Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 32, No. 9

SUNFESTIVAL Walk Run Swim Gotta Bid to Win

C R E A T I N G

A

M O R E

P O S I T I V E

R E H O B O T H

August 19, 2022 Volume 32, Number 9 camprehoboth.com

inside 4 In Brief

28 Health & Wellness

6 President’s View

ROBB MAPOU, PHD, ABPP

Assessing Progress WES COMBS

8 SUNFESTIVAL Auction 2022 12 Judy Gold Headlines SUNFESTIVAL NANCY SAKADUSKI

14 CAMP News 16 Out & About

Down in the Depths on the 90th Floor

THIS ISSUE

92 Booked Solid

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

94 Straight Talk

32 Guest House Chronicles

The Rise (and Eventual Demise) of Christian Nationalism DAVID GARRETT

A New Chapter with Bill and Bob TOM KELCH

108 View Point

36 Volunteer Spotlight

Unleashing the Dogs of Intolerance

GLENN LASH

40 Head Out on the Highway The Straight Eights: A Passion for Cars MICHAEL GILLES

ERIC PETERSON

18 The Way We Were Peeking Inside Our Closets FAY JACOBS

20 Community News

RICHARD ROSENDALL

Tara O’Connor and Rina Pellegrini at the Decades Disco Dance Party. See page 64.

44 It’s My Life

You Say Tomato, I Say Enough MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

48 Celebrating Tom Wilson

CLARENCE FLUKER

FAY JACOBS

ANN APTAKER

At the Purple Parrot

62 The Real Dirt Here Comes the Sun ERIC W. WAHL

The Surprising Benefits of Dog Love

The Singing Bisexual Swashbuckler: Julie d’Aubigny

113 We Remember 114 Deep Inside Hollywood ROMEO SAN VICENTE

ON THE COVER SUNFESTIVAL!

82 The Sea Salt Table Summer Squash Gratin ED CASTELLI

86 Outlook

School’s Out — Forever BETH SHOCKLEY

90 CAMP Arts

Monkeypox FAQs with DPH

AUGUST 19, 2022

Neal Patrick Harris

72 Historical Headliners

26 Health in Our Community

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.

68 Celebrity Interview

54 Dining Out

ERIC PETERSON

56 CAMP Cheers

We Have to Take Care of Each Other

Crazy Fun in the Dog Days of Summer

CHRIS AZZOPARDI

JON ADLER KAPLAN

24 Words Matter

64 CAMPshots

Artist, Lover, & Friend

Aqua Grill: Still Hot for Happy Hour

Summertime Ocean Swimming

110 Dog Days PATTIE CINELLI

22 Training CAMP

Letters 2

VOLUME 32, NUMBER 9 • AUGUST 19, 2022

DOUG YETTER

EDITOR Marj Shannon EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Matty Brown DESIGN AND LAYOUT Mary Beth Ramsey ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER Tricia Massella DISTRIBUTION Mark Wolf

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.

CONTRIBUTORS: Ann Aptaker, Chris Azzopardi, Matty Brown, Ed Castelli, Pattie Cinelli, Wes Combs, Clarence Fluker, Michael Thomas Ford, David Garrett, Michael Gilles, Fay Jacobs, Jon Adler Kaplan, Tom Kelch, Glenn Lash, Robb Mapou, Tricia Massella, Eric Peterson, Mary Beth Ramsey, Richard Rosendall, Nancy Sakaduski, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Marj Shannon, Beth Shockley, Eric Wahl, Doug Yetter

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.

From the Editor

CAMP REHOBOTH

MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE

BY MARJ SHANNON, EDITOR

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

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

PURPOSE Promoting the health and wellness of our community through a variety of programs including HIV 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.

S

UNFESTIVAL? Already?! Yes, indeed—summer 2022 is drawing to a close, and CAMP Rehoboth is about to kickoff its annual celebration of allthings-sun-and-fun. Sundance, anyone? It’s baaaack! There are auctions (silent and live), fabulous entertainment, two dances, and a run/walk. See pages 7, 11 and 13 for details, grab your tickets at camprehoboth.com, and prepare to party hearty!

Of course, there is still fun in the sun to enjoy—now and in the weeks ahead. Jon Adler Kaplan has one idea—ocean swimming—and offers some suggestions in Training CAMP. Ed Castelli (Sea Salt Table) shares a great backyard get-together recipe, sure to enhance that picnic or barbecue you’re hosting. And Michael Gilles points us toward the Straight Eights’ (pun intended!) car show, cruising into our area late-September.

Maybe you just want to stay in a cool place till all that sun fades a little? Make the (short!) drive to Dover and take in the Tom Wilson exhibit at the Biggs Museum.

Eric Peterson provides some back story on the artist and his deep connections with Sussex County; free passes to the exhibit are available to CAMP Rehoboth members—just stop by the CAMP Community Center to pick one up.

National Dog Day is nearly upon us (August 26), and the infamous dog days of summer have just concluded. Pattie Cinelli honors the day(s) by introducing us to her own very good boys, Gianni and Dante, and to some of the many benefits of dog ownership.

Women’s Equality Day also arrives August 26. See Ann Aptaker’s tale of swashbuckler (and opera singer) Julie d’Aubigny for an intro to a woman who clearly enjoyed a remarkable degree of equality for her time. Or, frankly, most any time. I mean—sword fighting?!

Meanwhile, Eric Wahl celebrates a seasonal favorite—the sunflower—and Fay Jacobs has a dining destination to recommend. Ah, summer!

