlone. In the City Commissioner’s race, Francis “Bunky” Markert, Kathy McGuiness, John Meng, Lawrence Myslewski, and Lorraine Zellers will vie for two available seats. CAMP Rehoboth will also host the Rehoboth Beach Homeowner’s Association Candidate Forum at the Community Center on Friday, July 25, at 6:30 p.m. I will once again serve as moderator for that event.
As we mentioned in the previous issue of Letters, there is currently an exhibit at the Rehoboth Beach Museum on CAMP Rehoboth. Last week we were asked by the Museum to track down a photo from the groundbreaking for the new wing of CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Doing so brought back memories of all the efforts that went into making the Community Center as we know it today possible, and it made me realize how the building itself has changed the work we do and our relationship to the community around us. It has given us a true home, a place that welcomes gay, straight, young and old. The Center has become what we envisioned it would be: the heart of the community.
Caring for the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center is an ongoing effort. From light bulbs and the CAMP Courtyard furniture, to building repairs and maintenance, the work never stops—and we are grateful to the many volunteers who help us keep things running smoothly. As we announced in the last issue, we were very pleased to receive a $5000 grant from the Delaware Community Foundation’s (DCF) Capital Grants Program that will make possible the long-overdue painting of the original structure that is now the front building of the Center. Thank you to DCF and to our Grants Writing Team chaired by CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors’ member Leslie Sinclair.
Before his recent death, Bruce Pfeufer set in motion a performance of the Rolling Stones Tribute Band, The Glimmer Twins, to raise funds for the Cancer Support Community of Delaware. Though the event is July 26, the night after this issue comes out, I wanted to mention it because Bruce so loved making these events happen. Hope to see you there!