Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 32, No. 13

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.

EDITOR Marj Shannon

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Matty Brown

DESIGN AND LAYOUT Mary Beth Ramsey

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Tricia Massella DISTRIBUTION Mark Wolf

CONTRIBUTORS: Ann Aptaker, Chris Azzopardi, Rich Barnett, Matty Brown, Ed Castelli, Pattie Cinelli, Wes Combs, Michael Cook, Clarence Fluker, Michael Thomas Ford, JR Futcher, David Garrett, Michael Gilles, Fay Jacobs, Jon Adler Kaplan, Tom Kelch, Tricia Massella, Eric Peterson, Mary Beth Ramsey, Mikey Rox, Nancy Sakaduski, Romeo San Vicente, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Marj Shannon, Beth Shockley, Laurie Thompson, Eric Wahl, Doug Yetter

Letters from CAMP Rehoboth is published 13 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 in any way, to imply 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.

© 2022 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.

CAMP REHOBOTH MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE

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 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.

From the Editor

BY MARJ SHANNON, EDITOR

Welcome to the last 2022 issue of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth! And thanks for once again picking up a copy from a distribution box or accessing it online—we’re grateful every day for our readers and are delighted you’re among them.

We’ve packed a lot into this issue, including a special section (starting on page 36) devoted to four of our writers’ reactions to the devastating mass shooting at Club Q. United in their outrage, each writer offers her/his own particular perspective, reaction, and response to the event. Both individually and collectively, they make for a compelling read. I encourage you to take the time to discover that for yourself.

Beyond that—well, it’s not otherwise all “beer and skittles” in this issue, but it is beer! Rich Barnett taste-tested a variety of Christmas beers and has recommendations (both for and against).

We don’t have any sugar plums on offer either, but we do have beach plums. See page 20 for JR Futcher’s column on this delightful native shrub, made all the better when its fruits become jam. Those plums offer sustenance to our wildlife, as well. So too do a variety of trees and shrubs that bear fruit the overwintering birds will enjoy—see Eric Wahl’s column for some suggestions.

Maybe you’re still shopping? Not to worry! We have last-minute gift ideas. See Mikey Rox’s column (rechristened “Buy-ways” for just this issue—sorry, we just couldn’t resist), and Terri Schlichenmeyer’s book-buying guide (page 76). Or—how about gifting that special someone a year’s subscription to Letters? See page 49 for details.

We’ve got seasonal stories, too: Michael Thomas Ford speaks to making it through December; Eric Peterson writes about the challenges inherent in holiday gettogethers with certain family members. Clarence Fluker has suggestions about how best to approach the season solo, and Pattie Cinellli offers some strategies to reduce holiday (or any day) stress.

Tom Kelch tells us about his very best New Year’s Eve ever (page 16). And, speaking of the new year, Jon Adler Kaplan has some ideas about how to better sustain those fitness resolutions so many of us make.

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

Chris Beagle, Jane Blue, Pat Catanzariti, Lisa Evans (non-voting), David Garrett, Natalie Moss, Tara Sheldon, Leslie Sinclair, and Jason D. White

CAMP REHOBOTH

37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 tel 302-227-5620 | 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.

Letters’ first 2023 issue will appear on February 10. We’ll publish monthly thereafter, through December. Want to share some thoughts on what you’d like to read next year? I’d love to hear them! You can reach me at editor@camprehoboth. com.

Meanwhile, my best wishes to each of you for a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

PRESIDENT Wesley Combs

VICE PRESIDENT Leslie Ledogar SECRETARY Mike DeFlavia

Celebrating the Volunteers

On November 19, after a threeyear hiatus, CAMP Rehoboth and the Volunteer Development Committee hosted a Volunteer Appreciation Party. The theme was “Giving Thanks,” in the spirit of the holidays. The spirit of gratitude was at an all-time high.

Catered food included turkey and cranberry sliders, stuffing balls,

and other holiday-centric finger foods, while the decor team set up corn stalks and decorative turkeys throughout the atrium. Over 100 volunteers attended, and shared camaraderie as Thanksgiving drew near. On this day, and all days, CAMP Rehoboth thanks all its volunteers for living its mission to create a more positive Rehoboth. ▼

Delaware Elects Five LGBTQ+ Legislators

The 2022 midterm elections saw Delaware electing or re-electing five LGBTQ+ legislators. Among them, all three of the incumbents won their re-election campaigns: State Senator Sarah McBride with District 1, State Senator Marie Pinkney with District 13, and State Representative Eric Morrison with District 27.

Joining them are Kerri Evelyn Harris, the State Representative-elect from the 32nd District, and Deshanna Neal, the State Representative-elect representing the 4th District.

Support CAMP through Amazon Smile...

with every Amazon purchase. On desktop, simply head to smile.amazon.com and select CAMP Rehoboth as your designated charity. If you use the Amazon app, click on settings and choose Amazon Smile. There, select CAMP Rehoboth as your designated charity. Shop, support, give back. ▼

Standing with Club Q

CAMP

Rehoboth stands with the victims and loved ones of the five killed and many injured after a hate crime shooting at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance. May their memories be a blessing.

There has been a fund set up—the Colorado Healing Fund—for the victims and survivors of the Club Q shooting. According to CenterLink, the Fund is where people are encouraged to direct financial resources: coloradogives.org/ organization/COHealingFund.

The Colorado Healing Fund was founded in 2018 in the Colorado Attorney General’s Office by victim advocates and community leaders. It was established for the express purpose of providing a secure way for people to directly support those affected by mass tragedies in Colorado.

The fund’s Board of Trustees has already authorized $50,000 to be made available for the immediate needs of victims and their families. ▼

Supporting #GivingTuesday

Giving

Tuesday was a big success at CAMP Rehoboth, thanks to the generosity of 34 donors who contributed a total of $8,695, exceeding CAMP Rehoboth’s goal of $7,500. No event is successful without the help of many supporters and CAMP Rehoboth sends a special thank you to Natalie Moss for her generous matching gift of $2,500 that encouraged so many donors to support CAMP Rehoboth on Giving Tuesday.

‘Tis the season of giving!  ▼

to Coral Cove, a small business in downtown Rehoboth, who donated 100 percent of their sales, totaling more than $2,000, on Giving Tuesday.

SPECIAL THANKS

Pictured: CAMP Rehoboth Financial Assistant Derrick Johnson, Coral Cove Owner Tai Camper, and CAMP Rehoboth Development Manager Laurie Thompson.

SPEAKOut

World AIDS Day Service

On December 1, CAMP Rehoboth hosted a community service of hope and remembrance for World AIDS Day. Community members walked to All Saints’ Episcopal Church, where a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was hosted. One of the panels featured Rehoboth Beach’s own Tom Wilson. The service featured blessings, performances by the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Ensemble and soloist Donna de Kuyper, and opportunities for attendees to share names and stories of loved ones who had passed away from AIDS.

CAMP Rehoboth Health & Wellness Coordinator Amber Lee said the work to prevent HIV/AIDS is ongoing. “Something that is free and only takes 20 minutes can impact the rest of your life,” said Lee, remarking on the importance of getting tested regularly. “Know your status.” ▼

Dear Editor:

When I was reading the November issue of Letters I saw that it said that this year was the first time in the Sea Witch® parade’s history that CAMP Rehoboth was represented. Not so!

Passing the Respect for Marriage Act

In late November, the Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) passed the United States Senate as a bipartisan effort to codify the right to marry for samesex and interracial couples. To honor this, Senator Tom Carper visited CAMP Rehoboth on Friday, December 2. “Every American deserves the constitutional right to enter into that profound union—marriage—with the person they love,” said Carper in a statement on the historic Senate passage of the bill. Aws of this writing, the legislation also has passed the House of Representatives.

“We are so appreciative that Senator Carper took the time to celebrate this legislative milestone with us. Having the right to marry the one you love is fundamental to the concept of family—the Respect for Marriage Act certainly aligns with CAMP’s mission to support fundamental rights for all,” said Leslie Ledogar, Vice President of the CAMP Rehoboth Board.▼

Book a Women’s FEST Stay for 30 percent Off!

CAMP Rehoboth has something particularly festive for spring: next year’s Women’s FEST, taking over Rehoboth Beach from April 27-30!

Right now you can book a stay with an incredible 30 percent discount at the Atlantic Sands before December 31, 2022, and a 20 percent discount if booked after. Just mention “Women’s FEST” with the booking.

Be sure to check the website for continuing updates, and “like”

@CAMPRehobothWomensFEST on Facebook! ▼

I’m happy to report we were in the parade in 2010. There were not a lot of us folks from CAMP Rehoboth, but we were so proud to represent CAMP in the parade that year. I was on the board at the time; I cannot remember if Kathy [Wiz] was yet. We wanted to have CAMP represented and so put a team together.

It was not something we planned well in advance. I believe we asked for volunteers via email. Sue Goudy had purchased the 1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow at the 2010 Sundance Auction and the car was part of our team (see photo).

I still remember the judges announcing CAMP Rehoboth—it filled my heart with joy. I had been taking my friends and nieces & nephews to Sea Witch for years, and to hear CAMP announced was wonderful!

I was so happy to see CAMP represented—again this year—as I watched the parade go down Rehoboth Avenue!

– Claire Ippoliti

Send letters to the editor (up to 300 words) to editor@camprehoboth.com

President’s View

Self-Assessment Is Key

As I began to think about my goals and priorities for the year ahead, I decided to re-read each of my columns since assuming the role of Board President. I wanted to remind myself what all transpired at CAMP over the past 12 months. It has certainly been a busy year, to say the least! (If you have not yet read CAMP Rehoboth’s 2022 Impact Report in the November issue of Letters, you can find a detailed summary there.)

In my first 2022 column, I spoke about lessons I had learned from being on other non-profit boards, which would help shape my focus while serving as part of CAMP Rehoboth’s Board leadership. One lesson I failed to mention was the importance of conducting an annual self-assessment of the Board as a whole. Did we accomplish what we said we would? What worked well and where can we make improvements?

TRANSITION

EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR SEARCH:

Five vendors submitted proposals in response to CAMP Rehoboth’s RFP for executive recruitment services. The Search Committee evaluated all proposals in strict accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP.

The committee felt that each of the three finalists was extremely qualified to conduct this search. We ultimately chose Cooper Coleman because of its experience conducting searches for organizations that most closely resemble CAMP Rehoboth in mission, size, and geographic location.

Cooper Coleman has begun its discovery process, gathering information about CAMP’s history, programs, and leadership. In the coming weeks they will conduct one-on-one interviews with stakeholders that include Board, staff, volunteers, donors, and commu -

In that column I outlined three areas that would function as guiding principles while I served as Board President, and which I’ve now used to help me evaluate my own performance so far.

 CAMP Rehoboth’s interests are the priority, not mine: In this year of transition, my focus was stabilizing CAMP Rehoboth in a post-COVID world, strengthening the organization’s governance, increasing transparency, and rebuilding relationships.

Is CAMP Rehoboth a work in progress as it relates to our programming? Absolutely. My hope is that the community—as part of the strategic planning process—will tell us what CAMP does well and also, what gaps exist when it comes to providing services. We want to know how we can better serve our community.

 You must believe in what the organization does: This is a deal breaker for me personally, and it continues to

nity leaders to understand what people think are the experience and skill priorities for our next executive director.

The goal is to commence the search by mid-January (if not before). Until the search is launched publicly, any individuals interested in being considered for the role as CAMP Rehoboth’s next Executive Director should direct their resumes to camprehoboth@coopercoleman.com.

STRATEGIC PLAN: Dr. Michela Perrone visited CAMP Rehoboth on November 29 to conduct the first three focus groups as part of the stakeholder feedback portion of the strategic plan: staff, volunteers, and Board. Like the Executive Director search process, the Strategic Planning Task Force is compiling a list of relevant stakeholders to be

BY WESLEY COMBS

fuel the Board’s collective efforts to make CAMP Rehoboth the best LGBTQ community center possible. However, passion alone is never enough—being responsive and fixing any unintended missteps CAMP Rehoboth might make are critical.

I would be remiss if I did not express my deepest appreciation to four members of the Board whose terms expire in December. Their years of service are the best possible testament to their belief in CAMP Rehoboth’s mission.

I will be forever grateful to Chris Beagle for serving as a mentor during my inaugural year as President. He taught me that creating solid relationships matters most to tackling challenges small and large.

In her years on the Board, Natalie Moss provided invaluable financial counsel and pro bono accounting services and gave countless volunteer

Continued on page 48

interviewed in the coming weeks.

In January, a survey will be emailed to everyone on CAMP Rehoboth’s list, soliciting feedback about current CAMP Rehoboth programs. The survey aims also to gather information from the community about its needs, to help identify opportunities for new services, as well potential partnerships to broaden CAMP’s impact in a costeffective way.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: I am excited to announce the election of four new Board members, whose terms will begin in January: Teri Seaton, Amanda Mahony, Lewis Dawley, and Jenn Harpel. We will provide a more formal introduction to each in Letters’ first 2023 issue (out February 10).

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Creating Community

Since joining CAMP Rehoboth in July, one of the first questions I ask when I meet someone new is: tell me how you first connected with CAMP Rehoboth? It is a great ice breaker and people are always willing to share their CAMP Rehoboth stories with me. It helps me to connect with them and also to learn more about CAMP Rehoboth’s history.

People share a variety of answers with me but one theme that continues to surface is that CAMP Rehoboth was a resource for them when they were newcomers to Rehoboth Beach. This point was reiterated recently when I participated in a focus group as part of CAMP Rehoboth’s strategic plan development. Our group was asked to share what we thought were CAMP Rehoboth’s strengths and Derrick Johnson, a fellow staff member, shared that CAMP Rehoboth serves as a great resource for LGBTQ+ people who are new to the Rehoboth Beach area.

Derrick shared his own experience, when he decided to permanently move from New York to Rehoboth Beach. He found CAMP’s monthly magazine, Letters, was an invaluable resource for him as it offered informative articles and included the CAMP Rehoboth Beach Guide that listed LGBTQ+ friendly businesses.

Just the other day, I was covering the CAMPcierge desk in the lobby when Susan Taylor walked in the door with an armload of coats to donate to CAMP Rehoboth’s Annual Toy, Hat, Gloves, and Coat drive. We got to talking and I learned that she recently moved from the west coast with her wife and thought that volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth would be a great way for her to meet new people.

I shared that we have an excellent volunteer program that includes a weekly newsletter with volunteer opportunities where you could pick and choose where/when you want to volunteer your time. CAMP

Rehoboth’s volunteer program helps connect members of our own LGBTQ+ community, even as they offer up their talents and time in service to our larger community.

I recently had dinner with two wonderful CAMP Rehoboth volunteers, James Buswold and Tony Incalcatera, who moved to the area just days before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We talked about how prior to their move, they had researched LGBTQ+ friendly towns and found that Rehoboth Beach was one of the top 10 places for gays and lesbians to retire.

BY LAURIE THOMPSON

center that promotes health and wellness, advocacy, and education, as well as offering vibrant arts and cultural programs. But I think for many people their first connection to CAMP Rehoboth is utilizing the valuable resources we have to offer them— whether it is stopping by in person, or reading Letters, or volunteering as a way to connect and meet LGBTQ+ people in the community.

So, I ask you the question: what first connected you to CAMP Rehoboth? As you ponder your answer, think about if your first connection is—like Derrick’s— using Letters as a resource? Or did you just pop into CAMP Rehoboth and introduce yourself, like Susan? Or did you sign up to volunteer at an event like Tony and James? Or maybe you connected in a completely different way? However you first discovered CAMP Rehoboth, we are so glad that you are part of the CAMP Rehoboth community!

They chose to explore here first and fell in love with Rehoboth Beach—and never felt the need to search other places. They were thrilled to discover that the CAMP Rehoboth community center existed in such a small town, especially because they moved here from Austin, Texas, which did not have an LGBTQ+ community center.

They credit CAMP Rehoboth with making them feel welcomed by their new community. James even volunteered to drive the float (with Tony in the passenger seat) in the Sea Witch Festival® parade. That was significant for two reasons: one, he had never driven a vehicle in a parade; and two, it was their first time ever attending the Sea Witch Festival® parade.

Many of you know that CAMP Rehoboth is a full-service community

In this season of giving, please ask yourself how valuable CAMP Rehoboth is to you, and how you can best support the important work CAMP does. Will you consider making a Year-End Gift that supports what you value most about CAMP Rehoboth? Your gift enables CAMP Rehoboth to continue to serve as an ongoing resource for many, as well as a welcoming place for those who are new to Rehoboth Beach and its surrounding communities.

Best wishes for a peaceful and joyous holiday season. ▼

Laurie Thompson is CAMP Rehoboth’s Development Manager, overseeing all development, fundraising, and donor relations. She can be reached via email at laurie@ camprehoboth.com or call 302-227-5620.

I think for many people their first connection to CAMP Rehoboth is utilizing the valuable resources we have to offer them.

gift will help keep CAMP (Creating a More Positive) Rehoboth as a vital resource that continues to serve the LGBTQ+ community. Your generosity will enable us to further our mission to seek and promote cooperation and understanding among all people, as we work to build a safer community with room for all. This year we have an exciting opportunity thanks to two of our long-standing supporters who have stepped forward with a Year-End Matching Gift. Any gift made between now and December 31st, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $5000, doubling in size and impact.

A most generous gift of $500 will be matched dollar for dollar and become $1000

YOU PREFER TO DONATE ONLINE, please visit camprehoboth.com and click on the Donate Now button. If you are interested in learning about our Planned Giving and Legacy Giving options, please contact Laurie Thompson at laurie@camprehoboth or call 302.227.5620.

37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 302.227.5620 | camprehoboth.com

Coffee Talk & Mary Brett

After 11 years, Saturday, November 26, marked the final session for CAMP Rehoboth’s Coffee Talk. CAMP Rehoboth thanks Mary Brett for hosting this fabulous program all these years, which held space to connect many women in the area and welcomed all. Coffee Talkers are warmly invited to attend Women in Circle, held on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 10:00 a.m. ▼

SAVE THE DATES

CAMP Rehoboth’s Upcoming Performing Arts

Theperforming arts at CAMP Rehoboth are gearing up for spectacular performances, come February 2023.

First, the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus will return to its President’s Day signature weekend for its concert, Hooray for Hollywood! Music from the Movies. The theme will feature iconic songs composed for the movies, including: “I Will Always Love You,” “My Heart Will Go On,” “City of Stars,” “Come What May,” “What a Wonderful World,” and “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life.” The Chorus will perform at Epworth United Methodist Church on Holland Glade Road on February 17 and 18 at 7:00 p.m., and on February 19 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $25, and are available at camprehoboth.com.

Next up, the CAMP Rehoboth Theatre Company will debut Drip Feed, a one-woman show written by Karen Cogan. Directed by Russell Stiles, the play will star Tara Wisely, who recently performed as Violet in Clear Space Theatre’s production of 9 to 5. The show originated in the UK, and CAMP Rehoboth’s performance (February 23-25 at 8:00 p.m.) will mark its debut in the United States. Tickets are $20, and are available at camprehoboth.com. ▼

Diane Shares Her Heart with CAMP Rehoboth

At

a recent board meeting, Diane Scobey, a volunteer with CAMP Rehoboth’s Rainbow Thumb Club, donated an engraving of the CAMP Rehoboth logo. It was an artful reminder of the symbiotic impact shared between CAMP Rehoboth and the community: the logo’s heart inside of the house symbolizes CAMP Rehoboth’s place as the heart of the community, a place made possible only by the volunteers who compose the heart of CAMP. Thank you, Diane!

CAMP REHOBOTH THANKS OUR PREMIER SPONSORS

For information on how to become a CAMP Rehoboth Annual Sponsor, email development@camprehoboth.com or call 302-227-5620.

Pictured at left: Tara Wisely

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It’s My Life

If We Make It Through December

Y’all, we’re almost there.

The midterm elections are decided. Halloween has gone back into its coffin and all that remains of Thanksgiving is some leftovers stuffed in the back of the ‘fridge. Now we just have Christmas and New Year’s Eve left in 2022.

Today, I mailed off holiday cards. All the gifts have been purchased and boxes are arriving at the house. The tree is up. Plans for Christmas Eve with the in-laws and Christmas Day at home have been finalized. All I need to do now is bake cookies for Santa. Just kidding. He gets a bag of pfeffernüsse from Aldi, because nobody’s got time for that.

I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself considering I entered the final holiday stretch with no feeling of cheer whatsoever. For some reason, Thanksgiving—or more likely the elections—wiped me out. The thought of pulling out the boxes of decorations was daunting, and I considered not doing any of it this year. But then I put on the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrack from A Charlie Brown Christmas and a tiny spark ignited. Once it grew a little brighter, I made myself drag out the ornaments and hang one, then another, until eventually Christmas came to life.

This is a hard time for a lot of us. Dark comes early. Pressures and expectations feel more weighty than usual. And we won’t even talk about the looming specter of resolutions. As Mame sings, a lot of us have “grown a little leaner, grown a little colder, grown a little sadder, grown a little older.”

