September is one of my favorite months to be in Rehoboth Beach; the weather this time of year (as long as there are no hurricanes!) is beautiful, the crowds are gone, and all the businesses are still open and lively. At CAMP Rehoboth, we have finished with Sundance and our other summer events, and Letters has returned to its off-season schedule of once a month instead of biweekly as it is throughout the summer.
Except for the thunderstorm that put a quick end to Drag Volleyball, Labor Day weekend was beautiful and the summer ended on a high note. We are especially happy that Sundance was another huge success, and words of thanks are inadequate when it comes to expressing our gratitude to all the folks who pitched in to make it happen—and to help us clear over $145,000! With hundreds of Sponsors, Supporters, Hosts, volunteers, auction donors, and attendees, the event is clearly a community project, and Murray and I, along with the CAMP Rehoboth Board of Directors and staff, and all the Sundance Team Captains, are simply awed by the support Sundance receives. Please take a look at the list of supporters, volunteers, and auction donors; Sundance couldn’t happen without them.
There are always many high points to the Sundance Auction. Tthis year one of them was the quilt crafted from past Sundance t-shirts by Eric Korpon and Steven Haber. The quilt was the first live auction item of the night, and brought an amazing $6,000. Topping even that, the spectacular European cruise from Accent on Travel and Celebrity Cruises raised almost $7,000. Plus, we even had a marriage proposal in the middle of the auction! It was not the first, but it was heartfelt and moving to witness. Congratulations to Anne Jacobi and Christine Cox!
Speaking of Accent on Travel, don’t forget the CAMP Rehoboth South American Cruise planned for January of 2015. That may seem like a long time away, but early booking discounts mean better prices, so don’t wait. The 14 day trip begins in Santiago, circles Cape Horn, and ends in Buenos Aries, and includes several special CAMP parties and dinners, as well as many options to customize the experience for everyone participating. Knowing some of the folks already signed up, it’s going to be a blast! Annette and Rick Stellhorn of Accent on Travel are experts at cruises, and will make it a trip to remember—they’ve also just opened a new office on Rehoboth Avenue. Information about the cruise is available on the CAMP Rehoboth website.
The Delaware Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, marital status, creed, age, sexual orientation and gender identity. For anyone buying, selling, or renting a house or an apartment or condo, it is important to understand what that means. Since sexual orientation and gender identity have only recently been added to that list it is especially important for LGBT people and real estate agents to understand what the Fair Housing Act means. On Wednesday, September 25, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., the Delaware Human Relations Commission will present an LGBT Fair Housing Training Forum and Luncheon at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. To register for the free luncheon, call 302-227-5620, or email Steve Elkins.
The summer season always seems to fly by, and this summer seemed to be an especially swift one. Sometimes we get so busy with deadlines and all the busyness of the summer, I’m afraid I forget to say thank you, not just to all the people who worked to make Sundance a success, as I did above, but to all the members of this community who work so diligently to make this a great place to live and to make CAMP Rehoboth a successful organization. We are blessed to live in a generous and loving community, and I’m thankful to be a part of it.