Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 31, No. 9

Baubles, Bangles & Beads Candy Is Dandy Those Autumn Leaves

C R E A T I N G

A

M O R E

P O S I T I V E

R E H O B O T H

October 22, 2021 Volume 31, Number 9 camprehoboth.com

inside

THIS ISSUE

4 In Brief

VOLUME 31, NUMBER 9 • OCTOBER 22, 2021

46 Writing an Authentic Memoir

6 Intentionally Inclusive

JANE KNAUS

48 Before the Beach

Looking at the Bigger Picture

Reverend Heather Rion Starr: A Woman of Substance

WES COMBS

8 CAMP News

MICHAEL GILLES

10 Community News

50 The Real Dirt

12 Who’s That?

That’s CAMP!

ERIC W. WAHL

Reaching Out…Finding Resources

October in the Chair

52 Straight Talk

Oh, Those Crazy Christians

Pride at Firefly, see page 4.

DAVID GARRETT

ANITA BROCCOLINO

14 Out & About

22 Health & Wellness

28 Volunteer Spotlight

MARJ SHANNON

KAREN LAITMAN

Glorious Horror

The Masks We Wear

16 ‘Tis the Season

24 Visiting View

ERIC PETERSON

The Big Boo! Is Coming FAY JACOBS

18 Out & Proud

Halloween-Queers That Go Bump in the Night

ROBERT DOMINIC

26 A (Former) Sporty Gal Sunday, Sunday BETH SHOCKLEY

STEFANI DEOUL

DOUG YETTER

68 Booked Solid TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

80 Dress for (Halloween) Success MIKEY ROX

82 We Remember

30 Halloween Happenings

It’s a Monster Mash MICHAEL GILLES

34 Words Matter

Dating Doesn’t Have to Be So Scary CLARENCE FLUKER

It’s a Hilarious DRAG at Top of The Pines FAY JACOBS

40 It’s My Life

I Wanna Trick or Treat All Nite MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

Letters from CAMP Rehoboth welcomes submissions. Email editor@camprehoboth.com.

Photographs must be high resolution (300 dpi).

Documents should be sent as attachments in Microsoft Word®. Deadline for submissions is two weeks prior to the issue release date.

66 CAMP Arts

Gayest Costumes 2021

Not Just Horsing Around

36 Dining Out

Letters 2 OCTOBER 22, 2021

64 Q-Puzzle

54 Historical Headliners

ON THE COVER

ANN APTAKER

Photo by Murray Archibald.

Behind the mask: Mary Beth Ramsey and Sondra Arkin.

Truth in Vogueing: William Dorsey Swann

Trick-or-treat!

56 Sporty Gals Victorious STEFANI DEOUL

58 CAMP Critters 60 CAMPshots Fall: Fun & Festive

PUBLISHER David Mariner EDITOR Marj Shannon EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Matty Brown DESIGN AND LAYOUT Mary Beth Ramsey ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Tricia Massella DISTRIBUTION Mark Wolf CONTRIBUTORS: Ann Aptaker, Murray Archibald, Anita Broccolino, Matty Brown, Wes Combs, Stefani Deoul, Robert Dominic, Clarence Fluker, Michael Thomas Ford, David Garrett, Michael Gilles, Fay Jacobs, Jane Knaus, Karen Laitman, Tricia Massella, Eric Peterson, Mary Beth Ramsey, Mikey Rox, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Marj Shannon, Beth Shockley, Eric W. Wahl, Doug Yetter

Letters from CAMP Rehoboth is published 11 times per year, between February and December, as a program of CAMP Rehoboth Inc., a non-profit community service organization. CAMP Rehoboth seeks to create a more positive environment of cooperation and understanding among all people. Revenue generated by advertisements supports CAMP Rehoboth’s purpose as outlined in our mission statement.

The inclusion or mention of any person, group, or business in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth does not, nor is it intended to in any way, sexual orientation or gender identity. The content of the columns are the views and opinions of the writers and may not indicate the position of CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. © 2021 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved by CAMP Rehoboth. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the editor.

The Way I See It

CAMP REHOBOTH

MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE

BY MARJ SHANNON, EDITOR

MISSION CAMP Rehoboth is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization dedicated to creating a positive environment inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities in Rehoboth Beach and its related communities. We seek to promote cooperation and understanding among all people, as we work to build a safer community with room for all.

VISION We create proud and safe communities where gender identity and sexual orientation are respected.

PURPOSE Promoting the health and wellness of our community through a variety of programs including HIV and STI testing and counseling, mental health support, fitness classes, mindfulness classes, support for LGBTQ youth, and building community and support.

Promoting artistic expressions and creative thinking, and giving aid to artists and craftspeople with an emphasis on the works of LGBTQ people.

Advocating for our community to build a safe and inclusive community through voter information, education, and registration; and analysis of issues and candidates.

Education and outreach to the larger community, including sensitivity training seminars, and printed materials to promote positive images of LGBTQ people and our allies.

Networking resources and information by publishing a newsletter, and functioning as an alternative tourist bureau and information center.

As October rolls along, I’m seeing things more and more dimly—especially in the evenings.

It’s always annoyed me that, just as we can finally step outside once again without gasping in the heat, the world I’m eager to step back into is—well, dark. I don’t like to start my “evenings” at 4:30 p.m., but soon that’s as late as I’ll want to commence the evening dog walk. I live in a somewhat rural area; there are no sidewalks or streetlights. So—safety demands an earlier walk, and I’ll comply. But I won’t like it.

There are many things I do like about fall, though—crisp air; heather-tone leaves; cooler temps; the last blooms in my garden—goldenrod, frost asters, a single Stella d’Oro lily, a self-seeded tiny white begonia. I’ll enjoy resurfacing a few favorite sweaters I packed away months ago. There’s also the prospect of some upcoming major holidays with their attendant get-togethers. I’m looking forward to this year’s more than ever, given last year’s sparse gatherings. Fingers crossed the COVID counts are down.

One of those holidays—Halloween—is nearly upon us and features in many of this issue’s columns. We’ve got everything from scary movies to 2021’s go-to costumes to a roundup of local festivities. There are treats galore awaiting you in these pages, and no tricks—beyond the crossword, anyway.

But it’s not all about Halloween—check out Before the Beach for Michael Gilles’s interview with someone new to our area, and Sporty Gals for a story on the Blue Herons—our State Senior Olympics Softball Champs! Karen Laitman tells us about the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding program, located in Milton. CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program volunteers help at the program’s facilities on occasion; it’s easy to see why they enjoy doing so. And Fay fills us in on the delights that await at The Top of The Pines’ Drag Brunch.

Speaking of drag—stop by Ann Aptaker’s column, Historical Headliners, and meet William Dorsey Swann. A one-time slave, Dorsey organized America’s first drag balls, beginning around 1880, in DC. Take a moment to celebrate him as you choose your festive finery this season; as you’ll read, he was about way more than just the costumes.

PRESIDENT Chris Beagle VICE PRESIDENT Wesley Combs SECRETARY Mike DeFlavia TREASURER Natalie Moss, CPA AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Jane Blue, Pat Catanzariti, Jason Darion Mathis-White, David Garrett, Leslie Ledogar, David Mariner (non-voting), Tara Sheldon, Leslie Sinclair and Bea Vuocolo EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR David Mariner DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Anita Broccolino

There’s entertainment news in these pages, too—art exhibits, theatre performances, concerts, films—the cautious optimism inherent in these listings is another thing I’m welcoming this fall.

I love the great outdoors and am deeply grateful I could spend so much time there last year when other venues were shuttered. But this year, I’m hoping to enjoy some indoor fun, too. Of course, I’ll keep my mask handy and follow whatever safe practices are required; I just got my COVID booster and flu vaccination. I hope to see you out-and-about, too, whether on the trail or in a gallery or concert hall.

Happy Halloween!

CAMP REHOBOTH 37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 tel 302-227-5620 | fax 302-227-5604 email editor@camprehoboth.com | www.camprehoboth.com

CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to CAMP Rehoboth are considered charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes and may be deducted to the fullest extent of the law.

A copy of our exemption document is available for public inspection.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

3 Letters

Bear Weekend

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oming out of hibernation, this year’s Bear Weekend was a great success for the Rehoboth Beach Bears. Featuring social events at The Pines, Atlantic Sands Hotel, and the Elkins-Archibald Atrium, the week united a community that had been missing these celebrations during a year’s absence.

Throughout September and part of October, the CAMP Rehoboth Art Gallery hosted the annual Bear Art Show.

The show featured renowned local artists including Richard Thibodeau, Scott G. Brooks, Done Twine, Jeffrey Moore, Yona Zucker, and Blam-O. On September 16, 18, and 19, Rehoboth Beach Bears stopped by CAMP Rehoboth to enjoy and buy art, and socialize with the community. ▼

Pride at Firefly

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rom September 23-26, the CAMP Rehoboth Young Professionals Group staffed a booth at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware. This year’s festivities marked the first time any major music festival boasted a Pride Parade, and it also marked the first time Firefly introduced The Good Hub, where non-profits could raise awareness and educate attendees about their individual causes.

“Music is one of the strongest things on Earth that can bring people together; everyone should feel safe to participate in that,” said Michelle Manfredi, who organized CAMP Rehoboth’s booth.

Michelle is an art teacher, a member of

CAMP Rehoboth’s Young Professionals Group, a youth advocate with the YOUTH Up program, and an artist with CAMP Rehoboth’s Handmade Market.

This year’s Firefly line-up embraced LGBTQ diversity, featuring artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Girl In Red, Claud, and Remi Wolf. RuPaul’s Drag Race queens Monique Heart and LaLa Ri served as Pride Parade grand marshals, as well as performing multiple sets throughout the weekend.

“I’ve always felt at home at Firefly, but this year was special,” Michelle said. “I felt represented and seen. I cannot wait to see what Firefly has planned for next year,” she added. ▼

CAMP Rehoboth Has Its Own Dogfish Head Beer

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ou read that right! CAMP Rehoboth has its own beer this season, launched on October 20. Not only did a percentage of all food and beverages from the October launch event benefit CAMP Rehoboth, but through the end of December, a percentage of each sale of the seasonal Au Courant beer sold will also help support CAMP Rehoboth’s community services and health and Letters 4 OCTOBER 22, 2021

wellness programs.

Dogfish Head’s specialty seasonal brew, Au Courant, includes CAMP Rehoboth on the label. If you grab a four-pack to-go of Au Courant beer or enjoy a pint of Au Courant while at the pub at Chesapeake & Maine or the Dogfish Head emPOURium, your purchases will help support CAMP Rehoboth. ▼

WEDDINGS

MICHAEL AND CASEY TIE THE KNOT! After 33.33 years together, Michael Breeland and Casey Warner of York, Pennsylvania, were wed in a ceremony in the CAMP Rehoboth Elkins-Archibald Atrium on September 16. The private ceremony was officiated by Glen Pruitt.

The couple lit candles to honor their union and were surrounded by a small gathering of supportive friends and family.

Congrats, Michael and Casey!

SPEAKOut Block Party Cancelled for a Third Year

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AMP Rehoboth staff and volunteers were not the only ones disappointed when the threat of weather forced the cancellation of the much-loved and long-anticipated Block Party 2021. Supporters expressed their disappointment over the cancellation of the beloved CAMP Rehoboth event. “It was a very difficult call to make,” said Board and Event Chair, Chris Beagle. “But we had to look out for the safety of our vendors, volunteers, and participants.”

Approximately a quarter of the vendors had decided to cancel their participation and a third of the entertainers had done the same prior to the full event being cancelled late-evening, October 9.

A big thanks goes out to all of the vendors, performers, and sponsors who had planned to participate. CAMP Rehoboth Development Director Anita Broccolino added, “We were fortunate to have great support this year for the Block Party from many previous—and even a few new—sponsors. Sponsors included Beebe Healthcare, IG Burton Mercedes and BMW, COMPASS/Chris Beagle Group, The Pines, RB/AQUA, ToneyTotal Health, Coastal Care Dermatology, and Lighthouse Catering.” ▼

Celebrating Delaware Pride

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n October 2, Delaware Pride celebrated being out, visible, and proud.

The event took place at Legislative Hall in Dover, and the day’s festivities included performances by Magnolia Applebottom, Miss Troy, Manhattan Prairie Dogs, Josh Zuckerman, Anthony Cherri, and many more.

At the CAMP Rehoboth booth, folks got the chance to receive some Pride goodies and sign up for the chance to learn about CAMP Rehoboth’s resources. CAMP Rehoboth aims to allow everyone to be Proud every day of the year. So Happy Pride to you, whatever day you’re reading this. ▼

To the Editor:

To the Editor:

I read with interest Stefani Deoul’s article in the September 24th edition of Letters regarding #18IsLife. It was a timely piece and I appreciate her attempt at educating the readers about the Jewish tradition of donating in multiples of 18 to honor life in all forms.

Ms. Deoul missed an opportunity to highlight some of the good work that Seaside Jewish Community does in Sussex County. We have over 600 individual members and have an active partnership with Epworth’s food rescue and soup kitchen. Many of the food rescue and soup kitchen volunteers are members of Seaside.

Our Chesed and Community Services committees often support efforts such as providing meals to Code Purple during winter months and clothing drives for Clothing Our Kids.

We also have a strong relationship with other faith partners in Sussex and Kent Counties and play a major role in planning Peace Week Delaware every year.

Seaside Jewish Community also welcomes and embraces members of the LGBT+ community. Our Social Action Committee sponsors Pride Shabbat which coincides with Delaware Pride and honors the lives and memories of those who have worked for equality and died because of acts of hate toward our LGBT+ martyrs.

Seaside Jewish Community is a place for all and we look forward to meeting members of the community who have not yet visited us during any of our programs or events happening throughout the year.

Unbeknownst to most, I have been conducting an experiment of sorts. In fact, you may already have taken part.

Upon moving to Rehoboth Beach with my husband Mark in 2019, I decided to immerse myself in the small town feel by smiling and saying “Hello” to those I pass on the street. My smile’s neither that of a Cheshire cat nor is it that of a slick salesperson but rather it’s an expression of the joy I feel living in such an awesome LGBTQ community such as ours.

So as not to startle anyone, I wait for the passerby to become aware of me. Then, instead of looking away and ignoring the person, I allow a gentle smile to appear upon my face followed by an equally sincere greeting. Then something unexplainable happens.

While the entire interaction takes mere seconds (between the moment the first connection is made until the moment when the other person smiles) time actually seems to slow down.

It’s like I’m Jaime Sommers from The Bionic Woman, and the two of us are moving in slow motion. Equally as fascinating is the genuine gladness on the faces of those who do return a smile. That initial joy of living in Rehoboth, mentioned earlier, is now ricocheting from them right back to me.

Simply astounding.

My success rate is hovering in the vicinity of 40 percent. Of the 60 percent of “non-smilers,” most simply ignore me. The rest interestingly enough look puzzled. It’s this latter group that both saddens and spurs me on.

Please receive my smile in the spirit in which it is intended. Take it with you and pass it on. I am looking forward to the day when someone catches me off guard by offering a friendly smile and “Hello.” Will it be you?

Todd Hacker Executive Vice President Seaside Jewish Community

Glenn Lash

Send letters to the editor (up to 300 words) to editor@camprehoboth.com OCTOBER 22, 2021

5 Letters

Intentionally Inclusive

BY WESLEY COMBS

Looking at the Bigger Picture

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amily means the world to me.

I came from a relatively small family as both of my parents were only children. My closest relatives were first cousins once removed, second cousins, and second cousins once removed. None of them lived in the same city where I grew up, so it was only when I entered college that I met and became close to those on my father’s side of the family.

From day one these newfound cousins welcomed me with open arms, and I am forever grateful. Which is why it pains me to see families who become estranged over simple things that get compounded over time. To be fair, it is easy to sum it up like this when you are an outsider looking in, but it still leaves me wondering how I would have reacted if the same situation happened to me in my family.

Recently someone close to me (I will refer to him as Sam) shared this story that gave me a new perspective on dealing with challenging relationships.

Sam is one of three brothers who suddenly lost their father about two years ago. At the time, their parents were separated which made the tragic death more devastating for each child.

As close as these brothers were, they grieved in vastly different ways creating resentment and anger between them.

During COVID, Sam’s relationship with his oldest brother became more challenging to the point where they stopped speaking. Sam did everything he could to rekindle their bond (including seeking support from a therapist) to no avail. I just wanted to shake some sense into each of them as this continued to drag on.

Just last week, Sam shared with me that he and his oldest brother had begun speaking again. When I asked what had changed, Sam was not sure but had a hunch. You see, his brother is a doctor who lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his wife and three-yearold daughter. During COVID, Sam’s Letters 6 OCTOBER 22, 2021

brother was on the front lines and fearful he might expose his family to the virus and living in cramped quarters.

Whether it was insight gained from therapy or just plain hindsight, Sam chalked the rift up to a combination of dealing with their dad’s death and the added strain caused by COVID. Sam made an intentional decision to move forward and not revisit the past to preserve the relationship. Sam’s smile was further evidence that “blood is thicker than water.”

In an instant, decades-long relationships came to an abrupt and ugly end.

The past five years have put relationships of all kinds to the test like never in my lifetime. The election of 2016 was the first body blow as family members, colleagues, and friends duked it out as the then new administration flexed its muscles.

For me personally, I watched in utter horror as long-fought advances in civil rights protections for LGBTQ people started getting stripped away one at a time. As someone who worked for decades tirelessly alongside countless activists to secure parity in the workplace and at the altar, the repeated gut punches were emotionally and physically debilitating.

All I had to do was look at Facebook with people in my stream to see the toll political discourse was having on friends and family member because their politics ran counter to their values.

In an instant, decades-long relationships came to an abrupt and ugly end. My perspective on the great divide shifted

while attending a 2017 workplace diversity conference in Minneapolis.

There was a panel discussion moderated by CNN’s Van Jones about the current political environment and how it was impacting workplace culture. One of the panelists was NBC national reporter Jacob Rascon, who was assigned to cover Trump rallies during the election season. Rascon described his typical day of arriving a few hours before the start of a rally and interviewing attendees as they arrived.

What he said next made a lasting impression on my outlook on life. Jacob said that almost without exception the people he spoke with at the time were not evil or even hateful people. “The media branded those who attend these rallies as Trump Supporters but from my vantage point, these were people who happened to support Trump,” Rascon added.

His point was clear: too many Democrats assumed they had nothing in common with Trump voters without even trying to find out. The result is the painfully divided country we all live in today. What’s worse is that COVID further cemented in place the already deeply divided lines.

My decision to become an executive coach has provided not only a coping mechanism but a way forward that helps me keep my sanity and health. Instead of dwelling on what I cannot control, I have made the intentional decision to focus on what I can control: my reaction to these situations. ▼ Wesley Combs, a CAMP Rehoboth Board member, is a diversity and inclusion expert, executive coach, and a passionate social justice advocate. He is the founding principal of Combs Advisory Services where he works with clients who share his values of enabling equity, equality, and opportunity in the workplace and the community.

“I kissed a girl and I liked it”

Terry M Isner | Philip Morton Gallery Opening Night, Friday, October 29 | 6pm to 8pm Sea Witch Weekend | Rehoboth Beach, DE 47 Baltimore Ave. | 302-727-0905 OCTOBER 22, 2021

7 Letters

CAMPNews CROP Returns to Delaware Botanic Gardens

SAVE THE DATE

Tiny Beautiful Things, November 5-7

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n Tuesday, November 16, a team of CROP volunteers will return to the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) to help staff and other volunteers plant bulbs. The goal is to plant 85,000 bulbs during the month of November. DBG is a world-class, inspirational, educational, and sustainable public botanic garden in southern Delaware, created for the benefit and enjoyment of all. For more information and to sign up, go to https://signup.com/go/PHDAOpR. ▼

Gwen Osborne

Matty Brown

CHORUS NEWS

CAMP Rehoboth Chorus

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AMP Rehoboth Chorus has appointed Jeff Buhrman as its new Assistant Director. In this role, Jeff will assist CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Musical and Artistic Director Doug Yetter in preparing for shows, rehearsals, and more. Jeff comes from DC, where he was the artistic director for the Gay Men’s Chorus of DC for many years.

The chorus is very grateful for the work done by former Assistant Director Neil Frock over the years.

Elections were held at the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus’s Annual Meeting on September 19, and the chorus welcomes new Leadership Committee members Matt Brown and Dave Minges. They join Dave Scuccimarra, Judy Olson, Dianna Johnston, Bill Fuchs, and Sandra Skidmore.

Rehearsals have begun for the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus’s Presidents’ Day concert, February 18-20, 2022. Be on the lookout for a great show! ▼

Jeff Buhrman

Letters 8 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Diana Counts

Rick Welk

AMP Rehoboth Theatre and the Robert Hoffer Theatre Fund present Tiny Beautiful Things, a stage adaptation by Nia Vardalos of the book by Cheryl Strayed. The play, directed

by Russell Stiles, shares the real-life letters written to Sugar (portrayed by Gwen Osborne) and the vulnerable, empathetic ways in which she responds.

The play opens as the character agrees to take on the role of Sugar. The benefits? No pay or byline—just sincere communication between her and the people at the end of the notes in her inbox. The letters rush in and Sugar begins to read.

The stories are voiced by actors Matty Brown, Diana Counts, and Rick Welk. Some writers wonder, what is love and what’s it all about? Others ask, “Should I share my story of sexual assault?” The play culminates in a letter from Living Dead Dad, whose 22-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver.

Sugar doesn’t respond in the ways we might expect. She reaches into herself and shares intensely personal stories— the ones layered in pain and heartbreak—and reminds her audience that we aren’t alone in how we feel. And we never have been.

Performances are November 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., and November 7 at 2:00 p.m. All performances are at the ElkinsArchibald Atrium, CAMP Rehoboth. Tickets are available online at camprehoboth.com. ▼ *COVID Safety: This event will follow whatever safety protocols are in place on performance dates. CAMP Rehoboth staff and volunteers supporting this event are fully vaccinated. We encourage everyone to get vaccinated and remind you that at present all attendees are required to wear masks indoors at CAMP Rehoboth.

More stringent guidelines may be in effect at the time of this event.

Women’s FEST: April 2022

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uz girls just wanna have fun! Cyndi Lauper may as well have been referring to CAMP Rehoboth’s Women’s FEST 2022, which is shaping up to be quite the extravaganza. With the dates set for April 7-10, newly announced talent for this annual Rehoboth Beach touchstone event includes LGBTQ activist and country music star Chely Wright, and comedy trio Funny Girlz. The opening night dance event and a singles dance are in the works, along with Pickleball, Golf, and Cornhole Tournaments. Some new events are in the works as well.

New volunteers are welcome and encouraged to get involved and be a part of making 2022 a great comeback year. Planning is being led by this year’s new Chairperson, Lisa Soens, with advisory support from previous chairs Nancy Hewish and Fay Jacobs. Here’s your chance to infuse new ideas and activities into the mix. Volunteers interested in participating in key leadership and/or supporting roles should email: development@camprehoboth.com and include “WF 2022 Volunteer” in the subject line. ▼

Middletown Office Now Open!