So, yes, some of us do need a little Christmas, right this very minute. And my Christmas gift—to all of you who need it—is permission to let the next few weeks be what you need them to be, rather than what you feel they should be. Too tired to make cookies? The ones from the store taste just fine. (Trust me. I’ve eaten half a bag of spekulatius while writing this.) Overwhelmed by trying to figure out the perfect gift? Make a donation to an organization the recipient in

question supports. Or, if finances are an issue, give the gift of time. Make a date to hang out with that friend you haven’t seen in a while. Offer to help someone with a chore they’ve been putting off.

BY MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

“Happy holidays.” Avoid hearing “Last Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” as if your life depended on it. Tell Hallmark where they can put their movies and tell Santa to pound sand. Well, maybe don’t do that. You want to stay on the Nice list, just in case you change your mind. But you can forget everything else.

This is the time of dark and cold. Some of us like that. Some of us don’t. If you do, take time to hibernate in a blanket fort with a mug of cocoa and a favorite book. And if you’re one of the folks already pining for summer, remember that the winter solstice on December 21 marks the longest night. After that, the sun returns bit by bit. So, be of good cheer. Even if you don’t feel all that cheery. The light is coming.

In the meantime, be good to yourself. Do the things. Don’t do the things. Make Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) what you need it to be. Yeah, sure, it’s a time of giving. And giving really can make you feel great. But this also includes giving to yourself, whatever that means for you. Oh, and about those resolutions I mentioned earlier. Don’t make them. They’re always going to let you down.

I also give you permission to say no. Don’t want to go to that holiday party? Don’t. Don’t feel like spending time with those toxic family members? Tell them you can’t make it. (COVID is a fantastic and convenient excuse if you need one.) And if you absolutely have to go to the party or see those people, you have my permission to hate every second of it and to reward yourself afterwards by doing something you enjoy. Go home and drink an entire carton of eggnog while watching the very best version of A Christmas Carol (that would be the Muppet one, by the way).

You also have permission to do none of it. Don’t give anyone anything. Don’t send a single card or utter even one

Instead, make a plan. A real one. Between now and the first day of 2023, ask yourself what you need for life to really feel good. If you don’t currently have those things, see if you can find ways to get them. Make a plan you’re pretty sure you can follow. Set small goals that lead to larger ones, so that you’re always reaching a destination and not constantly staring at something so far in the distance it never seems to get any closer.

All right. This bag of cookies isn’t going to eat itself. Until next year, to y’all a good night.  ▼

Photo: Jonny Caspari on Unsplash.com

Michael Thomas Ford is a much-published Lambda Literary award-winning author. Visit Michael at michaelthomasford.com.

December 21 marks the longest night. After that, the sun returns bit by bit.

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Fraud and Abuse and Errors,

one of those ubiquitous 2:00 a.m. TV advertisements for knee braces. The announcer says they’ll do all the work and even bill Medicare for you, worry-free. But before you hit that “place in cart” button, think twice, and remember: never give your Medicare number to anyone other than your healthcare provider.

The 2:00 a.m. knee brace scenario has the potential for being a set-up for Medicare fraud. Medicare, and Medicare beneficiaries, are seeing upwards of $80 billion dollars lost annually to Medicare fraud and abuse. The knee brace supplier in the TV ad may contribute to this fraud by sending a sub-standard piece of equipment, meanwhile charging Medicare for a higher-end product. The company may continue to send the inferior equipment long after you require it, billing Medicare every time.

Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs), through community outreach, pursue their mission to educate Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers on protecting, detecting, and reporting potential or suspected Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP staff provide one-on-one consultations, and group and community outreach and presentations.

To set up a 30-minute presentation or learn more, or to volunteer with Delaware’s Senior Medicare Patrol, call Mary Anne Bonafair, SMP Outreach and Education Coordinator, at 302-424-8657, or email her at: MaryAnne.Bonafair@delaware.gov. ▼

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Weekend Celebration

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Organization, Sussex County, Inc. announces the 35th Annual Commemorative Weekend Celebration in honor of the late civil rights leader, January 14-16, 2023.

The theme for the weekend is “Let Justice Roll Down Like Water.” A banquet will be held on Saturday, January 14, beginning at 4:30 p.m., at the CHEER Center, 20520 Sand Hill Road, Georgetown, Delaware. The price for the banquet is $50 for adults and $25 for children age 15 and under. Deadline to reserve tickets is December 30, 2022. For ticket sales or additional information, please call Don Peterson at 703-963-1871, or email mlkcelebration@gmail.com.

On Monday, January 16, the annual Holiday Community Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m., at Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road, Lewes. For additional Monday Holiday Worship information, call Janie Miller at 302-227-3118. ▼

celebrated the Grand Opening of their new Rehoboth showroom with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Rehoboth BeachDewey Beach Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, November 3. ▼

Guest House Chronicles

The Greatest New Year’s Eve

The Guest House is more than just a job to me. Some really significant personal events have happened here, including my life’s most special and wonderful moment: the day I met my husband.

But before we get to that day—10 years ago, my life was totally turned upside down and shaken up. I moved to Rehoboth in 2013 with my then-partner of over 15 years. To tell a super-long dramatic story in an extra-short way, apparently Rehoboth and a life of innkeeping weren’t for him. He left almost immediately, and I suddenly found myself alone and single.

I had a lot of self-discovery in store. I was starting a brand-new career, in a brand-new state, and I didn’t know anyone. It was a huge challenge. I had basically never been single in my entire adult life. I was struggling with who I was and facing the fact I had wasted 15 years with the wrong person. I didn’t want to go through that again, and I didn’t trust myself enough to let people get close to me again. I needed help, and I found it with an incredible therapist.

So, now I was at the end of the drama tsunami and was actually feeling pretty good about myself. I was doing well with just being me. I was totally fine with being single and decided I didn’t need another person in my life. I really enjoyed the dating game. I loved meeting new guys, going out, and skipping right away to the grand finale. I woke up looking forward to each day’s adventures and embraced living in a gay vacation destination. Every day provided new faces on the Grindr grid. I was like a kid with a new toy-store catalog every day, and an unlimited credit card.

Since I was buried in toys and surrounded by house guests daily, I was able to cover up the loneliness. By the end of 2015—an insane and rough year—and just as 2016 was about to arrive, I felt I was ready to start the new year as a new person—admittedly, one I barely knew yet.

New Year’s Eve that year was unusually warm. It was beautiful outside, and

I decided to take my dog, Rambo, for a beach walk. I asked my housekeeper to keep an eye out for arriving guests while I was out. When I returned, she had left a big handwritten note on the kitchen island for me.

must be a little nutty.

BY TOM KELCH

“Tom, I checked-in room 24—really nice, by himself, and I think he’s gay.”

For her this was a big deal. She had been known to vet guys and chase them away before I even had a chance to meet them! So, I definitely needed to meet this guy she apparently approved of.

I waited for hours. Finally, as it got late, I gave up on seeing him that day. I took out my contacts, put on my (secret, onlywear-when-I’m-alone) giant coke-bottle glasses, and went out to the living room to close the house up before bed. And (of course!) there he was, sitting on the couch.

I felt an instant attraction to him, but—argh!—he simply could not see me with these glasses! I took them off, spun around as fast as I could, and ran right into the door! Embarrassed, I ran away, but came back shortly with my contacts in. He tells me that at this moment, he thought I

Well, we started talking, laughing, flirting, and it didn’t stop for hours. We talked so long, the ball dropped and we totally missed it. Finally, we decided it was time for bed.

But once in my room, I couldn’t stop thinking about him—how sexy he was; how nice and funny. I couldn’t sleep. So, I decided to be brave and go up to his room and see if he wanted to snuggle.

I knocked on his door, and he said, “Who is it?”

I replied, trying to be silly, “Room service.”

Confused, he replied, “But I didn’t order room service.”

So, trying to clear up the confusion I said, “But I really want to give you room service!”

Then there was a very long, extra-awkward silence, as I stood behind the closed door for an excruciatingly uncomfortable length of time.

Realizing I had made an embarrassing mistake, I started to walk away when—finally!—he opened the door and said, “Oh, I get it, now! Get in here!”

What an incredible New Year’s Eve it turned out to be! I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Well, he apparently felt the same way. The next weekend, his name appeared on the reservation list. Then—again—the weekend after that. He came back every weekend he could. Three years later, he proposed to me on Thanksgiving: my dog came up to me with a ring hanging from his collar. I looked up at Keith and found him on one knee, asking me to marry him.

In this job, you never know who the person you meet today is going to turn out to be. Browsing my guest list for that New Year’s Eve, I never expected one of those names to be the person who would become the love of my life. ▼

Tom Kelch is the innkeeper and property manager of the Rehoboth Guest House. He is thrilled to share these stories with Letters’ readers.

He tells me that at this moment, he thought I must be a little nutty.

CAMP Stories

BY RICH BARNETT

Christmas Beer: Festive Fun or Slug Bait?

Beer and Christmas. It’s certainly not the first thing that comes to my mind about America’s favorite holiday. Well, unbeknownst to me there are more than 1,400 Christmas beers on the market. Can you believe it? And according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Christmas is the number four beer holiday in America. How have I not known Christmas beer is a thing?

It’s been a thing since the time of the Vikings. In late December, to honor Norse gods and the winter solstice, Vikings would brew special dark, malty beers. As Christianity came to Scandinavia in the 10th century, certain laws even required citizens to brew beer to honor new deities and the new Christmas holiday. Christmas beer became a long-standing European tradition that continues today.

Here in the US, the first commercial Christmas beer was brewed by the San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Company in 1975. It’s still around, so I thought it the perfect start to my exploration of Christmas beer.

Anchor’s Christmas Ale is a Belgianstyle ale but a tad lighter in body and booziness. The company adjusts its recipe every year. The 2022 holiday brew is a red rye ale showcasing hops— not too much—and orange peel to give it a slight bitter Italian flavor that I find most agreeable. I think it would pair nicely with a fruitcake. And I mean that as a complement.

Troeg’s Mad Elf Ale is another of the older domestic Christmas beers, first brewed in Pennsylvania, in 2002. I couldn’t wait to try this bottle emblazoned with the face of an inebriated-looking elf with green eyes. Mad Elf is a reddish ale emphasizing four different kinds of cherries, along with honey, cinnamon, and allspice. To me, the taste is somewhat reminiscent of Robitussin cough syrup. I suppose Mad Elf’s 11 percent alcohol level might help one cope with certain family

situations during the holidays, but I’d have to be mad to drink more than one of these ales.

No one would consider you mad if you served Bell’s Christmas Ale at a holiday gathering. This offering from Michigan is described as a typical Scottish ale—rich and malty with a slight caramel taste. It’s not particularly Christmas-y, but maybe that’s okay.

a holiday-scented candle! The cloves numbed my tongue. Wonder what it would do to a slug?

St. Bernardus Christmas Ale from Belgium is a dark, creamy, malt-style beer with hints of fruit, spice, and licorice and fire-roasted chestnuts. I didn’t taste any of that, perhaps because my tongue was still a bit numb. All in all, a nice beer.

Christmas Vacation is my favorite holiday movie, so of course I had to try Brew Dog’s National Lampoon Christmas Vacation Stout . It’s a dark stout infused with pecan and toffee flavors and a hint of vanilla. I’m no Scrooge, but to me it tastes like some meathead bro mixed a Starbuck’s vanilla latte into an Irish Guinness stout. Moreover, I still can’t figure out what this odd taste profile has to do with the movie.

The final entry in my Christmas beer taste test was Shiner Holiday Cheer. Brewed in Texas, a state I have little use for these days, this dunkelweizenstyle German wheat ale surprised me. A perfect balance of peaches and roasted pecans gives this beer a unique and subtle holiday mouthfeel and left me licking my lips and wanting more.

Another Christmas beer from the Keystone state is Victory’s Merry Monkey. Yes, there’s a monkey featured on the label of this Belgian-style ale promising festive notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Lots of nutmeg. My tasting companion swears there is also a hint of fermenting banana in this beer. The slugs in my garden would really go for this.

New York’s Southern Tier 2XMAS Belgian-style ale sounds interesting as it is brewed with orange peels, ginger, cinnamon, figs, and cloves. However, the nose on this beer is so cloying that all I could think was egad, I’m drinking

Yes, there are both hits and misses when it comes to the weird world of Christmas beers. But here’s the thing: you have the rest of the year to drink serious hopped-up IPAs and old school lagers. Why not try something festive and a wee bit tacky this holiday season? Put on your worst holiday sweater, play some Bing Crosby tunes, and sip some Christmas beer. You might find something to incorporate into your holiday traditions. Or if not, use it to bait the slugs in your garden. Cheers! ▼

Rich Barnett is the author of The Discreet Charms of a Bourgeois Beach Town, and Fun with Dick and James.

…according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association, Christmas is the number four beer holiday in America.

VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS

Plum of the Dunes

Stretching along the Eastern coastline from the Canadian Maritimes to Maryland, a wild plum has long been a natural habitat staple and a provider of fruit for homemade jams, jellies, and aperitifs. This wild and hardy shrub— known as the beach plum—thrives in many coastal locales and is a vital member of coastal ecology. It serves as a mainstay in the natural world, bringing beauty, stability, and nourishment to wildlife. Though it typically produces a robust harvest of savory pitted fruit, the beach plum yield (of course) is not guaranteed. There may be a “gap” year or a sharp decline in fruit during severe drought.

Related to the cherry and peach, the Prunus maritima shrub roots in porous and loose sands. In early summer, the plum presents a blush of pink and white sprays. Enduring sweltering summer heat, torrential rainfalls, and scorching sun, the beach plum comes into its own in late summer. It’s then, after many weeks of generating small fruit by the thousands, that the green plums turn dusty red and purple—something that seemed magical to me, as a young girl.

We were blessed, in the late 1960s, to have scores of beach plums close by my home in Lewes and in nearby Rehoboth. Although landscape practices and residential development have resulted in moderate loss, many of the shrubs have been spared, and are being tended by residents and officials. Those efforts are helped along by the hardy shrub’s ability to regenerate naturally by lateral “shoots” in the sand.

These days, when the plums ripen, I ride up and down Lewes Beach or step a few paces into the dunes to find fruiting shrubs. In 2021 alone, my mother and I harvested 100 pounds of plums.

But—what to do with all that bounty?! One option: a homemade jam or dessert aperitif. Another: home-freezing the plums. Both approaches have been traditions in my family for generations, as they have been in many families.

For many years I have been making

BY JR FUTCHER

and selling beach plum products. And with the support of two local businesses, my homemade jam satisfies many people’s nostalgic desire for that taste of the coast. Once they spot the dusty purple plums each late-summer season, my neighbors wait with eager anticipation for the harvest and a few jars of jam or an aperitif for ice cream.

Making just one batch requires several pounds of beach plums, a heap of sugar, and lemon. Separating the pits (also known as stones) is no small chore, but—aided by a Chinois French fruit press—I spend hours pressing the rich juice and pulp. I make a jam chock full of the meat of the plum. Boiling, blending, and sealing brings the final product to a heat-tempered canning jar and…another batch of beach plum jam is complete!

We were taught to make preserves and to home-can as children, by my grandmother, Frances, and my mother, JR Sr. I carry on this tradition and am so grateful for the lessons. The substantial effort of harvesting and preserving the beach plums is repaid a hundred-fold each time I open a frozen packet or twist the lid off a jar of jam.▼

JuneRose (JR) Futcher is a native of Delaware, an award-winning photographer, and a community and arts activist.

Once they spot the dusty purple plums each latesummer season, my neighbors wait with eager anticipation for the harvest and a few jars of jam or an aperitif for ice cream.

THERE

IS NOTHING LIKE

seeing the face of a homeless cat or dog light up because you’ve taken the time to give them a little time and love. Or seeing the magic happen when you connect people with those pets who may not otherwise have met them.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS you can make a difference as a BVSPCA volunteer, including: Walk and train dogs Socialize and groom cats Help with adoptions Give a homeless pet a much needed outing Represent our animals and organization at events Foster a dog or cat to give them a much needed bridge to adoption

Provide administrative support Assist in the veterinary clinic Participate in humane education Assist with the pet food pantry

GETTING STARTED IS EASY! Just sign up for an orientation at: bvspca.org/volunteer

BY ERIC C. PETERSON

Lumps in the Gravy

Ah, the holidays. A time to listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” a minimum of 20 times a day, spend hours at the outlets just to find a parking space, and of course, spend time with your family. Why do we do this, again?

I recently spent some quality time with my biological family, and like many people I know, I come from a “politically divided family.” Most of my family of origin get most of their news from the Fox News Channel, which seems to exist in the background of nearly every family visit, whether anyone happens to be watching or not. When I’m there, I do my best to avert my gaze. Every once in a while, I will switch the channel to CNN to see if anyone will notice. (No one ever says anything, but the channel is routinely turned back to Fox News the next time I look up.)

Most of the time, we avoid politics as a discussion point. This year, however, the conversation turned to politics a few times. One member of my family, let’s just call him “Uncle Joe,” seemed particularly keen to enlighten me on a number of points.

Right off the bat, he informed me that Confederate flags have nothing to do with “the Blacks” at all, but are just expressions of Southern Pride, and if “the Blacks” don’t like them, then they should stop flying flags that say divisive things like “Black Lives Matter.” Furthermore, the insurrection on January 6 was no big deal because you should see what the liberals have done to downtown Seattle.

This is a common tactic of Uncle Joe’s, and a logical fallacy known as Whataboutism. It matters little that the Confederate Battle Flag was originally flown by a pro-slavery movement waging war against the United States, or that the conservative mob on January 6 was attempting to overturn a presidential election on the orders of a sitting US president. These other things were worse because he wanted them to

be worse, and his desires had been confirmed by men wearing suits and ties on a 24-hour channel with the word “News” in its name.

Later, in the evening, I learned that kindergarteners in blue states are shown videos that teach them how to masturbate, and that Merrick Garland had placed parents in red states who lobbied their school boards on a terror watch list.

McCarthy, the House Minority Leader at the time, appeared on Fox News Sunday on April 17, 2022, and said that a Republican majority in Congress would be “able to stand up to an attorney general who goes after parents and calls them terrorists if they want to go to a school board meeting.” I could find no evidence that Mr. McCarthy was corrected in the moment or that Fox News ever provided its audience with a fact check later on.

I was dubious, but it’s difficult to prove a negative, so I simply said, “I doubt that happened.” But no, I was assured that it had happened, and Uncle Joe had seen it. “You’ve seen kindergarteners being taught how to masturbate?” I asked. And apparently, he had.

Later that night, as I settled into bed, I did a little internet searching on my phone. I did so with an open mind, looking for any grain of truth in the wild stories I’d heard earlier. There, I discovered that a very expensive private school in Manhattan once showed a video to kindergarteners that assured them that touching your own private parts was normal, but you shouldn’t let anyone else do it.

I also learned that a school board had once reached out to Attorney General Garland to ask if parents who openly threaten school board members shouldn’t be placed on some kind of list, and that Mr. Garland had assured parents that all credible threats of violence would be followed up on. But no, as of this date, no one has been placed on a terror watch list after voicing an opinion, no matter how heatedly, at a school board meeting.

Reading further, I learned that Kevin

I’m not writing this so that you’ll hate my Uncle Joe. I don’t hate my Uncle Joe. I’ve seen firsthand how kind he can be, when we’re not debating things he’s heard on the news. My Uncle Joe isn’t a terrible person; he’s just wrong about a lot of stuff. Unfortunately, his wrongness is bolstered by people who lie to him. He believes the lies a little too eagerly, perhaps, but when I consider my Uncle Joe from a distance, I’m not angry so much as sad to think about all the gaslighting he’s endured.

I get angrier when I think about the ones doing the lying. And other than an FCC with real power, I don’t have any grand solutions to offer the country on the ways we’re so divided these days. The only advice I have to offer after my last trip home is to save some time for your family of choice this year and remember that no one is morally required to debate their Uncle Joe at their next family gathering. Also, whisk the flour into the gravy a little at a time to prevent lumps.

Happy holidays, everyone. ▼

Eric Peterson is a diversity and inclusion practitioner. His first novel (Loyalty, Love & Vermouth) is available online and at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach. His podcast, The Rewind Project, is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

My Uncle Joe isn’t a terrible person; he’s just wrong about a lot of stuff.

The Sea Salt Table

Christmas Creamed Onions

Iwas on the Martha Stewart show once. No, no, please stop clapping. And by all means, sit back down. It’s not that impressive.

What happened was we went with our friends George and Tim to drink in New York City at Christmastime. Rockefeller Plaza, Macy’s, etc. And we decided to take in Martha’s new, post-prison, live audience show. It was us, a sprinkling of other gay men, and 200 women in appliqued sweaters. Keep in mind, this was before tacky Christmas wear was en vogue.

The producer had each of us write down a question we’d like to ask Martha on live TV. And me being me, I was determined to get picked. So much so, I was curling my arm around my paper like a fourth grader covering his answers to a math quiz.

The producer did pick me and escorted the four of us to special seats front and center. We clapped furiously for Martha’s cooking and crafts, including a homemade popsicle stick and clothespin wreath to display holiday cards. Although, the hot glue did give way and it started to fall apart. Exhale, she recovered like a champion and cut to commercial.

On cue, I stood up, looked the domesticity queen in the eye and said, “Hello Martha.” Cathy Lee Gifford, her guest during MY segment, interrupted to say, “I can’t see him but he sounds cute.” (Her view of me was blocked by a camera.) My friends have gotten a lot of laugh mileage from that moment, especially given my coquettish reaction. You’d have thought Anderson Cooper had called me sexy on Breaking News.

