LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
The Way I See It |
by Steve Elkins, Editor |
To all who have supported and worked for the passage of HB99the bill designed to end discrimination in Delaware based on sexual orientationSenator Robert Venables decision not to release it for further action by the Senate, is very disappointing. A recent article in the Delaware State News shed even more light on the Senator's true character and insensitivity to gay issues. The article was reporting on the House Republican's reapportionment plan, which would ironically change the Senator's district to include Rehoboth Beach. "It's a jab to get back at me..." Venables is quoted as saying. "I would not have thought about drawing in Rehoboth, but it might be a good idea. Maybe I can do some good and straighten them out over there." Hmmm. Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows!
On the cover of this issue is a photograph that reminds us of all the exciting things going on at CAMP Rehoboth. The Community Center is becoming a reality, and the whole project seems to have taken on a life of its own. In our new space on Baltimore Avenue, we get a small taste of what the center will be like, though we are still several years away from actual construction. To get to that groundbreaking point it is important that we continue in our fundraising for the project. As we've reported in several issues now, CAMP Rehoboth is buying the property at 39 Baltimore Avenue. The rental property will pay the mortgage, allowing our capital building fund campaign to focus on raising money for the actual design and construction of The Center. On June 1, The CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project's Founder's Circle will celebrate the end of the first year of its five year campaign to raise a million dollars with The Black and White Beach Ball at the Atlantic Sands Ballroom on Baltimore Avenue. Tickets for the event are $30. Founder's Circle members Friend level and above are complimentary. Highlighting the Black and White Beach Ball will be an art auction called the HeART of the Community. The HeART of the Community project, created by artists Murray Archibald and Sondra Arkin, involves sixteen artists interpreting the house and heart Community Center Project logo. The sixteen original paintings will be auctioned at the Beach Ball and reproduced as a set of greeting cards to be sold to benefit the Community Center Project. For more details about the HeART of the Community project or the Black and White Beach Ball, see page 6. For Murray and me, one of the best things to come out of our CAMP Rehoboth experience has been a more active involvement in the women's community in our area. The recent CAMP Rehoboth Women's Project Event at the Convention Center was a great success and the Women's Project Committee deserves a round of applause for their tremendous efforts. The event was capped off by a concert by singer/songwriter Margie Adam. On page 8 of this issue, Letters Features Editor Fay Jacobs writes about the Women's Conference and the Margie Adam concert. Not many men attended the concert, but I'm glad I was there. I had the pleasure of being Margie's chauffeur while she was in town, and she is a remarkable person and an amazing entertainer. Speaking of being more involved in the women's community, the real truth is that living in a small town like Rehoboth we've gotten more involved in all parts of the community. We are all part of one communitymen, women, straight, gay, young, old, residents and visitorsand that is why the vision of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center Project is to be "the heart of the community." It's why it is so important for us to stay in a visible place in downtown Rehoboth. We have a very exciting year ahead of us. I hope that if you are already involved you will remain so, and if you are not involved you will do so. We all need one another. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 03, April 5, 2002 |