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Middletown Office 272 Carter Drive, Suite 200 Middletown, DE 19709 BrandywineUC.com | 302-652-8990 OCTOBER 22, 2021

9 Letters

CommunityNews Rehoboth Reflections Winners

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ourteen photos submitted to the Rehoboth Reflections photo competition have been selected to be featured in the City of Rehoboth Beach’s 2022 calendar.

The photos include a variety of locations and subject matters and collectively portray what makes Rehoboth Beach special to so many.

While the city’s 2022 calendar won’t be out until December, the winning photos can be viewed at cityofrehoboth.com/ rehoboth-reflections.

“We were really pleased and grateful for the enthusiasm shown for the photo competition and for the wonderful Rehoboth area perspectives that were shared,” says Communications Specialist Lynne Coan. “Rehoboth is certainly a photogenic community, and we loved the variety of iconic locations and experiences that were captured in the submitted photographs.”

The City of Rehoboth Beach has reopened the Rehoboth Reflections

Silver Lake Fog by Geri Dibiase.

competition and is now accepting photo submissions for the 2023 calendar.

Photographers may submit up to three photos each year. Eighty-two individuals submitted 152 photos to the city’s inaugural Rehoboth Reflections competition.

The deadline for photo submissions for the 2023 calendar is September 9, 2022. Photos may be submitted at cityofrehoboth.com/rehobothreflections. ▼

Community Unity Dinner

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ehoboth Beach Main Street will host the Community Unity Dinner on Sunday, December 5, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Join friends, neighbors, and downtown merchants for this annual pasta dinner, which includes children’s activities, holiday music, a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, performances from The Nutcracker and by the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and an ice cream bar. Tickets are $20.00 per person, and free for children under 10. Dinner will be provided by the Big Fish Charitable Foundation.

Tickets can be purchased after November 1 at www.downtownrb.com or by contacting the RBMS Office (302-2272772). For more information, contact Jen Carroll at jcarrollpink@gmail.com. ▼

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) has announced that Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7. Call DMAB at (302) 6747364 to find plans and to more easily compare Part D prescription plans for cost, coverage, and convenience, Medicare Advantage Plans for extra benefits, changes in network providers, co-pays, and more. ▼

Delaware HIV Planning Council Announces New Chair

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he HIV Planning Council (HPC) has announced Adrienne Wallace as its new chair, beginning January 2022. Ms. Wallace will be shadowing current chair, Glen Pruitt, through December 2021.

“Glen has served as the HPC chair for three years and I cannot thank him enough for his contribution to the planning council,” Jordan Hines, Manager of Community Planning at Delaware HIV Consortium, said. “HPC has achieved great things with Glen at the helm, and I know HPC will continue to exceed its goals during and after this transition.”

Letters 10 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Ms. Wallace has worked in various fields of public health. She previously was a senior health planner for the US Department of Health and Human Services, and a senior epidemiologist/ research associate for Nemours Office of Health Equity and Inclusion/A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital. She is now CEO of Kidz Korner Healthcare Consulting, LLC. The company provides consultation services focusing on statistics, policy, and improving the quality of healthcare organizations and biopharmaceutical companies. ▼

Photo: Voxinferior, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Mysterious History

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n Saturday, October 30, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs presents the program, “Mysteries of History.” Walking tours explore the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Tours leave from Zwaanendael Museum at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

This program is free, but registration is required and limited to 12 people. Reservations may be made by calling 302-645-1148 no later than October 29. ▼

OCTOBER 22, 2021

11 Letters

WHO’s That?... That’s CAMP!

BY ANITA BROCCOLINO, CAMP REHOBOTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Reaching Out…Finding Resources

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AMP Rehoboth is proud to announce a national and local resource guide available for members of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.

Where do most of us begin when we have a pressing need for LGBTQ+ specific information, support, providers, or even crisis help? If you live in Delaware, you may well pick up the phone and call CAMP Rehoboth, the only LGBTQ+ community center in the state.

But what if it’s during hours the center is closed? Well now, thanks to CAMP Rehoboth’s Health & Wellness YOUTH Up program, a newly updated CAMP Rehoboth LGBTQ+ local and national resource guide (LGBTQ+ Resources 2021) is available on the CAMP Rehoboth website.

According to Barbara Antiltz, former CAMP Rehoboth Youth Coordinator, “This guide offers information and resources to assist youth, community stakeholders, practitioners, family members, and others to locate services that help support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth and adults. In the new guide, one can find phone numbers, websites, and contact information for a myriad of local resources including 24-hour crisis helplines, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health, support groups, national and local political and advocacy organizations, and more.”

CAMP Rehoboth prides itself on its long history of making not only Rehoboth Beach and the surrounding community more inclusive, welcoming, and safe, but for extending its reach beyond Sussex County to help all LGBTQ+ people of all ages. Due to its fine reputation, solid programs, and direct services, CAMP Rehoboth is increasingly called upon not only to offer support, classes, and programming to the community, but also to act as a clearinghouse for outside resources.

Antlitz, who was instrumental in establishing CAMP Rehoboth’s Youth Program, well-respected throughout the Letters 12 OCTOBER 22, 2021

state, attested to the growing need that parents, students, their families, and educators are seeking to address. “I am in daily contact with an increasing number of families, teachers, and youth who are in varying stages of learning about themselves and/or their children, some in crisis, and needing our support services and resources. We are committed to helping and dedicated to doing it in the best way possible,” she said. “In addition to what we offer at CAMP Rehoboth, I’ve been researching, vetting, and keeping a running list of national and regional

“Too often I see members of the Delaware LGBTQ+ community going out-of-state for support because they aren’t aware of the local organizations that could help them.” resources, which I added to regularly. As the calls increased, I knew it was time to make all of that information more easily accessible, and to constantly update the listings. That is how the youth-led resource guide was initially born.”

Antlitz enlisted one of the newest staff members at CAMP Rehoboth, Julian Kay Harbaugh, to help with the project.

Julian took Antlitz’s list of resources, confirmed the contact details, and made it a viable resource for the community.

CAMP Rehoboth partners regularly with NAMI, the Delaware National Alliance on Mental Illness. As October is National Mental Health Month, it was the perfect

time to announce the project and make the guide available.

“Although formal support through institutions, including the government, is growing in Delaware,” said Harbaugh, “finding credible information and support can still be a struggle. Too often I see members of the Delaware LGBTQ+ community going out-of-state for support because they aren’t aware of the local organizations that could help them. That is why this resource guide is such an important collection of places, people, and sites that those seeking help can go to for information and support.”

“I didn’t know, prior to researching this project, the number of hotlines available for people in crisis, including LGBTQ+ youth.” said Julian. “As someone with a hearing impairment, I’ve never looked into hotlines for myself—but now there are apparently text-lines and online chatlines, which is really awesome for Deaf/hard of hearing people, and those with calling anxiety.”

Both Barbara and Julian would like to see further outreach on social media platforms. “There’s a lot of misinformation around, and it would be great to see more pushback from organizations with credible information,” said Harbaugh.

“The guide is for everyone in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies and supporters. My hope is that it will be shared widely and reach all those who need it, and in particular LGBTQ+ youth in need.” ▼ CAMP Rehoboth’s Development Director Anita Broccolino oversees and advances CAMP Rehoboth’s development, fundraising and communications efforts, while helping increase awareness in the community. If you would like to become a member, volunteer for events, or meet with Anita to discuss a donation, legacy, or planned giving gift, please call: 302-2275620 or email: anita@camprehoboth.com.

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Play! Golf, pickleball, bike ride, corn hole tournament, walking tour, beach yoga and more.

Dance! Thursday Georgette Krenkel’s Kick Off Party, and “Ladies” returns, both at the RB Convention Center!

Experience! Keynote and very special speakers TBA

Discover! Popular Craft Expo, bingo, singles mixer, art show, Olivia cruise raffle plus Regina Sayles and other popular artists in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium at CAMP. Friday & Saturday

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Stay! 30% discount at host hotel The Atlantic Sands until December 30, 2021 and 20% discount given if booked in 2022 Tell them you’re here for Women’s FEST! 302-227-2511. *If needed, COVID precautions in place.

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10/4/21 AM OCTOBER 22, 2021 1310:39 Letters

Out & About

BY ERIC C. PETERSON

Glorious Horror

A

s sweater weather approaches and we wait for the leaves to turn this time each year, there’s a noticeable change at the local movie theatre, as well. Gone are the summer blockbusters and we’re still a month or two away from an onslaught of Oscar bait, and to fill the gap, this is the season of Halloween and the horror movie.

As a genre, horror is typically underestimated by fans and detractors alike. And it’s true that a lot of horror films are not great in terms of acting, writing, or direction—but that’s not to say they can’t be.

Viewed dispassionately (which is difficult, because people generally love them or hate them with very few in between), horror stories are like any other kind of story—they exist to provoke an emotional response.

It’s just that unlike comedies that are designed to provoke laughter, or dramas that are made to move us to tears, horror films are meant to explore fear. There’s nothing that says that horror movies can’t also feature well-drawn characters who change from the first reel to the last, showcase great actors at the peak of their craft, or explore meaningful themes. Those kinds of prestige horror films—think Silence of the Lambs—are few and far between, but they can happen—and as an admitted fan of the genre, I often wish there was more of a market for them.

Which is why I’m becoming such a big fan of the works of Mike Flanagan. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, Flanagan is a hot new horror writer/director whose last three major projects (The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass) didn’t play at your local theatre, because they would have been over seven hours long. Instead, you can watch them one episode at a time on Netflix.

Flanagan’s latest, Midnight Mass, premiered on the Netflix service in late September. And for the first few episodes, you might not categorize the show as “horror,” necessarily. There are very few scares—but in their place, there are characters, and there is a setting. The setting is Crockett Island, affectionately known as “The Crock Pot,” 30 miles off the coast of Maine and accessible only by ferry. The characters are Riley (Zach Gilford), newly released from prison

…the scares that will make you spill your popcorn and the moments that will cause you to watch through your fingers are not far off.

Letters 14 OCTOBER 22, 2021

after a fatal crash caused by his drunk driving; Sarah (Annabeth Gish), the town doctor who cares for her bedridden mother; Bev (Samantha Sloyan), a devout busybody who works at the island’s small Catholic parish; Erin (Kate Siegel), the pregnant schoolteacher who lives alone; and Father Paul (Hamish Linklater), a young priest sent to the island to fill in for the old Monsignor, who fell ill during a pilgrimage to Israel and is recovering on the mainland. These are real, complicated, flesh-and-blood people in an unusual, isolated place, doing their best, day by day.

But hang in there, because the scares that will make you spill your popcorn and the moments that will cause you to watch through your fingers are not far off. But, by the time the more horrific elements surface, you care about the people you’re watching and curious about what motivates them. But what I truly loved about this show was that it’s about something. The most persistent theme of the series is religion: what is faith, why do some people believe in things that cannot be proven, and why do others reject those beliefs. In a pair of absolutely gorgeous monologues (yes, monologues! in a horror series!), Erin and Riley theorize about what happens after death, beautifully making the case for both religious faith and atheism.

As a gay man who was raised in the Catholic Church but no longer participates in any religious exercise, I loved the intelligent and respectful way that both Erin’s religious views and Riley’s atheist beliefs were treated—and, I deeply appreciated that Father Paul and especially Bev were there to personify the kind of manic religiosity that causes real harm to people. And yes, there’s a bit of queer content as well. In the second episode, Dr. Sarah is shown on a date with another woman, and part of their repartee is noticing the weird stares they are receiving from the mysterious Father Paul.

If you enjoy watching things that make you jump or tickle your existential dread, but you also appreciate a well-crafted story that inspires inquiry and thought combined with a truly bonkers final act, you should attend Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass.

Just be careful when Father Paul gets to the whole turning-the-wine-into-blood part.

Eric Peterson is a columnist and novelist. He will be signing copies of his new book, Loyalty, Love & Vermouth, at Browseabout Books on December 5, 2021.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

15 Letters

‘TIS THE SEASON

BY FAY JACOBS

The Big Boo! Is Coming

T

here’s pretty much nothing gayer than Rehoboth Beach and environs at Halloween.

It’s one of our biggest LGBTQ holidays. Oh, I know it isn’t official, but heck, our gay nation always does it up right.

As my friend Murray Archibald once wrote about gays embracing Halloween, “Maybe that’s because for much of our history we’ve had to wear masks and hide in the dark behind closet doors in order to survive.”

Well, we do have a natural predilection for both celebrating anything interesting and dressing up for it. It all makes for a joyous Halloween at the beach.

Despite the restrictions COVID might present this year, I think we can all celebrate safely and keep up our traditions.

Hey, masks are required!!!! And the easiest way to take part is to sashay up and down the second block of Baltimore Avenue and all of downtown on Halloween weekend, drop by the myriad of parties in progress, sip an adult beverage or two, and applaud all the creativity.

Which brings me to an important caution as you plan your costumes. Whatever your costume, leave your hands free and available to hold a cocktail or have an appetizer. One year I went as Captain Hook and while I could hold a drink in one hand, Peter Pan had to feed me.

Who remembers when Teletubby Tinky Winky was making the American Family Association apoplectic? They were sure that purple character who carried a purse was gay. I showed up at a favorite watering hole dressed as little Tinky and there were five of us there. All the Tinkies were queer, here, and the American Family Association never got over it.

In the quest for creativity, revelers show up in the most inventive, divine outfits. Onlookers snap photos and the whole spookily lit downtown is alive celebrating the Day of the Dead, All Hallows Day, and whatever other excuse there is to belly up to the bar, brunch, or the dance floor.

Letters 16 OCTOBER 22, 2021

One year I went as Captain Hook and while I could hold a drink in one hand, Peter Pan had to feed me.

Coming up Halloween weekend of course is the RB Sea Witch® Festival where children of all ages (I see no good reason to act my age) show up on Saturday as witches, monsters, zombies, and other creative characters. There are literally thousands of participants in the parade plus onlookers and folks out for fun. Later in the day, youngsters go trick-or-treating downtown, and the whole municipality glows orange.

The Sea Witch Festival covers two days as the eagerly awaited dog parade takes place at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Doggie parents and costumed contestants gather up by the Henlopen Hotel on the Boardwalk for the parade to the bandstand. It’s undoubtably one of Rehoboth’s biggest annual events.

So how do our local restaurants get involved? Our friends at Rigby’s are open for brunch on Sea Witch Saturday, while over at The Pines and Aqua the two venues are bookending a Halloween Party on October 30.

The Pines has a Wizard of Oz-themed costume contest (of course they do!) and also an interactive Rocky Horror Show on the 29th (tix required). The Purple Parrot always has a big costume gathering and Diego’s is planning an October 30 Halloween Bash.

Meanwhile, on October 29, Port 251 has its Nighttime Drag Extravaganza to add to the fun.

Getting ready for it all, I am combing through my Halloween stash in the shed, and depending on what I find, I may have to drop over to the Halloween Pop-up store along Route One. Face it, growing older is mandatory but growing up is not. The rumor is that if you haven’t matured by age 70 you don’t have to. I’ll drink to that, especially if I’m in a hands-free costume.

Happy Halloween. ▼ Fay Jacobs is the author of five published books and is touring with her one-woman sitdown comedy show, Aging Gracelessly.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

17 Letters

Out & Proud

BY STEFANI DEOUL

HALLOWEEN

Queers That Go Bump in the Night

I

t’s time to trick AND treat. Because THAT is how WE do a holiday. And Halloween is OUR holiday.

After all, Halloween was started by those ancient, pre-Christian, pagan Celts, a culture of polygamous and polyandrous peeps, meaning men, and stunningly, women, could have multiple spouses.

They could stand side-by-side in battle, in erotic freedom, or both.

I know, it’s like suddenly learning there was a real-life, all-inclusive LGBTQ+ utopia which no one told us about!

But yes, our ancient free-wheeling Celts celebrating the end of summer and the harvest, or perhaps just wanting to throw one last shindig before the darkness, and death, of the long, cold winter ahead, as the Day of Samhain— the end of summer.

Celtic culture believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead blurred, allowing the ghosts of the dead to return to their homes.

So, the night before, people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off unwelcome spirits.

Apparently departed loved ones were actually expected, but many other kinds of spirits could also appear. Elves, fairies, the “wee folk,” sprites, and assorted “dark energies” were just as likely to pay a visit as those one longed to see again one last time.

Which means there’s also a fairly good chance the spirit of a person one may not desire to see again would also make an appearance. Soooo, in order to deceive those spirits, people darkened their faces with ashes from the bonfires—a practice later known as “guising,” from whence the wearing of masks sprang.

The working theory here was a living person would recognize the spirit of a loved one and could then reveal themselves but otherwise remain safe from the unwanted attention of darker forces.

Yes. I know. It sounds exactly like Letters 18 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Saturday night at the old Renegade.

Crazy!

Of course, such revelry was deemed inappropriate once the church arrived and Halloween began its morph. When Pope Gregory III moved All Saints Day to November 1, it changed these rituals even while spreading them far and wide.

…one night a year, crossdressers and fairies and tomboys and well, anyone we want to be, can come out of a closet and sashay into the streets…

Fast forward to the potato famine, and honestly, we might not be buying 600 pounds of candy for that one day a year if Irish immigrants hadn’t come to America. With their carved turnip lanterns becoming pumpkins, and their soul-cakes baking into candy corn, remnants of the original Celts found their holiday reborn with a more or less secular calling—but one that still relies on keeping evil spirits at bay.

Thanks to that original pagan party

and a bunch of immigrants, one night a year, cross-dressers and fairies and tomboys and well, anyone we want to be, can come out of a closet and sashay into the streets, wearing more than three items of opposite sex clothing should we choose.* And instead of shrieks of horror, we are greeted with cheers of joy, for being exactly who we believe we truly are.

As for this year, I don’t know, maybe it’s all the isolation we’ve had, but this year seems more importantly queer than usual. Now, it could be we all just need a reason to party, you know, with music and friends, and well, maybe even a parade.

Downtown. We could call it (Return of) Sea Witch®.

This could be so awesome if only people would wear a mask….

It could star Elvira, Mistress of the Dark—who just stepped out into the LGBTQ+ light by sharing her 19-year lesbian relationship with the pubic. Talk about a treat! To quote the Oak Ridge Boys (and songwriter, Dallas Frazier), our hearts are on fire for Elvira (“giddy up ba-oom papa oom papa mow mow”).

I don’t know, she’s probably got other plans. But don’t despair, I’m sure we have two, or three, or heck, maybe even four, local Elvira’s who can fill those shoes for us.

‘Cause that’s the Halloween spirit. ▼ *In many US cities, local laws restricted wearing clothing that did not correspond to one’s assigned birth gender until the 1970s. These laws effectively criminalized the existence of transgender people, butches, and other gender non-conforming queer people, particularly impacting poor transgender women and people of color. On Halloween these laws were relaxed in many locations.

Stefani Deoul is a television producer and author of the award-winning YA mystery series Sid Rubin Silicon Alley Adventures, with On a LARP, Zero Sum Game, and Say Her Name.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

19 Letters

THE BEST CARE

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

21 Letters

health+wellness

By Marj Shannon

The Masks We Wear

A

nd no, I don’t mean the ones COVID made ubiquitous.

Those, we wear for a very good, very specific purpose: we want both to avoid infection ourselves, and to avoid infecting others.

Presumably, once COVID truly wanes, we’ll be able to shed them—for all that habitual mask-wearing would also help us avoid common scourges like colds and flu.

I’m also not talking about the ones we’re currently shopping for, for the upcoming Halloween festivities.

The masks I’m focused on here, though perhaps just as ubiquitous as the COVID ones, are less visible.

They’re also more enduring. They’re the ones we shape and mold ourselves; the ones we choose to wear—often, all our lives—for purposes other than infection control or (in the case of Halloween) an evening’s entertainment.

Decades ago, I wrote a short poem about a mask I was fashioning for myself: My mask is near completion: Its contours shaped, Mechanic functions tuned.

It allows me access to your world; My passport, talisman, and key….

The poem described my experience as I donned a persona in order to fit into a new workplace. The job was one I’d coveted. I was determined to make it mine; determined to leverage this career-building opportunity to the fullest. But—as the next stanza of the poem acknowledged—I knew there was a cost: I shudder on the edge of its assumption, Despairing and afraid: The mask exacts a price….

I paid the price—more or less gladly—and embraced a career path that proved deeply engaging, challenging, and rewarding. I’m one of those lucky people who can truly say they loved their work. And yet….

That mask I was donning, per Jennie Steinberg, a licensed therapist with

Letters 22 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Through the Woods Therapy Center, was a “situational mask.” It was just as much a part of my dress-for-success armor as my navy blue power suit.

Keeping a few masks handy can make that meeting or job interview or big family gathering a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

Situational masks are some of the most common and utilitarian masks.

They also are some of those most carefully crafted and worn. Few of us would have successfully negotiated that important job interview had we arrived wearing our party hats. (Arriving at the party in our professional attire—including our office mask—likely wouldn’t have worked well, either.)

In a 2015 blog post, Ms. Steinberg identified two other broad categories of masks, in addition to situational ones: identity masks and emotional masks.

Many LGBTQ folks are especially familiar with the first, perhaps because we recall hiding our sexual orientation or gender identity; perhaps because we still do—at least sometimes. In which case the identity mask also serves as a situational mask: our “outness” depends upon the people we are with or the places we are at.

Other people also wear identity masks, of course. In many of my workplaces, women never alluded to their families: no family photos on the desk; no mention of children or spouses.

Women with families were seen as unreliable, always just one phone call away from departing the office to tend an ill child or departing a job to trail

after a transferred spouse.

Interestingly, family photos on men’s desks were interpreted exactly the reverse: a man supporting a family was deemed more stable and dependable; less likely to flit off to another job. Some of the photos on my male co-workers’ desks were just as much masks as the absence of them were on mine: the photos were those that came with the frames, for all that my co-worker might refer to them as “Wendy, my fiancé,” or “the kids.”

Emotional masks, per Ms. Steinberg, are common, useful tools that enable us to navigate life’s vicissitudes. No matter how shattered we are, we may need to be able to button it up at work or hold ourselves together enough to support an equally-shattered child.

There’s nothing wrong with wearing these metaphorical masks. Just as the COVID ones help us avoid infection, situational, identity, and emotional masks may enable us to avoid unwelcome scrutiny, keep our personal lives personal, and perform effectively at work. Keeping a few masks handy can make that meeting or job interview or big family gathering a lot more comfortable and enjoyable.

The thing about the masks, though— we do need to be able to take them off; to be our authentic selves. It’s one thing to wear our stiff-upper-lip, can-do mask to get through a difficult day at work; it’s another to navigate our entire life in that mask.

Just as we recognize the need to put on a mask, we must recognize the need to take it off. We need to have people and places where we can safely unbutton, be our authentic selves, be vulnerable. It’s a mask, not an impenetrable shell. Or should be, anyway. ▼ Marj Shannon is a writer and epidemiologist. She can be reached at marj@camprehoboth.com.

Classes & Events For more information about any of these events, please visit camprehoboth.com or call us at 302 227-5620. Zoom links (when applicable) can be found on our website or in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Unless indicated otherwise, in-person meetings take place at CAMP Rehoboth.

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Start your Tuesdays off with CAMP Rehoboth. Erin will lead a mindful exercise or morning meditation for 30 minutes.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. (Zoom)

In this Chair Yoga class Erin guides you to synchronize conscious breath with mindful movement. The sequence of poses is designed to energize and strengthen, as well as relax and lengthen muscles.