But I pressed on to ask my question— insert appropriate pause to build excitement—”Martha, how do you keep your Christmas tree fresh?” Mind you, I could care less. We had changed to an artificial tree years before. My 15 seconds of fame were complete. Life was downhill from here.

I won’t tell you her answer. It’s all over YouTube for you to enjoy. OK, that’s a lie. But it does deserve more than its paltry

five thumbs-up, four of which were my Mom’s.

In all seriousness, I do like Martha Stewart. Especially at the holidays. She has a childlike curiosity and enthusiasm for cooking, crafting, gardening, and well, all sorts of things that make this time of year extra special.

BY ED CASTELLI

This month I’m highlighting a riff on her creamed onions. Mine are a bit of a cheat as we’ll be using frozen pearl onions instead of fresh. And we’re not going to mess with a traditional flour and butter roux.

OK, you caught me, they’re nothing like Martha’s. Oh, well. Merry Christmas Martha and her followers, wherever you are!

Let’s get started, shall we?

STEPS

 Combine over medium heat: 14.4 oz bag of frozen pearl onions; ½ cup low-sodium broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable); 2 Tbls white wine or sherry; 1 bay leaf; 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves; and ¼ tsp nutmeg.

 Heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the onions to thaw and the flavors to steep. Meanwhile, whisk together: ⅓ cup heavy cream and 1 ½ Tbls flour.

 Thoroughly stir the cream mixture into the onions and raise the heat briefly to

high. When you see a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low. Continue stirring occasionally and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.

 Remove from the heat and add some kosher salt & pepper to taste. Discard the bay leaf and pour into a one-quart casserole.

 Combine: ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs or panko; 2 Tbls melted butter; ¼ cup grated Parmesan; and 1 Tbl fresh minced parsley.

 Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the onions and bake in a 425° oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden and a little bubbly. Allow the onions to cool on the counter a little bit before serving.

TIPS

• Expect about four side-dish servings as written, but this recipe readily doubles for larger casseroles.

• Beef broth will give the onions a deeper flavor to go with meaty dishes like pot roast. For ham, I’d stick with chicken or vegetable broth.

• You can serve the onions without adding the breadcrumbs and baking. Just make sure the raw flour taste has cooked off and the sauce is thick enough to stick to the onions once plated. But it is the holidays after all; diets be damned.

• Instead of black pepper, this is a great dish to highlight white or pink varieties. Give it a try and let me know how you make out. ▼

Ed and his husband Jerry split their time between homes near Harrisburg Pennsylvania and Bethany Beach. Ed builds websites to pay the bills but loves to cook, garden, hike, and dote on their dog Atticus. Recipe requests and feedback welcome: ed@seasalttable.com.

You’d have thought Anderson Cooper had called me sexy on Breaking News.

BY PATTIE CINELLI

Cue the Stress Practical Tips for Enjoying the Holidays

Holidays set off emotional sparks for many of us. A Christmas concert at Milton Theater last month awakened memories I had buried deep about my family and the wonderful Christmases we had decades ago. I got sad remembering holidays that will never be again. It roused an emptiness in the pit of my stomach and brought tears to my eyes. I got short of breath. I was stressed.

Stress is an individualized affair. What sets me off is not what affects others. My friends who attended the concert with me simply enjoyed the music.

We all have our triggers that create stress this time of the year. Often sleep, exercise, eating well, relaxing, and selfcare practices fall by the wayside. But the holidays come every year. Now the pressure is on. What can we do?

Years ago, our stress response helped keep people alive. We may no longer have to daily fend for our lives, but we still click into stress overload, sometimes on a daily basis. When we sense a threat, our bodies respond by releasing a hormone called cortisol, activating our fight or flight response. Our heart rate and breathing rate increases, blood pressure rises, and muscles tighten.

In small, short doses, stress can help us perform under pressure. However, prolonged stress can compromise our immune systems and lessen our bodies’ ability to protect us from disease, lengthen healing time, and impair mental function.

Anything can cause stress. Around the holidays, overbooked schedules, unrealistic expectations, worry, guilt, and rigid thinking are big button-pushers.

Some physical signs you are stressed out include back or neck aches, frequent colds or headaches, constant tiredness or fatigue, changes in appetite, stomachaches, or heartburn. Stress affects more than just our

bodies. Anxiety, worry, depression or mood swings, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, feeling overwhelmed or overreacting, an increased number of minor accidents, weight gain or loss, increased alcohol consumption, and difficulty making decisions are all signs of stress.

stress include salmon, almonds and blueberries.

→ Cut down on screen time.

→ Get organized.

→ Prioritize. We’re not super people. Regular multitasking is bad for one’s mental health.

Despite daily practices, we will still find ourselves in situations that cause our hearts to race. If we can’t leave or hang up the phone (which would remedy the situation), what can we do?

→ Change our perspective. There’s always a different way to perceive the same thing.

→ Take a deep breath (or two or three). Most of the time we breathe shallowly into our chest. Pause and breathe slowly into the belly then exhale slowly.

The good news is that once we know what will set us off, we can learn to control how we react. Back when I drove to New York for the holidays, I knew my family dynamics were a source of stress for me. I would spend the four hours in the car listening to relaxing CDs and visualizing how I wanted my trip to unfold. I practiced self-talk and created phrases I could repeat in my head that calmed me. I found doing the prep work made my family time much more enjoyable.

Here are a few simple, daily practices that can help you be more grounded and centered.

→ Sit quietly. Just 5-10 minutes most days can help lower blood pressure.

→ Exercise to release endorphins that make us happy.

→ Soak in a warm bath or stand in a hot shower to release muscle tension and stimulate blood circulation.

→ Rest. Go to sleep or take a nap. It will reset your mood.

→ Massage. No time for a full-body massage? Give yourself a scalp massage or foot massage before bed. It helps you sleep.

→ Stay away from highly-processed or junk food . Foods to help lessen

→ Take yourself to a happier place (in your head). I often do this while talking on the phone. I let a friend vent while I take myself to my happy place—the beach.

→ Let go of worry and guilt —two useless emotions. Neither is going to change the situation.

→ Tense and relax your muscles. The practice will change your focus.

Most of all—enjoy the holiday season! Focus on the fun and let go of the rest. Build into your life long-term strategies for stress relief that allow you to minimize the impact of any situation that comes your way. It’s powerful to realize that we have control over how we react and how we feel. It makes it so much easier to handle whatever happens over the holidays—or any other day. ▼

Pattie Cinelli is a journalist and fitness professional who focuses on leading-edgeof-thought ways to stay healthy and get well. Contact her at: fitmiss44@aol.com.

Around the holidays, overbooked schedules, unrealistic expectations, worry, guilt, and rigid thinking are big buttonpushers.

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 the weekly email newsletter. Meetings are in-person and take place at CAMP Rehoboth unless noted otherwise.

Weekly Events

WALK-IN HIV TESTING

Mondays-Fridays

Free, rapid, walk-in HIV testing at CAMP Rehoboth. Get your results in 15 minutes. No appointment needed during the below times. Appointments available for other dates and times.

Mondays 12:00-4:00 p.m. Tuesdays ............... 12:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesdays ........ 1:00-4:00 p.m. Thursdays 1:00-4:00 p.m. Fridays 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

MORNING MINDFULNESS

Tuesdays 8:00 a.m. (Zoom)

Erin will lead a mindful exercise or morning meditation for 30 minutes.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. (Zoom)

Erin guides participants 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 8:45 a.m.

All levels are welcome, and everyone will be given the opportunity to modify or advance their practice, based upon their preferences.

YOGA FOR ALL

Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. Come enjoy this new, open-to-everyone, pay-what-you-like yoga class!

Bi-weekly & Monthly Events WOMEN IN CIRCLE

12/17, 01/07, 01/21, 02/04, 10:00 a.m. Women in Circle is a gathering of LGBTQ women that meets the first and third Saturday of each month. The circle is a welcoming, inclusive, and positive place to meet, connect, and share with other women.

YOUTHUP MONTHLY SOCIAL 01/20, 6:30 p.m.

The YouthUp Monthly Social takes place on the third Friday of each month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event is designed specifically for 11- to 19-year-old LGBTQ+ youth. Email youthup@camprehoboth. com for location or other information.

YOUTHUP BOOK CLUB 01/24, 5:30 p.m. (Zoom)

The YouthUp Book Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month. If you need a copy of the book or want to be added to the mailing list for the Zoom link, email julian@camprehoboth.com.

YOUTHUP DISCUSSION GROUP 01/12, 01/26, 02/09, 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)

The Youth Discussion Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. This discussion group is for 11- to 19-year-old LGBTQ+ youth to get together and chat virtually with other LGBTQ+ youth and a supportive adult moderator. These meetings are meant for informal discussions of school, friends, media, and other youth-driven topics. Requests for presentations and other questions from/by adults should be directed to julian@camprehoboth.com.

YOUNG ADULT DISCUSSION GROUP

12/15, 01/19, 6:00 p.m. (Zoom)

The Young Adult discussion group meets the third Thursday of each month. This group is for 19- to 25-year old LGBTQ+ young adults. For more information email julian@camprehoboth.com.

FLAMING KNITTERS

No meeting December 26 01/09, 01/23, 02/13, 6:30 p.m.

Flaming Knitters meets the second and fourth Monday of each month. The group provides a thoughtful and engaging space for working, conversing, connecting, showing off, sharing resources, and supporting fiber-related crafts/projects in a queer- and trans-affirming space.

CAMP REHOBOTH BOOK CLUB

12/19, 01/30, 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 that tackle a variety of interests and subject matters. ▼

BY CLARENCE FLUKER

Embracing the Season Solo

Some people view being single during the holiday season as the end of the world. The truth, however, is that not being in a relationship during the holidays can allow you the opportunity to create a new beginning of a freshly imagined world for yourself. If you are single during this holiday season, take this time to refresh, reconnect, reflect, and recommit yourself to your best life.

Refresh: No matter if your last relationship ended three hours ago, three weeks ago, or three months ago, chances are it took something out of you. Now is the time to work on getting back some of that energy you willfully gave to that other person and finding your center. Take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to focus on you and heal yourself. This could mean reading all the books you’ve said you wanted to read but didn’t have time to when you were with that other person. It may mean spending some quality time at the gym or simply more time in silence and meditation. Whatever it looks like for you, refresh yourself with that which fills you with joy and peace. This prepares you to be in sound mind, body, and spirit for the next courtship. It will make you a better you—for both you and your next partner.

Reconnect: In addition to refreshing and reintroducing yourself to you, the holiday season is the perfect time to reengage with family, friends, and former colleagues. While you might not be dating someone special, there are a number of people who think you are special. Those people would value spending time with you catching up. Quality phone calls, coffees, and shopping trips with people at this time of year offer chances to bond with those you care about but don’t always share just how much they mean to you. Seize this opportunity before life has you in the fast-andfurious dating lane again.

Many of your favorite charities may be looking for volunteers to help them through this season. Calling up your preferred organization and finding out where you might be able to assist them would be an important contribution. More than what you would put into the volunteer activity is what you

would get out of it by reconnecting with a cause that matters to you and that you see as being bigger than you.

Reflect: Now would be the perfect time to pull out your journal and ask yourself some serious questions that can help you in the future—not just informing how you show up on your next dating or relationship journey, but also who you are as a person. What were the lessons that you learned about yourself in the last relationship? When did you feel most happy? What were healthy communication practices that you’d like to continue? Have you noticed any patterns that you need to break? What held you back from being vulnerable, if you think you weren’t vulnerable enough? If you’re fortunate enough to have good friends and family that will be completely honest and provide their insight and observations, this can be helpful too. Ask them. They often see us in ways that we can’t see ourselves.

Recommit: Once you begin to feel rejuvenated and once again interested in returning to the dating scene, look back and honestly assess your prior relationships. Take a good look at the role you played in all of the successes and failures. Recommit yourself to doing all of the positive things you did to keep the lines of communication open and those relationships going. Also affirm that you will be equally as diligent in not bringing old bad habits into a new relationship. In every failed relationship that you have had there is one common denominator—you! While we would all like to think that we are perfect, none of us are and sometimes our denials of our own imperfections hinder us from building healthy and sustainable relationships with others. Recommit to doing the work that is necessary for you and your future partner.

Refresh, reconnect, reflect, and recommit. ▼

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.

Take some time away from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to focus on you and heal yourself.

The Writing Life

Just the Facts

Buried somewhere in a box in the basement of our house is a spiral-bound book of tan envelopes, 12 in all, held together with a rubber band.

Each one is meant to memorialize a school year—in fact, the cover of this book says “My School Days” or something similarly obvious, and sports a caricatured drawing of a red schoolhouse, circa 1920. The idea was for moms of the 1960s to save and preserve report cards, artwork, homework, and other school memories—for what, I’m not sure; wasn’t elementary school embarrassing enough without having reminders of it?

Anyhow, the envelopes were meant to be a guide for Mom, in case she was too clueless to know what might be Maximum Embarrassment in later years (side note: she wasn’t). There was a place on the front for a school picture (Oh, Lord, deliver me from third grade!), teachers’ names, favorite classes, and best subjects. On the back of the envelope were spaces for personal things like height and weight (no problems there, right?) and a section entitled What I Want to Be When I Grow Up.

Boys got all the good choices: fireman, policeman, cowboy—things like that. My choices were that I could grow up to be a nurse, housewife, or mother.

No insult to nurses, housewives, or mothers, but...yee-haw.

Along about second grade, there was a line for “other.” Thank heavens: that was the year Mom scrawled “WRITER” on my wanna-be line.

‘Tis true that I had “published” my own book by then, something about horses and riding. I was writer, illustrator, and clumsy page-stapler, and it was one of a long list of things I’d written. Someone told me I could write poetry, and so I did. Teachers were impressed by my essays. I was told that I could write scary stories, and so I did. Nikki Giovanni, David McCullough, and Stephen King have nothing to worry about.

And then I found other things to “be” when I grew up. A farmer (check). A veterinarian (nope). A radio DJ (still have

my FCC license, y’all). A bookseller. A TV control room tech. And I wrote, idly, to get it out of my system, for whatever, for activism, for the amusement of others, but never for myself.

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

with words and ideas, and they let me do it. Encouraged me, even. But sometimes, I had little to do. So I volunteered to do a brief radio books show downstairs.

It wasn’t anything earth-shattering. Publishers sent me advanced copies for my radio bit and I’d talk about books for a few minutes. It was something random and it wasn’t that good, but one day, I realized that there was probably another outlet for this odd thing I’d found. Specifically, nobody was doing a books column for the average reader.

So I started—stumbled, really—into a career I made up. Today, armed with five years of sales training and a lifetime of reading, I review books for around 160 newspapers and magazines in the US and Guam.

At the interview, I blurted a truth that I had never realized until that very moment: all I ever really wanted to do was write.

When the millennium changed, so did my life.

Tired of banging my head against a wall, facing an unhappy existence at a job that was making me eat Tums like potato chips, I ultimately applied for a position as a radio ad copywriter. I had done that work before, sometimes, whenever I needed to, back in my DJ days. I remembered it being fun, like playing with words—definitely not like work.

And they’d pay me to do it! Sign me up!

At the interview, I blurted a truth that I had never realized until that very moment: all I ever really wanted to do was write.

And so, I did. Forty hours a week, I churned out ads for several radio stations in one building, for more than a dozen salespeople, for hundreds of clients, and dozens of station promotions. I got to play

And because I’m immersed (quite happily) in books, I get to meet publishers—one of whom told me one afternoon that he wanted me to write for him. And I did, not for the money but because I’d contributed to several short-trivia-type bathroom books through the years, and I’d enjoyed the process. It was time to see what I could do with a whole book.

Time to write for me

When you are an author, you get a handful of copies of your book before it releases. The box arrives and it’s supposed to be some sort of celebratory thing. Yes, it was exciting to get a big stack of pristine copies of The Big Book of Facts—and it was kind of anticlimactic, too. I’d seen the cover already. I knew what was inside.

It was the kind of book I’d want on my shelf.

My second-grade self is still smiling.... ▼

The Big Book of Facts is available now in bookstores. Terri’s next two are in progress.

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OUTlook

Hate the Hate

Ikeep thinking, I shouldn’t write this just now.

I’m too emotional; it was only a few days ago that five people were killed and 18 wounded in a Colorado LGBTQ club by yet another radicalized lunatic with an AR-15. I am furious and want to fight back. I want to crack skulls. I want to hit where it hurts.

Was it only a few days prior to that, that I was actually feeling hopeful for the future? That the election deniers in the midterms had been mostly rejected and we held the Senate. Razor thin, yes, but we still won. We lost the House, but the so-called red wave had not materialized. Then the Head Twit decided to let 45 and MTG back on Twitter. I never got that much from Twitter, so I—like many others I know—deleted my account. I hope it crashes and burns.

I feel like I did in the late 1970s, as haters like Anita Bryant hauled out the old trope that LGBTQ people want to recruit children. I feel like I did when rednecks in a pickup truck threw a bottle of beer at my head calling me a dyke bitch in the parking lot of a gay bar in 1979. I feel like I did in the 1980s, when the right refused to even care that gay people were dying of AIDS. I feel like I did in 2016 when 49 people were gunned down and 53 were wounded at Pulse nightclub in Florida. And now, they’re killing us again. But the truth is, the haters never stopped.

It could have been so much worse. The retired Army major Richard Fierro, who tackled the gunman, is a hero in my book. Hopefully, he fractured the shooter’s skull and left them brain dead, beating them bloody in the back of the head with the shooter’s own handgun, but we don’t know that yet. And it’s especially delightful to me that a transwoman stomped the shooter with her high heels. This is how viscerally angry I am: that I would delight in bloody, cracked skulls. Or worse.

Where does this leave me? I can buy merch from Mr. Fierro’s brewery. I can donate money to HRC, CAMP Rehoboth, and other organizations. I can process this tremendous anger with my therapist. As a survivor of two violent crimes in my early life and of 9/11, I have work to do.

As someone with PTSD, I know that the

BY BETH SHOCKLEY

massacre in Colorado will affect the survivors for the rest of their lives, and it’s deeply saddening. They’ll always be looking over their shoulders, looking for the exits as soon as they arrive, and startling at loud noises. I can only hope that they can somehow reconcile the loss of their loved ones to such a senseless act of hate.

For us and our allies, we are left with holes to fill. Grief, anger, and fear. Why do they hate us so? I truly don’t understand; I never have, and I don’t know if I ever will. How much hate does it take for someone to want to kill someone else? Self defense I understand. Mr. Fierro, who also reportedly has PTSD, reacted as someone with military leadership skills is trained to do. But he could just as easily have frozen or run. I’m just thankful that he was able to act, training or not, along with the transwoman and the other patron who helped bring that monster down.

Years ago, I saw love in action. My partner at the time and I were shopping at Macy’s in Manhattan. A woman had a screaming toddler by the arm. The mother was yelling at the child to shut up. When that didn’t happen, the woman started to go for her belt. She was going to beat that child with her belt in the middle of Macy’s. I froze. My partner, respectfully but in a loud voice, told the woman to put her belt away. Other women standing around us moved forward as a group toward the woman. Not to hurt her but to protect the child. The woman cursed at us but put her belt back on. Love, courage, doing the right thing, is contagious. It takes just one person, acting from a place of love, for it to grow.

This, at its heart, is what we must do. Be courageous, do the right thing, call out hate. This is what organizations like CAMP Rehoboth do. This is what events, like Pride, are for. It is why it’s still important to come out. To stem the hate, to educate, before hate can gain ground.

We can fill the holes of grief, anger, and fear created by this tragedy by standing together to take action against hate. ▼

Beth Shockley is a retired senior writer/editor living in Dover with her wife and five furbabies.

I feel like I did when rednecks in a pickup truck threw a bottle of beer at my head calling me a dyke bitch in the parking lot of a gay bar in 1979.

Aging Gracelessly

Sex, Lies, and Video Hate

Iwent to the most marvelous party—as gay songwriter Noel Coward once sang. It was the wedding of two dear men, one of whom was responsible for writing Delaware’s marriage equality law.

The moving ceremony was officiated by Delaware’s first transgender state senator, who handled the task with authority, love, and humor.

It was a joyous night, with a beautiful diversity of guests— all ages, genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations. It was a love fest and a blast.

And I proved I’m clearly old, as I never even considered going to the after-party. My after-party was at Club Duvet. Z-zz-z-z.

I went to sleep with a smile on my face and woke up to the horror of the Club Q murders.

I watched the story unfold, crying into my coffee, not understanding how this could happen again. I realized, beyond the gun culture and lack of mental health services, the true problem is the demonizing of minorities.

I’ve been alive long enough to have heard my grandparents and parents talking about the Holocaust. At the time, it was only a decade past a current event. My father fought against the Germans; my mother and her sister talked about the gas chambers in Yiddish, so as not to “frighten the kids.”

But I learned about it all, including devouring books, films, and plays about the gassing of eight million Jews, gays, Romas (gypsies), people with disabilities, and more. How could such a massive, inconceivable tragedy happen? We know the answer. It was facilitated by Hitler and the Nazis demonizing minority groups, fomenting hatred, and turning neighbor against neighbor.

And now, 80 years later, the same tactic is in wide and terrible use in our country. Right wing media spews lies about gay people and other minorities, without being challenged by the FCC or any other entity to assure us that that media is truthful. Outright lies have no place in legitimate news outlets.

