I think I must live in a perpetual state of wonder when it comes to the passage of time, and with each issue find myself marveling at the swiftly passing months (and years). Once again, I can’t believe it, but this is the Labor Day weekend issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, and the end of another summer is upon us—ready or not! Beginning in September, Letters will return to its off season, monthly publication schedule.
When the CAMP Rehoboth Bachelor Auction took place at Aqua a couple of weeks ago, much of the previous issue (including my column) was already complete, and while we managed to get something in the In Brief section of the magazine and in CAMPshots, I didn’t have a chance to say a proper thank you to Aqua owner Bill Shields and his amazing staff for making it the most successful Bachelor Auction to date. The event raised an astounding $30,000 for CAMP Rehoboth! Thanks, as well, to all the bars and restaurants for contributing bachelors, bidders, dinners for two, and support, to make the event happen; to the bachelors (and bachelorette) for their fearlessness; to Greg Brown and Roger Binner at Beach Essentials for dressing the bachelors; and the event chair and CAMP Rehoboth Vice-President Chris Beagle—and his crew—for pulling it all together.
Last year when I saw HRC’s Municipal Equality index (MEI) scorecard for Rehoboth Beach I was disappointed that the score was lower than I felt it should be—even though Rehoboth has the highest ranking in the state (though not by much). This week, both City Manager Sharon Lynn and I spoke with HRC about the matter, and I’m following up with information that I hope will show improvement for us. In looking at scores around the country and at the categories on the scorecard, it seems to me that it works best for big cities. Here in Rehoboth, for example, CAMP Rehoboth has served as the liaison to the police department for the last two decades. It’s not an official position, but this is a small town.
Sundance 2016, of course, remains at the top of our list for Labor Day weekend, and it is featured in this issue of Letters. As Murray points out in his CAMPmatters column, Sundance is very important to our annual income, and it’s the biggest party of the year, so don’t miss the fun—and help us to make it a big success. As with anything, rumors abound, and I recently discovered that some folks thought the location of Sundance this year was Celebration Mall (the home of Clear Space Theatre), and were wondering how it could possibly be big enough for an event the size of Sundance. Sundance will take place this year in the Atrium in the Rehoboth Mall on Route 1. Please enter on the Route 1 side entrance between Radio Shack and Tuesday Morning. There will be free shuttle service from the Convention Center to the Mall from 8 p.m. to 2:15 a.m. on the night of the dance. Due to confusion (we all know how difficult change can be) we will repeat this information about location and shuttle service throughout the issue and for the days leading up to Sundance.
Summertime in Rehoboth is undeniably the peak season, but for me, the fall season is my favorite time of the year—and I know I’m not the only one! The weather is beautiful (as long as we keep the hurricanes far away—knock on wood!), and there are fun events happening throughout: Comic Dana Goldberg, CINE-brations LGBT Film Festival—and its parent event the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Sea Witch, Halloween, and the second CAMP Rehoboth Block Party on Baltimore Avenue which is Sunday, October 16. Don’t miss any of these great events!