MEN’S YOGA

Saturdays 9:00 a.m. (in-person)

Join us for our weekly Yoga Class. All levels are welcome, and everyone will be given the opportunity to modify or advance their practice, based upon their preferences.

MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP

2nd/4th Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. (in-person)

The Men’s Discussion Group is a safe and nurturing space for GBTQ men to start conversations important to our community. We celebrate who we are, promote respect and understanding, and we accept each other’s differences with the intention of building a more connected community.

WOMEN IN CIRCLE

1st/3rd Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. (in-person)

Women in Circle is a gathering of LGBTQ women. The circle is a welcoming, inclusive, and positive place to meet, connect, and share with other women.

Each week a different topic opens the circle for women to discuss, learn from, and support each other.

COFFEE TALK

Saturday October 23, 10:00 a.m. (in-person)

Coffee Talk is a place where the LGBTQ community can come together in a positive, non-judgmental atmosphere to share our thoughts and perspectives on a topic and dare to think outside the box.

Everyone is welcome.

TRANSLIANCE

October 23, 7:00 p.m. (in-person)

Transliance is a non-profit group dedicated to helping transgender people network, learn, grow, and come together socially in safe, trans-friendly venues.

CAMP REHOBOTH BOOK CLUB

Monday, October 25, 5:30 p.m. (Zoom)

The Book Club is a queer-facilitated discussion group dedicated to reading novels about queer topics and/or books by queer authors. This month’s book is I Kissed a Girl by Jennet Alexander.

BOOK READING: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Tuesday, October 26, 6:30 p.m. (in-person)

Join us as we welcome C. Dixon Osburn for a discussion of his newly released book, Mission Possible: The Story of Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Osburn was co-founder and executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which led the

successful effort to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

The discussion will be facilitated by Gary Espinas. Gary Espinas is a retired US Army colonel who was investigated under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2003.

BACK TO SCHOOL: SUPPORTING LGBTQIA+ YOUTH

Thursday, October 28, 3:00 p.m. (Zoom)

A free workshop for parents, caregivers, and allies who are supporting LGBTQIA+ youth during their transition into the new school year.

YOUTH UP BOWLING EVENT

Saturday, November 13, 12:00 p.m. (in-person, Lefty’s)

YOUTH Up invites all youth ages 10-19 to join us for a FREE Bowling & Pizza Event at Lefty’s Alley & Eats. Limited space available. Please email julian@camprehoboth.com to register.

LGBTQA+ YOUTH BOOK CLUB

Tuesday, November 16, 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)

This group is designed as a space for youth (ages 10-19) to find support, connection, and a safe space. The book selection is Hidden Talents by David Lubar.

YOUNG ADULT (18-25) DISCUSSION GROUP Wednesday November 17, 6:30 p.m.

(Zoom)

CAMP Rehoboth and NAMI Delaware invite you to join us for a virtual discussion group designed specifically for LGBTQ+ young adults, 18-25 years. ▼

OCTOBER 22, 2021

23 Letters

Visiting View Guest Column

BY ROBERT DOMINIC

I Am a Gay Man Who (gasp!) Hates Halloween

G

reetings Letters readers, Robby from Brooklyn here hoping your October has been stellar! I love October, mostly because it’s the month I was born (come through Libra season!). But October has so many other reasons we love it—fall is beginning, we can go pumpkin or apple picking, we get to honor Indigenous People (the former Columbus Day).

And yes, October has, for many, their most favorite holiday of the year. For me, not so much. This is hard to say, it is something I have struggled with for years, but I know this is a safe space amongst friends. OK, here we go: my name is Robby, and I am a gay man who hates Halloween. Phew, I feel so much lighter getting that off my chest. Now before you revoke my gay card, let me explain.

First of all, “hate” is a strong word.

I don’t really hate Halloween; I’m not the spooky Grinch or anything. I am just not a fan. At all. I love going out to bars and parties, however, I don’t like going out on New Year’s Eve. Or Valentine 's Day. Or Cinco De Mayo. I can go out for margaritas any night; I don’t need or want to go out for margaritas on May 5 with the rest of the free world. Halloween falls into these categories because I love theme parties and costume parties. My friends and I have “wigout” parties every now and then. I just don’t like dressing up on October 31.

And let’s talk about October 31.

If I were a politician, one of the first laws I would try to pass would be that Halloween is the last Saturday of the month regardless of the date. When Halloween falls mid-week, it seems like every day for two weeks is Halloween.

People have parties on different days.

You go out to a bar and 30 percent of the people are in costume, “oh, is tonight a dress-up night?” How many times do parents have to dress up their kids, for school parties and playdates?

It's exhausting.

Another factor is that I have a sweet tooth. I love candy. I eat way too much Letters 24 OCTOBER 22, 2021

candy. Sour Patch Kids. Skittles. Now & Laters. Love them all. I even engage in ‘no candy eating’ honor-system battles with multiple friends. Since I am super competitive this is the best way to curb my candy addiction. I do pretty good in

I loved being a teacher for many reasons.

Teaching on Halloween was NOT one of them. these contests—as long as I don’t have any candy in the house. If I buy it, I eat it. So now you see another issue with me and Halloween: buying candy with the intention of giving it out to trick-or treaters. That would be a no-go for me. I eat it all. I have even tried buying “junk” candy. Nope. Still eat it. So, no buying candy. Like Alanis sings, “you live, you learn.”

Finally, the most likely reason I am not a fan of Halloween: I used to be a teacher. High school and middle school English. I loved being a teacher for

many reasons. Teaching on Halloween was NOT one of them. Sometimes the students can wear costumes. Even worse, sometimes they make the teachers wear a costume, even a flooror department-wide costume. One year, we were Minions. Ugh. Throw in a chaperoning gig if there is a Halloween dance for the students.

(Each teacher is expected to volunteer at a certain number of events each year. I figure I “hate” Halloween as it is, I might as well get my volunteer shifts out of the way. It made sense at the time; now it seems like I was a glutton for punishment.) Teaching November 1 is no picnic either. If you think teaching on Halloween would be rough, try teaching the day after Halloween!

In recent years I have tried to get on board with Halloween. For the last three years, minus 2020 because— well, you know, it was 2020—I have proudly marched with Gays Against Guns in the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. And each year has been more fun than the last. For one thing, the Halloween parade is so much shorter than the Gay Pride Parade— like eight hours shorter. Marching with friends; seeing all the amazing, creative costumes; bar hopping in the Village afterwards—now that is a great reason for me to wear a costume on October 31. Just don’t expect me to say Happy Halloween! ▼ Robby is a freelance writer from Brooklyn, NY. He has been spending summers in Rehoboth Beach for almost two decades. He even worked at the Renegade back in the day. To read more about Robby visit his blog, “The Gays of Our Lives,” at thegaysofourlives.net.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

25 Letters

A (FORMER) SPORTY GAL

BY BETH SHOCKLEY

Sunday, Sunday

T

here was a time—it lasted about seven years—when my Sundays in the fall were dedicated almost exclusively to watching football.

Specifically, the Baltimore Ravens. I was born and raised in Maryland, so they were my team.

With each summer season that passed, I knew my Ravens would keep me entertained as the days grew shorter and the lights came on. They were a good, exciting team. I truly enjoyed watching them throw and chase that brown pointy ball around the field. The plays, the strategy, fascinated and thrilled me. I didn’t go to the games regularly; the best seat as far as I was concerned was in front of our large-screen TV. Hours I would spend. More than four hours on a Sunday, every Sunday they played, I devoted to this pastime. Curious that my sudden fandom emerged as I entered middle age. Maybe after a lifetime of enduring blatant misogyny, I simply enjoyed watching men beat the shit out of each other. I don’t know.… It never came up in therapy.

I was not a football fan growing up— my thing was Orioles baseball in the glory days of Frank Robinson, Boog Powell, and Jim Palmer. As a child, I’d listen to the

games at night, past my bedtime—my little transistor radio tucked under my pillow providing the play-by-play.

Football had always been my Dad’s thing—he had season tickets for his beloved Baltimore Colts, even after their shameful move to Indianapolis after which the team became the Ravens. On Sundays in my youth, Dad was either in Baltimore or ruled the TV at home.

During my own Ravens years, any plans on a Sunday when they played were a no-go. I didn’t have the stats in my head, but I had the merch. T-shirts— short- and long-sleeved—fleece lounge pants emblazoned with the logo—those were my game-watching clothes. I was a true fan.

Then I wasn’t. And haven’t been since.

Something about the pandemic and the lockdowns of 2020 sucked whatever football joy I had right out of me. Suddenly, football, the game, became unimportant to me. I discovered that those four+ hours could be spent doing things like writing, and playing guitar and drums. Like having brunch with my wife without rushing around. Talking with friends. Reading, listening to music.

These days, I feel freer and more open to possibilities. My Sundays are

open again. I’m glad when the Ravens win, but I don’t feel like I have to bear live witness to it.

So many have lost so much to this pandemic. I have lost three NYC friends, and four others close to me have had COVID-19 and survived. It’s all around us, still. My enjoyment of football is a trivial loss at best.

I can’t come up with any big single reason for my fleeting football fandom.

All I can say is, there are things in my life that the pandemic set straight. I don’t want to return to the old normal and I don’t think I can. My priorities have shifted. There’s so much I want to do before I’m ready to leave the planet. I hope I get to do most of it.

So if I never watch another football game, and I probably won’t, it’s fine. My heart’s not in it anymore so—out it goes.

That’s just how I am with things in my life, especially these days. Time is precious; life is even more precious.

I won’t be a screaming couch potato on Sundays anymore. I wish the Ravens a good season. But I won’t be watching. ▼ Beth Shockley is a public affairs specialist and former editor of Letters.

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Letters 26 OCTOBER 22, 2021

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27 Letters

Volunteer Spotlight

BY KAREN LAITMAN

Not Just Horsing Around

K

elly Boyer is the Program Director with the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding (SDTR) program located in Milton, Delaware. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science and business management from the University of Delaware.

She has been involved with horse care lessons and showing for over 30 years.

Nineteen years ago, she saw an advertisement looking for SDTR volunteers and she jumped on it. It combined her love of horses and helping people. As a volunteer, Kelly assisted with lessons as either a side-walker or horse leader. A year later, she began instructing. As an instructor, she was specially trained and certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) and became first aid- and CPR-certified. Each year she pursues continuing education to maintain PATH Instructor status. In 2020, Kelly became the SDTR Program Director.

How long has CAMP Rehoboth been volunteering with SDTR and what sorts of things do they do while volunteering?

CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) volunteers have worked with SDTR since 2016. Tasks they are assigned range from mucking the fields, painting fences and other things, cleaning empty stalls, and general ground maintenance.

What is therapeutic riding, and how is equine therapy different from recreational riding?

Therapeutic equine riding supports people with special needs, such as people with physical disabilities, or learning disabilities, or cognitive or intellectual disabilities. Therapeutic riding differs from recreational riding in that each riding lesson is tailored to each participant’s needs. Our participants must all have approval from their physicians prior to their first lesson. SDTR works with individuals four-years-old and up. Riders never age out.

What does a lesson look like?

SDTR equine-assisted therapy consists of 30- to 60-minute lessons of one-on-one Letters 28 OCTOBER 22, 2021

instruction with a PATH-certified riding instructor. Trained volunteers assist during the lessons.

Our horses are carefully selected based on temperament, build, and gait, and are specially trained to accommodate our riders’ needs during a lesson.

Each participant receives lessons tailored to his or her goals and progress.

Instructors focus on improving balance, flexibility, and strength, and increasing confidence and concentration. The achievements of SDTR participants are tangible and life changing.

What do volunteers do at STDR? Our volunteers aid during our horseback riding lessons either as a side-walker (walk next to the horse and the rider) or as a horse leader (lead the horse during the lesson). Volunteers also help with horse care, barn maintenance, and work with the facilities team to help keep the entire property in good order. SDTR has 255 volunteers that help in a variety of ways.

What’s your best memory of volunteering/ working at SDTR? One of my top memories working with SDTR was when a 10-year-old boy, who was on the autism spectrum, came in for riding lessons. The first time he came he was excited to come but was also very

scared. The second time he came, he was still very excited and this time he got on the horse. By the third lesson, he began speaking. In a very short time, there was a change in confidence and a willingness to learn skills. He learned to love to ride.

This program also offers a community for families of individuals with disabilities to come together to network, communicate, and share their experiences.

How long have you been coming to Rehoboth, and what is the biggest change that you have seen?

As a child I came to the area for vacations. My family lived in Maryland, and I can recall coming to Rehoboth every summer. I moved to this area permanently 19 years ago. Since coming to Rehoboth, the biggest change I’ve seen is that there is a greater acceptance of everybody. In addition, the population growth and the housing/business development is overwhelming.

What are you most thankful for?

I am most thankful for the abundance of community support for SDTR which allows us to serve individuals in our area through the healing power of horses. ▼ Karen Laitman is a member of CAMP Rehoboth’s Volunteer Development Committee.

Have you found your place in the world?

Chris Beagle, REALTOR® M 215.262.6209 | O 302.273.4998 chris.beagle@compass.com chrisbeaglegroup.com Chris Beagle is a real estate licensee affiliated with Compass RE, a licensed real estate broker and abides by equal housing opportunity laws.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

29 Letters

HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS

BY MICHAEL GILLES

It’s a Monster Mash

I

t’s time for Halloween! Time for excited kids to don costumes and roam the streets acting out cowgirl or cowboy fantasies. Time for parents in monster garb to pass out treats to cute little princesses, ghosts, and ghouls. Time for exhausted young ones to dump the booty onto the floor and separate chocolate bars from the awful stuff they give to their little siblings. Oh, who am I kidding. It’s time for adult CANDY!!!

Oh, c’mon. Who among you doesn’t buy extra candy so that there will be some for you the next day? Who among you doesn’t hide said candy from your children so they won’t go into sugar shock (oh, sure)? Who among you doesn’t start rationing your giveaways on Halloween night, giving kids the lousy stuff your significant other bought so that you’re sure there will be leftovers of the good stuff?

Hmmm…I probably shouldn’t have said all that out loud.

One of the greatest things about Halloween besides the sweets is the fun stuff that Rehoboth and the surrounding area offers kids and adults—all designed to scare the wits out of our youngsters or get the older crowd pleasantly tipsy.

Here are a few. (Note that some of these events require payment, masks, registration, and/or jackets. Check their websites before venturing out.)

Any conversation about Halloween in Rehoboth this year starts with the 31st Annual Sea Witch® Festival. The festival was postponed last year because of the blankety-blank pandemic, and the streets and boardwalk seemed lonely through the empty days at the end of October. But this year, Sea Witch comes back, stronger than ever. There will be expanded entertainment, kids’ activities, pumpkin carving contests with night glow, the Apple Cider Donut Chomp game, Friday Bicycle Flight, and more. There is the famous parade, contests, magic shows, monster art, and trick-or-treating. The three-day event (October 29 through 31) is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween, both for kids and adults.

Letters 30 OCTOBER 22, 2021

…there is scary stuff AND liquor to be had on the historic campus of the Lewes Historical Society.

There are many other events to whet your appetite for Halloween. Try cooking Halloween recipes with cooking classes (for adults), drinking until you drop with the special Halloween pub crawl (absolutely for adults, and don’t drop for goodness’ sake), or attending a spooky Halloween party (adult; I will be attending).

What about the kids? There are plenty of family-friendly events. How about the Best Costumed Dog Parade Contest on the Boardwalk? October 31 at 1:00 p.m. Or the kid-friendly activities at the Convention Center and First Street Station? October 31, 10:00 a.m-5:00 p.m.

Plenty of fun at every turn!

Another great attraction for the kids at the festival is Howl-ween. Great name.

There is a photoshoot at the Canalside Inn in Rehoboth. Bring your pet, take your pet’s picture, and play doggie dress-up in front of multiple settings including haunted hay, ghosts, and ghouls.

Sounds like my college days. October 31 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Then there’s Spooky Scary Story

Time! at the Rehoboth Beach Library.

The SSST! is a special story time before the Sea Witch Parade. All ages welcome; costumes are encouraged. I will be there; I probably will shriek louder than any of the kids. October 30 at 10:15 a.m.

Don’t miss The Jimmies (although I desperately want to call them the Sprinkles). They recreate music from the 80s for fun-loving crowds all over the East coast. Take the cue and catch The Jimmies at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.

October 30 at 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For the hardiest of adults, there’s Boos & Brews. As its name suggests, there is scary stuff AND liquor to be had on the historic campus of the Lewes Historical Society. You will find food and drink from local eateries, breweries, and vineyards. As you wander the grounds, you will encounter frightening stories of historic Lewes folks, plus music and more entertainment. Wear a costume… you will judged. Will you be Scariest?

Most Original? Most Uncomfortable?

Most Embarrassed? OK, I made up the last two. If you’re 21+, share in the fun!

October 29, 7-10 p.m.

Finally, cap off your Halloween with the last weekend of Clear Space Theatre’s wildly fun production of The Rocky Horror Show. Clear Space calls the show a “kitschy rock ‘n’ roll, sci-fi gothic musical.” What more could you ask for? October 29 at 7 p.m., October 30 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., and October 31 at 2 p.m.

Remember, as you celebrate Halloween this year with your family and friends, kids and grown-ups alike, be thankful for: big coat pockets. So good for hiding handfuls of Snickers from those kids and grown-ups who would gladly steal them if you gave them half a chance. And thus, Halloween 2021 begins. Boo!!! ▼ Michael Gilles is a playwright, actor, and director from Milton, and a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. ▼ Photo by Bruno Guerrero on Unsplash

OCTOBER 22, 2021

31 Letters

Letters 32 OCTOBER 22, 2021

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

33 Letters

Words Matter

BY CLARENCE FLUKER

Dating Doesn’t Have to Be So Scary

N

avigating the world of dating in real life or online can feel like traveling through a haunted house. It can be dark. You can find yourself struggling to find your way forward or out. You never really know who or what is behind the next door. And quite frankly, it can be scary. To that end my dear reader, I plead with you to do three things to make it less of a traumatic experience for myself and others in search of our Boo. The first thing I ask is that you refrain from some of the harrowing language I’ve seen in plenty of dating profiles. We all have preferences but the way we express those preferences shouldn’t be in a way that demeans, devalues, or dehumanizes other people.

Scrolling profiles on Tinder, Bumble, Facebook Dating, Grindr, or Jack’d, you’ll find language that isn’t kind at all regarding body types, masculine/feminine presentation, and age. Some of the most abhorrent language I’ve seen over the years (I’ve been single a long time) has been regarding HIV status. Saying ill-informed and harmful things about people living with HIV is not okay. It is hurtful and further perpetuates the stigma that sadly still exists in the world about the virus and those living with it.

Words matter.

While it is okay to dress up as a ghost for Halloween, it is not okay to ghost people. If you’re not familiar with the term, ‘ghosting’ is when without warning or explanation a person stops communicating with you. It is fine to conclude that you don’t want to continue getting to know someone or spend time with them. However, when you’ve decided you don’t want to see them or communicate with them, just disappearing and no longer responding to their text messages and phone calls when they reach out to you can be jarring and traumatic to the other person.

You may not ‘owe’ the person an explanation, but when we show up as our best selves, we treat people the way we’d like to be treated. Once, I talked to a guy several times a day every day for almost three months. We went on numerous dates and even spent a holiday together. Then one day I called him, and he never called me back. I followed up with a text after a while because I was concerned that maybe something had happened

Don’t be ghoulish with your words.

Don’t ghost people.

Don’t be creepy.

Letters 34 OCTOBER 22, 2021

to him because his behavior seemed out of the ordinary. A week went by, and he finally called me back and carried the conversation like no time had passed since our last. It was the last time we talked.

He never called or sent me a message again.

Lastly, I ask that particularly in the use of online dating apps, you refrain from being creepy. One example of creep behavior is fetishizing those who’ve not consented to participating in their fetishization. Seeking out mates while being hyperfocused on their race, ethnicity, or body type and making comments and advances toward them emphasizing those attributes can be unwanted and offensive. Another illustration of creep behavior, often linked to the former example, is sending unsolicited suggestive comments or photos to someone. Before bringing someone on a fantasy voyage with you, stop and ask the person if they want to go. Don’t just assume they want to be a passenger. Other things that can also fall under the large umbrella of creepy include using photos of someone else as your own, sharing photos of other people with your friends without permission, and continuing to reach out to a person after they’ve stated they don’t have any ongoing interest in you.

In sum, these are my requests: Don’t be ghoulish with your words. Don’t ghost people.

Don’t be creepy. If we all do our part to contribute to a better and healthier culture of dating in which we all treat others as we’d want to be treated—with dignity and respect—then it doesn’t have to be so scary. ▼ Clarence J. Fluker is a public affairs and social impact strategist. Since 2008, he’s also been a contributing writer for Swerv, a lifestyle periodical celebrating African American LGBTQ+ culture and community. Follow him on Twitter: @CJFluker or Instagram: Mr_CJFluker.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

35 Letters

Dining Out

BY FAY JACOBS

It’s a Hilarious DRAG at Top of the Pines

T

hanks to COVID fears and frequent travel, I had not made it to the Top of the Pines Drag Brunch until last week. That fact was made raucously public five minutes into the brunch show when Emcee and drag superstar Mona Lotts polled the audience. “Who’s never seen this show?”

My raised hand elicited Mona to shout “Fay Jacobs. Really???” and to the crowd she announced, “I can tell you she’s no kind of a virgin!”

And the happy insults started to fly all over the room. It’s that kind of uber gay, hilarious drag show morning, where everybody has a good time, nobody is really insulted (“Oh look here, two of the last Titanic survivors!”) and the drag queens dazzle. And hey, the food is excellent.

Since this is, after all, a restaurant article, here’s the deal: The Top of the Pines Sunday Brunch offers an a la carte menu along with your show ticket.

The Eggs Norway (smoked salmon on classic Benedict) were perfectly cooked, presented with a delightful salad and accompanied by bold Bloody Mary’s and sparkling Mimosas. Loved it all.

Also on the menu at the moment (and we’ve been warned that the chef likes to change it up) are sugarcinnamon beignets, avocado toast, burgers, and steak and eggs. Want a side of tater tots? They’ve got them. And helpfully, the tab for our brunch was very reasonable, along with the $15 show ticket. Reservations required. I cannot wait to return.

Now back to the entertainers. The costumes will knock your eyes out, the routines are over the top and both Mona and her co-host Kristina Kelly are top notch illusionists in action. Also performing that morning were the beautiful Monique L’Amor and Dana St. James, both Letters 36 OCTOBER 22, 2021

And helpfully, the tab for our brunch was very reasonable, along with the $15 show ticket.

Reservations required. I cannot wait to return.

artfully combining drag and comedy. To be sure, this is adult comedy and not for the puritanical. And we sure need this kind of gay fun these days.

The laughs are huge and the traditional paper money tips are offered to the girls. Host Bob Suppies makes certain he has change on hand for anyone who would like to swap big bills for fists full of single dollars. And cleverly, you can also tip the performers via the Venmo app.