Instead, some tell lies about transgender people in bathrooms, LGBTQ people grooming kids (whatever that means), children acting like cats as left-wing adults provide

BY FAY JACOBS

them with litter boxes at school, and kindergartener’s taught about sex acts. ALL LIES.

I want to work to stop the lies, but I feel powerless. How do I reach people who listen to the lies of conservative pundits and politicians? This column certainly won’t reach people who hear and believe the lies. If I were wealthy, I’d take ads on FOX NotNews, and entertainingly tell the truth. The Gay Agenda: breakfast, lunch, pick up dog poop, unsubscribe from a zillion emails, dinner, bedtime. No time for grooming (whatever that is).

But what do I do now?

By nightfall I had written to the Rachel Maddow Blog urging her to take on the issue of people only listening to opposing media and calling out those which lie. News should be reliably true. She’d do a great job with that.

Next, I wrote to the Cape Gazette.

Dear Editor,

I love The Cape Gazette because it has readers of all political views, a rare thing these days. Today I hope that eyes other than in my political bubble read this.

Five people died in a hate crime last week. None of them, or others who have been killed, were grooming anybody for anything, causing danger in restrooms, teaching kindergarteners about sex or any of the other outrageous lies found on conservative media or online hate speech. They were merely trying to live their lives, like the rest of us.

The shooters do the crimes but are pushed to violence by politicians and commentators demonizing minorities and making people fear them. Right from the Nazi playbook, the lies make good people turn on their neighbors.

Cling to your own political views about reproductive freedom, taxes, and policies, and I will cling to mine. But do not believe the lies spread by commentators and politicians gaining wealth and power by telling you to hate others.

Fay Jacobs Rehoboth Beach

Hell, I don’t know if it will be published [Ed. Note: It was; see Letters to the Editor, November 25], or if so, do a shred of good. But I had to do something. And I will try to do more to stop the lies. Stay tuned. I’m on a mission.

But simultaneously let’s live our lives, joyously, as safely as possible, kindly, and mindful that if an occasion arises, we work to dispel some of the demonizing lies.

Let’s have a Happy New Year, readers. I appreciate you all. ▼

Fay Jacobs is the author of five published books and is touring with her one-woman sit-down comedy show, Aging Gracelessly.

It was facilitated by Hitler and the Nazis demonizing minority groups, fomenting hatred, and turning neighbor against neighbor.

For Every Season

What Is the Role of an Ally, Anyway?

Shortly before Thanksgiving, Rich Fierro was enjoying a drag show at a Colorado LGBTQ+ nightclub with his daughter, her boyfriend, and a few friends when he heard shots. Within moments, Fierro had the heavily armed attacker on the floor, pummeling him with punches and bludgeoning him with his own gun. Matthew Haynes, one of the club’s owners, was reported by the New York Times as saying Fierro “saved dozens and dozens of lives…. Everyone else was running away, and he ran toward him.”

Although several factors were undoubtedly in play, Fierro was seen as an ally superhero—someone who stood up for the LGBTQ+ community in an extraordinary way. His actions beg the question: In this time of terrifying societal backsliding, when both active shooters and misguided legislators are potential threats to our LGBTQ+ friends, what are our responsibilities as allies?

Educate Ourselves and Others Education is key, starting with our children. Thirty years ago, I started letting my young son know it was OK to love someone of the same sex and took him to gay Pride parades so he could see that gay people could be cops as well as drag queens. Answering children’s questions honestly and in an age-appropriate way ensures that they will feel accepted and will be more accepting of others.

Then there’s the somewhat stickier challenge of educating older folks who grew up in a time before Pride parades and Heather’s two mommies. One of our Thanksgiving guests had recently met Delaware Senator Sarah McBride and expressed confusion over the term “trans.” A quick check of some authoritative sources helped me educate myself as well as our guest. (It’s complicated, diverse, and common—the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has estimated there are more than two million transgender people in the United States).

And as with any show of prejudice

and ignorance, we cannot allow social media comments or “jokes” that mock or degrade go unchallenged. Let people know it’s not OK to make offensive remarks, ask insensitive questions, challenge restroom choice, or use insulting epithets. And remember not to make assumptions based on appearances. Continue to evolve. Being a good ally means being open to the idea of being wrong sometimes and being willing to work on it.

BY NANCY SAKADUSKI

there are things we don’t have to think or worry about just because of the way we were born. Understanding our own privileges can help us empathize with marginalized or oppressed groups, but it doesn’t mean we know what it’s like.

Vote as if Our Rights Are at Stake

Imagine your right to marry your loved one, your ability to walk into any store and be served, or your ability to get the healthcare you need were taken away. In elections across the country, LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged either directly or through candidates hoping to gain control of the decision making. Locally, a state senate candidate said during a debate that he had nothing against people of the “gay persuasion” even though he voted against marriage equality. (He lost the election, so he will no longer have a say).

Support Advocacy Organizations

Challenge Bigotry

Be alert for signs of discrimination. When someone questions the preoccupation with pronouns and the increasing length of the LGBTQ+ initialism, we can remind them that good manners call for referring to people according to their preferences not ours, and that preference can and does change over time (the progression of negro, colored, Black, and person of color being just one example). And speaking of manners, let’s be respectful, not make assumptions, and resist asking intrusive questions. Our desire to identify and categorize isn’t the priority; respecting personhood, individuality, and privacy is.

Those of us in positions of power have a particular responsibility to make sure our organizations are inclusive and that our employees respect each other and our public.

Check Our Privilege

We all have some type of privilege due to our race, class, education, gender, ability, or orientation. This doesn’t mean we haven’t faced prejudice, but it does mean

We can support organizations such as CAMP Rehoboth and PFLAG (the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families) that educate, support, and advocate. If you see LGBTQ+ people being misrepresented in the media, contact GLAAD at glaad.org. These groups and others like them do things on a larger scale and make an impact on policies and protections. Donations allow them to make our voices and those of our LGBTQ+ family, friends, and colleagues heard.

CAMP Rehoboth offers many opportunities for allies to participate in advancing the mission of creating a positive environment inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. For information about Volunteer Opportunity sessions, contact Matty Brown at matty@ camprehoboth.com or (302) 227-5620. Stay tuned for the 2023 Volunteer Opportunity Meetings schedule. ▼

Nancy (Day) Sakaduski is an award-winning writer and editor who owns Cat & Mouse Press in Lewes, Delaware.

Fierro was seen as an ally superhero—someone who stood up for the LGBTQ+ community in an extraordinary way.

Straight Talk

Finding Your Safe Place

Abraham Maslow outlined basic human needs in his 1943 treatise. We commonly examine these needs in the symbol of a pyramid, each need resting upon those more foundational to the other. While Maslow himself never used the pyramid imagery, it helps us understand how the various needs interrelate. Primary among human needs is physiological (food and clothing), followed by safety, belonging and love, self-esteem, and self-actualization. There is no defined progression from one to the next, but it is of great importance that one builds on the other.

Safety needs are vital to all of us. When someone loses their job unexpectedly, faces an eviction notice, or is the target of sexual or child abuse, their sense of safety in the world disappears. In the aftermath of recent mass shootings across our country, people’s sense of safety is being reexamined. It is becoming more stressful to go to public places and feel safe. Whether it is one’s place of worship, movie theaters, retail stores, public schools, or the local grocery store, it has become clear that we cannot take our personal safety for granted on any given day.

The shooting at Club Q has shaken the LGBTQ community to its core. Several CNN reporters wrote recently that “days after the mass shooting at Club Q, the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs is not only grieving the loss of friends’ lives. They are also mourning the violent assault on what many call their home, their safe space. Club Q was more than a fun night out.... [It] was one of the few spaces in the city where LGBTQ community members could feel safe being themselves. Until recently, Club Q was the only LGBTQ club in a city with a reputation of being a conservative stronghold and a

Interviews with various people who frequent Club Q highlight the sense of safety and belonging invaded by this shooter. Jewels Parks, a local drag queen, shared, “Because of Club Q, we’re able to make friends that turn into family and be accepted for our true selves. The LGBTQIA+ community has undergone so much bigotry and hatred already. To have our safe space ripped from us and to lose members of our community, is a whole other type of hurt.”

BY DAVID GARRETT

Cole Danielson, who recently celebrated his marriage with his wife at Club Q, stated, “This space is really the only place in Colorado Springs that the LGBTQ+ community can get together and be ourselves. Our safety as queer people is now questioned. I’m scared to be myself as a trans man in this community.”

Where are our safe places anymore? Are there any left to find?

This shooting is more than one more statistic. It is a brutal interruption to people’s sense of safety, whether LGBTQ+ or not. Where are our safe places anymore? Are there any left to find? With the zealous devotion to the Second Amendment by so many in this country, and with the money spigot from the gun lobby, there are few hopes for further sensible gun legislation.

LGBTQ+ bars and clubs are beginning to take precautions in how they operate and handle the general public. The Rail, located in San Diego, is now utilizing a security wand for everyone who enters. Wesley Bullen, General Manager at The Rail, said, “It’s unfortunate [that we have to do this], but it’s definitely something that we want to keep our patrons, our staff [safe]. Our number one priority is safety.”

It was not that long ago that the Pulse nightclub in Orlando was the site of its own tragic shooting. Forty-nine people were fatally shot that night in June 2016. Though six and a half years have passed, the loss of the sense of safety in a public setting has remained for many in the queer community. If we cannot trust getting through the day without facing threats such as these, we must take steps similar to those of The Rail to reduce any chances that it will happen here.

In this season of holiday cheer and family gatherings (whether they be blood family, or ones created out of necessity or choice), let’s all band together, loving one another and keeping vigilant regarding safe spaces 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.

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Dining Out

Eden, Paradise in Rehoboth

What, exactly, makes a great restaurant great? Is it fairy lights suspended from the ceiling? Or pale blue, filmy curtains separating the bisque-colored booths—booths accented with recessed lighting in every alcove? Is it soft, gentle music in the background? All of these things provide a clue to the care the owners have taken to create the perfect dining ambience.

Oh, let’s not to forget the main course. The food!

It’s true. Eden is a feast for the eyes. In addition to the lovely atmosphere described above, the restaurant boasts attractive artwork on its walls, and of all things, aged barrels at the bar. When asked about them, our excellent server Jordan explained that Eden provides inhouse infusions, accounting for a perfect bourbon. The bar has other features. Sally’s cosmopolitan was the best proportion of spirits, lime, and cranberry juice—a blend not perfected in many cosmos. My diet soda was the perfect blend of, well, diet soda. Hard to get a cosmo just right. The diet soda—not so much.

But forget for a minute the splendid niceties of the room and the skill of the bartender. There was food a’comin!

First came the appetizers. The next time I visit Eden (and there will be a next time!), I may just order a bunch of the eyeopening, pre-entrée specialties and call them the meal. Sorry, Eden folks…I mean, you should always order an entree too!

The menu is top-drawer and creative throughout. That includes the appetizers. I ordered the Grilled Housemade Sourdough, a dish that included garlic confit, housemade ricotta, and a marvelous lemon honey drizzle. Who thought grilled bread could be so special, and the topping was absolutely mouthwatering. We both tried the Lobster and Crab Fritters, golf-ball sized concoctions that featured housemade ingredients as well and were loaded with the two, competing shellfish.

But the star of stars was Sally’s choice of appetizer, the Chef’s Daily Ceviche.

That evening’s creation featured ahi tuna amid seaweed salad, sesame seeds, and sweet, garlic teriyaki sauce. It had a small kick of spice, and the pieces of tuna were like velvet. Sally’s verdict—a party in her mouth. I pilfered a piece whenever she gazed elsewhere, until she caught on and protected her catch with a nasty glare. Next time, I will try the Fried Quail & Biscuit, a maple butter biscuit with berry compote and chili-infused honey glaze. Again, an example of the creativity of Chef Chase Nelson.

BY MICHAEL GILLES

Before we get to the entrees, I should spend a moment lauding the service. Everyone was efficient and friendly, and the servers were tag-teaming throughout the dining room, making for quick ordering and much attention. A round of applause for them.

Like the appetizers, the entrees were hearty with an emphasis on creativity. Sally had a Grilled 14-ounce NY Strip Steak, complete with mashed sweet potatoes, haricots verts, and demi-glace. It tasted as good as it looked, and cooked exactly to order. I chose the Eden’s Mac ‘n Cheese, a variation of the popular dish all moms make. This version included goat

cheese and Pecorino Romano, a chicken breast, spinach, and roasted red peppers, all mixed with housemade garganelli pasta. Believe me, this mac ‘n cheese was nothing like your mom’s. Rich and creamy, it was definitely a dish to savor.

There were many dishes left behind that we will try on our future Eden adventures. The Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops with bacon-roasted Brussels sprouts and the Pan-Seared Local Rockfish with lemon risotto come to mind, as does the Grilled Portabella Mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. Looking over this fabulous menu, it’s hard to find a dish you wouldn’t want.

Now for the desserts. Eden calls them the Last Course, perhaps foreshadowing an evening devoid of the necessity of a snack. Pastry Chef Kara Murphy has fashioned a dessert menu that focuses on old-time favorites with a modern twist. Sally had the Peanut Butter Pie, a special not on the menu but offered nonetheless. It was light and rich, just like it should be. No heavy dish here. Perfect. I had the Cinnamon Apple Tart, flaky with a dollop of ice cream and caramel sauce. Again, a pastry with a perfect blend of flavors. There are several dessert offerings, from Key Lime Pie, Crème Brûlée, Cheesecake, and Chocolate Torte and Mousse Cake. All unique in their preparation. For example, the Chocolate Mousse Cake has coffee mousse, chocolate butter cream, ganache, malted crumble, caramel sauce, and whipped cream. What could possibly go wrong?

Eden is one classy restaurant. It is not particularly dressy, yet still gives off an air of quality. The food is great, the service is excellent, the place is gorgeous.

What makes a great restaurant great? Try Eden. You’ll find the answer there. ▼

Michael Gilles is a playwright, actor, and director from Milton, and a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.

The food is great, the service is excellent, the place is gorgeous.

hours to make Women’s FEST and the Sundance and SUNFESTIVAL auctions huge successes.

We have Leslie Sinclair to thank for CAMP Rehoboth’s robust visual arts programming, and also for the CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP), which she leads in conjunction with her wife, Debbie. Leslie also spearheaded grant proposals that secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding over the past 10 years.

When I think about membership, Jane Blue will always come to mind. Before we had a fulltime development staff person at CAMP, Jane made it her mission to steward our membership program—which accounts for 20 percent of our budget. Thank you, Jane.  Having a clear vision aligns all stakeholders towards the same goal: I tried to communicate consistently and transparently so everyone would have a clear vision of where we are going, how, and why. That’s why I decided to provide transition updates in each of my columns, starting in June.

However, despite what we include in Letters, send in our emails, or post on social media, I hear too often that people still are not getting these messages. This is a big frustration of mine and an opportunity to improve in 2023. We want to learn how people get their information, and how they would prefer to get updates from CAMP, so we can figure out how to close this gap.

On behalf of the staff and board at CAMP Rehoboth, I wish you all a very happy holiday season. ▼

CROP at the Food Bank

CROP at Delaware Botanic Gardens

Ateam of six CROP volunteers traveled to Delaware Botanic Gardens on Monday, December 5, to help plant a new “CROP” of bulbs that arrived there a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to CROP, 3,000 tulip bulbs were put into the ground, to emerge in glorious color in March and April. Only 27,000 more to go! DBG

On November 1, the CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) volunteers visited the Food Bank of Delaware. As part of its bi-monthly visits to the Milford site, CROP stepped up to make a great impact to address hunger in the state. The team worked to make 776 backpack meals for school students.

is always thankful for the help and welcomes regular volunteers if you have an interest in gardening. ▼

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.

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 Azafrán, 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

Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3 South First St 302-527-1400

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

Port 251 Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant, 251 Rehoboth Ave 302-278-7069

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

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

BUILDING/CLEANING/REMODELING/LANDSCAPING

A.G. Renovations 302-947-4096

bsd, 18412 The Narrow Rd, Lewes 302-684-8588

Randall-Douglas 302-245-1439

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—3rd Tuesdays, Public Library, 111 Adams Ave, Lewes

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

COUNSELING/THERAPY/LIFE COACH

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

ELECTRICIANS

Silver Electric 302-227-1107

EVENT PLANNING/CATERING

Flair 302-930-0709

Plate Catering 302-644-1200

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

INSURANCE

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 LLC, 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 Reiki CENTRAL, thecentralfirm.com 302-408-0878

PET RETAIL

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

Humane Animal Partners (formerly Delaware Humane Association & Delaware SPCA) 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 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.

Historical Headliners

Music Man: Billy Strayhorn

If you’re a lover of twentieth century big-band jazz, and you find yourself humming the Duke Ellington hits

“You Can Take the A Train” and “Satin Doll” and the masterpiece “Lush Life,” you can thank Billy Strayhorn, the prodigy who composed and/or arranged all of them and many more. Strayhorn was a musical genius. Even Ellington thought so, calling Strayhorn “my right arm, my left arm, all the eyes in the back of my head, my brain waves in his head, and his in mine.” It is still disputed how many songs credited to Ellington were actually written, all or in part, by Strayhorn.

William Thomas Strayhorn, born in Dayton, Ohio on November 29, 1915, spent his formative years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His musical talent blossomed early. While a student at Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School, Strayhorn wrote a musical production and formed a trio with two friends, the songs provided by Strayhorn. The songs, and the trio’s musicianship, were good enough for daily sessions on a local radio station.

It was at this time, when Strayhorn was only 16 years old, that he began the music and lyrics to “Lush Life,” a song subsequently recorded not only by the Ellington orchestra but by over 500 other singers and musicians! Among them, no less than Ella Fitzgerald in 1957, Ricky Lee Jones in 1983, Patti LuPone in 1983, Queen Latifah in 1998, and Lady Gaga in 2014. A quick YouTube search brings up these and other performances. The recordings of this complex, intimate song continue.

Strayhorn attended the Pittsburgh Music Institute, becoming a classically trained musician and composer, a foundation which informed his jazz compositions and arrangements. Their sophistication is undeniable, respected then and now by jazz aficionados and classical musicians alike.

Despite all of the respect accorded Strayhorn for his musical accomplishments, a central aspect of his life was not always welcome: his homosexu -

ality. In the often-macho world of jazz nightlife, where men were hip, cool, knowing, and in charge, and women were songbirds or sexy femme fatales singing wistfully about their men, there was no

BY ANN APTAKER

cultural space for a gay man. Duke Ellington, to his credit, clearly did not let that blind him to Strayhorn’s talent. The two worked together for decades, forming not only a deep musical bond but a deep friendship.

There were a few others who accepted―or perhaps conveniently ignored― Strayhorn’s homosexuality in order to work with the young genius. Aside from Ellington, Strayhorn’s most significant musical collaboration was with Lena Horne. She credits him, and his classical training, for helping to shape her sound and phrasing. It’s reported, moreover, by

several sources of jazz journalism, that Horne was also in love with Strayhorn, a love she was painfully aware he could not return. They remained friends and musical collaborators, however, through the rest of Strayhorn’s life.

Strayhorn’s success as a composer and arranger couldn’t shield him from the stresses mid-century America imposed on a Black, gay man. Unsurprisingly, Strayhorn took refuge in alcohol with increasing frequency. His first significant relationship, with jazz pianist Aaron Bridgers, whom Strayhorn met in 1939, ended when Bridgers abruptly left Strayhorn and moved to Paris in 1947, the breakup possibly due to Strayhorn’s drinking.

But Strayhorn’s heartbreak couldn’t stop his prodigious talent. Songs for Duke Ellington and other orchestras and singers continued to pour forth. His music served another avenue, too: the burgeoning politics of civil rights. In the 1940s, he collaborated with the NAACP in its voter registration drives. Later, in collaboration once again with Duke Ellington, he created musical events for Dr. Martin Luther King, with whom he became a close friend. In 1963, Strayhorn played for Lena Horne’s concert for civil rights in Jackson, Mississippi.

The stresses of his life, and the excessive drinking and smoking, eventually caught up with Strayhorn. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 1964. Fortunately, he did not have to face the illness or his final years alone. Bill Grove, his partner at the time, was with him when Strayhorn died on May 31, 1967.

Throughout history, our LGBTQ+ community has certainly had its share of creative geniuses. Billy Strayhorn, that Mozart of jazz, occupies a distinctive place in that brilliant company.  ▼

Ann Aptaker is the author of short stories and the Lambda & Goldie award winning Cantor Gold series Murder and Gold. The latest in the series, Hunting Gold, was released in July 2022.

Strayhorn’s success as a composer and arranger couldn’t shield him from the stresses mid-century America imposed on a Black, gay man.

Powerful Philanthropy

A donor advised fund at the DCF helps you make a difference in Delaware.

Salty air. Outdoor adventures. Sundrenched spots... Preserving and enjoying Delaware’s beautiful beaches is an investment in all of our future.

If you’re passionate about Delaware’s environment — whether it’s preserving the beaches, protecting wildlife or ensuring access to our gorgeous parks — you can make a difference through a donor advised fund (DAF) at the Delaware Community Foundation.

A DAF is a charitable fund that brings you tax advantages while growing tax-free and helping you support the charities you care about — forever. It’s a smart way to be generous.

