June 27, 2008

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth

The Way I See It

With the demise of large dance clubs in the area, love is also one of the few places where we can all still assemble together on the dance floor. In his CAMPmatters column, Murray writes about the people of our community and how important it is for us to get together from time to time in celebrationbe it on a dance floor or otherwise.

Speaking of celebrationthe beautiful weather this summer is keeping the work moving on the new wing of the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, and every day progress can be seen. The best vantage point for keeping an eye on the construction is from the CAMP Courtyard, so grab a coffee or a sandwich from Lori’s Caf (and the latest copy of Letters), pull up a chair under one of the brightly colored CAMP umbrellas, and enjoy the view. Don’t forget, CAMP Rehoboth provides free WiFi in the Courtyard, making it the perfect place to stay in touch with the beach community and get a little work done at the same time. For a closer look at the new construction, personal tours by members of the CAMP Rehoboth staff are easily arranged.

A few issues ago I mentioned we had just finished conducting sensitivity training for the policesomething we’ve done for many years. Next week, Fay Jacobs and I will be doing the same for the Delaware State Park police. Issues facing the park police and the city police aren’t always the same, and without going into any detail, let me just remind everyone that there are no nude beaches in the Rehoboth area. As I said earlier in the season, no matter how much diversity training an officer has received, it won’t keep anyone from getting arrested if caught breaking the law.

National HIV Testing Day, June 27, focused attention on the fact that HIV infection among gay men is again on the rise. Though testing day is over, our CAMPsafe director Sal Seeley and his team, want to remind everyone that here at CAMP Rehoboth most every day is testing day. Memorial Day weekend may be the official start of the summer season, but we all know that the July 4th weekend is when the fun really startsso don’t ruin it by not knowing your HIV status or by taking unnecessary chances. Have fun, but play smart, and call Sal if you have any question or concerns about getting tested for HIV. For a testing schedule or for information about CAMPsafe visit the CAMPsafe Web site at campsafereho.com. CAMPsafe is a state funded program of CAMP Rehoboth and provides condoms and HIV prevention materials all over the area.

For the last 30 years, Murray and I have been devoted fans of NBC News and, like so many others, were deeply saddened by the death of NBC Washington News Bureau Chief Tim Russert. What was interesting to me about the coverage of his death was the genuine respect and honor given to him in the remembrances by his family, friends and colleagues. So often our culture honors the celebrity for celebrities’ sake alone and not for their contribution to the world. Tim was a great man and top of his field. We trusted him and his opinion, and will miss him and his little white board in the upcoming election.

LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 18, No. 08 June 27, 2008