There was a wonderful moment at the show we attended. One of the performers asked a patron her profession and the answer was “I’m a nurse.” The performer stopped the show, quieting the crowd and thanking the woman—and all nurses—for the great job they have done during the pandemic. It was a moving moment, with the audience erupting in cheers.

Mona tells me “I just love hosting the brunch because of the diversity of the audiences and the chance to interact with them.

Life is so intense these days and to make people laugh and forget about real life for a little while is very rewarding.”

So check out the Pines Drag Brunch, along with the downstairs restaurant (A+ for food and atmosphere) and the other events upstairs. The building has been lovingly restored, the business has become a highlight of Baltimore Avenue, and you’ll have a lot of fun whether you are barely over 21 or a hapless Titanic survivor. ▼

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37 Letters

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

39 Letters

It’s My Life

BY MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

I Wanna Trick or Treat All Nite

A

few weeks before she died, my sister sent me several photographs. “Look what I found in one of mom’s albums,” she said.

The photos were all taken in 1978, the year that my family moved from a city in Virginia to the small country town in New York where my father had grown up. I was 10, and although part of me was excited about the new adventure, I was also sad to be leaving behind my best friend, Stephanie, who lived across the street from us.

One of the cornerstones of my friendship with Stephanie was a mutual love of the band KISS. We were exactly the right age to find their music both scandalous and thrilling. My mother forbade me to play them in our house, but fortunately Stephanie’s parents had no such qualms and she had all of their albums. We spent a lot of time in her bedroom, listening to songs like “Calling Dr. Love” and “Love Gun” and discussing which band member was our favorite. Stephanie liked Paul Stanley best. I liked Ace Frehley.

When the first Halloween in my new town arrived, I expected that, as in years past, my mother and I would head to the drugstore and look through the stacks of boxed Collegeville and Ben Cooper costumes with plastic masks and cheap smocks to find exactly the right one. (I’d been Sylvester the Cat the previous year.) I’d forgotten that we no longer lived in a city, and that there was no drugstore. Also, there was really nowhere to trick-or-treat. The country road we lived on had only a half-dozen houses on it, most of them belonging to my uncles and their families.

My mother assured me that we would go trick-or-treating in a nearby town.

But that still left the problem of a costume. My mother was not exactly handy in that department, and I rejected her suggestion of a bedsheet ghost. Perhaps because it was easier than trying to come up with something better, she finally agreed to let me go as one of the members of KISS. Letters 40 OCTOBER 22, 2021

The next morning, I would have to wake up and go back to my new, difficult reality.

But for a few hours I could pretend I was untouchable.

The band had recently released their ill-fated quartet of solo albums, and on a rare shopping trip without my mother to the closest city, my father had purchased for me the Ace Frehley and Peter Criss LPs, which I was obsessed with. Because I could find no silver makeup with which to replicate Ace’s look, I decided to go as Peter Criss. My costume consisted of a black t-shirt and a too-large jean jacket I had inherited from my older cousin, Jay. I remember the night being very cold and that I scored a surprising amount of candy. In fact, it’s one of the few Halloweens I remember with any clarity at all. I also recalled there being a photograph of me in my costume. But I could never find it, and once Alzheimer’s took all of my mother’s memories away, I assumed I never would. I even began to wonder if I had made it all up.

But there in the group of photographs my sister sent me was one slightly blurry

shot of me standing in the living room of our old house, dressed as Peter Criss.

It had been tucked into an album and stuck in a box, discovered when my sister decided it was time to clean up her basement.

My memory of that Halloween has always been a mostly happy one. I recall being thrilled that I finally got to dress up as a member of my favorite band (even if he wasn’t my favorite member).

I remember having fun trick-or-treating.

But it was also a very stressful time in my life. A new school, where already I had gotten tagged as queer. No friends, and the one friend I desperately wanted to be trick-or-treating with living in another state, seven hours away.

It’s strange to look at that photo and the boy in it. Halloween is all about becoming someone or something else for the night, and that Halloween night in 1978 I probably wanted to be anyone other than who I was. And so I became a rock star, the Catman who pounded out the beat to some of my favorite songs while the Demon, the Starchild, and the Space Ace stormed around the stage.

The next morning, I would have to wake up and go back to my new, difficult reality. But for a few hours I could pretend I was untouchable.

Last Halloween, our first in our new village, Cubby and I sat on the porch while the small number of trick-or-treaters came by and took candy from the bowl on the steps. It was a small moment of joy in what had been for all of us a very tough year. When one little boy, dressed in some unidentifiable homemade costume, asked, “How many pieces can I take?” I thought about how I’d felt on that Halloween night 42 years ago and said, “As many as you want.” ▼ Michael Thomas Ford is a much-published Lambda Literary award-winning author. Visit Michael at michaelthomasford.com

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41 Letters

Letters 42 OCTOBER 22, 2021

OCTOBER 22, 2021

43 Letters

CAMP REHOBOTH BEACH GUIDE BEACH AREA LODGING Atlantic Sands Hotel, Boardwalk & Baltimore Ave.........................302-227-2511 Atlantis Inn, 154 Rehoboth Ave.....................................................302-227-9446 Breakers Hotel, 105 2nd St & Baltimore Ave.................................302-227-6688 Canalside Inn, 34 6th St.................................................................866-412-2625 Rehoboth Guest House, 40 Maryland Ave.....................................302-227-4117 Sea ‘n Stars Guest Suites, 44 Delaware Ave.................................302-226-2742 Summer Place Hotel, 1st St & Olive Ave........................................302-226-0766 The Shore Inn, 37239 Rehoboth Ave Ext.......................................302-227-8487

LEWES FOOD & DRINK Go Brit, 18388 Coastal Hwy...........................................................302-644-2250 Harbour Waterfront Dining, 134 West Market St...........................302-200-9522 Matt’s Fish Camp, 34401 Tenley Ct...............................................302-644-2267

Visit the Beach Guide Directory on the CAMP Rehoboth website to find links to these area businesses in BOLD. The Guide includes: Food and Wine, Shopping, Lodging, and Services—all at camprehoboth.com.

OTHER AREA FOOD & DRINK Bluecoast Seafood, 1111 Hwy One, Bethany................................302-539-7111 Catch 54, 54 Madison Ave, Fenwick..............................................302-436-8600 Matt’s Fish Camp, 28635 Coastal Hwy, Bethany...........................302-539-2267

SERVICES AT THE BEACH REHOBOTH RETAIL SHOPS New Wave Spas, 20660 Coastal Hwy............................................302-227-8484 Unfinished Business, Rt. 1 behind Panera Bread..........................302-645-8700

REHOBOTH ART | GALLERIES | MUSEUMS Caroline Huff, Fine Artist ...................................................www.carolinehuff.com Gallery 50, 50 Wilmington Ave......................................................302-227-2050 Philip Morton Gallery, 47 Baltimore Ave........................................302-727-0905 Rehoboth Art League, 12 Dodds Ln...............................................302-227-8408 Rehoboth Beach Museum, 511 Rehoboth Ave..............................302-227-7310

REHOBOTH FOOD & DRINK 1776 Steakhouse, Midway Shopping Center................................302-645-9355 Aqua, 57 Baltimore Ave................................................................ 302-226-9001 Back Porch Café, 59 Rehoboth Ave...............................................302-227-3674 Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave........................................................302-227-6515 Café Azafran, 18 Baltimore Ave.....................................................302-227-8100 Café Papillon, Penny Lane Mall......................................................302-227-7568 Coho’s Market & Grill, 305 Rehoboth Ave......................................302-227-2646 Diego’s Bar Nightclub, 37298 Rehoboth Ave................................302-227-1023 Dos Locos, 208 Rehoboth Ave.......................................................302-227-3353 Go Fish, 24 Rehoboth Ave..............................................................302-226-1044 Goolee’s Grille, 11 South 1st St.....................................................302-227-7653 Indigo, 44 Rehoboth Ave.............................................................. 302-212-5220 Just In Thyme, 38163 Robinsons Dr..............................................302-227-3100 Lori’s Café, 39 Baltimore Ave.........................................................302-226-3066 Loves Liquors, LLC, 305c Rehoboth Ave........................................302-227-6966 Lupo Italian Kitchen, 247 Rehoboth Ave.......................................302-226-2240 Penny Lane Liquors, 42 Rehoboth Ave..........................................302-567-5245 Purple Parrot Grill, 134 Rehoboth Ave...........................................302-226-1139 Rigby’s, 404 Rehoboth Ave............................................................302-227-6080 Shorebreak Lodge, 10 Wilmington Ave.........................................302-227-1007 The Pines, 56 Baltimore Avenue....................................................302-567-2726

Letters 44 OCTOBER 22, 2021

BUILDING/CLEANING/REMODELING/LANDSCAPING

A.G. Renovations ...........................................................................302-947-4096 BSD, 18412 The Narrow Rd, Lewes..................................... 302-684-8588 Country Life Homes, 34882 Picnic Basket Ct................................302-231-5001 Randall-Douglas.............................................................................302-245-1439 Ron’s Repairs..................................................................................302-727-3591

CHURCHES/SYNAGOGUES

All Saints’ Episcopal, 18 Olive Ave.................................................302-227-7202 Epworth UMC, 19285 Holland Glade Rd.......................................302-227-7743 Grace of God Lutheran, ELCA, 20689 Shoppes at Long Neck.......302-947-1044 M.C.C. of Rehoboth, 19369 Plantation Rd.....................................302-645-4945 Seaside Jewish Community, 18970 Holland Glade Rd..................302-226-8977 St. Peter’s Episcopal, 2nd & Market Sts, Lewes.............................302-645-8479 Unitarian Universalist, 30486 Lewes-G’Town Hwy........................302-313-5838 Unity of Rehoboth, 98 Rudder Rd, Millsboro.................................717-579-2612 Westminster Presbyterian, 301 King Charles Ave.........................302-227-2109

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

AARP of Delaware (age 50+)..........................................................866-227-7441 ACLU of DE—Lesbian & Gay Civil Rights Project............................302-654-3966 CAMP Rehoboth Chorus—Program of CAMP Rehoboth................302-227-5620 CAMP Rehoboth—LGBTQ Community Service Org........................302-227-5620 CAMP Rehoboth Families—LGBTQ parents connect......................302-227-5620 CAMP Rehoboth Parents of Transgender & Gender Non-conforming Children............................................302-227-5620 Cape Henlopen Senior Center—Rehoboth (age 50+)....................302-227-2055 CHEER Centers of Sussex County (age 50+)..................................302-515-3040 Delaware Aging & Disability Resource Center...............................800-223-9074 Delaware Human Relations Commission Housing & public accommodation............................................877-544-8626 Delaware Information Line............................................................................2-1-1 Delaware Pride—Community events, annual Pride Festival..........302-265-3020 Delaware Transgender Resources—transdelaware.net, delawarelgbtq@gmail.com Delaware Transgender Support.....................................................302-402-3033

Gay/Lesbian Alcoholics Anonymous—add’l schedules..................302-856-6452 Saturdays 6 pm: Epworth UMC, 19285 Holland Glade Rd (step meeting) Saturdays 7:30 pm: All Saints’ Church, 18 Olive Ave (step meeting) Tuesdays noon: St. Peter’s Church, 211 Mulberry St, Lewes (step meeting) Thursdays noon: CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave (open discussion) Sundays 9 am: CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave (open discussion) Tuesdays 8 pm: CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave (Young Persons) Gay Men’s Discussion Group—Program of CAMP Rehoboth.........302-227-5620 Lesbian Support Group—Program of CAMP Rehoboth..................302-227-5620 Lewes Senior Activity Center (age 50+).........................................302-645-9293 LGBTQ Student Union—University of DE, Newark.........................302-831-8066 Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth................................................302-645-7449 PFLAG-Rehoboth—2nd Tuesdays, Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes............................................................302-841-1339 SLAA and SAA—Thursdays, 7:30 pm, All Saints’ Church 18 Olive Ave ............................................................................302-745-7929 Social Security Administration—Lewes office................................800-772-1213 TransLiance of DE—Rehoboth—4th Tuesdays at 7 pm, MCC of Rehoboth; contact: TransLiance@gmail.com

INSURANCE

COUNSELING/THERAPY/LIFE COACH

PET RETAIL

Jewish Family Services........................................................ 302-478-9411 Karen Abato, ATR-BC, LPAT, Licensed Art Psychotherapist... 302-232-5330 Kevin J. Bliss, Personal/Professional Coaching.............................302-754-1954 Time to Heal Counseling & Consulting, Lewes ............................302-574-6954

EVENT PLANNING/CATERING

Flair................................................................................................302-930-0709 Palate Bistro & Catering.................................................................302-249-8489 Plate Catering.................................................................................302-644-1200

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Bell Rock Capital, 19606 Coastal Hwy..........................................302-227-7608 Black Diamond Financial Solutions,19409 Plantation Rd..............302-265-2236 Community Pride Financial............................................................302-227-2939 County Bank, 19927 Shuttle Rd.......................................... 302-226-9800 Jenn Harpel, Morgan Stanley.........................................................302-644-6620

FLORISTS

Bayberry Florist..............................................................................302-227-5725 Windsor’s Florist, 20326 Coastal Hwy...........................................302-227-9481

FUNERAL SERVICES

Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium................................ 302-645-9520

HAIR SALONS/TATTOO & PIERCING

Beach Cuts, 214 Rehoboth Ave...........................................302-226-ROBB Gregory Meyers Hair Studio, 20245 Bay Vista Rd & Rt 1..............302-727-5331 Stephan & Co Salon & Spa, 19266 Coastal Hwy................... 302-260-9478

HEALTH-RELATED

AIDS Delaware – Kent & Sussex Counties.....................................302-226-3519 AIDS Delaware – New Castle County............................................302-652-6776 AIDS Hotline – Delaware statewide...............................................800-422-0429 Brandywine Urology Consultants...................................................302-824-7039 Beebe Healthcare, 26744 J.J. Williams Hwy.................................302-645-3300 CAMPsafe AIDS education & prevention program of CAMP Rehoboth ..................................................................................................302-227-5620 Christiana Care HIV Wellness Clinic ..............................................302-933-3420 Christiana Care LGBTQ Health Initiatives.......................................302-733-1227 Delaware HIV Consortium - Statewide..........................................302-654-5471 Delaware Hospice..........................................................................800-838-9800 Delaware Total Foot & Ankle Center.................................... 302-297-8431 National Alliance on Mental Illness of DE (NAMI)...........................302-427-0787 Rehoboth Beach Dental, 19643 Blue Bird Ln....................... 302-226-0300 Steven B. Wright, D.M.D., 18912 J.J. Williams Hwy............. 302-645-6671 The Aesthetic Center......................................................................302-827-2125

Eric Blondin, State Farm...................................................... 302-644-3276 George Bunting, State Farm................................................ 302-227-3891 Jeanine O’Donnell, State Farm............................................ 302-645-7283

LEGAL/ACCOUNTING/TRUST SERVICES

Lawson Firm, 402 Rehoboth Ave...................................................302-226-3700 PWW Law, 1519 Savannah Rd, Lewes.......................................... 302-703-6993 Steven Falcone CPA, Taxes & Planning..........................................302-644-8634

LOCKSMITHS

Rock Lock/Robin Rohr/Your Community Locksmith.......................302-386-9166

MASSAGE THERAPY/FITNESS

Midway Fitness & Racquetball, Midway Center.............................302-645-0407 One Spirit Massage, 169 Rehoboth Ave........................................302-226-3552 Rehoboth Massage/Alignment.......................................................302-727-8428

OUTDOOR LIGHTING

Allure Outdoor Lighting, allureoutdoorlighting.com......................302-226-2532 Critter Beach, 156 Rehoboth Ave..................................................302-226-2690 Pet Portraits by Monique................................................................717-650-4626

PET SERVICES

Brandywine Valley SPCA, 22918 Dupont Blvd, G’twn.......... 302-856-6361 Delaware Humane Association, 18675 Coastal Hwy........... 302-200-7159 Parsell Pet Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy, Lewes............ 302-645-7445

REAL ESTATE

Allen Jarmon, NextHome Tomorrow Realty...................................302-745-5122 Bill Peiffer, Patterson Schwartz, 18958 Coastal Hwy....................302-703-6987 Chris Beagle, Berkshire Hathaway, 37230 Rehoboth Ave............302-227-6101 Debbie Reed Team, 319 Rehoboth Ave.........................................800-263-5648 Donna Whiteside, Berkshire Hathaway, 16712 Kings Hwy...........302-381-4871 Eric Atkins, Patterson-Schwartz, 18958 Coastal Hwy...................302-727-1456 Hugh Fuller, Realtor........................................................................302-745-1866 John Black, Patterson Schwartz, 18958 Coastal Hwy...................302-703-6987 Lana Warfield, Berkshire Hathaway, 37230 Rehoboth Ave...........302-227-6101 Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, 16698 Kings Hwy....................... 302-645-6664 Lingo Realty, 246 Rehoboth Ave....................................................302-227-3883 McGuiness Group, 246 Rehoboth Ave...........................................302-227-3883 McWilliams Ballard, Kevin McDuffie.................................. kmcduffie@mcwb.com McWilliams Ballard, Justin Orr.....................................................jorr@mcwb.com Randy Mason/Shirley Kalvinsky, Lingo Realty................................302-227-3883 Sea Bova Associates, 20250 Coastal Hwy........................... 302-227-1222 Troy Roberts, Mann & Sons, 414 Rehoboth Ave............................302-228-7422

RETIREMENT LIVING/SENIOR CARE FACILITIES

Springpoint Choice, 17028 Cadbury Cir, Lewes............................302-313-6658 The Lodge at Truitt Homestead, 36233 Farm Ln.................. 302-232-6372

TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION

Accent On Travel, 37156 Rehoboth Ave.............................. 302-278-6100 CHEER Transportation (age 50+)....................................................302-856-4909 ITN Southern Delaware (age 60+ or disabled)...............................302-448-8486 Jolly Trolley Shuttle from Rehoboth Ave & Boardwalk...................302-644-0400 Olivia Travel...........................................................800-631-6277 ext. 696

POPULAR LGBTQ BEACHES

Poodle Beach, south end of the Rehoboth Boardwalk Cape Henlopen State Park, Ocean Dr north to Cape Henlopen State Park. Daily parking rate in effect March-November.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

45 Letters

The Writing Life

BY JANE KNAUS

Writing an Authentic Memoir

F

or those of us who have more salt than pepper in our hair, this might be a time to think about writing a memoir. We all have a story to tell, looking through the rearview mirrors of our lives. The questions are: Why write one? What purpose would it have? Why would it be of interest to those who don’t know us? What do we reveal, and what do we conceal? We cannot and perhaps should not share everything with friends and strangers, but we also want to tell a story that may appeal to those we never meet, as well as to those who know us, but not everything about us.

My story is not unique; there are thematic parts to it that may connect with others who have entered this phase in their lives. You may have friends, relatives, or co-workers who have encouraged you to write and share your past with others. The most influential person who encouraged me to write My True Colors: A Memoir, was my son, Eric.

Before you begin a memoir, be sure you have enough time and focus to protect this very intense and at times emotionally wrought process. There will be memories—both happy and difficult—that you need to embrace to tell a balanced, authentic view of your life. After all, most of us have had both positive experiences as well as painful ones.

You may find it helpful to develop an outline of what you want to share, lessons you have learned along your journey.

Consider who your prospective audience might be.

There are many ways to craft a memoir. I chose to do it chronologically, starting with a background that included my parents, who were German-Jewish refugees. I originally didn’t want to go too much into their background, as it was quite complex, but was convinced by my editor to share their story. After all, we are shaped by our past in ways that at times determine and reflect our own journey.

I also wanted to include many of the paintings I have created over the years, as a major part of my identity is being an artist. Think about your passion(s)—how Letters 46 OCTOBER 22, 2021

do you want to share this with others?

I found hiring both a professional developmental editor and a professional copy editor was critical to the success of my memoir; you may find that helpful, too.

The former will review the overall content and provide suggestions for telling your story, as mine did regarding the inclusion of my parents’ narrative. He/she may help shape the memoir and find discrepancies you may have overlooked. Later on in the process, the copy editor will review your manuscript for grammar, typos, and any inconsistencies.

Prior to the copy editing phase, ask some close friends and/or relatives to be your “deputized editors.” They will help you recall some stories from your past that you may have forgotten or brushed aside. They may also help you understand the role and/or the importance of certain people in your life.

You also need to decide if your memoir is one that addresses people who may have scarred you or had a negative impact on you. Is this a “settling the score” memoir, or is its purpose to share your growth and sense of empowerment over

the years? Remember, once the story of your life is in print, it’s permanent. I chose not to identify everyone who made my life a challenge, but that was my decision and my approach.

Count on writing and rewriting many times, as your story is a dynamic piece that will most likely improve with each review and rewrite. My entire process took 15 months.

When it came to publishing the memoir, I did not want to go through the long and often frustrating process of finding an agent and a mainstream publisher. I just wanted to get it printed, so I worked with a self-publishing house. You may find that works for you, too—or you may choose another route.

I found writing a memoir challenging but very rewarding. I hope you do, too. ▼ Jane Knaus is an artist and memoirist; she may be contacted at knausjane@gmail. com. Her book is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and the self-publishing house website: https://store.bookbaby.com/ book/my-true-colors.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

47 Letters

Before the Beach

BY MICHAEL GILLES

A Woman of Substance May I move gently through this cloudy, murky, gray day.

May I remember that this is just one day, and that showing up is at least half of what is asked of me.

REVEREND HEATHER RION STARR

S

he is a Unitarian Universalist (more on that later). She graduated cum laude from Barnard College in English and Community Organizing, and the Starr King School of Ministry. Every morning she awakens glad to be alive.

She believes we can find positivity even through heartbreak and anguish.

She is the Reverend Heather Rion Starr (she/hers), and she is a woman of substance.

Reverend Heather, as she likes to be called, is the Settling Minister of the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware (UUSD). Rev. Heather was called as its new Settled Minister in May 2021 and joined UUSD in August 2021.

She has worked in places as diverse as Oregon, Idaho, Minnesota, and Connecticut, sometimes simultaneously! With all that moving around, how did she end up in Delaware, or Dela-Where?, as she playfully calls it?

She and her spouse, Rev. Cathy Rion Starr (they/them), weren’t planning to move here originally but found the challenges of ministering here enticing. Being in a large LGBTQ community was exciting (UUSD’s history includes a rainbow umbrella on the beach). The energy of the congregation was appealing and the fact that UUSD is the only congregation in the geographic area provided the challenge of figuring out how to relate and be responsive to all of the congregation.

And then there’s family. Rev. Heather and Rev. Cathy met in 2010, fell in love, then married in 2012. They have two children, Robin and Braden. They identify as a Queer Family. Each of them birthed one of their children, and for each of them they went through the costly and complex process of second parent adoption, so that hopefully no matter what happens or where they live, their relationship with Letters 48 OCTOBER 22, 2021

their children as equal parents will be honored.

Rev. Heather points out, “I have already experienced ways in which having gone through this process has deepened my understanding of what more and more parents go through these days as we work to create the families we’ve dreamed of.” Having two young children helps her maintain her balance (“it’s not about me!”), and only working in one congregation means more bedtime parenting.