Talk with us about how your DAF can make what you love about Delaware even better.

To learn more, visit delcf.org/daf or contact Mike DiPaolo , Vice President for Southern Delaware , at 302.856.4393 or mdipaolo@delcf.org

Lewes Beach

Celebrity Interview

Nina West

To say it’s been a wild ride for Nina West post- RuPaul’s Drag Race is putting it mildly. Since her turn on the world’s most acclaimed runway, West has been a recording artist and is now a newly minted author with her book, The You Kind of Kind

Michael Cook: We haven’t chatted since you were cast as Edna Turnblad in the national production of Hairspray What has it been like to be cast in a role that is so truly steeped in legend?

Nina West: Truthfully, [at first] I got in my own way. This is big; a lot of legends have been in these shoes. The first part of my rehearsal process was just coming to terms with “am I worthy enough”? I just didn’t know how to deal with those thoughts in my own ways.

I have two older sisters and one brought home Hairspray; that is how I was introduced to John Waters’ movies. Then we fast forward…I took all my money in July of 2002 to see the show on Broadway and see Harvey Fierstein in this big phenomenon that has just opened. I knew how important Harvey’s queer voice was. It has never been lost on me how big these voices are specifically to the LGBTQ community, and now I get to add my own sauce to it. On the 20th anniversary tour, I get to carry this banner and this torch. I’m not gonna lie, when my time is done with this, it is going to be hard for me to leave. I love this world, this character, this show, and I love the people that created it.

MC: With so much going on in your career, you still managed to find the time to write your new book, The You Kind of Kind. Tell me about this very important project.

NW: I wrote this book during COVID; I had plenty of time during COVID! I think the climate we are in [now] is even more charged, making it more relevant and important now than it was three years ago when the offer to do the book came to me. We couldn’t have known that Proud Boys and Oath Keepers would be storming story times and invading public library

spaces. Or that states like Idaho would be trying to ban drag performances. Or that the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill would be happening in Florida. Or that Texas would be

BY MICHAEL COOK

tunity to leave my mark on people.

MC: Dolly Parton has made kindness part of her brand, and what you are putting out is what people like Parton are gravitating towards. You have had opportunities to perform with the Muppets and perform with stars of a show that people like you and I watched every week as children.

I wanted to be a Muppet. I wanted to be friends with Dolly Parton. I wanted to live in a world that was bright and technicolor.

enacting these laws that penalize parents for affirming their child’s gender identity. We knew none of this.

That is why I think this book matters, and it is simply a book about kindness. It’s a book about how we exist in the world, how we go out in the world, how we talk to one another and treat one another. It might be a simple 32-page illustrated book, but I think it is part of a larger movement of trying to foster community and conversation that we really need and should really be paying attention to right now.

MC: You have even gotten recognition from someone like Dolly Parton, who has made children’s literacy a passion of her own. How surreal and wild was getting that kind of recognition?

NW: The whole journey has been wild. Four years ago, when I went to do Drag Race, I was very wide-eyed and very hopeful that I would just have the oppor-

NW: Everything that I ever dreamed for myself as a kid when I was in North Canton, Ohio—sitting around our table talking about where we wanted to be, I wanted to be a Muppet. I wanted to be friends with Dolly Parton. I wanted to live in a world that was bright and technicolor. I never imagined this, and the best part about it is that I get to share it with everyone and really honestly enact and effect change that will make everyone’s lives better. That is what I want to do; that is the kind of career I want to have.

MC: What is left that you want to accomplish in your career?

NW: I’m still holding out for Disney to make me a voice in an animated film. I’m still holding out for creating a role of my own on Broadway in a musical. I would love to do more film and television work and I would love to work more in books, whether through children’s books or a YA novel or even tell some of my own story in a memoir. Some more magic is on the way. Every year seems more exciting than the last and a year and a half post-pandemic feels really good. I am just so excited for the world to see these projects and be impacted by them. We have a lot of work to do and I hope that people are willing to do that work, and be inspired by joy and kindness and to give it to each other. ▼

Follow Nina West and purchase

The You Kind of Kind at her website ninawest.com.

Michael Cook is currently a contributor to Instinct Magazine, World of Wonder’s WOW Report, and South Florida Gay News.

M a y y o u r h o l i d a y s e a s o n b e m e r r y a n d b r i g h t . . .

G o w i t h t h e t e a m t h a t m a k e s b u y i n g a n d s e l l i n g j u s t r i g h t !

Deep Inside Hollywood

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE

Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer Has Two Films Coming Next Year

Hunter

Schafer is a bright light among the troubled and troublemaking teens in the world of Euphoria and the trans actress is just getting started. In 2023 she has two films on track for release, one of which you won’t be able to avoid. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, a prequel to the Jennifer Lawrence-starring franchise, and directed by Hunger Games veteran filmmaker Francis Lawrence, will hit theaters in November of next year and feature Schafer alongside a cast that includes Viola Davis, Rachel Zegler (West Side Story ), Jason Schwartzman and Peter Dinklage. Before that one comes along, Schafer will star in Cuckoo, a horror-thriller from German filmmaker Tilman Singer (2018’s Luz). Prestige distributor NEON is handling this one, and it co-stars Downton Abbey alum Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick (The Matrix Resurrection). Three cheers for trans talent on the big screen. ▼

Kristen Stewart to Direct The Chronology of Water

It’s time, of course, for Kristen Stewart to become the next great director. She’s already shown the world what she can do in front of the camera, after all, so she’s about to make her feature directorial debut with The Chronology of Water, with Imogen Poots (The Father) set to star in the lead role. Stewart and producer Andy Mingo will collaborate on the screenplay, an adaptation of the poetic memoir by author Lidia Yuknavitch. The story concerns Yuknavitch’s difficult childhood with an abusive father and suicidal mother, her struggle with grief and addiction, and her eventual, life-affirming coming-of-age as a swimmer, a writer, and a confident queer woman. Since her days of Twilight superstardom, Stewart has been making her own confident, arthouse-driven choices in terms of the films she’s in and the directors she works with—Personal Shopper with French filmmaker Olivier Assayas, for example— and this bodes well for her own instincts when she gets behind the camera. ▼

Gabrielle Union and Eva Longoria Will Produce a Queer Wedding Comedy for Amazon

You’re about to be treated to Gabrielle Union setting it on fire in the soon-to-bereleased queer drama, The Inspection. Meanwhile, as the activist stepmom to her transgender child, she’s also become a super ally of the LGBTQ+ community. Now she and Eva Longoria will co-produce a queer wedding comedy for Amazon Studios. The project has no title at the moment, though both women are likely to be cast in the lead roles as rival moms, future mothers-in-law, whose gay sons are getting married. The plot will involve the ego-driven parents trying to take charge of the wedding for their own purposes rather than what will make their queer kids happy, and though we’ve seen the monster-in-law trope before, we’re very excited to see where this goes. Look for more concrete news about this one in 2023. ▼

Stormy Daniels Loves DILFS

Everyone’s favorite porn patriot, Stormy Daniels, has a new gig. The former adult film actress, known for her brave public battles with a former Republican president, is going to host a lighthearted reality show for queer men called For the Love of DILFS. Now, if you need to google what a DILF is, then you should by all means do that, but in the press materials her job on the competition series will be to play “den mother to a bunch of Daddies.” Set in a Bachelor-style mansion, a group of menwho-love-men, divided into the somewhat reductive categories of “Daddies” and “Himbos,” will live together and look for love. Will the Daddies fall only for Himbos? Will the Himbos hook up with each other instead? These are the important issues certain to be explored when the eight-episode game show premieres on the OUTtv platform in early 2023. And you know we’re going to watch.  ▼

Romeo San Vicente: former Himbo, forever Daddy.

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

Lily Tomlin Remembers

The “Classic Lily” tab on Lily Tomlin’s official website—noted as “the world’s only”—is, today, barely operational. It looks like it was created at the dawn of the internet and never updated.

The reason for this might be, simply, the same reason why, when we lose someone we love, it’s impossible to let go of what they left behind. Updating it means erasing a special footprint on that site—that of Tomlin’s friend Allee Willis, who years ago (“quite a while ago, I can’t even recall,” Tomlin says) made that webpage.

Willis, who sometimes went by the name Bubbles, created the page with “dignity and taste,” as noted in the signature seen at the bottom of that page. Willis was a Broadway composer, a multimedia visual artist, a graphic artist, a songwriter and, says Tomlin, “an all-around fantastical person.” She famously wrote the Friends theme song and was the only woman inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.

“She was so involved in video and did so many things and had mastered it,” Tomlin told Pride Source. “And of course I

was totally fumble floozy. Couldn’t do anything.”

Tomlin believes this was the beginning of a wonderful, enduring friendship as the two artists, both gay and from Detroit, bonded instantaneously. Though Tomlin couldn’t pinpoint exactly what brought them together, “once you [were] exposed to her, she just became a fixture in your life.”

Recently, Tomlin, 83, attended the LA launch event for the Willis Wonderland Foundation, called Night of Wonders—a fitting tribute to the magical mind of Willis, who died suddenly in 2019, at age 72, after suffering a cardiac arrest. The foundation supports the education and advancement of songwriters and multimedia artists, notably those in underserved communities.

Tomlin was eager to talk about the foundation, her friend, and the event, which RuPaul also attended. So eager, she and Willis’ partner, Prudence Fenton, tried to contact Pride Source on their own, unprompted, one recent Saturday evening, without a publicist involved, but were met with a voicemail. Prudence left a message. That’s just how important Willis was to Tomlin.

I’m sorry that you couldn’t get through to us, but I really appreciate the fact that you two looked up our business line and tried. Because it just says how much you want to talk about Allee. Clearly, she was a very special friend in your life. Allee was so amazing. I think this Willis Wonderland Foundation is a wonderful, multi-level idea in keeping with Allee’s legacy.

She just blew me away, really. She was a total original. And all the people around her were always like a part of her family and they were so devoted to her, and the foundation plans on so many ideas and practical extensions of who Allee was. Her house is going to be the headquarters for the foundation. That magical, ideal ’50s house that’s filled with art. Have you been there?

I haven’t been there. Can you walk me through it? Well, it’s just an incredible, typical ’50s suburban house with ’50s cars parked in the driveway. Old Chryslers and things. I have a ’55 Dodge Royal Lancer myself. She’s got seven bowling balls in the front yard. And then in the back she has a beach blanket around her pool. And then in the house itself, it’s totally magical. She had an alter ego, Bubbles the artist, that she never admitted to being, but she managed Bubbles. And Bubbles created all this porcelain dinnerware and display pieces. And I have several pieces myself with Ernestine’s [Tomlin’s famous telephone operator character] image on it.

She testified before Congress on behalf of the songwriters in fighting for their access, their right to their material, and not being ripped off by the media in certain ways. And her wardrobe alone was a visual statement. Her massive wardrobe alone. Her haircut. Everything about her, she was tireless. Just constantly had a big audio-visual setup that she worked.

THE MAGIC OF ALLEE WILLIS

Did living in Detroit have anything to do with your friendship?

I think it really does. I think so many people, especially from our era, were from Detroit.

But you didn’t actually meet Allee here in Detroit?

No, I didn’t meet her in Detroit. Not that I’m aware. I was looking at her bio and her awards on the internet. And she came to LA in ’69, which is the year I’d just gone to California to be on [the TV series] Laugh-In.

Did you two ever bond over Detroit?

Oh yeah. If you’re from Detroit, I mean, it’s in your blood. You just don’t turn away from it. It’s imprinted. I thought it was the greatest city in the world. It was gritty, it was hardcore, it was political. I mean, I lived in that kind of neighborhood. And then, a very short distance from me were the rich sections like Sherwood Forest and Palmer Park, Palmer Woods, and then I was aware of Grosse Pointe. And my first character was a Grosse Pointe matron. I did it in a college show.

Wait, really?

Yeah. It was just about the time that Grosse Pointe had found out that it had a merit system where it rejected sales of ownership to anybody of questionable origins. Which meant not Waspy. Kathy Ford became a good friend of mine, and she was Henry Ford’s third wife. And I’ve had so many connections. When I was doing 9 to 5, she was stopped in the car with Henry when he said [his famous line], “Don’t complain, don’t explain.” We were on the same page in Time magazine when they had those old news items, and Kathy and I were both there. And I renewed my friendship with her around that time.

Aside from the website, what else did you work on with Allee professionally?

She would do things at the gay center [Los Angeles LGBT Center] and I would present her, or I would present Bubbles. And she would hang her china on the walls. One time she did a plate of me and my partner, Jane [Wagner].

Separate plates. And they were so outrageously funny. When I walked in and I saw those plates on the wall, I started laughing. I just was overcome with laughter.

[Publicist chimes in with a heads up that we have five minutes left.]

into this movie with [director] Paul Weitz. I’d done a couple of movies with him before and I really like him. It’s called Moving On. It’s a very small, intimate little movie. And I know they’ve sold it and they’re negotiating the distribution, but that’s all I know. And we had great fun doing that. And then about a month after that we did 80 for Brady with Jane [Fonda] and I, and Sally Field and Rita Moreno. And Tom Brady.

You have to know Lily, but that cast right there is a queer man’s dream. It is, right? My god. Something appeals! But Tom Brady is…it was just none of us knew anything about football.

But it was great fun; we had fun with the director. We had fun doing the project

You and Jane have spent a lot of time on screen together over the last decade. What’s that feeling like to know that you are so beloved on your own, but also so beloved together, especially by LGBTQ+ fans?

I’m so grateful that I have an audience in the gay community. And it doesn’t compute to you that you’re anything. I realize that people like Grace and Frankie, or enough people liked it. And I know that over the years I’ve had hardcore fans that I’ve really enjoyed being with and relating to, because I’ve kept the stories of my characters going all those years. ▼

Before we wrap, I’d like to ask you about the Night of Wonders event. It sounded magical. And it also sounded very queer to have you and RuPaul there. What was that like?

It was wonderful because everybody was so devoted to Allee. They’re all freakish, anyway. And they have great fun and they love to dress up. And they’re running back and forth on the stage and carrying signs. It was filled with artistic joy.

Lastly, Lily, what do you have coming up?

Well, Jane Fonda and I, right after Grace and Frankie, like a month later, we went

To contribute to the Willis Wonderland Foundation, visit the official site at one. bidpal.net/williswonderlandfoundation.

Chris Azzopardi is the Editorial Director of Pride Source Media Group and Q Syndicate, the national LGBTQ+ wire service. He has interviewed a multitude of superstars, including Cher, Meryl Streep, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @ chrisazzopardi.

Photos courtesy of Lily Tomlin

She’s got seven bowling balls in the front yard. And then in the back she has a beach blanket around her pool.

CAMPshots

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

The

Last Days of Autumn: World AIDS Day, RB Museum, Volunteer Appreciation Day at CAMP Rehoboth, Farmers Holiday Market, and More!

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at World AIDS Day at CAMP Rehoboth: Jason Mathis, Amylynn Karnbach, Glen Pruitt, Rebecca Craft, Amber Lee, Chris Flood, Greg Cotter, Hannah Simone, Jay Farrelly, Rodd Hamer, Dan Bartasavich, Debbie Woods, Pat Catanzariti, Leslie Ledogar, Rabbi Beth Cohen, Deacon Susan Phillips.

OPPOSITE PAGE 2) at Rehoboth Beach Historical Society Annual Members Meeting: Laura Stimartin, Lynn Wilson, David Mann, Nancy Alexander, Tracy Kelley, Alex Papajohn, Tony Burns, RB Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski, Enid Lagree, Robert Thompson, Marjorie Biles, Paul Kuhns, Ann Michele Kuhns; 3) CAMP Rehoboth

Volunteer Appreciation Party: Derrick Johnson, Matty Brown, Laurie Thompson, Lisa Evans, Amber Lee, Glenn Lash, Barb Ralph, Joe Catrambone, Shawn McHugh, Rick Buske, Michael Fetchko, Keith Petrack, Jordan Crump.

(More CAMPshots page 70) 1

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

(Continued from page 69)

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at CAMP Rehoboth Volunteer Appreciation Party: Niké Alade, Kasey Gonzalez-Cruz, Jay-Xavier Johnson, Michelle Manfredi, Leslie Sinclair, Leslie Ledogar, Steve Schreiher, Bob Dobbs, Russ Koerwer, Tom Morrison; 2) Freddie’s Beach Bar: Matty Allen, Paulette Lanza, Brenda Dunn, Karen Anderson, Tony Gangemi, Duane Reed, Jonathan Lockerby, Kathy Board, Jackie Maddalena; 3) Theo’s Restaurant: T.J. Londagin, Abbie Gibbs.

OPPOSITE PAGE: 4) at Purple Parrot: Rico DiCarlo, Gary Alexander, Kyle Burdge, David Clarke, Bruce Chamberlain, Patrick Gallagher, Jeremy Bernstein, Joshua Rash, Steve Falchek, Alex Reed, John Nelson, Scott Tazbin; 5) Rehoboth Beach Farmers Holiday Market: Christine Veneziale, Dan Commiso, Robert Kopanski, Bonnie Kirkland, Marty Monell, Pat Coluzzi, Lori Kline; 6) Grotto’s Pizza: Fay Jacobs, DE Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, Patti McGee, Bonnie Quesenberry.

(More CAMPshots page 92)

Ready for the Holidays!

Empowering Seniors to Prevent Health Care Fraud

Q

She’s a Prince! Solution on Page 100

Diana Prince’s superhero title

Swiftly, to Shakespeare

Lesbos, for one

Begin on Broadway

Anti-oxidant berry

Penetrate slowly

“Fame” singer Cara

Tom or dick, but not hairy

Kind of package

Gain admittance to Studio 54

Start of a quote from Linda Prince

Ballerina’s perch

Went lickety-split

Neptune’s tool

Reed player

Like some fruit ready to ship

Water park attraction

More of the quote

Posed for Berenice Abbott

Hart Crane work

Be a couch potato, with “out”

End of the quote

Jack-in-the-box part

Kidney-related

Shakespeare’s Arden and others

Abused orally

New money

Medium skill

Surrealist Magritte

Wealthy, to Mauresmo

It winds up a Schumacher film

South Beach mementos

Preview type

Cutlass, e.g.

One-armed bandit’s opening DOWN

Linda of Another World

Judy or Barbra, for example

Male actor named Julia

Poorly endowed Dickens character?

Male companion

Hit the road

Mother, to 10-Down

Rainbow coalition?

Proper bearing

It may come before long

Feud character

It could be civil

Religious principle

Give the slip to

Sea bordering Kazakhstan

Some NFL linemen

The Bells ___ Mary’s

Not so exciting

Where to find Uranus

Rep on the street

Turnpike fee

Blowhole

They get laid only once

Madrid museum

Director Craven

Barenaked Ladies hit from 1998

Chestnut-colored stallions, e.g.

It sticks out in front of a sailor

P-town and Fire Island

Put gas into

Growing Up Gay in the South author James

Clinton Secretary of Defense

Ford lemon that was not fruitful

Robert De ___

Eat it

The “A” in A.D.

Empty one in a Kristy McNichol sitcom

Chinese tea

A Bookish Holiday Gift Guide

Season’s Readings!

Almost ready for the holidays, except for those few tricky gifts that you just can’t seem to figure out? How about books? For starters, they’re just so easy to wrap….

Just remember—like everything else, books can change: titles may differ, covers may differ, some may be available in many formats. So be aware as you fulfill your book-lovers’ gift lists, and ask your bookseller or librarian if you have any questions.

LGBTQ+-centric Books

For the person on your list who loves dark, gothic romancey-mysteries, wrap up Mourning Light by Richard Goodkin. It’s the story of a man who can’t let go of the guilt he feels since his lover died. Coincidentally, that death happened on the exact same day he met another man that he can’t stop thinking about.

The person on your gift list who loves a good memoir will want to read A Place Called Home by David Ambroz. It’s a tale of homelessness, foster care, coming out, and how sheer determination put that all in one man’s past.

Until recently, there really haven’t been a lot of books about bisexuality, which is why you might want to give Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality by Julia Shaw to someone special. There’s a lot to know about the subject, from genetics to legalities; celebrities to monogamy.

The trans reader on your gift list will want to own Fat, Crazy, and Tired: Tales from the Trenches of Transformation by podcaster Van Lathan, who writes that being fat was harder than being Black. Needless to say, this book is funny and inspirational, and your giftee will love it.

Novels

For the giftee who likes novels with a twist, wrap up The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Davila Cardinal. It’s the tale of a girl who learns, at age 18, that she’s a “storyteller,” which is something that’s passed down through the women of her family. But this blessing turns out to be a curse when she sees a murder that happened long ago. Pair it up with The Strange Inheritance of Leah Fern by Rita Zoey Chin, also a story of a young fortune teller and a vision she may or may not have wanted.

The person on your list who loves to people-watch and connect with, well, everybody will want Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley. It’s the story of an advice columnist who amuses herself during her commute by watching the other people on the train—until the day something happens and commuters suddenly become something more. Pair it with Has Anyone Seen My Toes? by Christopher Buckley, a hilarious novel about life during a pandemic when one’s health is the least of one’s worries.

The reader on your list who loves to laugh will thoroughly enjoy Random by Penn Jillette. It’s the story of an almost21-year-old who inherits a pile of debt from his horrible father, and it’s due to the (even more horrible) loan shark when the guy turns 21. Will a roll of the dice eliminate all his problems? Lucky is the person who gets this book, to find out.

