The Way I See It by Marj Shannon
I’m seeing it a little brighter and often sunnier these days. (And feeling it a little warmer most days, too!) I’m also simply seeing more: the days actually are longer, at last. My crocuses are about to bloom; the mini-daffodils won’t be far behind. Ah, spring!
This issue brings you news of another cherished spring tradition: Women’s FEST! Finally back full-force and in-person, it promises days of fun, sports, speakers, art, music, and camaraderie. Meet one of the FEST speakers, veteran political strategist Patti Solis Doyle, in David Mariner’s column on page 6. Browse the current line-up of events on 17. Maybe you’re new to FEST, and would like to know its history? We’re here for you! See page 14 for some historic highlights.
Of course, this issue is not all about Women’s FEST, exciting as that is. So, what else is on offer? Well, there’s a new rabbi at Seaside Jewish Community; if you haven’t already met her, Michael Gilles provides an introduction in Before the Beach. And David Garrett profiles local notable Claire Snyder-Brown, Executive Director of Common Cause Delaware, in his Straight Talk column.
CAMP Rehoboth’s own Matty Brown gives us a more in-depth look at Rehoboth Beach’s disappointing score on the HRC’s most recent Municipal Equality Index. Stefani Deoul and Richard Rosendall offer perspectives on efforts to ban books; Robert Dominic invites us to learn about (maybe even join?) Gays Against Guns. Eric Peterson welcomes the abundance of interracial couples he’s seeing on both small and large screens—but would love to see more substance to those relationships.
And don’t miss Clarence Fluker’s poignant column, Words Matter, where he implores us to stop the silence around topics like mental health. As the poet Phyllis McGinley noted, “Words can sting like anything, but silence breaks the heart.”
Looking for something a little lighter? Try Mikey Rox’s interview with Amari Ice, the first Black, gay, certified matchmaker in the entire love industry. Or Matty’s conversation with Monique Fauxnique, whose memoir (Faux Queen) was published in January. Michael Thomas Ford takes us into his basement—it even offers running water! Maybe the spring-like weather has you thinking “lawn-and-garden”? Eric Wahl has some ideas you’ll want to consider.
Heading into spring, I’m hoping you can help us fill the lower right-hand corner of In Brief (page five) in future issues. We want to populate that corner with photos of you—enjoying Letters—at far-flung (or even nearby) locales. So as you prepare (at last!) to travel, pack the latest issue and send us a high res photo along the way—we’d love to see Letters take a road trip or flight or cruise or....
Thanks for reading Letters. I can be reached at editor@camprehoboth.com, if you’d like to let me know what you think.