Rev. Heather feels particularly called to serve multigenerational congregations interested in engaging with what it means to keep evolving into this complex twenty-first century. She says, “How do we need to transform ourselves and our institutions in order to become more relevant to the concerns of our time? How do we address the countless and also unique needs of our geographically-based communities during an era when so many of our connections with others take place in the disembodied realm of the internet?

How do we keep grounding ourselves in the core values of our Unitarian Universalist faith and recommitting ourselves to love one another well?”

So, what is a Unitarian Universalist?

Whoo, that’s a tough one. Rev. Heather explains that prior to 1961, Unitarians and Universalists were two separate entities.

You could have two separate churches in one town. The Unitarian belief that reason, and not creed, defines the search for truth, and the Universalist belief that God embraces all people equally has led to the current Unitarian Universalist belief that truth and spiritual meaning can be found in all faiths. Even atheists are welcomed into the fold. The joining of the two religions in 1961 by a merger between the Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association led to this revelation. It’s a little more complex than that, but that’s it in a nutshell.

Unitarian Universalists are committed to Seven Principles that include the worth of each person, the need for justice and compassion, the right to choose one’s own beliefs, and the search for truth and meaning. The principles are not doctrine, but rather a guide for those who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.

Rev. Heather mirrors these principles in all she does. She is in her 17th year of ministry, and is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist. She was very active as a child in the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon. She began her journey towards the ministry in 2000, and entered seminary as a full-time residential student at Starr King School for the Ministry in the fall of 2002.

She was ordained a Unitarian Universalist Minister by the UU Fellowship of Central Oregon on April 29, 2007.

One last thought from this woman of substance, this new resident of our beach, Rev. Heather: May what little I do today be for the greater good.

May I be gentle with others today as I long for others to be gentle with me.

May it be so. ▼ Michael Gilles is a playwright, actor, and director from Milton, and a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.

rehoboth guest 28-02_Layout 1 3/30/2018 2:13 PM Page 1

gay Women of Rehoboth ®

Join Us At

www.meetup.com/Gay-Women-Rehoboth Learn about women’s activities, dances, discussion groups and singles events in the area.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

49 Letters

The REAL DIRT

BY ERIC W. WAHL

October in the Chair

“H

Seaside Goldenrod

Fothergilla

Red Maple

Letters 50 OCTOBER 22, 2021

is beard was all colors, a grove of trees in autumn, deep brown and fire-orange and wine-red, an untrimmed tangle across the lower half of his face. His cheeks were apple-red. He looked like a friend; like someone you had known all your life.”

The above title and quote are from Neil Gaiman’s Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders. As I read it, I wished my beard could be described as such. Autumn, an amazing time of year, is the most wondrous and magical season to me. In his short story, October and the rest of the months surround a campfire and regale each other with their own stories; in this case, October is sitting in the chair which means he’s in charge. His story is somewhat dark as it resonates with the month of shorter days and colder nights.

However, my October includes everything I love about nature. The colors, the aromas, the textures, the temperature. Turning the calendar to October is like winning the golden ticket every year, or maybe we should say the golden leaf.

Some of my fall favorites in the garden are listed here. They include perennials, shrubs, and trees. So, get a cup of hot chocolate or cider, a fuzzy blanket, and let’s enjoy all the colors in October’s beard.

For perennials in the autumn, look no further than the many varieties of Solidago, also known as goldenrod. A local favorite is seaside goldenrod which can be found on the sandy dunes of the coastal area. Goldenrods provide late season pollinators with a place to land and feast before they begin their hibernation. The color can range from yellow to a deep gold color. Hence their name and they are stunning when used in the autumn arrangement. Fear not for allergies because goldenrods are not the culprit for “hay fever.”

Ragweed, which blooms during the same timeframe, is to blame.

Another perennial found in the dune areas is cactus pear. Their fruiting habit is quite beautiful and can be observed from mid-September through mid-October. Located along the dunes in the coastal area, cactus pear’s large, flat shape is a great contrast to the finer textures of grasses, goldenrods, and heaths that grow in the same community.

For shrubs, consider fothergilla and beach plum. Fothergilla is one of my favorite shrubs for its bottlebrush flowers that emerge in early spring. However, their coloration in autumn is a site to behold. Their distinctive leaves turn brilliant shades of oranges and reds. They do best in sunny locations with moist but welldrained soils.

Beach plum, on the other hand, likes the sandy soils along the coastal areas. Also found within the dunescape of Delaware, they bloom in spring with beautiful white flowers that turn pink once they are pollinated. Their purple, marble-sized fruits ripen in September and hang on the shrub until eaten by humans or wildlife, or sometimes dry while on the branch appearing like large raisins.

…goldenrods are not the culprit for “hay fever.” Ragweed, which blooms during the same timeframe, is to blame.

I would be an awful landscape designer if I did not include a couple shade trees in this list, as they do provide the most impact in the autumn landscape. Red maples, hickories, and oaks are the vast majority of shade trees in our region that provide the most color in fall.

Red maples of course provide brilliant reds, hickories turn orange-gold, and the oaks can be purples to reds to rust colors. I think if we imagine a landscape with all these colorful contributors, we could actually get close to October’s tangled beard, amuse our friends with campfire stories, and have our time “in the chair.”

Stay safe and let’s garden together!

Eric W. Wahl is Landscape Architect at Pennoni Associates, and President of the Delaware Native Plant Society.

Red Maple photo by Takemaru Hirai on Unsplash

Did you fall in love with the beach this summer?

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

51 Letters

Straight Talk

BY DAVID GARRETT

Oh, Those Crazy Christians!

A

nyone in any place can say whatever is on their mind, with few or no consequences to the nuances, content, or intent of what was said. However, there are definitely times and places when one should just keep his/her mouth shut!

This comes into focus particularly when considering the hyperbole and vitriol that emerge from the mouths of those who call themselves Christian.

Recent headlines tell us that Pat Robertson has retired. Thank GOD! Thank you, God! At the age of 91, Mr. 700 Club has hung up his microphone.

Atima Omara, a political strategist, tweeted, “Pat Robertson contributed 55 years of damage to society at large with racism, misogyny and xenophobia weaved into Christianity.” Using the Bible as his guide over more than a halfcentury, Robertson railed against many who looked different, acted differently, or prayed to a different god. Supposing himself to be the arbiter of divine truth, he invoked the name of his God to condemn scores of people to eternal damnation.

In 1998, he reflected on the Orlando Pride Festival. Seeing all the rainbow flags, he remarked, “I would warn Orlando that you’re right in the way of some serious hurricanes, and I don’t think I’d be waving those flags in God’s face if I were you.” This illustrates a continuous theme among some Christians that there is a direct connection between living the LGBTQ lifestyle and natural disasters.

Higher on the list of Robertson’s Greatest Hits is his claim in 2013 that gay folks in San Francisco are out to “get” straight people. He stated, “If they got the stuff [that is, HIV/AIDS] they’ll have a ring, you shake hands, and the ring’s got a little thing where you cut your finger.” And that, my friends, is how HIV/AIDS is transmitted!

Moving on from this crazy retired pastor, we cross paths with Ralph Drollinger. He is the self-proclaimed Letters 52 OCTOBER 22, 2021

“Pastor to Cabinet Members” and “Pastor to Congress.” His hot button seems to be gay marriage. He recently penned “The Profound Theological Importance of Husband-Wife Marriage.”

His case rests upon lengthy quotes from the Bible.

When a church’s website has a prominent link to the Pastor’s Legal Defense Fund, you know something exciting is happening there!

He writes, “If you debate marriage based upon personal happiness, you will lose the argument. If you debate from theology, you will not...there is much more to marriage than personal happiness. When America denigrates God’s ordained institution of husbandwife marriage, our nation loses one of His primary means of heralding His nature to our country! Such loss has serious long-term repercussions both in terms of national cultural patterning and moral direction.”

Capitol Ministries was founded in 1997, with the purpose of spreading the Bible’s message to those in power at the state and federal levels. Lest we simply dismiss Drollinger as another crazy Christian, keep in mind that he is currently “sponsored” by 10 Senators and 35 Congressional Representatives.

He currently teaches weekly Bible studies for these “sponsors” and led Bible studies at the Cabinet level during the Trump Administration. This pastor has been given access to the halls of Congress to advocate the end of samesex marriage. And some legislators, it seems, are listening.

When a church’s website has a prominent link to the Pastor’s Legal Defense Fund, you know something

exciting is happening there! Pastor Tony Spell, of Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, put himself in legal jeopardy by ignoring his Governor’s directive in 2020 to cap social gatherings of any kind to 50 persons. Spell continued his regular thousand-strong in-person worship services during the spikes of COVID-19. While some of his church members died from COVID, Spell did not let that stop him from continuing services. Even when he was charged with six offenses against the Governor’s orders, he carried on.

Among the crazy Christians, Spell has ranted excessively against LGBTQ rights. In a video clip that went viral, he shared these thoughts. “There’s enough f-g, queer, skinny-jeaned, homoeffeminate, sissy preachers out there with makeup and mascara on their eyes.

Isn’t it about time you get some sweat on your forehead? Isn’t it about time you get some dirt under your nails and get some grease on your hands? We need heroes in this hour! Heroes have callused knees.”

It is up to the readers to determine for themselves how those knees get callused. In any case, the faith of these clergy is such that their followers are driven by hate and prejudice. When one reads the Bible, a hateful Messiah is nowhere to be found. If being gay or transgender was such an eternal sin, it seems that this may have been something that the Messiah would have mentioned. There is nothing.

We will always have crazy Christians making crazy claims in the name of their faith. It is our duty to live with tolerance, acceptance, and love for those who may not fit our expectations. There is always room for all. ▼ David Garrett, a CAMP Rehoboth Board member, is a straight advocate for equality and inclusion. He is also the proud father of an adult trans daughter. Email David Garrett at davidg@camprehoboth.com.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

53 Letters

Historical Headliners

BY ANN APTAKER

Truth in Vogueing

William Dorsey Swann (1858/1860-1925)

H

alloween. A holiday for dressing up, masquerading, threat of raids and arrest, the balls were held in secret, the guest throwing on the hats, feathers, and beads. list carefully curated, and the invitations delivered clandestineTraditionally, all that holiday costuming and masly. Despite Swann’s careful planning, raids did occur. The first querading is meant to hide who we arrests for the crime of “female impersonation” are, add mystery to our identities. But for many took place in April 1888. in our LGBTQ+ community, the suits, feathers, Despite the danger and his own recurring and beads are not costumes to hide behind, arrests, Swann was not deterred from orgabut elements which serve to reveal who we nizing additional drag balls. His perseverance really are: clothes and how we inhabit them as was not just because of a taste for partying; an expression of truth.

Swann regarded the drag balls as an expresFor many, such is the truth of Drag. From sion of freedom. According to historian Chanthe legendary Harlem Drag Balls of the 1920s ning Joseph, Swann was the first in the United and 30s to the drag ball competitions of the States to lead a gay rights resistance group.

1970s and 80s immortalized in the documentaIt is also believed that he may have been ry film Paris Is Burning, and through the current the first to use the term drag, and it is certain, television programs Pose and Ru Paul’s Drag through documented evidence, such as arrest Race, dressing up, posing, and vogueing are records and trial testimony, that Swann was not just for holiday hijinks but are a personal the first to self-identify as the “Queen of Drag.” expression, a way of life, a truth.

There is also anecdotal evidence that Swann As you can see by the previous paragraph, confronted the police during at least one raid drag as a way of life interfaces with cultural and in an attempt to protect the other drag ball social justice issues historically experienced by attendees as they fled to avoid arrest. the African-American and Latinx communities.

In 1896, Swann was arrested and convicted This is not to say that there weren’t white folks on the false charge of running a brothel. He historically engaged in drag life; certainly there 10 months in prison on the trumped[William Dorsey Swann] served were, and of course there still are. up charge. At his sentencing, he requested organized what are But would it surprise you to know that the that President Grover Cleveland grant him history of American Drag and the innovation of credited by historians as a pardon, which would expunge his arrest, drag balls began with an African-American excancel his prison sentence, and restore his America’s first drag balls. honorable name. Though the pardon was not slave in the years after the Civil War? His name was William Dorsey Swann. He granted, Swann’s application and argument for was born into slavery on a Maryland plantation pardon—based on the First Amendment Right (there is debate whether he was born in 1858 to Assemble—is considered the first legal and or 1860, slave records sometimes being iffy on details). He was political pursuit of LGBTQ+ rights in America. eventually freed by the Union army after the Emancipation ProcBy the way, it is not certain that the photo accompanying lamation of 1863. this article is William Dorsey Swann; it may be a late nineteenth/ For Swann, freedom now meant not only freedom from early twentieth century cross-dressing actor impersonating him. indentured servitude but freedom to live as he chose. (A note on The debate is not settled among historians. the “he” pronoun: I’m following the practice of the time. In the But whether the photo is Swann or not, this Halloween, nineteenth century—and up until our own time—the “they/them” when we put on the finery, when we fluff our feathers, swing usage was not part of the common lexicon. Moreover, according our beads, strut our stuff in our suits and extravagant ties, let’s to what little text from the time regarding Swann is available, all tip our hats and tiaras to William Dorsey Swann, an ex-slave evidence suggests that he used the “he” pronoun in reference who really knew how to sashay, and who insisted on the freeto himself.) dom to do so. ▼ After leaving Maryland for Washington, DC, Swann sought out other previously enslaved men who shared his desire to Ann Aptaker's Cantor Gold crime/mystery series has won Lambda dress and socialize as a woman. He thus organized what are Literary and Goldie Awards. Her short stories appear in numerous credited by historians as America’s first drag balls. From around publications and anthologies.

1880 and into the 1890s, Swann organized fashionable drag balls in various venues in the nation’s capital. Because of the Letters 54 OCTOBER 22, 2021

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55 Letters

SPORTY GALS

BY STEFANI DEOUL

Blue Herons Are State Champs!

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ong before we were inundated by Thurst or Qutie, Bumble or Zoe, Tinder or Hinge, or any other of the endless dating apps, we had softball.

Yvonne Zipter wrote a book and titled it Diamonds are a Dyke’s Best Friend. Its subtitle is Reflections, Reminiscences, and Reports from the Field on the Lesbian National Pastime.

The Lesbian National Pastime.

Sounds like a sport we would need to have in Rehoboth Beach. And, we do!

This year, on a field in Schutte Park in Dover, the Blue Herons, managed by Sharon Kanter and coached by Theresa Kugelmann, became the Delaware Senior Olympic State Champions. They will next be heading to the National Senior Olympic Tournament*, held in Ft Lauderdale, where they will go for the gold.

And to no one in Rehoboth Beach’s surprise, one of the teams the Herons beat to get that gold was their local rival, the Softball Rebels, who they bested in a nail-biter of a playoff, 13-11.

"Country dykes, city dykes, dykes with four-year degrees, dykes who are feminists, dykes who aren't, dykes of different races and classes, dyke who have been athletes all their lives, and dykes who are just discovering, or rediscovering after year[s], the values of athletic endeavors— there are softball players among all their ranks…” —Yvonne Zipter Title IX, the groundbreaking, world-changing federal civil right law, which prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, didn’t exist until 1972. There were no women’s lacrosse teams, no Megan Rapinoe, no Sue Bird. Billie Jean King was still in the closet, and no girls were allowed in Little League!

But we had softball.

You didn’t need to be the best, you didn’t even need to play. You could just show up and escape the tacky, backroom bars, or societal pressures to become a mother-teacher-secretary-nun. The softball field was a haven; and one of the few places where women could safely meet other women.

One might argue softball lesbians are Letters 56 OCTOBER 22, 2021

the fierce backbone of modern women’s sports. After all, when Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagen was first under consideration for the job, the Wall Street Journal, in an apparent attempt to malign her, chose to run a then 17-year-old photo of her playing softball—on their front page.

(The WSJ vigorously denies there was any lesbian innuendo in this choice.)

Going deep and sliding home.

On Schutte Field the medals were awarded to the winning team by none other than 78-year-old, still-playing-softball Dr. Bonnie Strang, and were received by 20 of our finest over-50 players (the local league is 45 and up; the Olympic team is 50+).

If either team has a five-run inning, the inning ends—unless it’s the seventh inning, then we go for it—unless we go up by 12 runs and invoke the “Slaughter Rule.” And there are a few subtle concessions to age; after all, new hips aren’t easy to replace. So, home plate and first base have two bags to keep the collisions down.

And over on Holland Glade Road, for two months a year, the soul of the game is unchanged. A safe haven for women to congregate, meet other women, cheer, laugh, enjoy the competition and the comradery.

So come and join them. Want to play?

Email Commissioner Rina Pellegrini at rpelle6469@gmail.com. Want to cheer?

The season’s schedules, rosters, etc. can

be found at: leaguelineup.com/teams_ baseball.asp?url=rehobothsenior&divisionid=927959&teamid=6734812.

And of course, there’s always room for sponsors. We love our teams, and we love their sponsors. The Blue Herons are sponsored by Nicola Pizza, the Shore Sharks by Olivia Travel, the Alley Cats by The Pond, Riptide by Chaps Pit Beef, and the Softball Rebels by The Cobi Group.

And kudos to the Blue Herons! Players: Kim Beddow, Renate Costner, Alina Ferrara, Barb Fischetti, Kathy Fitzgerald, Karen Goodwin, Carol Grubb, Jenn Harpel, Maria Marchegiano, Jen Olstead, Beth Petit, Maryann Slinkman, Wanda Steffy, Bonnie Strang, Lucy Strauss, Lauren Thomas, Linda Twenty, and Patricia Walker. Playoff Loans: Cindy Holt, Cindy Knotts, Pearl Morris, and Lisa Orem. Manager: Sharon Kanter. Coaches: Theresa Kugelmann and Bev Ascolese. Scorekeeper: Sally Marchegiano.

Softball. Batter Up! ▼ *The Blue Herons will be in Fort Lauderdale competing May 10-23, precise dates TBD. If you’re there, come out and cheer them on!

Stefani Deoul is a television producer and author of the award-winning YA mystery series Sid Rubin Silicon Alley Adventures, with On a LARP, Zero Sum Game, and Say Her Name.

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57 Letters

Abby Conery Teacup poodle/Maltese, owner Mary Conery.

FUN FACT Abby works at nursing homes!

Interested in having your critter(s) featured in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth? Send a high resolution picture (300 dpi) along with their name(s) and one fun fact to editor@camprehoboth.com. Our roaming photographer will also take photos in the courtyard all year long.

Letters 58 OCTOBER 22, 2021

OCTOBER 22, 2021

59 Letters

CAMPshots

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

Fall: Fun & Festive THIS PAGE (left to right): 1) Rehoboth Beach Bear Weekend at CAMP Rehoboth: Kanili Sharp, Kenny Mahan, Michael Nieves, Regi Thomas, Jim Adams, Travis Stevens, Glen Pruitt, Max Dick, Dorian Frost, David Mariner, Jamie Middleton, Bruce Evatt, RB Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski, Kenny Mahan, Ben Reaves, Andrew Morgan, John Garvey; 2) at the Firefly Music Festival: Kasey Gonzalez-Cruz, Jay-Xavier Johnson, Natalie Daniels, Cat Simmons, Michelle Manfredi; 3) at the Lambda Car Club Straight Eights Beach Ball 2021: John Benton, David Briggs; 4) at the AIDS Walk Delaware: David Mariner, Senator Tom Carper, Tyler Berl.

OPPOSITE PAGE: 5) at Blue Coast Restaurant: Jamie Shepherd, John Kaplan, Tom Kantor, Cliff Lassahn, Lisa Leshner; 6) at Theo’s: Dan Kyle, Marvin Miller, Wendy Eaby, Will Gudelunas, David Streit, Gary Fisher; 7) at Rehoboth Art League Kathleen Patterson, William Patterson; 8) at Lupo Italian Kitchen Restaurant Mindy Martin, Hetty Hertrich, Wayne Hanby, Kathy Scott; 9) at Peninsula Gallery Tony Boyd-Heron, Kyle Whary; 10) at The Back Porch Restaurant Will Delaney, Lucas Ricardo, Geoff Jackson, Richie Gehman, Patti Kim; 11) at the Purple Parrot Alex Souders, Dakota Corniela, Michael Ward.

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61 Letters

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

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(Continued from page 61) THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at the Clear Space Theatre Gala at Kings Creek Marty Cault, Marsha Burd, Gene Lawson, Scott Sterl, Shawn Wright, Rick Tedrick, Sue Miller, Fred Mitzner, Jeff Rowe, Ida Rowe, Paul Wiegraff, Lorraine Steinhoff, Barry Covington, Sharon Covington, Dave McCarthy, Walt Cassell, Sherri Brown, RB Commissioner Dick Byrne, Lisa Schlosser, Hazel Brisker, Brian McGregor, Joan McGregor, Arthur Brisker; 2) at Aqua Mark Purpura, Mathew Adams, Allen Fieding, Brian Straka.

2 Letters 62 OCTOBER 22, 2021

OPPOSITE PAGE: 3) more at Aqua: Peggy Flynn, John Flynn, Jeanne Flynn, Trish Flynn, David Park, Clarence Pineda, Rick Hardy, Brian Sparrow, Tim Murphy, Marc Charon, Victor Camacho, Geoff Jackson, Ken Davies, Jake Boone, Don Baum; 4) at SoDel Food & Wine Fest Peter LaMotta, Stacy LaMotta; 5) at The Pines: Tony Sowers, Russ King; 6) Seth Sykes performance at The Pines: Christopher Smith, Brian Kelly, David Gonce, Seth Sykes 7) at the Rusty Rudder, Dewey: Beth Petitte, Erin Reid, Susan Garson; 8) at Obeys: Laurie Vendetti, Jan Vandetti, (unnamed), Laura Mathews, Laura Reitman, Teri Agosta, Brandon Lippy, Kelly Sabol, Mary Jenkins, Cathy Forthuber.

(More CAMPshots page 78)

More fun! More festivities!

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63 Letters

Q Puzzle Bros

Solution on Page 84 ACROSS 1 Melville’s Dick 5 Teletubbies and others 9 Golf classic eponym 14 De Matteo of Desperate Housewives 15 Words after the doctor 16 “I am ___ than grass...”

(Sappho) 17 Jack portrayer Hayes 18 Early newspaper publisher Ben 19 Fagged out 20 Cast member of Bros 23 “Yadda, yadda, yadda,” briefly 24 “You bet!”

25 Tempers, as metal 29 Top angels 34 Ally McBeal actress Lucy 35 Rugby star Roberts 37 Ventilate 38 Like all the principal actors in Bros 42 Eichner, director and cast member of Bros 43 Open-mouthed fivesome 44 Caesar’s invitation to a threesome?

46 Eager desire 47 Like Romeo and Juliet 49 Support publicly 51 Republican erection?

54 Cast member of Bros 59 Fable fellow

6 0 Race in a regatta 61 Baldwin’s The ___ Corner 63 Carolyn who wrote about a Nancy 64 Windshield feature 65 Sib of David on Six Feet Under 66 As You Like It forest 67 They get laid only once 68 Pantyhose woe DOWN 1 Some GLMA members 2 Hurler Hershiser 3 Male escort 4 Doodle on Broadway 5 Teaser, sometimes 6 Mishima’s continent 7 Frisbees, e.g.