The person on your list who is Of a Certain Age will absolutely love getting Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn. It’s a thriller-mystery about four women who’ve worked as assassins for decades but suddenly, everyone thinks their methods are outdated. They’re sent “on vacation” but it’s really no vacation. How do they get out alive?

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Arts & Entertainment

The music lover on your gift list will absolutely want Loud by Tana Douglas. It’s a memoir of rock & roll, working with the band (Douglas was the rock world’s first female roadie) and yep, there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes. Your giftee won’t be able to resist.

For your media-obsessed giftee, It’s Not TV: The Spectacular Rise, Revolution, and Future of HBO by Felix Gillette and John Koblin is a nice eye-opener and a look at how we watch television, even in an age of streaming.

If there’s a board-game lover on your holiday list, then wrap up A Game Maker’s Life by Jeffrey Breslow (with Cynthia Beebe). It’s the story of a gamemaker, for sure, but there’s plenty of insider info to make any player smile.

The Hollywood watcher on your list will be happy to receive the great Hollywood memoir: Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me by Ralph Macchio. More from Hollywood: surely your giftee will love opening No Filter by supermodel Paulina Porizkova.

And for the art lover, put Con/Artist: The Life and Crimes of the World’s Greatest Art Forger by Tony Tetro and Giampiero Ambrosi beneath the tree and paint your giftee very happy.

For that someone on your gift list who loves the movies but thinks half the fun is wondering if what’s on the big screen is really possible, wrap up Superspy Science: Science, Death and Tech in the World of James Bond by Kathryn Harkup and collect your smiles. This book looks at all the what-ifs of the Bond movies, from the POV of real science, and no armchair detective will be able to resist.

BY DOUG YETTER

SPOTLIGHT ON THE arts

CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at the Heart of Our Community

SAVE THE DATES

Ignite the Light

As part of the Black History Month celebration, CAMP Rehoboth will host Ignite the Light—a group show opening January 18, with an artist reception on Saturday, January 21 (2:00-4:00 p.m.). This exhibit features artists of color sharing how they have awakened their inner power to create inspiring art.

CAMP Rehoboth takes pride in the quality and growth we have experienced over our many years hosting exhibitions for Black History Month. We are thrilled to announce our 2023 exhibition will be juried by Lori Crawford. Lori is an Associate Professor of Art at Delaware State University, was awarded a Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship in 2008, and has exhibited at many museums and galleries, including the Biggs Museum of American Art, the Rehoboth Art League, and CAMP Rehoboth. Join us in celebrating these talented artists! ▼

ART & AIDS—A Story To Be Told

Despite the busy-ness of the season, please make time to stop by CAMP Rehoboth to see this meaningful exhibition before it closes on January 6. The exhibit is designed to promote dialogue and raise awareness regarding HIV/AIDS—loss, anger, and isolation, as well as survival and hope. The show includes works by documentary photographer Vincent Cianni, who photographed what he saw during the early days of the AIDS crisis, as well as six community members who share relevant interpretive works. It also includes a work by Eric K. Lerner, an HIV-positive artist who died in 2021.

IMAGES (top to bottom): A Promise to Protect, A Promise to Provide by

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.) and Saturday (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.). You may view and purchase the art on the CAMP website under the “SHOP” heading.

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 DelawareScene.com.

Dan Bartasavich; Redemption Through Love by Jane Knaus.

artist SPOTLIGHT Santa Claus

Doug Yetter: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Santa. I know how very busy you are! Before we continue, I need to verify that you really are Santa Claus.

Santa Claus: The one and only! Though I have many different names depending on the country. The Dutch call me Sinterklaas, in Germany I’m Kris Kringle, and in France—Pѐre Noël. I’m also called Father Christmas, Babbo Natale, and St. Nicholas. No matter what language you speak, or where you live, you’ll always know me by the spirit of love and joy I bring to people all over the world.

DY: Santa, if you are the one and only, how are you everywhere I go? You’re at the mall, or ringing a bell outside the grocery store, or making special appearances at schools and hospitals. Explain that, please.

SC: With a little Christmas magic I can move very quickly. I also depend on many helpers who dress like me and make sure that every child’s Christmas wish is reported. But there is only one Santa Claus, and I spend most of my day at Macy’s on 34th Street in New York City.

DY: How did you end up at Macy’s?

SC: Well, that’s a funny story! It was about 186—ah—1, I believe. Cranberry the Elf reads newspapers from all over the world, looking for anything of interest about the holiday season. One morning, Cranberry bursts into my office and announces she’s found an advertisement in the New York Times from Macy’s department store. “Boys and Girls, and Children of ALL ages. Join us this Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in our toy department and meet the one and only Santa Claus!” But Cranberry said I had no such appointment on my calendar.

DY: Oh, my gosh! It’s unlike you or Macy’s to make a mistake like that! What happened?

SC: I was shaken to the core of my jolly old soul! I’m pretty old and have to rely on my elves to help me remember just about everything. Cranberry sent a telegram to Mr. Macy and told him I was available. That was when R. H.—his friends all call him R. H.—said he’d be delighted to have me visit with the children at his store. He greeted

me with cookies and hot cocoa and let me park my sleigh on the roof. R. H. and I became the best of friends that day—Santa never passes up a good cookie or free parking! I’ve been there ever since.

DY: Santa, that makes me wonder…how old are you?

SC: Ho, ho, ho! When children ask me that question, I always give the same answer—“I am as old as my tongue, and a little older than my teeth!” Well, Doug, Cranberry tells me it’s time to get back to work. Oh! I almost forgot. What do you want for Christmas?

DY: Peace on earth, Santa.

SC: You and me both, Doug. You and me both. ▼

Doug is the Artistic Director of CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, and Minister of Music at Epworth UMC. Contact him at dougyetter@ gmail.com.

No matter what language you speak, or where you live, you’ll always know me by the spirit of love and joy I bring to people all over the world.

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

The Family Outing: A Memoir

by

Jessi Hempel

c.2022, HarperOne, $27.99, 320 pages

Don’t tell the children.

For most families in America in the last century, that was the maxim to live by: the kids are on a need-to-know basis and since they’re kids, they don’t need to know. And so, what did you miss? Did you know about familial philanthropy, rebellion, embarrassment, poverty? As in the new memoir, The Family Outing by Jessi Hempel, did secrets between parent and child run both ways?

“What happened to me?”

That’s the big question Jessi Hampel had after many therapy sessions to rid herself of a recurring nightmare. She had plenty of good memories. Her recollection of growing up in a secure family with two siblings was sharp, wasn’t it?

She thought so—until she started what she called “The Project.”

With permission from her parents and siblings, Hempel set up Skype and Zoom sessions and did one-on-one interviews with her family, to try to understand why her parents divorced, why her brother kept mostly to himself, how the family dynamics went awry, why her sister kept her distance, and how secrets messed everything up.

Hempel’s father had an inkling as a young man that he was gay, but his own father counseled him to hide it. When he met the woman who would eventually be his wife, he was delighted to become a husband and father, as long as he could sustain it.

Years before, Hempel’s mother was your typical 1960s

teenager with a job at a local store, a crush on a slightly-older co-worker and, coincidentally, a serial killer loose near her Michigan neighborhood. Just after the killer was caught, she realized that the co-worker she’d innocently flirted with might’ve been the killer’s accomplice.

For nearly the rest of her life, she watched her back.

One secret, one we-don’t-discuss-it, and a young-adult Hempel was holding something close herself. What else didn’t she know? Why did she and her siblings feel the need for distance? She was trying to figure things out when the family imploded….

Ever had a dream that won’t stop visiting every night? That’s where author Jessi Hempel starts this memoir, and it’s the perfect launching point for The Family Outing

Just prepare yourself. The next step has Hempel telling her mother’s tale for which, at the risk of being a spoiler, you’ll want to leave the lights on. This account will leave readers good and well hooked, and ready for the rest of what turns out to be quite a detective story.

And yet, it’s a ways away from the Sherlockian. Readers know what’s ahead, we know the score before we get there, but the entwining of five separate lives in a fact-finding mission makes this book feel as though it has a surprise at every turn. Sometimes, it’s a good surprise. Sometimes, it’s a bad one. A happily minimized amount of profanity and a total lack of overtness make The Family Outing a book you can share with almost anyone, adult or ally. Read it, and you’ll be wanting to tell everyone. ▼

Terri Schlichenmeyer’s first book, The Big Book of Facts, is available now in bookstores. Her next two are scheduled to appear in bookstores soon.

PURPLE LEVEL

Greg Albright & Wes Combs X

Sondra N. Arkin X

Aaron, Heather, Gia & Joe Book*

Catherine & Katie Brennan

Carol Bresler & Carolyn Billinghurst X

Pat Catanzariti & Carole Ramos*

Edward Joseph Chrzanowski *

Skip Dye & Steven King*

David Grossman & Jeremy Graboyes

William Himelright & David Carter

Judy & Carole Jesiolowski

James W. Johnson & Matthew H. Shepard*

Wesley Lin & Brian Chapman

Fred Munzert & J.P. Lacap

Beth Pile & S.A. White X

Chris Rinaldi & Brian Powers X

Mary Rossettini & Kathleen Taylor

Jennifer Rubenstein & Diane Scobey X

Danny Sebright

Gary Seiden & Ah Bashir X

Evie Simmons & Barb Thompson X

Leslie Sinclair & Debbie Woods X

Diane Sweeney*

Hope Vella

William E. Cross Foundation, Arthur Brisker, Director

INDIGO LEVEL

Terry Albarella

Murray Archibald & In Memory of Steve Elkins X

James Beal & In Memory of David Van Patter

Alex Benjamin & Pete Grover*

Wesley Blickenstaff*

Jane Blue & Louisa Watrel X Deborah Bosick

Joe Brannen & John Klomp X

Tom Brown X

Elizabeth Carl & Tori Hill X

Richard Coss & Mike Hull*

Elbert Leroy Dage

Lou Fiore & Jim Burke*

Gary Gajewski - In Memory of Dr. John A. Boscia

Richard Gamble & Paul Lindsey*

David & Marti Garrett*

James Graham & David Dusek

Harry Hallock

Fred Harke - In Memory of Robert Rougeau X

Gail Hecky*

Holly Horn & Kathleen Garrity X

Peter Karsner X

Melissa & Amanda Kaufman X

Maureen Keenan & Teri Dunbar X

Jerry Kennedy & Robert Quinones X

Russell Koerwer & Stephen Schreiber X

Roger Kramer*

Susan Kutliroff & Barbara Snyder*

Christine Lay X

Curtis J. Leciejewski, DDS, PA X

Thom Morris & Jim Slusher

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

Jeanine O’Donnell - State Farm*

Gwen Osborne & Katie Handy X

Porter-Gordon Family*

Deborah Qualey & Karen Gustafson X

Lori & Renee Rocheleau

Mark Roush & Dave Banick*

Mark Schweizer & Robert Voelker

Susan Tobin & Cathy Martinson*

Cheryll & Bill Trefzger*

Terry Vick*

Mel W. & Linda Lee M. Weller

Ronald Wetzel & Nathan Hench*

BLUE LEVEL

Marge Amodei*

Ronald Bass & George Robbins X

Rocky Bible & Kevin BosleyIn Memory of Jackie Morris

Tim & Meredith Birrittella

Chris Bowers*

Karen Brause & Kim Sheaffer*

Tony Burns X

Coleen Collins & Berdi Price X

Donna Davis & Gail Jackson X

Scott Davis & Chris Shaheen*

Connie Fox & Donna Adair*

Marcia Gallo & Ann Cammett

Tom Galloway & Les Diggs

Perry Gottlieb & Tim White*

Irene & Lou Katz*

Nancy & Tora Kennedy*

Paul & Anne Michele Kuhns*

Chris Rouchard X

Michael Shaffer & Benjamin Wilson X

Sandra Skidmore X

Frank Surprenant, DDS & Chris Wisner X

GREEN LEVEL

Sharon Bembry & Lois Powell*

David Bower*

David W. Briggs & John F. Benton X

Charlie Browne & Rod Cook X

Barry Bugg*

Cheryl Buxton*

Jay Chalmers & John Potthast X

Stephen Corona

Lewis & Greg Dawley-Becker*

Mike DeFlavia & Tony Sowers*

Marianne DeLorenzo & Linda Van de Wiele*

Max Dick*

Diane Dragositz

Kathy & Corky Fitzpatrick X

Jim & Tom Flower*

Cynthia Flynn & Deirdre Boyle X

Bill Fuchs & Gerry Beaulieu*

Lisa Gilley

Richard Green & Asi Ohana X

Joe Greenhall & Tom Klingler

Bob Gurwin & John Rourke

David Hagelin & Andy Brangenberg*

Jo Hamilton & Donna Voigt*

Steve Hoult & Rick Bane X

Karen Hugues & Cathy McCallister X

Anthony Incalcatera & James Buswold

Alex IX & Gare Galbraith Nola Joyce & Brenda Eich*

Jocelyn Kaplan & Idalie AdamsIn Memory of Adeline Kaplan X Linda Kemp*

Deborah Kennedy & Beth Yocum* Eric Korpon & Steven Haber*

Lee Lambert

Leslie Ledogar & Marilyn Hewitt* John J. MacDonald & Douglas James Bob Mancuso & Doug Murray

James Mease & Philip Vehslage*

Susan Morrison*

Dennis Neason & Steve Bendyna*

Kim Nelson & Lori Simmons X Fran O’Brien & David Gifford* Kim Parks & Sharon Denny

Keith Petrack & Michael Fetchko* Anne Pikolas & Jean Charles X Gail Purcell & Sandy Kraft* Bill Rayman & Frank King* Marty Rendon & John Cianciosi*

Douglas Sellers & Mark Eubanks*

Scott Shaughnessy *

William Snow X Mary Spencer & Kathy Lingo* Joseph Steele & Chris Leady David Streit & Scott Button* Anne Tracy & Mary Gilligan* Kathy Wiz & Muriel Hogan X Jon Worthington & Bryan Houlette X Karl Zoric & Mark Pipkin X

YELLOW LEVEL

Brenda Abell X

Ria Allman

Keith Anderson & Peter Bish X Gwen Atwell & Marla Hoon Dale Aultman & Paul Gibbs X Shannon & Sarah Avery* Pamela Baker & Diane Dixson* Linda Balatti & Shirley Gilmer X Susie Ball & Susan Delaney X Mike Ballinger & in Memory of Martin Thomas* Miriam Barton*

Chris Beagle & Eric Engelhart*

Tom Beall

Barbara Beavers & Kathy Carrell

John Bell

Sherry Berman & Deb Hamilton X Abby Bernstein & Karen Frank X

Teresa Bolduc & Kim McGeown*

Michael Boyle & Greg Murphy X Daniel Bruner & Tim Beymer

David Carder

Kathy Casey & Jean Burgess X Kate Cauley & Pat Newcomb

Bob Chambers*

Jean Chlastawa & Susan Griesemer*

Paul Christensen & Dennis Morgan* Jim Chupella & Jim Wigand* Steve Clayton & Brad Lentz*

Gary Colangelo & Gerald Duvall X

Nancy Commisso*

Thomas Conway & Thoth Weeda*

Billy Cox & John Carr*

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

Karen Faber & Lisa Balestrini Faber* Alice Fagans & Ruth Ann Mattingly* Dee Farris*

Lisa Fernandez & Allison Lindon

Cecily Fisher & Loretta Higgins

Monica Fleischmann & Lona Crist X

John Flournoy & Jim Chrobot

Roland Forster & David McDonald

John Furbush & Tom Feng*

Ricki Geiger

Marty Goff & Andrew Moran

Gail Gormley*

Susan Goudy*

Ken Green & Joe Kearney*

Renee Guillory & Melissa Vila-Guillory

Wesley Hacker & David Block*

Pete & Joanne Harrigan*

Robert Henthorne & Roger Bolduc

Carol Holland - Holland Jewelers X Terry Hollinger & Mike May

Caroline Huff & Brenda Robertson*

Dorsey Johnson & Kay Jernigan* Philip Johnson*

Dee Dee Jones & Julie Blake

Frank Jump & Vincenzo Aiosa*

Marilyn Kates & Laura Glenn*

Andy Kite & Karl Martin

Rose Korten & Brenda Pinkney* Jay Kottoff & Mark Matey*

Greg Kubiak*

Carol Lazzara & Sheila Maden*

Edmund LeFevre & Keith Wiggs X

Greg Lehne

Monica Lewis & Ann Zimmerman*

David Lindeman & Andrew Phipps

Frank Liptak & Joe Schnetzka*

Jim Lonsdale & Bryan Hoffman

John Mackerey & Donald Filicetti

Teresa Madonna & Stacey Mazzacco

Patricia Magee & Anita Pettitt X

Jill Masterman & Tammy Jackson*

Tony Mazzarella - In Memory of Vickie Stapleton

Mickie McManamon*

Howard Menaker & Patrick Gossett X

Ray Michener & Tom Carlson*

Sandy Neverett & Pam Cranston X

Pat Nickols*

Robert Nowak & David Bergman X

Donna Ohle & Susan Gaggiotti X

Maggie Ottato X

Dotti Outland & Diane Mead X

Peninsula Gallery - Tony & Carol Boyd-Heron*

Joanne Picone & Kathy Bostedo*

Frank Pirhalla

Stephen Pleskach X

Jim Pressler X

Lisa Rabigi & Bea Vuocolo*

Gene Roe X

Thomas Rose & Thomas Sechowicz X

Lucien Rossignol & Tom Harris* Mark Saunders & Bob Thoman*

Sheryl Schulte & Jeanne LaVigne* 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* Matthew Stensrud & Michael Cohen*

Lenny Stumpf & John B. Pitchford*

Kaye Sullivan

Brett Svensson & Bill QuinnDust Doctors LLC*

Thrasher’s French Fries* Lana Warfield & Pamela Notarangelo X

Elizabeth Way & Dorothy Dougherty* Michael Weinert X Justin Weitz

William Wheatley*

Joseph & Diane Wood

Steven Wunder & Rod Hastie

Jean Sutliff Young*

Joanne Yurik*

Larry Zeigler X John Zingo & Rick Johnson*

ORANGE LEVEL

James Apistolas & Christopher Galanty

Ruth Ball & Mary Ellen Jankowski* Romulus Barba & Dean Yanchulis* Paul Barbera & Joseph Nolan

Kathleen Biggs & Maria Campos* Janet Blaustein

Kathy Board & Jackie Maddalena Boland Family - In Memory of Michael J. Kelly*

Richard Bost & Thomas Moore*

Linda Bova & Bridget BauerThe Sea Bova Associates* Victor Branham & Mark Clark

William Briganti & Gary Moore*

Anita Broccolino - In Memory of Cathy Fisher

Wendy Bromfeld*

Randy Butt & Emerson Bramble* Ronald Butt & Steve Cannon* Beth Cohen & Fran Sneider X

