May 17, 2013

This is the Memorial Day issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, and with its publication we celebrate the start of another summer season. Welcome back to all our summer beach house friends—and to first time visitors—this is a remarkable community and we wish you all a safe and happy summer 2013.

We have much to celebrate this summer, and the biggest reason of all is, of course, that Marriage Equality in Delaware is a done deal! “Signed, sealed and delivered!” On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, HB 75, the Marriage Equality Act, made it through the Delaware Senate by a vote of 12 to 9. Fifteen minutes after its passage, Governor Jack Markell signed HB 75 into law on the steps of Legislative Hall in Dover, in front of a large and very excited crowd of supporters. “I do not intend to make any of you wait one moment longer,” a happy Markell said to the crowd. It was a long and thrilling day, and I was glad to be a part of it. It was a great day for equality in the first state, and as of July 1, full marriage status will be available to same sex partners. Also at that time, Civil Unions performed in the state under the Delaware Civil Union Bill can be exchanged for a marriage certificate. Huge congratulations to all who worked across the state to make marriage equality a reality. I said it in the last issue, and I’ll say it again, thank you to Lisa Goodman and Mark Purpura for their excellent leadership, and to the many folks who worked through Equality Delaware to make this a reality. It is a pleasure to be a part of such a history making team.

To accomplish all the work we do here at CAMP Rehoboth takes money, and we depend on the amazing support we receive from this community. We are currently in the midst of our 2013 Spring Membership Drive, so I’m giving you fair warning that this is a fundraising plea. Like NPR we have to stop the show from time to time, and remind everyone of the critical role membership plays in our ability to be successful at what we do. From our advocacy work with Equality Delaware and other organizations, to our health and community services, and community center, we can’t do it alone. Please, if you haven’t signed up to be a member of CAMP Rehoboth; consider it now, at whatever level you can afford. For current members, please don’t forget to renew your membership or, if possible, upgrade to a higher level. Memberships are available on the CAMP Rehoboth website or by calling the CAMP Rehoboth office. Okay, ad time is over…back to our regularly scheduled programming!

Thanks to PNC Wealth Management, the Black and White Beach Ball will once again be a part of our summer CAMP line-up of events. As it has in the past, the B&WBB will feature the HeART of the Community Art Auction, and the HeART 2013 curators, Murray Archibald, Michael Sprouse, and Ellyn Weiss have been busy lining up a great collection of art for this year’s event. See page 36 for a preview of this year’s art, and make plans to join us at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center on Memorial Day weekend for the Sneak Peek Art Preview party. Tickets to the Black and White Beach Ball on June 3 are available on the CAMP Rehoboth website or by calling CAMP Rehoboth.

Looking ahead, as always, CAMP Rehoboth has a full calendar for the summer season, including: the 2013 Bachelor Auction, the 6 Futcher Drive Pool Party, Abbamania, the CAMP Rehoboth Golf Tournament, and of course, the grand-daddy of them all, Sundance 2013 (and the new and improved Sundance 5k). For information on how to get involved, stop by CAMP Rehoboth or check out the volunteer page on our website.

From all of us at CAMP Rehoboth, we send our best wishes for a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend and a summer filled with sunshine!