8 Cluster “fornications” 9 Part of Adam that was used to make Steve?

10 Corridor 11 Spicy stew 12 Leather strap for a stallion 13 River of Wilde’s land 21 Sked info 22 Part of San Francisco’s BART 25 Words before once 26 Country bordering Mali 27 Homeland of Princess Aida

28 Barneys event 30 George Takei’s neighbors 31 Gondola guy 32 Dances in South Pacific 33 Panache 36 Testacle, in slang 39 Dress (up) 40 Shakespeare wrote with one 41 Fit to be tied 45 Opens, as a gate 48 Cammermeyer’s rank (abbr.)

50 Had sex with, in slang 52 Beau chaser 53 Batgirl player Yvonne 54 Will of The Waltons 55 Brought into play 56 Actress Skye 57 What you should take it like 58 Chicago’s Catherine ___-Jones 59 Alias, initially 62 Battery term.

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

65 Letters

arts+entertainment

BY DOUG YETTER

SPOTLIGHT ON THE

arts

CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at the Heart of Our Community

The Harvest

I

’ve spent a lifetime nurturing the seeds of creativity in artists both young and old and watching their artistic spirits bloom. Nothing makes me prouder than to see how beautifully some of those artists have grown and

worked to cultivate the next generation. My soul glows with satisfaction for having been at least a small part of their artistic journey. Our community also shares that sense of pride with the continued success of Jazz Fest,

Coastal Concerts, Clear Space, the Sea Witch® Festival, and the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival to name just a few. Be grateful for the bounty of our creative harvest and do everything you can to support them! ▼

AT THE CAMP REHOBOTH GALLERY Exum Art CAMP Rehoboth Gallery is hosting a solo show by artist Sheila Exum of Magnolia. Exum’s art has previously been accepted for juried exhibits at CAMP Rehoboth, including the Women’s FEST Art Show and Voices that Have Yet To Be Heard, an exhibit held during Black History Month. “CAMP Rehoboth is thrilled to feature Exum’s art in a solo exhibit,” says CAMP Rehoboth Arts Director Leslie Sinclair. An Artist Reception will be held November 12 (5-7 p.m.) at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center; the show runs through November 30. ▼

UPCOMING SHOWS Pacem in Terris Traveling Peace Artwork—Positive messages and visions of peace by artists aged 5-18 years from schools and community groups in Delaware will help us connect to our deeper sense of humanity.

HINENI (Here I Am)—Works by contemporary abstract expressionist painter Rebecca Davidson, exploring motion, color, and texture through monumental, layered paintings.

Both shows run December 3, 2021-January 3, 2022, with an Opening Reception on December 3 (5-9 p.m.).

(Above, LeBron by Shelia Exum.

Letters 66 OCTOBER 22, 2021

CAMP REHOBOTH highlights our community’s unique history and culture, and serves to further diversity, equity, and inclusion, by building unity and understanding. Exhibits may be viewed Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., or by appointment by emailing artshow@CAMPRehoboth.com.

You may view and purchase the art on the CAMP Rehoboth website under the “SHOP” heading.

arts+entertainment PERFORMING ARTS CAMP Rehoboth Theatre (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth. com) in collaboration with the Delaware Division of the Arts, and the Robert Hoffer Theatre Fund presents Tiny Beautiful Things (November 5-7) under the direction of Russell Stiles.

Cinema Art Theater (17701 Dartmouth Drive, Lewes; 302-313-4032; rehobothfilm.com) continues to follow all CDC guidelines, with reduced seating capacity for in-person viewing, and dozens of films available for streaming. The Met: Live in HD series returns with a new opera, Fire Shut Up in My Bones. Due to pandemic concerns, dates for the 24th Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival have yet to be announced at this time. Check their website for current information.

Clear Space Theatre Company (20 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-2270; ClearSpaceTheatre.org) presents The Rocky Horror Show through October 31, Frozen, Jr. (November 12-14), and Scrooge the Musical, opening November 26. Check their website for details.

Coastal Concerts (in residence at Bethel UMC Hall; Fourth and Market Streets, Lewes; 888-212-6458; coastalconcerts. org) continues their season with Andrew Garland and Warren Jones in Songs of Travel, November 6 (7:30 p.m.). Check their 2022 offerings online.

At Rehoboth Art League, Winter White by William Patterson

Mid-Atlantic Symphony (PO Box 3381; Easton, MD 21601; 888-846-8600; midatlanticsymphony.org) presents Double Reed & Serenade with music by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, and Maestro Julien Benichou, November 13 (7:30 p.m.) at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Road).

The Milton Theater (110 Union Street, Milton; 302-684-3038; miltontheatre. com) has reduced capacity for social distancing and continues to present a remarkably diverse array of shows and talent. Check their website for events.

Mispillion Performance Series continues their premiere season with Duo Sorolla (duosorolla.com) on October 23 and the Siepp/Sheets Trumpet and Organ Duo on November 20, both at 7:00 p.m. at Epworth UMC (19285 Holland Glade Road). FREE and open to the public.

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS CAMP Rehoboth Gallery (37 Baltimore Avenue; 302-227-5620; camprehoboth. com) features Exum Art. (See listing elsewhere in this column.)

Gallery 50 (50 Wilmington Avenue; 302-227-2050; gallery50art.com) offers complete framing services and represents several talented artists.

Milton Arts Guild (107 Federal Street, Milton; 302-684-1500; miltonartsguild. org) will celebrate their move to Federal Street with a Grand Reopening on October 24. The first exhibit, All About Lines, opens October 21.

Peninsula Gallery (520 E. Savannah Road, Lewes; 302-645-0551; peninsula-gallery.com) presents Wine, Women, and All That Jazz—four artists celebrate the Jazz Festival with images of nightlife and famous musicians, through October 30. Opening November 6, Big Skies—a collection of new pastels from local favorite Nick Serratore. October’s featured artist is Finland native/current Lewes resident Nina Mickelsen.

Christone Kingfish Ingram by Al Moretti at Peninsula Gallery.

bothartleague.org) has several exhibits.

The Quiet Hour & Abstract Landscape, through November 21. Juried Members’ Showcases; Geometric Abstractions, works by Jack Knight; Beyond Words, a retrospective by Michael Krausz; and Interpretations of Nature, works by William Patterson—all closing October 31. Opening November 12: SeascapesUnder the Surface: Information, works

by David Heatwole and David Curtis; and The Lonely Girls, works by Constance McBride. Visit their website for upcoming exhibitions and class offerings. ▼ Doug is the Artistic Director for CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Director of Music Ministries at Epworth UMC, and co-founder and Artistic Director emeritus of the Clear Space Theater Company. Contact Doug at dougyetter@ gmail.com if you want to add your events to the calendar. Check out CAMP Arts on our website at camprehoboth.com for links to all the listed theatres, galleries and museums.

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

Rehoboth Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres; 302-227-8408; reho-

OCTOBER 22, 2021

67 Letters

arts+entertainment

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

BOOKED SOLID Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law

by Mary Roach c.2021, W.W. Norton & Company $26.95/$35.95 Canada, 308 pages

The pawprints were enormous.

That was your first thought when you saw them on the ground. Someone in the neighborhood just got a new dog the size of a horse. Is it close to Halloween?

Or there’s a Sasquatch in the ‘hood. Or maybe, as in the new book Fuzz, by Mary Roach, you share the block with something that could eat you.

Murder, theft, assault, destruction of property…. It happens all the time between us and nature. But as Mary Roach discovered, there’s a reason it’s called wildlife: toothed-and-clawed scofflaws don’t always get caught and they rarely see jail time.

So, what kind of criminals are we looking at here, Your Honor?

Take bears, for example. Roach attended WHART (Wildlife Human Attack Response Team) classes in British Columbia, where mutilated mannequins help officials learn how to determine bear bites from wolf bites from scavenger nibbles.

In Aspen, she learned that bears are really good at gently breaking into houses to find food but they’re not the only guilty parties: we humans are partially culpable in the bears’ snack-pilfering habits.

Elephants, as she learned, aren’t the long-lashed, big-eared snugglers from the movies. In India, they can be destructive to crops and vengeful to people, especially if they have grudges or are in musth. In that case, elephants have been seen stepping on villagers and tearing them limb-from-limb—though, because people there view pachyderms as deities, the killers are rarely, if ever, treated negatively for their actions.

Letters 68 OCTOBER 22, 2021

That’s not quite the case with leopards in the Middle Himalaya, where the animals have killed hundreds of people through the years by seizing them from behind. Incredibly, it’s not until the third attack that anything’s done to stop the cat-astrophe.

In India, macaque monkeys live to “harass people.” Cougars can attack you (but they rarely do). Trees can become a “danger.” Deer, dromedaries—all dangerous.

Even mice can kill but yeah, there’s a “trapp” for that.

You can’t pet a bison. No selfies with a bear or moose.

Leopard territory is off-limits. Please don’t feed the animals, so what can you do? You can laugh and learn by reading Fuzz.

Make no mistake, though: while author Mary Roach has a sneak-up-on-you sense of humor that will make you snort, what she shares with readers is serious stuff. As proof, she offers tales of animals doing things that humans would be arrested for doing and, like humans, this stuff can be bloody. It can be stomach-churning.

It also can be fascinating because Roach takes readers around the world with experts who know, sometimes firsthand, about the real habits of these creatures that seem so familiar. Reading that, seeing why elephant handlers are paid more, learning about “ridiculously lovable” attackers and furry light-fingered extortionists, shows that unlawful ursa exist, camels can act like criminals, and sometimes, nothing’s more apt than the word “jailbird.”

If you’re someone who loves to read aloud passages of your current obsession, Fuzz is your book. Clear your throat, prepare those around you; you shouldn’t wait to get your paws on it. ▼ Terri Schlichenmeyer has been reading since she was three years old and never goes anywhere without a book. Always Overbooked, she lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 15,000 books.

ENTERTAINMENT MINUTES FROM THE BEACHES! October 24 - HOCUS POCUS: Film Screening / 3PM & 7PM October 29 - HAUNTED HILARITY: Stand-Up Comedy / 8PM October 30 - NIGHTRAIN: The Guns & Roses Experience / 7:30PM October 31 - BACK IN BLACK: AC/DC Experience / 8PM November 4 - AUNT MARY PAT DISABATINO: Comedy Show / 8PM November 5 - MAGNOLIA APPLEBOTTOM DRAG SHOW / 8PM November 6 - BOY IN BLACK: Johnny Cash Trubute / 8PM HALLOWEEN KID'S CABARET November 11 - COMPLETELY UNCHAINED: Van Halen Tribute / 7:30PM Kid's Open Mic November 12 - BLUES BROTHERHOOD: Blues Brothers Tribute / 8PM October 28 - Thursday - 7PM November 14 - MANDIE STEVENSON: Psychic Medium / 7:30PM November 18 - BAD GUYS OF BROADWAY: MTE Fall Showcase / 7PM November 19 - BAD GUYS OF BROADWAY: MTE Fall Showcase / 7PM November 20 - CALM THE F* DOWN, IT'S NOT CHRISTMAS YET Stand-Up Comedy Sepcial / 8PM November 27 - BON JERSEY: Tribute To Bon Jovi / 8PM November 28 - HUNKS THE SHOW: All Male Revue / 8PM December 2 - CARTOON CHRISTMAS TRIO / 7PM THE MIDNIGHT ROCK SHOW December 3 - SISTER'S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM 70's FM Rock Radio Hits!

Search For The Magi's Gold / 8PM November 7 - Sunday - 8PM December 4 - POLAR EXPRESS: Pajama Party Film Screening / 11AM & 2PM December 4 - PEEK-A-BOO REVUE: Holiday Burlesque / 8PM December 5 - THE AMERICAN ROGUES / 2PM

WILMINGTON BALLET presents

RELEVE'

A PROUD MONKEY Tribute to Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds

November 13 - Saturday - 8PM November 21 - Sunday - 3PM

A Ballet & Wine Tasting Event Featuring Oak Creek Wines & Spirits

For more information on tickets, show details, and full events calendar go to:

YOUNG SINATRA

Featuring Tony DiMeglio November 26 - Friday - 7:30PM

www.MILTONTHEATRE.com 302.684.3038 110 Union St. Milton, DE

OCTOBER 22, 2021

69 Letters

OUR SUPPORTERS MAKE IT HAPPEN PURPLE LEVEL Greg Albright & Wes Combs X Sondra N. Arkin X Aaron, Heather, Gia & Joe Book* Catherine Brennan Carol Bresler & Carolyn Billinghurst X Pat Catanzariti & Carole Ramos* Jim D’Orta & Jed Ross & AJ, Cubby & Maryrose Skip Dye & Steven King* Judy & Carole Jesiolowski James W. Johnson & Matthew H. Shepard* Christine Lay X Fred Munzert & J.P. Lacap Beth Pile & S.A. White X Mark Purpura & Matthew Adams* Chris Rinaldi & Brian Powers X Mary Rossettini & Kathleen Taylor Jennifer Rubenstein & Diane Scobey X Gary Seiden & Ah Bashir X Evie Simmons & Barb Thompson X Leslie Sinclair & Debbie Woods X Diane Sweeney* The Robert V. Hauff & John F. Dreeland Foundation X William Cross Foundation Steven Wright DMD PA*

INDIGO LEVEL Murray Archibald & In Memory of Steve Elkins X James Beal & In Memory of David Van Patter Wesley Blickenstaff* Jane Blue & Louisa Watrel X Joe Brannen & John Klomp X Tom Brown X Chris & Richard Cahill X Elizabeth Carl & Tori Hill X Richard Coss & Mike Hull* Lou Fiore & Jim Burke* Jim & Tom Flower* Gary Gajewski - In Memory of Dr. John A. Boscia Richard Gamble & Paul Lindsey* David & Marti Garrett* Harry Hallock Fred Harke - In Memory of Robert Rougeau X Holly Horn & Kathleen Garrity X Claire Ippoliti X Peter Karsner X Melissa & Amanda Kaufman X Maureen Keenan & Teri Dunbar X Russell Koerwer & Stephen Schreiber X Roger Kramer* Curtis J. Leciejewski, DDS, PA X Kathleen Lehmann Doug Lingenfelter & John Roane David Mariner & Khusan Odilovich Natalie Moss & Evelyn Maurmeyer X Rick Mowery & Joe Conn X Tom Negran & Marc Anthony Worosilo X David Nelson & William McManus X John Newton & Mowry Spencer X Mark Niehaus & Brooks Honeycutt X Kathleen Nilles & Camille Nichols*

Jeanine O’Donnell - State Farm* Gwen Osborne & Katie Handy Signarama X The Pearsall Family* Porter-Gordon Family* Deborah Qualey & Karen Gustafson X Lori & Renee Rocheleau Mark Roush & Dave Banick* Mark Schweizer & Robert Voelker Susan Tobin & Cathy Martinson* Terry Vick* Frank Vitrano X Mel W. & Linda Lee M. Weller Karen West & Melissa Clement* Ronald Wetzel & Nathan Hench Brian Yanofchick

BLUE LEVEL Ronald Bass & George Robbins X Rocky Bible & Kevin Bosley - In Memory of Jackie Morris Tim & Meredith Birrittella Teresa Bolduc & Kim McGeown* Karen Brause & Kim Sheaffer* Tony Burns X Coleen Collins & Berdi Price X Donna Davis & Gail Jackson X Connie Fox & Donna Adair* Gail Gormley* Perry Gottlieb & Tim White* John Holohan & William Ensminger* Irene & Lou Katz* Nancy Kennedy & Tora Washington* Paul & Anne Michele Kuhns* Glenn Lash & Mark Paugh Bob Mancuso & Doug Murray Marvin Miller & Dan Kyle X Rebecca Moscoso* John Roane & Doug Lingenfelter In Memory of Jeff Hosley Chris Rouchard X Michael Shaffer & Benjamin Wilson X Angie Strano & Cindy Gruman*

GREEN LEVEL Gerry Beaulieu & Bill Fuchs* Sharon Bembry & Lois Powell* Alex Benjamin & Pete Grover* David Bower* Chris Bowers* David W. Briggs & John F. Benton X Charlie Browne & Rod Cook X Barry Bugg* Cheryl Buxton Lisa Carrol & Deb Dubois X Jay Chalmers & John Potthast X Paul Christensen & Dennis Morgan* Beth Cohen & Fran Sneider X Stephen Corona Scott Davis & Chris Shaheen* Lewis & Greg Dawley-Becker* Robert Defendis & Ronald O. Dempsey* Mike DeFlavia & Tony Sowers* Ann DeLazaro & Annette Potemski Marianne DeLorenzo & Linda Van de Wiele* Max Dick* Diane Dragositz Ann Evans* Kathy & Corky Fitzpatrick X

Letters 70 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Keven Fitzsimmons & Jeff Stroud X Cynthia Flynn & Deirdre Boyle X Tom Galloway & Les Diggs Richard Green & Asi Ohana X Joe Greenhall & Tom Klingler Bob Gurwin & John Rourke John Hackett & Tom Newton* David Hagelin & Andy Brangenberg* Harris Holden X Terry Hollinger & Mike May Steve Hoult & Rick Bane X Karen Hugues & Cathy McCallister X Anthony Incalcatera & James Buswold Dorsey Johnson & Kay Jernigan* Jocelyn Kaplan & Idalie Adams X Linda Kemp* Deborah Kennedy & Beth Yocum* Jerry Kennedy & Robert Quinones X Eric Korpon & Steve Haber* Leslie Ledogar & Marilyn Hewitt* John J. MacDonald & Douglas James James Mease & Philip Vehslage* Richard Morgante & Edward McHale* Susan Morrison* Dennis Neason & Steve Bendyna* Kim Nelson & Lori Simmons X Fran O’Brien & David Gifford* Don Peterson & Jeff Richman X Keith Petrack & Michael Fetchko* Anne Pikolas & Jean Charles X Stephen Pleskach X Gail Purcell & Sandy Kraft* Tony Purcell & In Memory of Daniel Espejel Bill Rayman & Frank King* Marty Rendon & John Cianciosi* Kim Rutherford & Dalit Eyal Douglas Sellers & Mark Eubanks Scott Shaughnessy & John Hassell* William Snow X Joseph Steele & Chris Leady David Streit & Scott Button* Anne Tracy & Mary Gilligan Peter Trost & John Worek Cal Weible & Daniel Halvorsen X Margaret Wilkins* Kathy Wiz & Muriel Hogan X Jon Worthington & Bryan Houlette X Doug Yetter & Mark Horne* Lisa Zimmerman X

YELLOW LEVEL Brenda Abell X Keith Anderson & Peter Bish X Dale Aultman & Paul Gibbs X Shannon & Sarah Avery* Pamela Baker & Diane Dixson* Linda Balatti & Shirley Gilmer X Susie Ball & Susan Delaney X Mike Ballenger & Martin Thomas* Miriam Barton* Chris Beagle & Eric Engelhart* Tom Beall Barbara Beavers & Kathy Carrell Sherry Berman & Deb Hamilton X Abby Bernstein & Karen Frank X Michael Boyle & Greg Murphy X John Brady X Jeffrey Buhrman & Roger Alford David Carder

CAMP REHOBOTH MEMBERSHIP 2021 John Carr & Billy Cox* Kathy Casey & Jean Burgess X Kate Cauley & Pat Newcomb Bob Chambers* Jean Chlastawa & Susan Griesemer Jim Chupella & Jim Wigand* Dottie Cirelli & Myrna Kelley X Austin Clayton Steve Clayton & Brad Lentz Gary Colangelo & Gerald Duvall X Nancy Commisso* Thomas Conway & Thoth Weeda* Drexel Davison - Bad Hair Day?* Anthony Delacruz & Ronald Mangano Fred DiBartolo & Steve Wood X Maureen Dolan & Karen McGavin* Albert Drulis & Scott Silber* Sandy Duncan & Maddy Ewald Gary Espinas & Daniel Sherlock Karen & Lisa Faber* Alice Fagans & Ruth Ann Mattingly* John Farley & Dennis Wilson X Dent Farr & Erick Lowe* Dee Farris* Jerry Filbin* Cecily Fisher & Loretta Higgins Diane Fisher & Kharma Amos Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth* Monica Fleischmann & Lona Crist X John Flournoy & Jim Chrobot Susan Goudy* Bill Graff & Jeff Schuck* Ken Green & Joe Kearney* Michael Green & Robert Schwerdtfeger* Mary Gunning Wesley Hacker & David Block* Jo Hamilton & Donna Voigt* Harbor Healthcare* Pete & Joanne Harrigan* Robert Henthorne & Roger Bolduc David Herring & Karl Hornberger Carol Holland - Holland Jewelers X Caroline Huff & Brenda Robertson* Nan Hunter & Chai Feldblum Pete Jakubowski* Philip Johnson* Bob Kabel* Marilyn Kates & Laura Glenn* Rose Korten & Brenda Pinkney Greg Kubiak* Susan Kutliroff & Barbara Snyder Carol Lazzara & Sheila Maden* Greg Lehne Monica Lewis & Ann Zimmerman* Frank Liptak & Joe Schnetzka* Jim Lonsdale & Bryan Hoffman John Mackerey & Donald Filicetti Patricia Magee & Anita Pettitt X Ellie Maher Harold Marmon & Robert Hill* John Marson Jill Masterman & Tammy Jackson* Tony Mazzarella Michael McCarthy & Lars Kontz In Memory of Vickie Stapleton Mickie McManamon* Howard Menaker & Patrick Gossett X Phil Merola & Rocco Scutaro Ray Michener & Tom Carlson* Linda Miniscalco & Jeanne Drake*

Sherril Moon & Louise Montgomery* Jack Morrison & Bob Dobbs* Sandy Neverett & Pam Cranston X Robert Nowak & David Bergman X Judy Olsen & Joanne Kempton X Maggie Ottato X Dotti Outland & Diane Mead X Peninsula Gallery - Tony & Carol Boyd-Heron* John Piccirillo & Jonathan Rose Joanne Picone & Kathy Bostedo* Tom Poor & Tom Bachmann - Bin 66 Fine Wine* Jim Pressler X Sam Profeta X Lisa Rabigi & Bea Vuocolo* Joie Rake & Nan Flesher X Gene Roe X Thomas Rose & Thomas Sechowicz X Lucien Rossignol & Tom Harris* Mark Saunders & Bob Thoman* Richard Scalenghe & Thomas Panetta* Gary Schell & Jim DiRago Betsy Schmidt X Sheryl Schulte & Jeanne LaVigne* Angela Scott Troy Senter & Stacey Chan* Mary Ann Slinkman & Sharyn Santel Polly Smale - In Memory of Charlotte Reid* David Smith & Kenn Williams Susan Soderberg & Terri King X John Michael Sophos & Miss Dot Sophos* Diane Sozio & Patricia Hutchinson* Dee Speck & Linda Kauffman X Mary Spencer & Kathy Lingo* Russell & Patricia Stiles* Robert Stoltzfus & Gerald Warhola* Lenny Stumpf & John B. Pitchford* Brett Svensson & Bill Quinn - Dust Doctors LLC* Thrasher’s French Fries* Don Wainwright & Tom Jamison* Lana Warfield & Pamela Notarangelo X Elizabeth Way & Dorothy Dougherty* Michael Weinert X Douglas Werner & JD Pryor Joseph & Diane Wood Tony Wright & Mary Jo Bennett X Steven Wunder & Rod Hastie Jean Sutliff Young* Joanne Yurik* Larry Zeigler X John Zingo & Rick Johnson* Karl Zoric & Mark Pipkin X

ORANGE LEVEL Gwen Atwell & Marla Hoon Ruth Ball & Mary Ellen Jankowski* Romulus Barba & Dean Yanchulis* Paul Barbera & Joseph Nolan Nancy Bearss & Jenni Lindsay Kathleen Biggs & Maria Campos Kathy Board & Jackie Maddalena Boland Family - In Memory of Michael J. Kelly* Linda Bova & Bridget Bauer - The Sea Bova Associates* William Briganti & Gary Moore* Continued on page 72

Designed For Inclusivity, Designed for You

At The Lodge at Truitt Homestead, we respect, honor and celebrate the individuality of every resident and team member. Here, we believe that a lifestyle community is a place to live, belong, and enjoy 'Life. Your Way.' Named “Best of Delaware” for 2021, The Lodge at Truitt Homestead is proud to be the first SAGECare Certified senior lifestyle community in Delaware, treating each resident with dignity and respect while catering to the unique needs of seniors in the LGBT+ community.