Community Bank Delaware* Mark Conheady*

Lois Cortese & Jill Stokes X

Kay Creech & Sharon Still* Kenneth Currier & Mike Tyler X Ginny Daly*

John D’Amico* Julie A. Danan

Linda DeFeo X

J. Lynne Dement & Lisa J. Snyder* Donna Dolce*

Kevin Doss & Arie Venema*

Arlyce Dubbin & Kathleen Heintz* Susan Dube & Diana Patterson*

Brenda Dunn & Karen Anderson

Susan Eig & Ellen Schiff X

Jeanne Embich*

Eddie Engles

Robin Esham

Maureen Ewadinger*

Ellen Feinberg & Lesley Rogan X

Paul Finn & Joseph Porporino*

Barbara Fitzpatrick & Denise Centinaro

Keven Fitzsimmons & Jeff Stroud X

Deb Fox & Deb Bonneau

Charles Gable

Ron Glick & Tien Pham*

William Gluth & Channing Daniel*

Ed Gmoch*

Mike Gordy & Ed Brubaker*

Joe Gottschall & Scott Woody

Amy Grace & Karen Blood*

Charles Graham*

Deborah Grant & Carol Loewen*

Robert Grant & Chris Cossette

Todd Hacker

Siobhan Halmos & Beth McLean*

Sharon Hansen X

Pat Harte & Nancy Sigman

Jacqueline Havriliak

Tracey & Erica Hellman

Bill Hillegeist X

Vance Hudgins & Denny Marcotte*

John Hulse X

Mary Huntt & Angela Creager*

Janet Idema & Patricia Higgins*

Anne Kazak & Chris Coburn X

Maryl Kerley X

Ned Kesmodel & Matt Gaffney X

Bonnie Kirkland & Wanda Bair X

Myra Kramer & John Hammett*

Rob & Jean Krapf X

Barbara Lang & Diane Grillo*

Kim Leisey & Kathy Solano

Jim Lesko

Robert & Yen Ling

Duncan MacLellan & Glenn Reighart*

Amanda Mahony & Alex Albanese

Marsha Mark & Judy Raynor*

James Mastoris & Edward Chamberlain X

Michael & Stephan Maybroda*

Kathy & Steve McGuiness*

Kate McQueen*

Sherril Moon & Louise Montgomery*

Margaret Moore & Sheree Mixell X

R. Moore

Carol Morris & Ann Abel

Lisa Mosley

Judy Olsen & Joanne Kempton X

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*

Deena Pers X

Grace Pesikey & Janet Urdahl*

Peter Pizzolongo & Carlos Prugue*

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*

Gary Schell & Jim DiRago

Laurie Schneider & Margie Ripalda*

Carol Scileppi & Valerie McNickol*

Teri Seaton

Michael Seifert & Harvey Holthaus*

Craig Sencindiver & Gary Alexander*

Tara Sheldon

Frank Shockley & Arthur Henry*

Cathy Sieber & Brenda Kriegel*

Carol Sieger & Maggie Guardino

Anita Smulyan

Tina Snapp & Susan Leathery

Christine Stanley & Joyce Rocko*

Greig Stewart & Jake Hudson*

Brian Straka*

Sandra Sullivan & Lorie Seaman*

Terrence Sullivan

Trudie Thompson

Susan & Rich Thornberg

James Vernicek & Jeff Dailey*

Joseph Vescio

Tama Viola

Don Wainwright & Tom Jamison*

Patricia Walker

Don Wessel

Ralph Wiest & Anthony Peraine*

Daryle Williams & Steven Fretwell

Lynne Wilmer & Jeannie Marsh

Terri Windlan

Melanie Wolfe & Monica Niccolai

Robert T. Wright & Jack Lim*

Sherri Wright & Dick Byrne*

Janet & Ron Yabroff

Niki Zaldivar & Cecil McNeil X

Kathryn Zimmerman

Helaine Zinaman & Roselyn Abitbol X

RED LEVEL

Guy Abernathey X

Dale Adams

Jim Affonco X

Mark Aguirre & Wayne Gleason X

Bill Alldredge X

Chris Allison

Stephani Allison & Judith Gorra X

Alan Anderson X

Daniel Anderson & Greg Melanson

Andrea Andrus & Maggie Shaw X

Peter Antolini X

Patricia Antonisse X

Wanda Armwood & Illona Williams

Cynthia Arno

Terry & Gayle August

Josh Bach & Edward Ginley

Kathleen Bailey X

Christine A. Baker

John Baker & Richard Latham X

Sarah Barnett

Curtiss Barrows X

Barbara Bastow & Margaret McHale

John Batchelor X

Karen Beck*

Beebe Medical Foundation*

Mike Behringer & Nelson Correa*

Michael Beigay

Alex Belano

Sheryl Bender & Doreen DiLorenzo*

George Benes & Michael Mallee X

Suzanne Bennethum & Deborah Smith*

Joe Benshetler & Kurt Angell

Jeri Berc X

John Berdini X

Joel Berelson & Charles Maples*

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 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

John Brady X Kelly Brennan & Susan McVey*

Susan Brinsfield & Barbara Devenport Laurie Bronstein

Debora Brooke * Kevin Brown X Lyn Brown & Winsome Boyd

Matthew Brown Diane Bruce & Annie Sorvillo* Carol Buck Al Bulliner X Belinda Buras & Linda Simeone Geoffrey Burkhart & Bruce Williams* Lyn Burleson & Sharon Werner* Carol L. Burnett X Timothy B. Bush X Sherry Butler

James Byrnes X Chris & Richard Cahill X Robertine Cale*

Debbie Cali & Maddie Cunningham

Ingrid Callmann & Karen Askins* Terri Campbell & Victoria Smith

Michele Campisi & Julie A. Slick X

Joe Canter

Matt Carey X Jim Carlo X

Justine Carpenter X Shirley Carpenter & Mary Coldren X

Deborah Carroll & Jill Steiner

Alice Casey & Anthony Codella

Jo Cason & Peggy Neidlinger

Teresa Cason & Lynda Schepler X Sara Cavendish & Wendy Bunce X Denis Chandler & Sebastion DiMauro

Linda Chaney & Irene Lawlor* Helen Chang & Pat Avery

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

Dottie Cirelli & Myrna Kelley X

Norma K. Clark X Rob Cline

Barbara Clipper

Amy Clouse & Betty Long X

Julie Cockley

Anne Cole & Sandy Freeman

Carolyn Cole & Sandy McDevitt X Stuart Comstock-Gay X Inez Conover X

Blanche Cook & Clare Coss

Bill Cooley & Ken Watkins DVM X Josh Cooper & Steve Rathburn

Jeffery A. Coover X

Michael Cornell X Lois Corson 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 Mark Cunningham & Ken Tattersall X Rich Custer

Jamie Cuthbert & KT Tinney

Howard Cyr & Lynn Ashley*

Ellen Dahl*

William T. Darley X Denise Davis & Jeanne Bilanin Jeremiah Davis

Marsha Davis & Bev Lesher X Patricia Davis

Kathy Davison & Ruth Dickerson X Celeste De Bease

Frederick Dean & Steven Swierzy X

Linda Dean & Donna Whiteside* Penny Lee Dean

Scott Dechen & James Maino*

Michael Decker & Arley Jaimes X Michael DeGraffenreid

Susan Deise & Jerri Budzinski

Ann DeLazaro & Annette Potemski

Bernie Delia X

Frank Dell’Aquila X

Claire Dente & Leslie Campo*

Tracy Denton & Brenda Welsh

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

Tony DiMichele & Jeff Smith*

Mary Dipietro & Wendy Schadt*

Deb Dobransky & Ketty Bennett*

Arthur Dochterman X

David & Lizann Dockety X

Peg Dolan & Mary McDevitt X

Mary & Polly Donaldson

Millie Donnell

Kathryn Downs

Frances Doyle X

Paul Dradransky X

Michael Driscoll & Ben McOmber X

Deanna Duby & Carol Bruce*

Barry Dunkin

Gene Dvornick X Sue Early X

Frank Echols & Robert Robinson

John Eckardt

Eden Restaurant X Richard Egler

Gail Elliott & Bea Hickey*

Pamela Elliott

W. Kay Ellis*

Ann Evans*

Lisa Evans & Joann Gusdanovic John Farley & Dennis Wilson X Susan Farr & Joanne Pozzo Jane Farrell

Larry & Ro Fedorka* Karen Ferguson* Mark Fernstrom

Virginia Fessler * Jayne & Ro Fetterman* Irene & Edward Fick* Ben Ficks & Bob Angell Allen Fred Fielding X Jerry Filbin*

Joe Filipek & Larry Richardson X Mark Finkelstein & Michael Zeik X Rick Fischer X

Barbara Fischetti & Janet Thoden Gary Fisher & Josh Bushey*

James Fitzsimmons & Brian Burdelle*

Chuck Flanagan X

Paul Florentino & Chris Pedersen X

Sandra Fluck & Beverly Morgan* Bill Ford

Mary Ford & Judy Hedrick X Beebe Frazer X Jon Frazier Phil Fretz X Neil Frock & Bob Harrison* Marilyn Fuller & Teresa Marigliano Susan Furman

Frank Gainer & Ramon Santos* Lynn Gaites & Faye Koslow X Nina Galerstein*

Charles Gallagher & James Day Jerry Gallucci & Conrad Welch* Kathryn Gantz & Kathryn Gehret Don Gardiner X Cheri Garnet

Mindy Gasthalter* Wilson Gates X Charles George & Dennis Rivard X Tracey Gersh & Amy Johnson Gary Gillard X Michael Gilles

Jordan Gipple* Angela & Cheryl Gladowska Joan Glass X Karen Glooch X Ronald Gluck*

Jane Godfrey* Randall Godwin X Jackie Goff & Mary Vogt X Katherine Goff

Dave Gold & In Memory of James Yiaski X Robert Gold X Suzanne Goldstein & Dana Greenwald X Cindy Gonzalez

Milton Gordon & Bill Hromnak X Teresa Gordy & Barb Ford X Dan Goren & Peter Robinson X Robert Gotwalt & Norman Jones Bill Graff & Jeff Schuck*

Lisa & Raymond Graff*

Paul R. Grant & Marc Watrel* Cheryl Graves 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 Helene Guilfoy X Lori Guitson

Bill Gunning & Joe Greoski X Mary Gunning*

Carolyn Haas & Debbie Williams

Jay Haddock & Hector Torres*

Gerard M. Haley & George D. Zahner X

Cynthia Hall X

Roberta Hamer

Mark Hare & Mike Newman X

Kelley Harp X

David Harrer & Floyd Kanagy*

Thomas F. Harris II

Mary Hartman & Laurie Nelson

Jeff Haslow X

Janece Hausch*

John & Mary Havrilla*

Nancy Hawpe

Daniel F.C. Hayes*

Helen Healy & Lisa Whitehouse

Barb & Len Hedges-Goetti

Leslie Hegamaster & Jerry Stansberry*

Linda Heisner X

David Herchik & Richard Looman X

Fred Hertrich X

Howard Hicks & Stephen Carey X Helen Hilderbrandt

Barbara Hines & Nancy Froome X

Howard C. Hines, MD X

Karen & Mickey Hinman

Janel Hino & Patricia Ann Scully X

Cynthia Hogue

David Hogue

Harris Holden X

Connie Holdridge*

Robert Holloran & Ed Davis*

Brad Holsinger & Ed MooreMod Cottage*

Chris Holt & Emory Bevill X

Mollyne Honor & Shelley Garfield

Larry Hooker X

Penni Hope*

James T. Hopkins X

Elaine Horan & Debbie Sciallo X

Frank Hornstein & Mark Henckel X

James Hospital & Jack Fraker*

Robert Hotes X

Peggy Ann Hughes

Kaz Huston & Sylvia Daniels

Ellan Hylton

Batya Hyman & Belinda Cross*

Thomas Ingold X

Claire Ippoliti 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 X

Kathy Jantzen & Debi Cunn

Allen Jarmon & Ward Ellinger X

Robert Jasinski*

Mary Jenkins & Laura Reitman

Susan Jimenez & Cathy Benson X

Chip Johnson - In Memory of

Joseph Lachac*

Donna A. Johnson*

Ken Johnson X Randi Johnson

Jim Johnston

Richard Jolly & Charles Ingersoll X D. J. Jones*

Gay Jones & Barb Bartels

Glenn Jones X

Sparky Jones

Tom Jones X Beth Joselow

Wayne Juneau X

Mick Kaczorowski X

Darleen Kahl & Susan Poteet*

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

Peter Keeble & Tom Best

Margaret Keefe & Dianne Conine*

Mark Kehoe X

Donald Kelly*

John Kelly & Randy Sutphin X

Michael J. Kelly X

Ann Kemper

John Kennedy

Hunter Kesmodel X

Tom Ketterman

Marge Keyes & Julie Arenstein X

Charlotte King

Rachel King

Spencer Kingswell X

Daniel Kinsella*

Ilene Klein

Jane Knaus & Cindy Myers

Stephen Kopp

John Kort & Hung Lai*

Robert Kovalcik & Bob Howard X

Marcia Kratz*

Karen Kreiser & Beth Nevill*

Kevin W. LaBarge X

Cheryl Landry & Lisa Corrado

Peter Lanzaro & Frank Bodsford X Dr. Mathilda Laschenski & Dr. Kathleen Heacock X

Ruth Lauver & Judy Wetzel*

Kate Lavelle X

Jim Lawrence & Bob Palandrani

Charlie Lee X

Jon Leeking & Dieulifete Jean*

Moica Lehman & Cathy Amberman

Lisa Lekawa

Charles & Matthew Lentz

Jill Leonard

Marsha Levine & Susan Hamadock X

Arlene & Ginny Levy-Balmforth

Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lilien*

Alexander Lincoln

Cindy Lins & Diane Milam

Duwayne Litz X

Eleanor Lloyd & Celeste Beaupre

Robert E. Long X

Cynthia Lowe & Rae von Doehren

Debbie Lupton & Romana Dobbs

Diane Lusk X

Minda Lynch

Becky Lyons & Ebie Hamrick X

Joe Maggio X

Loretta Mahan*

Bernadette Maher & Cheryl Tarlecky*

Jack Maher X

Nancy Maihoff X

Eddie Major X

Bruce Majors X Scott Mallan & E.B Easter

Harvey Manchester X Domenic Mannello X

Stephanie Manos & Reber Whitner X

Robb Mapou & Mike Zufall* Anyda Marchant X

Kathi Marek & Mary Seminara Charles Marino & Alan Berman*

Diane Markey & Randi Snader* Harold Marmon & Robert Hill*

Michelle Marsh & Barb Sann Colleen Martin

Norma Martin X

Linda Martinak & Susan Baker

Nan Martino*

Marie Martinucci*

Joe Matassino & Tim Murray*

Jason Darion Mathis

John Matthews & Nick Polcini* Eric Matuszak X

Linda Mazie & Terry Koff

Donna McCabe & Mac Ignacio X Marcia McCollum

Edward McCord

Kathleen McCormick & Elizabeth Fish X Mary McElhone & Nancy Kaiser X Sherri McGee & Kris Aulenbach

Thomas McGlone X Kathleen McGrath Ellen McKeon* 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 Gene Miller & Jane Godfrey Marilyn K. Miller & Candice Zientek* Marvin Miller & Dan Kyle X Robin Miller

Shelly Miller

Todd A. Miller & Michele Frame X Chris & Joann Miller-Marcin Doreen Millon

Lee Wayne Mills X Stan Mills & Marcia Maldeis X Linda Miniscalco & Jeanne Drake*

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 Richard Morgante & Edward McHale*

Bob Morris & James Weygandt

Pearl Morris*

Jack Morrison & Bob Dobbs*

Rebecca Moscoso* Barry Moshinski & Robert Ponzini

Andrew K. Moss & Richard Blevins X

Brent Mundt X Mary Murdoch X

Joanie Murphy

Marie Murray & Deb Ward X

Cynthia Myers

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*

Janet Nosal

Chuck Oakes & Robert Dellanoce*

Terry O’Bryan & Jack Musser

James O’Dell X

James O’Malley X

Richard O’Malley X

Lisa Orem & Debby Armstrong*

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

Fran Panzo

Stephen Pape & Jerry Clark

Fred Parham

Diane Pasatieri

Emilie Paternoster & Monica Parr X

Carol Patterson & Carol Hughes* Tim Patterson & Harvey Sharpe X Peggy Paul X

Lucille & Dan Payne

Michelle Peeling & Wendy Adams* Caroline Pellicano & Jodi Foster

Beverly Peltz*

Roy Perdue X

Al Perez & Gary Kraft*

Susan Petersen & Luz Cruz

Don Peterson & Jeff Richman X 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

Sam Profeta X

Sarajane Quinn*

Jean Rabian & Ralph Hackett X

Joie Rake & Nan Flesher 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* Peter S. Reichertz X Ken Reilly & Tony Ghigi X Virginia Reime & Gene Tadlock* Jeff Reinhart & Jack Miller*

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 Linda Rikard & Mary Jo Tarallo

Keith & John Riley-Spillane X Heather & Cathy Rion Starr

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 Allison Rosenberg

Peter Rosenstein X Larry L. Ross X Ellen & Terry Roth Perreault X Barb Rowe X

Ski Rowland & Gary Mosher X Joan Rubenstein X Herbert Russell*

Steve Sage & Thom Swiger X Chris Sailer & Min Mancini

Joe & Nancy Sakaduski* Margaret Salamon*

Cindy Sanders & Donna Smith* Sanford & Doris Slavin Foundation X Richard Scalenghe & Thomas Panetta* Kim Schilpp*

Nancy Schindler & Eric Youngdale

Michael Schlechter & Kevin Sharp X James Schmidt & Carl Horosz

Rosemarie Schmidt & Carolyn Horn X

Sharon Schmitt*

Holly Schneider & Linda Haake

Jaime Schneider & Glenn Randall X Peter Schott & Jeffrey Davis*

Carol Schwartz X Craig Schwartz & William Pullen X Diane Schwarz

Diane Scobey X John Scotti & Greg Landers*

David Scuccimarra & Dorothy Fedorka*

Shirley Semple*

Janet & Elaine Shaner & Elizabeth Taylor

Marj Shannon & Carla Burton* Dale Sheldon & Pat Coluzzi X

Banner Sheppard & Marlin Hubler

Kelly Sheridan & Debra Quinton*

Lynn Sheridan & Melissa Imbergamo

David Sherman X

George Shevlin & Jack Suwanlert*

William Shively & TD Stanger

Davis Short & Beverly Castner

Frank Silverio X

Marc Silverman & John Campbell*

Ann Singleton & Twila McDonough

Joanne Sinsheimer & Margaret Beatty*

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

Robert Smith

Rosanne Smith & Brenda Butterfield*

Rich Snell X

Claire & Mikki Snyder-Hall Sandra Sommerfield & Cindy Scott X

Stephanie Specht

Dee Speck & Linda Kauffman X Jim Spellman X

Lorraine Stanish & Beverly Miller*

Ginger Stanwick

Christy Steer X

Frank Sterner X Shelley Stevens & Joanne Locke Lisa Stewart X

Libby Stiff & Bea Wagner X

Russell & Patricia Stiles*

Allison Stine & Pete Jamieson*

Terry Stinson*

Caroline Stites & Elizabeth Coit X Tracy Stith & Laura McCarthy

Dr. Frederick C. Stoner * Rev. Barry Stopfel

Michael Stover*

Christine Strauss X

Lois Strauss X

Jackie Sullivan & Sharon Padbury

John Swift & Ron Bowman X Melanie Szvitich

Stephen Szymanski

Gail Tannenbaum & Wendy Walker*

Ronald Tate & Jacob Schiavo X

Micaela Tedford X

Martin Thaler

David Thomas & David Tiburzio X

The Hon. Henry E. Thomas IV & John-Kevin Litschgi X

Laurie Thompson

Thomas Tibbetts X

Otto F. Tidwell X

Linda Toggart & Jane MacDonald

Cassandra Toroian X

Manny Tortosa X

Steve Touzell & Marshall Scott Beadle

Carol Trenga & Cheryl Harding

Steve Triglia X

Roz Troupin & Mary Harris X

Matt Turlinski & Jerry Sipes X

Ed Turner & Steve Baker X

Judy Twell & Cheri Himmelheber

Charles Tyrell

Bruce Uliss X

Michael Utasi

Donna Valla

Debra Van Dyke*

Jennifer Varone

V. James Villareale & In Memory of

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

Sharyn Warwick X

Ellen Watkins X

Troy Watson & Dennis Wolfgang*

Barbara Weatherly

Debbie Webber & Terry McQuaid*

West Side New Beginnings

Donna West

Carl R. Wetzel X

Liz Wheeler & Ruth Morse X

Steve White X

Thomas White & Robert Freeman X Phil & Stephanie Wikes*

Steven Wildasin Keith Wilkinson X Diane & Ken Williams

Jim Williams* Rich Williams X Kelly Williamson & J Ellis

Donna L. Wilson & Laurie R. Levin X

Lynn Wilson*

David Wolanski*

Max Wolf X

Carol Woodcock & Carol Lewis*

Cody Woodfin & Rich Morgan

Robert B. Wright X Marjorie Wuestner & Catherine Balsley*

Alexander G. Yearley X James E. Yiaski X

Linda Yingst*

Jay York

Vickie York X

James Zeigler & In Memory of Sam Deetz* Lisa Zimmerman X

RAINBOW MEMBERS RECEIVE:

CAMP REHOBOTH MEMBERSHIP

X Founders’ Circle 10+ years

* Members five years or more

Names in bold are new or upgraded members as of December 1, 2022

Founders’ Circle designation has been added to our Membership roster. Please send kudos, questions, or listing updates to membership@ camprehoboth.com.

• Basic Membership Package - Advance ticket sales to CAMP Rehoboth events - Recognition in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth - Rainbow level colored Member window cling(s) - Weekly “What’s Happening at CAMP” email

• Discount on CAMP Rehoboth Event Tickets for Levels Green and above (as noted)

• Free Health Screenings, Counseling Services, and Support Groups

• Youth, Adult and Senior Programs, Services and Outreach • The satisfaction of knowing you are helping others!

PAY ANNUALLY or MONTHLY

$2400 annual or ☐ $200 monthly

+ 25% ticket discount and one 1/4 page ad in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth

LEVEL

$1200 annual or ☐ $100 monthly

+ 20% ticket discount

BLUE LEVEL ☐ $900 annual or ☐ $75 monthly Basic + 15% ticket discount

GREEN LEVEL ☐ $600 annual or ☐ $50 monthly Basic + 10% ticket discount

YELLOW LEVEL ☐ $300 annual or ☐ $25 monthly

ORANGE LEVEL ☐ $180 annual or ☐ $15 monthly

RED BASIC ☐ $50 annual or ☐ Basic Dual/Family, $85 annual

RATHER JOIN ONLINE? Go to camprehoboth.com/membership Call 302-227-5620 or visit us at 37 Baltimore Avenue.

The REAL DIRT

For the Birds

Iknow from experience in chatting with many of you that birding is as popular as pollinator gardening, biking, and pickleballing (did I just invent a new word?). As most of you know, we live in the Atlantic Flyway—the migrating birds’ expressway along the Atlantic coastline. This provides southern Delaware with amazing opportunities to see and hear numerous bird species traveling the Flyway as well as enjoying those that call our region home all year long.

These birds must make the long trip while feeding along the way. One of the foods they seek out most are the berries of our native shrubs and trees. So in this column, we’ll take a look at some of the most sought-after species.

Let’s start with the shrub that is by far the most beneficial in terms of nutrients and energy for birds, Virburnum dentatum, the arrowwood viburnum. It offers the most protein and fat of any berry, helping the birds immensely with their long journey.

