The Way I See It
These days, I’m seeing it more brightly in the evenings—yay Daylight Savings Time!
I know there are many downsides to shifting the clock twice yearly, and I’d adjust if we settled on a single time. But I have to admit: these longer evenings are so welcome after winter’s gloom. As are the other signs of spring—Women’s FEST among them.
It’s great to see that annual (till a couple fateful years ago…) tradition resume. And wonderful to see the women who flock to it converge once again on our beaches, boardwalk, dancefloors, playing fields, concert halls, and meeting rooms.
Need just a few quiet moments amidst the fun and sun? Stop by the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery to see FEST Art 2022!—a fabulous exhibit featuring works selected by juror Rebecca Davidson from more than 100 artworks submitted. It’s a stunning show—you won’t want to miss it.
Want to wrap up the weekend with some final fun? Rehoboth’s Fay Jacobs returns from her Florida winter get-away just in time to entertain her audience at the close of Women’s FEST.
However you choose to spend Women’s FEST—welcome back! It’s so very good to see you again.
We have another “welcome back” in this issue—the LGBTQ+ YA column resumes, written by CAMP Rehoboth’s Youth Peer Leader, Julian Harbaugh. Julian contributed several memorable columns last year—remember their fancy rats? We’re looking forward to seeing what Julian brings us in 2022.
Speaking of Florida get-aways—others among us also head south, come winter. Rich Barnett was there long enough to tour through an abode in Key West we all might envy. See page 30 for a glimpse of grandeur. Maybe you’ll be inspired to create some garden grandeur for your own place? Eric Wahl has some ideas—ones that might also provide a buffer between you and your neighbor.
Or perhaps some sumptuous dining holds appeal? Ed Castelli has some (scrumptious) ideas; see his Sea Salt Table column on page 16. If you’d prefer to leave the cooking to someone else—see Dining Out for one local destination that wowed the writer.
Eager to get outdoors, now that the weather’s more conducive to an outing? JuneRose Futcher recommends sailing—see Be a Sport! (page 50). Though it turns out sailing is an all-weather sport for some—“Frostbiting,” anyone?
In this issue we also give a nod to the pioneering women—musicians, producers, engineers, and more—who (literally) got women’s music on the charts. See Michael Gilles’s feature on Radical Harmonies for a look back at the women’s music movement of the 1970s. And Beth Shockley shares the tale of her youthful discovery of Janis Ian’s music—and sexuality—and how important both were to her teen-age, Salisbury, Maryland self.
Tom Kelch brings us another chapter in his Guest House Chronicles; this one introduces us to the building’s incarnation as the Paradise Guest House. And Ann Aptaker, in celebration of Lesbian Visibility Day (April 26), brings us—well, visible lesbians! Specifically, pictures of women who boldly posed for photographs despite the strictures of their times and cultures.
If you’re a high school junior or senior hoping for scholarship funds, there’s a competition afoot for this year’s Fay Jacobs LGBTQ Youth Journalism Scholarship award. Submissions are due May 8, so head on over to page 4 for more info and crank up that keyboard.
The next issue of Letters kicks off our ramped-up summer publication schedule, with a new issue coming out every three weeks through August. All the more fun, sun, and summer to share with our readers.
Meanwhile, if you have anything you want to share with us—you can reach me at editor@camprehoboth.com. It’d be great to hear from you.