BEST SENIOR RESIDENCE READERS PICK DOWNSTATE

302.727.0936 | TRUITTLODGE.COM | 36233 FARM LN, REHOBOTH BEACH, DE 19971 windsor's 28-02_windsor's 14-15.qxd 3/30/2018 2:26 PM Page 1

“WHERE FLOWERS SPEAK A BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE” FLORIST SHOP • GREENHOUSES 20326 Coastal Highway • Rehoboth Beach, DE (Next to Arena’s Café)

302-227-9481

OCTOBER 22, 2021

71 Letters

Continued from page 70

Anita Broccolino - In Memory of Cathy Fisher Wendy Bromfeld* Ronald Butt & Steve Cannon* William Byron & Ali Lazur Debbie Cali & Maddie Cunningham Ingrid Callmann & Karen Askins* Helen Chang & Pat Avery Charlie Codacovi* Community Bank Delaware* Mark Conheady* Lois Cortese & Jill Stokes X Kay Creech & Sharon Still* Kenneth Currier & Mike Tyler X John D’Amico* Joseph Davey & H. Ralph Fletcher Linda DeFeo X J. Lynne Dement & Lisa J. Snyder* Jim DiLalla & In Memory of Frederick Episcopo* Tony DiMichele & Jeff Smith* Joe DiSalvo* Donna Dolce* Kevin Doss & Arie Venema Arlyce Dubbin & Kathleen Heintz* Richard Egler Susan Eig & Ellen Schiff X Jeanne Embich* Maureen Ewadinger* Ellen Feinberg & Lesley Rogan X Barbara Fitzpatrick & Denise Centinaro Sara Ford & Anne Donick* Roland Forster & David McDonald Deb Fox & Deb Bonneau Charles Gable Christopher Galanty & James Apistolas Ron Glick & Tien Pham* William Gluth & Channing Daniel* Ed Gmoch* Mike Gordy & Ed Brubaker Joe Gottschall & Scott Woody Charles Graham* Deborah Grant & Carol Loewen* Todd Hacker Jen Hackler Siobhan Halmos & Beth McLean* Sharon Hansen X Pat Harte & Nancy Sigman Steve Hayes Tracey & Erica Hellman Nancy Hewish & Vicki Martina* Bill Hillegeist X Mary Anne Hoopes & Dianna Johnston* Vance Hudgins & Denny Marcotte* John Hulse X Mary Huntt & Angela Creager Janet Idema & Patricia Higgins* Frank Jump & Vincenzo Aiosa* Sharon Kanter & Cyndy Bennett* Mark Kehoe X Maryl Kerley & Pat Sagat X Bonnie Kirkland & Wanda Bair X Jay Kottoff & Mark Matey* Rob & Jean Krapf X Barbara Lang & Diane Grillo* Jim Lesko Chip Logan Dale & Sue Lomas* Duncan MacLellan & Glenn Reighart* Robb Mapou & Mike Zufall Marsha Mark & Judy Raynor* James Mastoris & Edward Chamberlain X Jonathan Mattner & Chad Rinker Michael & Stephan Maybroda Kathy & Steve McGuiness*

Kate McQueen* Margaret Moore & Sheree Mixell X Thomas Moore & Richard Bost* Robert Neighbour & Andrew Dan* Pat Nickols* Donna Ohle & Susan Gaggiotti X Lisa Orem & Debby Armstrong* Sandra Oropel & Linda Frese* Carolyn Ortwein & Ann Barry* Rutland Paal & Robert Mittleman* Sandra Pace & Barbara Passikoff X Steve Parker* Ellen Passman X Marilyn Pate & Dorothy Smith* Patricia Pawling & Jennifer Butz* Rina Pellegrini Colleen Perry & Jane Kuhfuss* Marianne Perry & Jeanette Laszczynski Deena Pers X Grace Pesikey & Janet Urdahl* Russ Phipps & Stephen Jacobs* Peter Pizzolongo & Carlos Prugue* Stephen Proctor Pierce Quinlan & Ginny Daly Thomas Ramsey & Chris Murray Alex Reed & Jed Millard Susan Reinagel & Dawn Henderson* Pat Renninger & Tammy Plumley X Bill Rogers & Jeff Wilkinson Judy Rosenstein & Elva Weininger X Deborah & Charles Ross X Michael Safina & Tim Bean Katherine Sams* Richard Sargent* Laurie Schneider & Margie Ripalda* Teri Seaton & Rena Frampton-Seaton Michael Seifert & Harvey Holthaus* Craig Sencindiver & Gary Alexander* Tara Sheldon Frank Shockley & Arthur Henry Anita Smulyan Tina Snapp Christine Stanley & Joyce Rocko* Matthew Stensrud & Michael Cohen* Greig Stewart & Jake Hudson* Caroline Stites & Elizabeth Coit X Brian Straka* Sandra Sullivan & Lorie Seaman* Terrence Sullivan Trudie Thompson Jeffrey Trunzo & Herman Goodyear* James Vernicek & Jeff Dailey* Tama Viola Donald Wessel William Wheatley* Ralph Wiest & Anthony Peraine* Daryle Williams & Steven Fretwell Melanie Wolfe & Monica Niccolai Sherri Wright & Dick Byrne* Niki Zaldivar & Cecil McNeil X Kathryn Zimmerman Helaine Zinaman & Roselyn Abitbol X

RED LEVEL Guy Abernathey X Dale Adams Adrienne & Kim* Jim Affonco X Mark Aguirre & Wayne Gleason X Bill Alldredge X Stephani Allison & Judith Gorra X Ria Allman Marge Amodei* Alan Anderson X Daniel Anderson & Greg Melanson Lois Andreasen & Jean McCullough*

Letters 72 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Andrea Andrus & Maggie Shaw X Peter Antolini X Patricia Antonisse X Wanda Armwood & Illona Williams Terry & Gayle August Josh Bach & Edward Ginley Kathleen Bailey X John Baker & Richard Latham X John D. Baker June Baker* Sarah Barnett Curtiss Barrows X Brian Bartels Eric Barton & Greg Nagel John Batchelor X Karen Beck Beebe Medical Foundation* Pat Beebe Mike Behringer & Nelson Correa* Alex Belano Sheryl Bender & Doreen DiLorenzo* George Benes & Michael Mallee X Suzanne Bennethum & Deborah Smith Jeri Berc X John Berdini X Joel Berelson & Charles Maples* James C. P. Berry & Matthew Stanislao Lisa Beske - In Loving Memory of Steve Elkins Christine Bielenda & Karen Feuchtenberger* Thomas Biesiadny X Deb Bievenour & Susan Shollenberger* Beatrice Birman & Mary Malgoire Lorraine Biros* Cathin Bishop & Laura Simon X Jason Blachek* Ann Black & Kaye Wachsmuth X Carol Blair* Eric Blondin - State Farm Insurance Rehoboth Beach X Jacquelyn Blue X Rev. Dr. Tom Bohache & Tom Laughingwolf Simmons X Annabelle Boire* Carl Bomberger & Mike Rhoads Robin Bond & Leanna Johannes* Bob Bonitati X Joy Boone & Marina Simmers X Randall Borgerson X Pete Borsari X Laura Borsdorf X Nancy Bouse & Norma Morrison X David & Donna Bowman X Deni Boyer & Loretta Imbrogono Brian Boyle & Larry Gee X Beth Bozman Jim Brady & Mike Hays X Victor Branham & Mark Clark Kelly Brennan & Susan McVey* Susan Brinsfield & Barbara Devenport Debora Brooke * Kevin Brown X Lyn Brown & Winsome Boyd Mathew Brown Diane Bruce & Annie Sorvillo* Daniel Bruner & Tim Beymer Jack Bucchioni Donald Bucher & Kevin Paul Al Bulliner X Belinda Buras & Linda Simeone Geoffrey Burkhart & Bruce Williams* Lyn Burleson & Sharon Werner* Carol L. Burnett X Rob Burns & Cris Hamer* Timothy B. Bush X Randy Butt & Emerson Bramble*

James Byrnes X Robertine Cale Leslie Calman & Jane Gruenebaum* Michele Campisi & Julie A. Slick X Joe Canter Matt Carey X Jim Carlo X Justine Carpenter X Shirley Carpenter & Mary Coldren X Marianna Carson & Laura Bobo Alice Casey Jo Cason & Peggy Neidlinger Teresa Cason & Lynda Schepler X Sara Cavendish & Wendy Bunce X Denis Chandler & Sebastion DiMauro Linda Chaney & Irene Lawlor* Dr. Harvey J. Chasser X Mike Chateauneuf X Dan Childers & Ted Hernandez* Tom Childers & John Hall X Sandra Chinchilla & Michelle Holmes X Curt Christensen & Ellen Heald* Billy J. Christian X Dennis Chupella & Rob White X James Clark Norma K. Clark X Rob Cline Barbara Clipper Amy Clouse & Betty Long X Carolyn Cole & Sandy McDevitt X Stuart Comstock-Gay X Inez Conover X Bill Cooley & Ken Watkins DVM X Josh Cooper & Steve Rathburn Jeffery A. Coover X Michael Cornell X Lois Corson & Mary Murdoch X Mary Costa & Kris Nygaard Becky & Tom Craft X Wendy Cramer & Carolyn Baranowski* Theresa-Ann Crivelli & Angela Murray* Robert Crocetti X Bill Cross & David McCall X Donald Crowl* Mark Cunningham & Ken Tattersall X Rich Custer Howard Cyr & Lynn Ashley* Ellen Dahl Charles Daniels William T. Darley X Debra Davies & Joanne Saltzberg Denise Davis & Jeanne Bilanin Jeremiah Davis Marsha Davis & Bev Lesher X Kathy Davison & Ruth Dickerson X Scott & Donna de Kuyper - Hotel Blue* Frederick Dean & Steven Swierzy X Linda Dean & Donna Whiteside* Penny Lee Dean Scott Dechen & James Maino Michael Decker X Michael DeGraffenreid Maureen Delaney & Madonna Aldrich Bernie Delia X Frank Dell’Aquila X Claire Dente & Leslie Campo* Karen DeSantis & Carol Brice* Nancy DeToma & Meg Smith* David DeVargas & Steven Champion X Carolyn DeVito Dawn Devries & Helen Krum Henry & Marcia DeWitt X

Romy Diaz & Dennis Bann Geri Dibiase Photography* Julie Dickson X Richard Dietz Phyllis Dillinger Mary Dipietro & Wendy Schadt* Deb Dobransky & Ketty Bennett* Arthur Dochterman X David & Lizann Dockety X Peg Dolan & Mary McDevitt X Millie Donnell Debbie & Karen Dorris* Kathryn Downs Frances Doyle X Paul Dradransky X Zita Dresner Michael Driscoll & Ben McOmber X Susan Dube & Diana Patterson* Deanna Duby & Carol Bruce Barry Dunkin Brenda Dunn & Karen Anderson Gene Dvornick X Sue Early X Frank Echols & Robert Robinson Eden Restaurant X Claire Edmondson & Louise Bylicki Brad Edwards Gail Elliott & Bea Hickey* Pamela Elliott W. Kay Ellis Susan Farr & Joanne Pozzo Alexis Faust Rene Fechter & Cynthia Smith Larry & Ro Fedorka Karen Ferguson Virginia Fessler & Chris Patton Jayne & Ro Fetterman* Irene & Edward Fick* Allen Fred Fielding X Joe Filipek & Larry Richardson X Mark Finkelstein & Michael Zeik X Paul Finn & Joseph Porporino Rick Fischer X Barbara Fischetti & Janet Thoden Gary Fisher & Josh Bushey* James Fitzsimmons & Brian Burdelle Chuck Flanagan & George Whitehouse X Paul Florentino & Chris Pedersen X Sandra Fluck & Beverly Morgan* Mary Ford & Judy Hedrick X Beebe Frazer X Phil Fretz X Billiemichelle & Evelyn Friel* Neil Frock & Bob Harrison* Marilyn Fuller & Teresa Marigliano June Rose Futcher Lorraine Gaasche & Jill Mayer* Frank Gainer & Ramon Santos* Lynn Gaites & Faye Koslow X Nina Galerstein* Marcia Gallo & Ann Cammett Jerry Gallucci & Conrad Welch Karen Gantz & Jeanie Geist Kathryn Gantz & Kathryn Gehret Don Gardiner X Cheri Garnet & Cynthia Arno Patricia Garrison Mindy Gasthalter* Wilson Gates X Charles George & Dennis Rivard X Tracey Gersh & Amy Johnson Gary Gillard X Jordan Gipple & Paul Weppner* Joan Glass X Karen Glooch X Jane Godfrey* Randall Godwin X Jackie Goff & Mary Vogt X Continued on page 74

OCTOBER 22, 2021

73 Letters

Continued from page 72

Dave Gold & In Memory of James Yiaski X Robert Gold X Mel Goldberg Suzanne Goldstein & Dana Greenwald X Milton Gordon & Bill Hromnak X Teresa Gordy & Barb Ford X Dan Goren & Peter Robinson X Anita Gossett & Ronnie Smith* Amy Grace & Karen Blood* Lisa & Raymond Graff* Angela Grant & Zoe Fitzpatrick* Paul R. Grant & Marc Watrel* Cheryl Graves Linda Gregory Harvey Grider Kenneth Grier* Richard Grifasi X John Grillone & Paul Schlear Jr. X Joseph Gritz X Wendy Grooms & Barbara Fishel X Carol Gross X James Gross X Richard & Frances Grote* Paula Grubbs X Christopher Guidone Helene Guilfoy X Bill Gunning & Joe Greoski X Marie & Ken Haag* Jay Haddock & Hector Torres* Gerard M. Haley & George D. Zahner X Cynthia Hall X Barbara Hals & Sharon Dyke Mark Hare & Mike Newman X Kelley Harp X David Harrer & Floyd Kanagy* Mary Hartman & Laurie Nelson Jeff Haslow X Janece Hausch* John & Mary Havrilla* Nancy Hawpe Daniel F.C. Hayes* Gail Hecky* Barb & Len Hedges-Goetti Leslie Hegamaster & Jerry Stansberry* Linda Heisner X Steve & Maria Hendricks Matthew Hennesey* David Herchik & Richard Looman X Fred Hertrich X Howard Hicks & Stephen Carey X Barbara Hines & Nancy Froome X Howard C. Hines, MD X Karen Hinman Janel Hino & Patricia Ann Scully X David Hogue & Michael Utasi Connie Holdridge* Brad Holsinger & Ed Moore - Mod Cottage* Chris Holt & Emory Bevill X Mollyne Honor & Shelley Garfield Larry Hooker X James T. Hopkins X Elaine Horan & Debbie Sciallo X Frank Hornstein & Mark Henckel X James Hospital & Jack Fraker* Robert Hotes X Corey Houlihan & Karen Abato Ellan Hylton Batya Hyman & Belinda Cross* Thomas Ingold X Chris Israel & John Stassi X Debbie Isser & Fran Leibowitz Geoffrey Jackson & Will Delany X Fay Jacobs & Bonnie Quesenberry X

Sharon Janis X Steve Janosik & Rich Snell X Allen Jarmon & Ward Ellinger X Robert Jasinski* Mary Jenkins & Laura Reitman Susan Jimenez & Cathy Benson X Chip Johnson Donna A. Johnson* Ken Johnson X Randi Johnson Tara Johnson Jim Johnston Richard Jolly & Charles Ingersoll X D. J. Jones Dee Dee Jones & Julie Blake Gay Jones & Barb Bartels Glenn Jones X Tom Jones X Nola Joyce & Brenda Eich* Wayne Juneau X Mick Kaczorowski X Bob Kaplan & Jeff Davis X Daphne Kaplan & Steve Scheffer Sharon Kaplan & Pamela Everett* Kevin P. Kaporch X Amylynn Karnbach - One Day At A Time Gifts, LLC Anne Kazak & Chris Coburn X Peter Keeble & Tom Best Margaret Keefe* Alan Keffer* Donald Kelly* John Kelly & Randy Sutphin X Michael J. Kelly X John Kennedy Rosemary Kerwin & C Robinson Hunter Kesmodel X Ned Kesmodel & Matt Gaffney X Tom Ketterman Marge Keyes & Julie Arenstein X C. David Kimmel* Spencer Kingswell X Daniel Kinsella* Frank Klemens & Barry Brown Jane Knaus & Cindy Myers Beth Kopicki in Honor of Barbara Nissley Stephen Kopp John Kort & Hung Lai* Robert Kovalcik & Bob Howard X Myra Kramer & John Hammett* Marcia Kratz* Karen Kreiser & Beth Nevill* Kathleen Kress Kevin W. LaBarge X Adam Lamb & Eli Martinez Peter Lanzaro & Frank Bodsford X Dr. Mathilda Laschenski & Dr. Kathleen Heacock X Ruth Lauver & Judy Wetzel* Kate Lavelle X Charlie Lee X Nicholas Lee Jon Leeking & Dieulifete Jean* Edmund LeFevre & Keith Wiggs X Sherry Leichman & Keith Snyder Kim Leisey & Kathy Solano Jen Leonard & Claire McCracken Marsha Levine & Susan Hamadock X Arlene & Ginny Levy-Balmforth Barbara Lilien* Cindy Lins & Diane Milam Duwayne Litz X Eleanor Lloyd & Celeste Beaupre Jonathan & Karlyn Lokken* Robert E. Long X Pat Loughlin* Cynthia Lowe & Rae von Doehren Debbie Lupton Diane Lusk X

Letters 74 OCTOBER 22, 2021

P. Michael Lutz* Becky Lyons & Ebie Hamrick X Wendy Maclay & Sheree Davis* Christopher Magaha* Joe Maggio X Loretta Mahan* Bernadette Maher & Cheryl Tarlecky Jack Maher X Nancy Maihoff X Eddie Major X Bruce Majors X Harvey Manchester X Domenic Mannello X Stephanie Manos & Reber Whitner X Anyda Marchant X Charles Marino & Alan Berman* Diane Markey & Randi Snader* Sharon Marquart Colleen Martin Michele Martin & Rosalee Elson Norma Martin X Linda Martinak & Susan Baker Nan Martino & Patty Rickman* Joe Matassino & Tim Murray Frank Matero Nancy Mathis Jason Darion & Jason A. Mathis-White John Matthews & Nick Polcini* Sarah Matthews Eric Matuszak X Lewis Maurer Donna McCabe & Mac Ignacio X Edward McCord Kathleen McCormick & Elizabeth Fish X Sean McDonald Mary McElhone & Nancy Kaiser X Sherri McGee & Kris Aulenbach Thomas McGlone X Kathleen McGrath Ellen McKeon & Kay Cummings* Joe McMahon X Joseph McNally & Terry Jones X Charlotte McNaughton Chuck McSweeney & Michael Clay X Jim & Bruce McVey-Back* Mary Medlock & Susan Russell Buck Melton X John Messick X Joseph & Thomas Michael-Ryan Alicia Mickenberg & Kathleen Fitzgerald* Jamie Middelton* Dr. Phyllis J. Mihalas X Melissa Milar* Alicia Miller & Shawn Noel* Bruce R. Miller & Dean D. LaVigne X Frank Miller X Marilyn K. Miller & Candice Zientek* Todd A. Miller & Michele Frame X Trixie Miller Lee Wayne Mills X Stan Mills & Marcia Maldeis X Martha Monell Andrea Monetti & Karen Petermann* Sue Monismith X Jamie Moore Teri Moore & Barb Kulbaba* Mary Morgan & Beth Fitton X Meg Morgan & Susan Lynham X Bob Morris & James Weygandt Carol Morris & Ann Abel Pearl Morris* Barry Moshinski & Robert Ponzini Andrew K. Moss & Richard Blevins X Donna Mulder & Denise Delesio* Brent Mundt X Marie Murray & Deb Ward X

Robbin Murray & De Raynes* Cynthia Myers Kathleen Nagle & Susan Blazey Marta Nammack & Francis Murphy Marc Nasberg & Howard R. Nelson X Keith Neale X Cindy Necaise & Debbie Cole X Lee Ann Nelson X Darrell Netherton & Robert Wheeler X James Newkirk & Leon Wilkowsky* Janet Newkirk X Arletta Nicholl & Mary Anderson Scott Nickle Konrad Noebel, MCAT, LMT & Brian Cox* Teri Noel* James Nolan Janet Nosal Paul Nye & Jerry Hofer Chuck Oakes & Robert Dellanoce* Susan O’Brien* Terry O’Bryan & Jack Musser James O’Dell X Megan O’Donnell Dan O’Flaherty* James O’Malley X Richard O’Malley X Missy Orlando & Patty Violini X Jeffrey & Lisa Osias X Kathy Osterholm Randy Overbaugh X Sharon Owens & Doreen Halbruner Sally Packard & Dinah Reath X Denise Page Richie Pagnotta X Bud Palmer X Stephen Pape & Jerry Clark Fred Parham Emilie Paternoster & Monica Parr X Carol Patterson & Carol Hughes* Tim Patterson & Harvey Sharpe X Peggy Paul X Wesley & Connie Paulson* Lucille & Dan Payne Michelle Peeling & Wendy Adams* Caroline Pellicano Beverly Peltz* Roy Perdue X Al Perez & Gary Kraft* Susan Petersen & Luz Cruz Eric Peterson X Elizabeth Petitte & Erin Reid Bruce Pfeufer X PFLAG-Rehoboth Beach Peggy Phillips & Norma McGrady* Frank Pileggi & Jon Blackman X Arleen Pinkos* Janice Pinto & Lori Swift* Terry Plowman X Jo Pokorny* Claire Pompei & Dolores Yurkovic* Mary Lu Pool Roni Posner X Sue Potts & Karen Kohn X Pat Powell Renata Price & Yona Zucker* Timothy Price & Gerard Sealy X Glen C. Pruitt* Sarajane Quinn* Jean Rabian & Ralph Hackett X Elaine Raksis & Maxine Klane* Barb Ralph X Rob Ramoy X Bob & Mary Beth Ramsey X Linda Rancourt & M. Sue Sandmeyer* Lewis Rathbone* Nancy Ratner Carole Redman

Janet Redman X Carolyn Redmon & Nancy Allen* Randy Reed X Rehoboth Art League* Laura Reich & Deb Zabinski Peter S. Reichertz X Ken Reilly & Tony Ghigi X Virginia Reime & Gene Tadlock* Jeff Reinhart & Jack Miller* Patricia Remeis & Maureen Kane Don Reppy Thomas Resh & Jeffrey Meyers X Judith Retchin & Elyse Wander X Deborah Reuter & Deborah Bea* Sarah Reznek & Babette Pennay Sandie Riddell & Eileen Siner* Marion Ridley & Mark Lundy X Keith & John Riley-Spillane X Joel Robbins & Michael Linder X Sandra Robbins X William Robbins & Gary Ralph Sandy Roberts X Rob Robertson & Carlos Taylor X Teri & Amy Robinson-Guy Craig Rocklin X Tim Rodden & Randy Clayton X John & Susan Roehmer* Jeanne Rogers* Roy Rollins X Lauren Romig X Debbie Ronemus & Peggy Sander* Ed Rose & Sandra Robbins X Michael Rose & David Le Sage Peter Rosenstein X Larry L. Ross X Ellen & Terry Roth Perreault X Barb Rowe X Ski Rowland & Gary Mosher X Joan Rubenstein X Mary K. Ryan* Steve Sage & Thom Swiger X Chris Sailer & Min Mancini Joe & Nancy Sakaduski* Margaret Salamon* Cindy Sanders & Donna Smith* Sanford & Doris Slavin Foundation X Kim Schilpp* Nancy Schindler & Eric Youngdale Michael Schlechter & Kevin Sharp X Lisa Schlosser & Sherri Brown Rosemarie Schmidt & Carolyn Horn X Kirk Schneck Holly Schneider & Linda Haake Jaime Schneider & Glenn Randall X Peter Schott & Jeffrey Davis* Carol Schwartz X Craig Schwartz & William Pullen X Mona Schwartz & Joanne Tramposch* Carol Scileppi & Valerie McNickol* Diane Scobey X John Scotti & Greg Landers David Scuccimarra & Dorothy Fedorka* Clifton C. Seale & Charles A. Gilmore* Nancy Bradley Seibert* Shirley Semple* Marj Shannon* Dale Sheldon & Pat Coluzzi X Kelly Sheridan & Debra Quinton David Sherman X George Shevlin & Jack Suwanlert* William Shively & TD Stanger Davis Short & Beverly Castner Francine Siedlecki Frank Silverio X Marc Silverman & John Campbell* Continued on page 77

Open all winter!