It can grow up to 10 feet tall, however, smaller cultivars, like Blue Muffin, exist. This native shrub blooms in summer with showy, white flowers changing to bright blue berries in the fall. It prefers full sun but can tolerate light shade. Arrowwood viburnum can be grown as a hedge and is fairly fast-growing. Its name is derived from the straight stems that were used by Native Americans to make the shafts of their arrows.

I’ve mentioned winterberry (Ilex verticillata) numerous times throughout the years. It is one of my all-time favorite native shrubs. It’s a deciduous holly, meaning it loses its leaves in autumn. However, its bright red berries persist through winter and are a good resource for birds during a time when food is hard come by. Male and female parts are on separate plants, so you need at least one male in the vicinity to pollinate the females. The females produce all the berries, so make sure at the nursery which one you are buying.

Winterberries bloom in summer and fruit in the autumn. They prefer full sun

but can tolerate partial shade. They can also grow rather large (up to 15 feet), but smaller compact varieties are available like Little Goblin or Berry Sprite. Winterberries can also tolerate wet areas and are perfect for rain gardens. I like to place them in front of evergreens in the landscape so that the berries really pop against the green background.

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is another great multi-purpose shrub. It blooms in spring and has exceptional red fall color followed by black fruit that persists long into winter. It can grow up to six feet tall and tends to colonize—they spread by suckers and can form large masses easily. This makes it ideal for wildlife habitat. Their glossy leaves are mostly pest-resistant, making it low-maintenance as well. But keep in mind—as I have mentioned many times before—all gardens require some maintenance. There are no no-maintenance gardens.

I’m going to end with a non-native plant, Pyracantha or firethorn. This plant is native to southern Europe and the name comes from the Greek words, pyr

BY ERIC W. WAHL

or fire, and akantha or thorn. The bright orange-crimson berries are abundant, and the stems are full of stiff thorns. Firethorn can be used an impenetrable hedge or even espaliered onto a wall in tight spaces or small gardens. It takes to pruning extremely well. Firethorn prefers moist well-drained soils but can tolerate tough conditions and is even salt tolerant. Birds are attracted to its fruit, but deer avoid it, most likely due to the spiny thorns.

I hope you include one or two of these shrubs in your own landscapes and help provide our feathered friends with a little more energy to make their arduous journey along the Atlantic Flyway. Providing resources like food and habitat will ensure your birding activities are successful and plentiful.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and let’s garden together! ▼

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

[Winterberry’s] bright red

berries persist through winter and are a good resource for birds during a time when food is hard come by.

(Continued from page 71)

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at RB Tree Lighting: Al Drulis, Peggy Reid, Scott Silber, Cathy Forthuber, Sandy Kraft, Gail Purcell, Adrienne True, Mary Jenkins, Diane Taylor, Joe Matassino, John Hackett, Ken Geissler, Catie Hackett, Seth Watts, Tom Newton, Tim Murray, Lisa Greenberg, Kelsey Coker, Claire Snyder-Hall, Mikki Snyder-Hall, Blair Cappuccio, Jason Evans, Ross Hollander, Tony Burns, Wyatt McKenzie; 2) RB Film Festival: Leslie Rogan, Ellen Feinberg, Scott Beadle, Helen Chamberlain, Steve Trousell.

OPPOSITE PAGE 3) at RB Independent Film Festival: Amy Tootle, Brian Cox, Brian Tootle; 4) at Aqua: Brian Powell, Chris Rinaldi, Mark Roush, Dave Banick, Angelo Tabbita, Fabiola Morales, Jeffrey Morales, Soriany Morales, Bruce Clayton, Kelly Kline, Tony Kline, Alex Souders, Joe McHugh 5) at The Pines: Doug Armstrong, Steve Dobberowsky, Matt Larkin, Jack Strogus, Mohamed El-Shiehk, Doug Krenz, Alonza Parker, Bob Suppies; 6) at RB Main Street’s Fashion Show/Brunch: Drexel Davison, Cindy Lovett, Mel Damascena, Bob Cartwright, Brandon Hass, Tom Protack, Marc Chase, Sandra Skidmore, George Toma; 7) at Peninsula Gallery: Tony Boyd-Heron, Carol Boyd-Heron; 8) at Elf Opening at Clear Space Theatre: Cameron, Christopher, Sarah, Maddy, Glenn Mandalas; 9) at Coastal Concerts: Michael McHale. ▼

Training CAMP

BY JON ADLER KAPLAN

The New Year Fitness Resolution Solution

As 2022 comes to a close, thousands of Rehoboth citizens are preparing for the start of a new year— perhaps you’re one of them. Maybe you might want to use this opportunity to start fresh. Maybe part of your fresh start is to exercise more, eat more healthfully, and lose weight. Here are my top 10 reasons to exercise and stay physically fit:

chances of you sticking with an activity.

Create a set schedule. A key aspect of sticking to your resolution is coming up with a schedule that will work for you. If you’re not a morning person, by all means do not try to wake up early to exercise. Make your resolution work within a timeframe that will work for you, and schedule it into your smartphone so that you can see it every day. This will help you establish a routine and build strong habits. Be accountable. Probably the most successful form of accountability is to have some skin in the game, perhaps a financial commitment. Try signing up for a non-refundable class to have that added motivation to show up. You can also look into hiring a personal trainer. Not only will you get ongoing motivation and workout tips, but you may also feel guilty if you don’t show up for your session.

Now, let me coach you on how to systematically set your goals. Set specific and reasonable goals. Make a list of your goals and share it with some friends. Don’t set your goals too high. Instead, make them smaller and more achievable. Rather than saying, “I’d like to drop 20 pounds,” make it five pounds and then set another goal for dropping another five pounds. If you share your goals with a friend, you’ll have more accountability to follow through with your goals.

Try something new. It’s a new year, so why not try something new? This past year I committed to trying Pilates and loved it. When you try something new, commit to doing it for two months or more to see if you actually see results. According to a 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes on average 66 days for a person to form a new habit. If you prefer to be outside, look into activities such as FaceBook groups or Meet Up groups with people who have similar interests. Making it social can increase the

Create a buddy system. By far this is one of my favorite tips to encourage fitness enthusiasts to adopt a lifestyle of exercise and nutrition. Recruit a friend or group of friends to begin the fitness journey with you. You’ll be surprised how much more fun it is to have a workout buddy. My top two reasons for having a workout partner:



Accountability. If you have somebody waiting for you, that is motivation to get you to show up.

 It’s fun! The comaraderie of having a workout partner can be more enjoyable than working out by yourself.

Try a motivational podcast. Your smartphone has many options for you to get that added bit of motivation. Several of the top-rated podcasts include: Good Life Project, Hidden Brain, The Tony Robbins Podcast, and School of Greatness to name a few.

Make exercise YOU time! Think about using exercise as your mental tune up. It’s the perfect time to breathe, practice gratitude, and focus on feeling positive in a healthy way. Changing how you think about fitness will assist you in looking forward to the YOU time that you deserve.

Craft reminders. Try placing sticky

notes around the house and in your car with reminders to keep you focused. Some of my own favorite sticky reminders are: Focus! Do you really need that or are you bored? (Post on the refrigerator.) Engage your core! Be Proud—Stand Tall! Be Strong! You can also create a custom sticky using a picture out of a magazine of someone you aspire to look like. (Be real and reasonable.) Having these reminders can help you start your new year off on the right note.

Let’s look forward to a great 2023! ▼

Jon Adler Kaplan is a Health Coach and Fitness Trainer both virtually and at Rise Fitness and Adventure. He’ll be starting a new 8-week virtual fitness and nutrition support and coaching group in mid-January. Email Jon for more info—and a discount!—at: jonadlerkaplan@gmail.com

Recruit a friend or group of friends to begin the fitness journey with you.

BUY-WAYS

The Ultimate Guide to Gay Gift Giving

BY MIKEY ROX

Drawing a blank on what to gift the gays and feys on your holiday shopping list? Consider these thoughtful presents picked exclusively for your LGBTQ+ friends and fam.

MR. & MR. CLAUS MUGS

Two glazed-ceramic Santas are better than one when you cop SUNNY&TED’s handpainted Mr. and/or Mrs. cocoa mugs available in three blush-faced skin tones and two genders to accurately rep your festive-queer holiday cheer. SunnyAndTed. com, $27.50 each.

Subarzsweets’ handmade, small-batch biscotti-cookie hybrids (the lemon-thyme flavor is what the chef’s kiss emoji was meant for)—is the treat-yo’self pick-me-up you’ll crave after eight crazy nights. Vahdam.com, $24; Subarzsweets.com, $45.

YVES DURIF GROOMING SET

Yves Durif didn’t reinvent the Italian-made, natural rubber resin petite brush and comb that bears his synonymouswith-style name, but he did make these luxury tools sexy AF so you can feel like a million bucks. YvesDurif.com, $105.

BOARDERIE CHARCUTERIE

tissues close. WaggedTails. com, $18-$67.

AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ANNUAL PASS

WHISKEY A GO GO

Lift holiday spirits (in handsome drinkware, like Baccarat’s Harmonie Double Old-Fashioned Tumblers) by offering party guests a sampling of your home bar’s top-shelf reserves, like Blade & Bow’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Glendalough Pot Still Irish Whiskey, and Westward American Single Malt Stout Cask—a holy trinity all its own. ReserveBar. com, $48, $57, $91.

HAPPY HANUKKAH TEA GIFT SET + SUBARZSWEETS

VAHDAM India’s Hannukahspecial assortment of luscious herbal, chai, and black teas—paired with

A far cry from the shelfstable meat-and-cheese gifts mom loaded up on at your local mall’s popup shop, Oprah-approved Boarderie charcuterie boards are chef-made daily and feature hand-selected artisan cheeses, meats, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolates on keepsake acacia platters. Hickory Farms could never. Boarderie.com, $129-$239.

WAGGED TAILS CUSTOM ‘A-PAW-REL’

Memorialize your loved ones’ recently passed pets with Wagged Tails’ custom-printed apparel and accessories, including T-shirts, tumblers, totes, and mugs, emblazoned with their favorite heavensent smush-faces. Keep the

One of your nice-listers resolving to travel more in the new year? Set ’em up for success with the National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands’ America the Beautiful annual pass, providing access for the holder (plus guests) to over 2,000 federal sites in the United States. Includes parks, monuments, battlefields, protected wildlife refuges, stunning seashores, and more. Recreation.gov, $80.

Stroud’s Simply Southern dough bowl candles and you’ve got yourself an instant country Christmas. StroudSimplySouthernCo. com, $24-$79.

CANTILEVER TOOLBOX

Utilitarianism is a hallmark of Japanese design, and Toyo’s handcrafted cantilever steel storage and tools boxes are no exception with two handy adjustable upper trays and eight removable dividers housed in a handsome, spacious shell deserving of double-takes. Placewares. com, $129.

HABIBI SANTAL JOURNEY

DOUGH BOWL CANDLES

Drop a needle on Aunt Dolly’s holiday vinyl before lighting the wicks on

Can’t go wrong with a fresh scent tucked under the tree or inside a stocking, and it doesn’t get any fresher (or spicier) than Habibi’s Santal Journey with notes of dry cedarwood, oud, and sandalwood overtop whisps of crisp pear and precious orris. ForHabibi.com, $119.

The reviews are in! YOUR JOURNEY,

“My husband and I were very pleased with your clear and informative webinar.” ~Robert M.

“Thank you for the information session. It was well presented and I learned a lot.” ~S.N.

Springpoint Choice is a membership-based program for healthy adults age 55 and older who wish to secure a personalized plan as they age at home. As a member, you can:

• plan for long-term care so you can remain in your own home as long as possible

• avoid being a burden to your loved ones regarding your long-term care needs

• access quality long-term care and advocacy, if ever needed

• preserve and protect your financial assets Boost your health and stay active: members enjoy social, wellness, and community activities and programs at Springpoint’s eight Life Plan Communities in New Jersey and Delaware. Each member has a personal care navigator who will work with you and your family when care needs arise.

For more information please call: 866-616-3084 or visit springpointchoice.org

CORAVIN X KEITH HARING WINE OPENER

Art and wine go to together like Saint Nick and snickerdoodles, which is why the Coravin x Keith Haring Timeless Six+ Artist Edition bottle opener—featuring the late artist’s iconic dancing figures in black and white—will look just as good on your dinner-party tablescape as it will on display. Coravin.com, $245.

NQI GTS E-MOPED

In sport mode, the NQi GTS e-moped’s top speed is a hair-straightening 50 mph thanks to a 60V26Ah Bosch motor, 4th-gen lithium battery tech, and a few bodyshop elves who’ve watched 2 Fast 2 Furious 2 many times. Niu.com, $TBD.

LIMITED EDITION DON Q RUM X COQUITO NYC DRINK KIT

Add a little Latin flavor to your living-room Christmas film fest with a screening of Alfredo De Villa’s Nothing Like the Holidays and a traditional coquito with a Don Q kick in hand. The limited-ish collab kit between the rum maker and Latinaowned Coquito NYC comes with everything you need to mix it up, including coconut milk, spices, and a bottle of Reserva 7. DonQ.com, $75.

NUZZIE WEIGHTED BLANKET

Dasher and Dancer will have to pull double duty delivering hefty, chunky Nuzzies, oneof-a-kind breathable, thermo-

regulating, and sustainable weighted blankets (in holiday hues like rich rose and the emeraldest green) for all your snowy-season snuggles. ShopNuzzie.com, $169-$329.

ROTATE WATCHMAKING KIT

Challenge your better-half gadget geek over holiday break with customizable Rotate watchmaking kits— available in easy, medium, and hard configurations—that come complete with parts, tools, and a user-friendly guide to keep the cursing to a minimum. RotateWatches. com, $195-$225. ▼

Mikey Rox is an award-winning journalist and LGBTQ lifestyle expert whose work has been published in more than 100 outlets across the world. Connect with Mikey on Instagram @ mikeyroxtravels.

Nonfiction

The historian on your gift list will whoop when the wrapping comes off The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland. It’s the story of a man who actually broke out of Auschwitz and lived to tell the world what was going on. It’s a true story that reads like a deadly thriller.

For the person who hates to exercise, hates eating healthy (let’s

face it) and stresses about it all, you can’t go wrong with The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by Rina Raphael. Doesn’t that title say it all?

The reader who wants a little diversity in their selection will love Latino Almanac: From Early Explorers to Corporate Leaders by Nicolas Kanellos, PhD. It’s a book that’s absolutely filled with mini-biographies of Latino luminaries, heroes, and inspirations, and it’s perfect for any reader age 14 and up. Pair it with Indigenous Firsts: A History of Native American Achievements and Events by Yvonne Wakim Dennis, Arlene Hirschfelder, and Paulette F. Molin. It’s a book that’s filled with fast facts

about the achievements of Indigenous Americans. For the person who always embraces the good in life, Inciting Joy by Ross Gay will be a welcome gift. It’s a collection of essays on the things that make us happy, that cause us to count our blessings, smile, and that gather us together. Wrap it up with Happier Hour by Cassie Holmes, PhD, and help someone decide what’s worth their joy. ▼

CAMPSAFE

WOMEN’S

CAMP

FEST 2023 | APRIL 27-30

Committees now seeking volunteers interested in planning/logistics include: entertainment, sports, auction, volunteer coordination, sponsorships, and publicity. To join a committee, email FEST Volunteer Committee Chair Liz Aranza at lizaranza16@ gmail.com with your name and the committee(s) you’re interested in. Sign-ups for specific day-of tasks will become available closer to the FEST dates.

CAMPSHOTS PHOTOGRAPHERS

CROP

Sheree Mixell Hannah Simone

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

CROP

LETTERS

LETTERS

MEMBERSHIP TEAM Jane Blue Ann Evans

1776 Steakhouse 13

AG Renovations 95

All Saints’ Church 41

Atlantic Jewelry 29

Beebe Healthcare 11

Beebe Healthcare Career Opportunities 34

Brandywine Urology Consultants............................ 7

Brandywine Valley SPCA 21 bsd .........................................................................75

Café Azafrán 57

CAMP Rehoboth 2023 Save the Dates .................47

CAMP Rehoboth Chorus, Hooray for Hollywood 19

CAMP Rehoboth End of Year Giving 9

CAMP Rehoboth Give the Gift of Letters 49

CAMP Rehoboth Giving Tuesday Thank You 88

CAMP Rehoboth Letters Subscription 101

CAMP Rehoboth Premier Sponsors 10

CAMP Rehoboth Theater Company, Drip Feed 39

CAMPsafe 88

Caroline Huff, Artist ...............................................17

Chesapeake & Maine, Dogfish Head 91

Chris Beagle Group, Realtors ................................17

Clear Space Theatre 45

Coho’s Market & Grill .............................................31

Country Lawn Care 102

County Bank 95

Delaware Beach Life 25

Delaware Community Foundation 56

Delaware Hospice 83

Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol 72

Diego’s Bar Nightclub 62, 63

Donna Whiteside, Realtor 14

Drift Seafood & Raw Bar 65

Fifth Avenue Jewelers 83

Focus Multisports 23

Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant ..................... 103

Fulton Bank 83

Gay Men’s Chorus DC............................................46

go fish go brit 87

Hugh Fuller, Realtor...............................................50

Humane Animal Partners Delaware 65

Immanuel Shelter 91

Jack Lingo, Real Estate 42

Jenn Harpel, Morgan Stanley 13

John Black/Bill Peiffer, Realtors 55

Jolly Trolley 87

Just In Thyme Restaurant 43

Lana Warfield, Realtor 46

Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Realtors 59

LifeMed Institute 30

Lori’s Café..............................................................74

Loves Liquors 31

Maplewood Dental Associates ..............................87

Meal On Wheels Delaware 85

MERR Institute .......................................................73

Milton Theatre 81

Nassau Valley Vineyards 41 New Wave Spa 87

Olivia Travel 15

Pizza Machine 61

Purple Parrot 51

PWW Law 73

Randy Mason/Shirley Kalvinsky, Realtors 67

Rehoboth Beach Bears 99

Rehoboth Beach Dental 57

Rehoboth Beach Museum 43

Rehoboth Guest House .........................................46

Reiki CENTRAL 23

Rigby’s Bar & Grill ..................................................77

Saved Souls Animal Rescue 73

Sea Bova Associates, Realtors ........................... 104

Springpoint Choice 97

State Farm - George Bunting 35

State Farm - Jeanine O’Donnell/Eric Blondin 43

Sussex Family YMCA 95

The Lodge at Truitt Homestead 35

The Pines 33

Time to Heal Counseling & Consulting 48

Troy Roberts, Realtor 13

Unfinished Business ..............................................57

Urban Float 91

Village Volunteers .................................................80

Volunteer Opportunities 101

Volunteer Thank You .......................................... 101

Westminster Presbyterian Church 23

Windsor’s Flowers 95

WSFS Bank 46

1,386sf.

Community pool. $150,000 (2027780) Lot Rent $827/mt

LOCHWOOD -

to thebig 12’x16’ deck Main bedroom suite has a walk-in closet & elegant bath with a 5’x4’ tiled “curbless” shower. Split bedroom plan with a tub/shower in 2nd bath. Bamboo floors. Stainless steel kitchen appliances. W&D included. Low HOA. $490,000 (2029152)

SANDY

CLEARWATER -Frankford. 1998 3BR/2BA Key Weststyle home. Corner lot with a fenced yard. 2.5 miles to the Bethany Beach boardwalk. Condo dues $950/yr. Pool & Tennis. $559,000 (2032036)

appliances. The kitchen adjoins formal dining area. 1st-floor main BR suite. Other 2 bedrooms are upstairs next to the family room. 13 miles to Bethany Beach. Boat slip leases are available *ask for details* $473,500 (2029962) +$5,000 Seller Assist Credit at Settlement

POT-NETS CREEKSIDELong Neck. Nicely remodeled 1985 2BR/2BA home is +1,300sf. Big kitchen. Fenced yard. Shed w/elec. So many amenities! $179,900 (2031668) Lot Rent $689/mt.

SILVER VIEW FARMRehoboth. 2007 3BR/2BA 14’x76’. Nice kitchen Split bedroom plan. 12’x30’ deck. Shed. Furnished. Pool & 3 miles to beach. $129,900 (2032724) Lot Rent $646/mt.

HOLLY OAK - Lewes. New Construction – Late Winter Delivery. Double 1-acre lot. 3BR/2BA home is a 1,506 sq. ft. one-level rancher w/oversized 2-car garage. Open concept floor plan. Great room opens to the kitchen and dining area. There is also a sliding glass door out

SILVER VIEW FARMRehoboth. 2011 3BR/2BA doublewide. Living room & sunroom. Split BR plan. Big kitchen. Pool & just 3 miles to beach. $189,900 (2031176) Lot Rent $646/mt.

CAMELOT MEADOWSRehoboth. 1988 2BR/2BA w/den & 4-Season porch.

Big shed w/electric. Carport. 3.5 miles to beach. Community pool. $169,000 (2032118) Lot Rent $810/mt

BEACH - Dagsboro. 2019-built 3BR/3BA home is 2,048 sq. ft. with an additional 1,120 sq. ft. in the full, unfinished basement. Luxury vinyl plank flooring on the main level with 9’ ceilings. Living room opens to the kitchen, which has quartz countertops & stainless