Though a touch on the cool side (which I love!), Memorial Day weekend in Rehoboth Beach was beautiful—though not without a complaint by a few of our summer visitors, who questioned whether Rehoboth was still a “gay friendly” place to visit. After checking into the accusations of Poodle Beach being targeted by police, I’m confident that was not the case. The police were called to Poodle Beach by area homeowners complaining that beachgoers were urinating in their yards. While there, the three responding officers issued two citations for disorderly conduct (public urination) and two for open containers. The incident, while not an anti-gay one, does highlight the fact that the nearest public restroom to Poodle Beach is more than eight blocks away. In recent days, I’ve spoken with several City Commissioners about what it would take to at least get some port-a-johns on that end of the Boardwalk during the summer months. We’ve even offered for CAMP Rehoboth to help fund them. Short of that, the only solution I know of would be for Poodle Beach to migrate closer into town! It wouldn’t be the first time it has moved over the years.
The other complaint mentioned this weekend was the Rehoboth Beach noise ordinance, which again, in my opinion, is not targeting the gay community. That said, the police do have to respond to noise complaints and it is possible, I suppose, to have an anti-gay neighbor who complains for other reasons than noise. I’m not a big fan of the new noise ordinance because I think it puts our police in a difficult situation. Of course, Murray and I have lived on Baltimore Avenue for a little more than 25 years, and while it’s not Bourbon Street, it can get lively in the summertime—which is why we like living where we do. Plus, we’ve slept with earplugs for years—which might, now that I think about it, be the reason we’ve stayed together for 37 years! Seriously, I do think it’s important to remember that many of us first came to Rehoboth and Dewey in group houses, and we too, sometimes made a little too much noise. This is a resort town after all!
Now that the Memorial Day weekend is behind us and summer 2015 is officially underway, we can turn our attention to the many summer events and activities in the CAMP Rehoboth lineup. First on the horizon is the CAMP Rehoboth Family Pride CAMP, June 26-28. On July 25, the always popular Well-Strung, The Singing String Quartet, returns to the Rehoboth Convention Center for one show only. Don’t wait to buy tickets, table seating for Well-Strung is already sold out and good seats are going fast! On August 30, the Sundance 5K will “walk, run, and sashay” us right into Sundance Week. And, of course, Labor Day weekend is Sundance 2015: The Super Magic Rainbow Glitter Ball. Saturday, September 5 is the Sundance Auction with auctioneer Lorne Crawford and music by Steve Strasser. Sunday, September 6 is The Sundance with DJ/Remixer Joe Gauthreaux and lights by Paul Turner. Then October 9-11, we’ll have our huge 25th Anniversary Silverbration Celebration Weekend, including the Silver Gala and the Baltimore Avenue Silver Block Party.
On July 4th, the men of 6 Futcher Drive are once again raising fun and funds for CAMP Rehoboth with their always popular Independence Day Pool Party. This year’s M*A*S*H Bash military theme means we’re sure to see some sexy sailors and macho marines—and more than a few Max Klingers and Margaret Houlihans! Thanks guys! Your faithful commitment to the work of CAMP Rehoboth is very much appreciated! Suggested donation for the event is $15, and can be made on the CAMP Rehoboth website or at the door.
Have fun, be safe, don’t pee in the dunes (or silver lake), and be kind to your neighbors. We all love this community and want it to be the best it can be. Happy Summer 2015!