We are open Wednesday - Sunday

Dinner 4:30pm - 9pm

Happy Hour 3pm - 5pm

Make a reservation by calling or going to our website

(302) 200-9522 | 134 West Market St, Lewes, DE 19958 | harbourlewes@gmail.com www.harbourlewes.com immanuel quarter 28-02_Layout 1 3/30/2018 1:54 PM Page 1

D E E N E W R SUPPORT

YOU

Immanuel Shelter serves those experiencing homelessness in Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and surrounding areas.

Your generous support allows us to continue our mission and helps our community provide assistance for those in need.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN VOLUNTEER OR DONATE, PLEASE VISIT www.immanuelshelter.org 17601 Coastal Hwy, Unit 11, #431 Nassau, DE 19969 1-888-634-9992

All monies raised go directly to Immanuel located in Rehoboth Beach, Sussex County, DE.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

75 Letters

Letters 76 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Continued from page 74

Kelly Simon Joanne Sinsheimer & Margaret Beatty* Sandra Skidmore X Ken Skrzesz X Jeffrey Slavin X Anne Smith & Lisa Taylor Carol Smith* Harlan Joe Smith & Dustin Abshire* Leonard Smith X Marty Smith & F. Price Connors Peg Smith* Robert Smith Rosanne Smith & Brenda Butterfield* Shannon Smythe & Kevin Subers Claire & Mikki Snyder-Hall Sandra Sommerfield & Cindy Scott X Sandy Souder - Unity of Rehoboth Beach* Lynda Sowbel Jim Spellman X Lorraine Stanish & Beverly Miller* Christy Steer X Frank Sterner X Lisa Stewart X Libby Stiff & Bea Wagner X Milindi Stifler Allison Stine & Pete Jamieson Terry Stinson* Tracy Stith & Laura McCarthy Dr. Frederick C. Stoner * Michael Stover* Christine Strauss X Lois Strauss X Kaye Sullivan Trish Sullivan & Sandy Hudson Jill Sungenis & Nicole Bano Frank Surprenant, DDS & Chris Wisner X John Swift & Ron Bowman X Melanie Szvitich Gail Tannenbaum & Wendy Walker* Ronald Tate & Jacob Schiavo X Suzie & Robert Taylor - In Memory of Richard Bonnet Micaela Tedford X David Thomas & David Tiburzio X The Hon. Henry E. Thomas IV & John-Kevin Litschgi X Thomas Tibbetts X Otto F. Tidwell X George Todd & Rusty Baker Cassandra Toroian X Manny Tortosa X Cheryll & Bill Trefzger* Steve Triglia X Roz Troupin & Mary Harris X Patricia Truitt Abby Tschoepe & Pat Dunn* Matt Turlinski & Jerry Sipes X Ed Turner & Steve Baker X Judy Twell & Cheri Himmelheber Bruce Uliss X Thomas Urban & Marc Samuels* Donna Valla Debra Van Dyke* Jennifer Varone Joseph Vescio V. James Villareale & Dale Ebert* Gail Vitale & Carmen Garrett Beverly Vogt & Waneeta Mack X Patrick Wadsworth & Mike Converse X Scott Wagner & John Sohonage* Eric Wahl & Eric Coverdale Marianne Walch X Jennifer Walker & Mary Ann Veitch X

Paula Walker & Gayle Dumonceaux David Wall & Robert Houck* Kenneth E. Walz & Robert G. Ward, Jr. X Garold Wampler X Michael E. Ward X Robert Warmkessel X Jack Warren* Sharyn Warwick X Ellen Watkins X Troy Watson & Dennis Wolfgang* Barbara Weatherly Debbie Webber & Terry McQuaid Lisa Weidenbush & Judy Stout Kathy Weir & Lynn Finaldi* West Side New Beginnings Donna West Gary West & Jay Seitz - In Memory of Richard Pagnotta Patricia West Karin Westermann Carl R. Wetzel X Liz Wheeler & Ruth Morse X Steve White & Wayne Williamson X Thomas White & Robert Freeman X Kurt Wibbens Aimee Wiest & Charlotte King Phil & Stephanie Wikes Steven Wildasin Keith Wilkinson X Diane & Ken Williams Edward Williams Jim Williams* Rich Williams X Kelly Williamson & J Ellis Lynne Wilmer & Jeannie Marsh Donna L. Wilson & Laurie R. Levin X Lynn Wilson* Stephanie Wingert & Carla Avery* Patricia Wojnas David Wolanski Max Wolf X Carol Woodcock & Carol Lewis* Cody Woodfin & Rich Morgan Michael Wray Robert B. Wright X Robert T. Wright & Jack Lim* Marjorie Wuestner & Catherine Balsley* Janet Yabroff Alexander G. Yearley X James E. Yiaski X Linda Yingst* Vickie York X James Zeigler & In Memory of Sam Deetz* Carol Zelenkowski* Lorraine Zellers Phyllis Zwarych & Sheila Chlanda*

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

77 Letters

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

1

(Continued from page 63) THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at The Pines: DE Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkoff, DE State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, Debra Dean, Patrick Lawler, Rod Cook, Paul Lovett, DE State Auditor Kathy McGuiness, Charlie Brown, Cindy Lovett, Jim Endean, Holly Lane; 2) “The Golden Gays NYC” at The Pines: Blanche, Bob Suppies, Dorothy, David Gonce, Rose.

2 Letters 78 OCTOBER 22, 2021

OPPOSITE PAGE: 3) The Washington Blade Foundation — Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship event at The Pines: Brian Buebel, John Bator, Brian Sparrow, Brian Pitts, George Toma, Deb Kennedy, Beth Yocum, Kevin Naff, Peter Rosenstein, Lou Chibbaro; 4) at Poodle Beach: Colby Lennon, Rachel Franks, Tony Burns, Anthony Lanz, Jared Bieshki, Kelly Johnson, Todd Gerdes, John Hackett, Brent Quinn, Steve Morris, Tom Newton, Ken Geisler; 5) at the Purple Parrot: Tom Durso, Tim Colfer, Bobby Carolan, Alexander Schwab. ▼

More fun! More festivities!

3

4

OCTOBER 22, 2021

79 Letters

DRESS FOR (HALLOWEEN) SUCCESS

BY MIKEY ROX

HALLOWEEN 2021

The Gayest Halloween Costumes

T

he Ghosts of Halloween Costumes Past have spoken, and this go-round there shall be no sexy firemen, no sexy chefs, and abso-trickin’-lutely no sexy pirates, so help us God. We’ve dug deep into the queer year’s most topical hoots, howls, and happenings to help you conjure up a skeleton’s-closet worth of fright night inspiration to make this October 31 one for the ages.

Industry Baby Lil Nas X kept tongues wagging all summer long as he dropped radio banger after banger, culminating in a crescendo of groundbreaking looks and appearances leading up to the release of Montero, the openly gay rapper’s debut studio album. To create one of the most iconic looks from the album’s promotion, which you can cop from X’s Instagram page, fashion yourself an exposed baby bump flanked by an allover-print silk robe, white trousers, and neck bling to boot.

Queer Eye Minifigures On October 1, LGBTQ+ corporate ally LEGO released the Queer Eye Fab 5 Loft building set, complete with Karamo, Jonathan, Antoni, Tan, and Bobby minifigures and show-staple accessories, like Tan’s clothing rack and Antoni’s kitchen island (where we’re sure he’s toiling over tiny culinary creations like fancy hot dogs and elevated grilled cheese—but we digress). Stay above our fray as you gather the squad to build a group ’fit that starts with generic minifigure costumes, available on Amazon, that you can zhuzh up any which way you’d like to capture the essence of their decidedly dramatic and distinct personas.

The White Lotus’s Armond and Dillon Start filling out your Magnum P.I.-era ’stache now if you’re planning this couples costume featuring The White Lotus’s ill-fated hotel manager Armond Letters 80 OCTOBER 22, 2021

and his semi-willing buddy, Dillon, which requires more printed-pastel resort wear for the former than the latter.

TikTok Thirst Trap Want a foolproof recipe for Halloween thirst trap success? Slip into a pair of snug Wranglers and dusty cowboy boots—shirtless—and stream on repeat country-music duo Brooks and Dunn’s reinvigorated 1992 single “Neon Moon” (better known on TikTok as #TheSunGoesDown) through your portable Bluetooth speaker. You’re guaranteed to save at least one horse tonight.

The Iceberg that Sank the Titanic Out comedian Bowen Yang gives us plenty of camp in the characters he portrays on Saturday Night Live. But none have gone over quite as well as his sassy personification of the iceberg that sank the Titanic on the NBC mainstay’s Weekend Update segment, which was likely a major tipping point in his nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series this year—making him the first featured player on the show to receive such recognition. Recreate the costume by carving a large block of painted Styrofoam™ fitted to your head and complete the getup with makeup, turtleneck, and bedazzled thrift store suit in glacial tones, like white and hypothermia blue.

Las Vegas Raiders Defensive End When Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib came out publicly in an Instagram story on June 21—becoming the first active NFL player in history to do so—jerseys and t-shirts bearing his name were the top sellers among all league players at popular sportswear retailer Fanatics. Now that they’re back in stock, add one to your online cart, round up a helmet, pads, and a pair of cleats, and spring for the tight, white, standard-issue football pants (that you’ve always wanted anyway) at your local Dick’s.

Goes-Both-Ways Robin Tim Drake, the third iteration of Batman’s legendary sidekick Robin, came out as bisexual in the August issue of Batman: Urban Legends (which sold out within days and required a second printing of the issue (#6), a rarity in the comic-book world), confirming what us queers suspected about the Boy Wonder all along. If you’ve never suited up as the Dynamic Duo’s swishier half, consider celebrating his recent addition to the LGBTQ+ community. The iconic character, now swinging around Gotham and both ways, is so ubiquitous this time of year that you’ll find his signature tights and mask anywhere costumes are sold.

The Faggot from Matt Damon’s Mouth We can’t say we were shocked (stirred perhaps, but not shaken) when Matt Damon revealed himself to be a dinnertable bigot after earlier this year he told the press a story about casually dropping the F-bomb over meat and potatoes with the fam (which apparently he had no idea was offensive until his daughter schooled him Good Will Hunting-style), so it’s only fitting we give him the Halloween send-up he deserves. Let your interpretation of the faux pas run wild, but dressing up as Liberace-lover and common criminal Scott Thorson, whom Damon played in 2013’s Behind the Candelabra, is a solid jumping-off point. ▼ Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBT lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @ mikeyroxtravels.

OCTOBER 22, 2021

81 Letters

WE REMEMBER

Elizabeth Ingraham Doty Activist, Retired Minister

E

lizabeth “Beth” Ingraham Doty, activist and retired Presbyterian minister (PCUSA), 79, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2021, at CarePartners Hospice in Asheville, North Carolina.

Beth was born April 6, 1942, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Stanley and Helen Ingraham of Bristol, Connecticut. She graduated from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina in 1964 with a degree in anthropology and sociology.

Beth is survived by her two sons, Murphy (Amanda) and Christopher (Laurie); her seven grandchildren; her sister, Edith (Robert) Bruge; as well as extended family and many dear friends.

Throughout her life, Beth spent many hours volunteering or working for nonprofits that were dedicated to the principles of peace and justice, and open and accessible government.

While living in Wilmington, Delaware, she worked for Common Cause of Delaware as an organizer before becoming its executive director.

An active member of the Presbyterian Church USA, she experienced a call to ministry in the mid-1980s and graduated

from Lancaster Theological Seminary with a master of divinity degree. Ordained in 1992 in New Castle Presbytery, she served four Presbyterian churches over the next 15 years in New Castle County and in Maryland.

Beth retired to Rehoboth Beach in 2007, where she lived with her partner, Merrijane Pierce, who passed away in 2016.

In Sussex County, Beth was active in Democratic politics at the state and county levels, and with All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach.

A service of celebration will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach. Her remains will be interred at St. George’s Chapel in Harbeson immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: West Rehoboth Community Land Trust; Meeting Ground in Elkton, Maryland; All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Rehoboth Beach; New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville, North Carolina; or Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry. ▼

Delaware Hospice provides more than in-home hospice services.

Whether it’s palliative care, children’s care or bereavement services you are looking for, we have you covered.

delawarehospice.org 302.683.8948 Letters 82 OCTOBER 22, 2021

MORE THAN HOSPICE

BEEBE HEALTHCARE,

The Next Generation of Care Beebe Healthcare has become the premier healthcare facility in Sussex County, serving a thriving beach and vacation resort area and a growing year-round population.

For a complete listing of all Beebe job openings, please visit our website

www.beebehealthcare.org

Attracting and retaining the best healthcare professionals is Beebe Healthcare’s top priority.

We offer an excellent patient-focused environment, exciting career opportunities, and leading-edge technology with supportive, progressive leadership.

Joining Beebe Healthcare means joining an exciting healthcare team that is deeply committed to the community. Our customer-service focus is recognized on a daily basis through our patient satisfaction surveys. Our clinical expertise strives to surpass patient expectations.

A variety of work/pay options are designed to meet the needs of team members, including: • Flexible schedules and shifts available based on the needs of the department • Full-time/comprehensive benefits • Part-time/pro-rated benefits • Per diem incentive plan • Competitive shift differential Join us now to take advantage of our excellent benefits and compensation package.

Beebe Healthcare is committed to hiring qualified professionals who provide the best patient care in the region.

EOE | 424 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958 | www.facebook.com/beebecareers OCTOBER 22, 2021

83 Letters

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July 26, 2019 Volume 29, Number 10 campreho both.com

Join the CAMPcierge team to serve CAMP Rehoboth’s mission on the frontlines. These volunteers earn a deeper understanding of what CAMP does by greeting guests, answering phones, and performing other administrative tasks in the Community Center. Please email matty@camprehoboth.com if you are interested.

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to all the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center volunteers for the period: Sept. 11 - Oct. 8, 2021

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OCTOBER 22, 2021

85 Letters

AD INDEX 1776 Steakhouse....................................................... 35 Accent On Travel........................................................ 17 AG Renovations.......................................................... 84 Allen Jarmon, Realtor................................................. 35 Allure Outdoor Lighting.............................................. 73 Aqua Bar & Grill.......................................................... 57 Beebe Healthcare...................................................... 20 Beebe Healthcare Career Opportunities................... 83 Brandywine Urology Consultants........................... 9, 53 BSD............................................................................. 41 Café Azafrán............................................................... 49 CAMP Rehoboth Letters Subscription........................ 85 CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST Save the Date......... 13 Caroline Huff, Artist.................................................... 11 Chesapeake & Maine................................................. 81 Chris Beagle, Realtor................................................. 29 Coho’s Market & Grill.................................................. 25 Country Lawn Care..................................................... 86 County Bank............................................................... 29 Debbie Reed Team..................................................... 55 Delaware Community Foundation............................. 59 Delaware Hospice...................................................... 82 Delaware Humane Association ................................. 58 Donna Whiteside, Realtor.......................................... 26 Fifth Avenue Jewelers................................................ 49 Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant............................. 65 Gay Women’s Meet Up............................................... 49

Letters 86 OCTOBER 22, 2021

Go Fish Go Brit .......................................................... 15 God’s Greyts Senior Greyhounds............................... 71 Goolee’s Grille............................................................ 65 Harbour Waterfront Dining......................................... 75 Hugh Fuller, Realtor.................................................... 42 IG Burton.............................................................. 55, 64 Immanuel Shelter....................................................... 75 Indigo Indian Cuisine................................................. 19 Jack Lingo, Real Estate.............................................. 76 Jenn Harpel, Morgan Stanley..................................... 15 Jolly Trolley................................................................ 71 Just In Thyme Restaurant........................................... 39 Lana Warfield, Realtor................................................ 21 Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Realtors............................ 51 Lori’s Café.................................................................. 84 Loves Liquors............................................................. 25 Maplewood Dental Associates .................................. 84 McWilliams Ballard Real Estate.................................. 47 Membership Matters.................................................. 11 MERR Institute............................................................ 33 Midway Fitness & Racquetball................................... 87 Milton Theatre............................................................ 69 Olivia Travel................................................................ 27 PFLAG......................................................................... 21 Philip Morton Gallery.....................................................7 Purple Parrot.............................................................. 43 PWW Law.................................................................... 19

Randall-Douglas......................................................... 55 Randy Mason/Shirley Kalvinsky, Realtors.................. 41 Rehoboth Art League................................................. 19 Rehoboth Beach Dental............................................. 35 Rehoboth Beach Museum.......................................... 41 Rehoboth Guest House.............................................. 49 Rehoboth Massage & Alignment................................ 33 Saved Souls Animal Rescue....................................... 29 Sea Bova Associates, Realtors................................... 88 Springpoint Choice..................................................... 38 State Farm - George Bunting..................................... 21 State Farm - Jeanine O’Donnell/Eric Blondin............. 33 Sussex Family YMCA.................................................. 39 The Lawson Firm........................................................ 75 The Lodge at Truitt Homestead.................................. 71 The Pines.................................................................... 37 Time to Heal Counseling & Consulting...................... 32 Troy Roberts, Realtor.................................................. 15 Unfinished Business................................................... 39 Village Volunteers...................................................... 68 Volunteer Opportunities............................................. 85 Volunteer Thank You.................................................. 85 Where To Next Travel................................................. 31 Windsor’s Flowers...................................................... 71

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LINDA BOVA

BRIDGET BAUER

BROKER-ABR®

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CELL

CELL

302-542-4197

MARINERS COVE - Millsboro.

2019 28’ x 56’ 3BR/2BA doublewide on the canal w/your own private dock.

Community pool. 15 miles to the boardwalk. $175,000

CAMELOT MEADOWS Rehoboth. Remodeled 1973 3BR/2BA w/4-season FL room.

3 new mini-split HVACs. 3.5 miles to beach. Community pool. $95,000 (2007788) Lot

COLONIAL EAST - Rehoboth.

1975 12’x60’ 2BR/1BA. 10’x25’ screened porch. Shed.

Partially furnished. Nice updates. Community pool. 4 miles to beach. $54,900 (NEW) Lot Rent $517/mt.

Rent $766/mt.

(20065361) Lot Rent $1,102/mt.

302-245-0577

WHITE TAIL LANE - Millsboro. You’ll find this 2002 3BR/2.5BA Cape Cod-style home down a long, private gravel lane. The 2-story home is approx. 2,100 sq. ft. on 4.1 acres. Attached 2-car garage & an enormous 30’x40’ 2-story pole barn w/lean-to for your boat or other “toys.” Formal LV w/gas FP. Big kitchen w/dining area. Family room is next to the kitchen, so it could be a formal dining room. Main bedroom & bath are on the 1st floor. Two big BRs upstairs. So much attic storage space. No HOA. $575,000 (183706)

CAMELOT MEADOWS Rehoboth. 1999 3BR/2BA doublewide has a nice side deck. Split BR plan. Needs TLC. 3.5 miles to beach.

Community pool. $100,000 (NEW) Lot Rent $766/mt.

LOCHWOOD - Lewes. New Construction w/late Winter Delivery. 3BR/2BA 1,640sf.

Bamboo floors, SS appliances, granite & more. 12’x16’ deck.

0.23 acres. $379,900 (2003552) similar home shown

PINTAIL POINTE - Milton. New Construction – Move-In Ready!!!

4BR/2BA home is a 2,029 sq. ft. one-level rancher with an oversized 2-car garage. Open concept floor plan. Great room has vaulted ceilings & opens to the kitchen and dining area. There is also a sliding

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glass door to the 16’x20’ deck, which overlooks a small stream. Main bedroom suite also has vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet w/ skylight, tiled shower & double vessel sinks. 5” oak floors. Stainless steel kitchen appliances. 12 miles to the boardwalk. $499,900 (200664)

SHIPBUILDERS VILLAGE Milton. Located 1 mile from the historic downtown area.

57’x93’ lot is ready your new construction home. Cape schools. 15 miles to RB boardwalk. $77,500 (184316)

BAYFRONT AT REHOBOTH - Lewes. This Kingfisher model by Schell Bros. is a 2016 3BR/2.5BA home, with a 3-car, side-load garage, has approx. 2,896 sq. ft. of living space & an oversized, walk-in attic above the garages. Harwood in the main living area. Great room & entryway foyer feature 2-story cathedral ceilings.

Beautiful kitchen w/granite adjoins the dining area.

1st-floor main suite. Loft & other bedrooms upstairs.

“Flex room” could be a den, office or formal dining room. 0.56 ac w/fenced yard. $710,000 (2000315)

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OAK FOREST - Millsboro.

1983 14’x68’ 3BR/2BA needs TLC. Large lot. Screened porch. Close to Massey’s Landing public boat launch.

13 miles to Reh Bch. $38,000 (2005648) Lot Rent $415/mt.

20250 Coastal Highway - Suite 3, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971  302-227-1222 office www.SEABOVA.com 

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