PRESIDENT Wesley Combs VICE PRESIDENT Leslie Ledogar SECRETARY Mike DeFlavia TREASURER Bea Vuocolo 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

Of course, it’s not all-fun-all-the-time. Monkeypox is a real—and painful—threat.

CAMP Rehoboth spoke recently with the Delaware Division of Public Health to get answers to some common questions; see what we learned on page 26. And Clarence Fluker reports on a friend who selflessly used his own diagnosis as a springboard to educate others, rather than simply hide out till he recovered.

David Garrett and Richard Rosendall both reflect on our trying times; browse their thoughtful, informed—and informative—pieces. And resolve to vote.

Hope you enjoy this issue. If you have comments, I’d love to hear them! You can reach me at editor@camprehoboth.com.

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.

AUGUST 19, 2022

3 Letters

SAVE THE DATE

The Elkins-Archibald Atrium Dedication WHEN: Saturday, October 8, 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Run! Walk! Sign Up for the SUNFESTIVAL 5K!

I

t’s the lucky 13th year! On Sunday, August 28, join the 13th SUNFESTIVAL 5K & 1 Mile Walk, starting at 8:00 a.m. The race will start and finish at the Rehoboth Beach bandstand, with a post-race party at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center. Special thanks to the Seashore Striders for once again hosting the race to kickoff CAMP Rehoboth’s festivities ahead of SUNFESTIVAL on Labor Day weekend.

The SUNFESTIVAL 5K/1M is a flat and fast course from the boardwalk to Gordons Pond & back in Rehoboth

Beach. Awards will be presented to the Overall Male and Female Champions, Overall Male and Female Masters (40+ years), as well as the top three male and female finishers in the following age categories: nine and under, 10-13, 14-19, 20-24, then 5-year age groups through 80+ years. Register for the event now— prices increase on August 21—or make a donation to the cause at seashorestriders.com.

Questions? For information, contact Tim Bamforth, Seashore Strider Race Director, at tim@seashorestrider.com. ▼

Monkeypox FAQs with DPH

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n Wednesday, August 3, CAMP Rehoboth spoke with Camille Moreno-Gorrín, a senior epidemiologist with the Delaware Division of Public Health, for the latest updates on the monkeypox virus. We posed some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from the community. See page 26 for a summary of our conversation, which ranged from risk factors to prevention, testing, treatment—and more. ▼

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AUGUST 19, 2022

WHERE: CAMP Rehoboth Community Center FEATURING: • A Taste of Baltimore Avenue: Treats from Baltimore Avenue’s finest dining establishments • CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Ensemble • Crooner Peggy Raley-Ward • Federal, state, and local dignitaries and representatives RSVP: No later than September 20: RSVP@camprehoboth.com

Fay Jacobs Has a NEW Show!

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ehoboth writer and sit-down comic Fay Jacobs will be at CAMP Rehoboth on Friday, September 23, with a whole-new show, new stories, new advocacy, and new laughs.

She will premier Aging Gracelessly: Still Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me in the Elkins-Archibald Atrium at CAMP Rehoboth at 7:00 p.m. on September 23. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at camprehoboth. com. Sales are open now; there is limited seating and one date only.

Fay has toured in the US and Canada since 2015, updating her original show several times. But now it’s time for a whole new script, still hilarious and heartfelt, but a fresh look at our Rehoboth lives and her latest take on aging, gay rights, and dystopian current events. Once again, hear the proof of the author’s assertion that nothing is ever so horrible if it’s worth the story you can tell. ▼

Join CAMP Rehoboth’s AIDS Walk Team

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n Saturday, September 17, join CAMP Rehoboth’s AIDS Walk Delaware team in Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Presented

by AIDS Delaware and the Delaware HIV Consortium, AIDS Walk Delaware is the state’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event. Hundreds of people will walk in solidarity to support Delawareans living with HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme is “Step Up, Step Out.” There will be two walks: one in Wilmington, and one in Rehoboth.

Check-in for the Rehoboth walk will be at Columbia Avenue and Grove Street, near the Visitor’s Center and Rehoboth Beach Museum.

Please consider joining our team’s efforts to address this important community-wide health issue and help make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV/ AIDS in Delaware. This year AIDS Delaware hopes to raise $100,000 in support of free HIV testing, education, and prevention programs, case management services, HIV-specific mental health counseling, and housing services.

In addition to AIDS Delaware and Delaware HIV Consortium, other HIV service organizations benefit financially from the walk, including: Ministry of Caring, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Latin American Community Center, William J. Holloway Community Program, and CAMP Rehoboth.

Please also consider volunteering for the event. For more information, visit camprehoboth.com/events/aids-walk-delaware-2022. ▼

TRAVELS WITH LETTERS

HAVING FUN IN SITGES, SPAIN

Submit your photos to editor@camprehoboth.com

L-R: Kaye Sullivan, Alexandra Armijo, Debbie Webber, Terry McQuaid

Delaware Shakespeare Show

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his fall the Delaware Shakespeare Community Tour will bring the premiere of its Spanish-English musical Twelfth Night, O Lo Que Quieras to CAMP Rehoboth’s Elkins-Archibald Atrium. This new version reimagines Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy as a story about a Latina immigrant experience.

Violeta is shipwrecked and separated from her family and must find her way in a strange new land. This bilingual musical will explore immigration rights and ask the question, “Can you survive through love?”

The Community Tour plays in non-theatrical venues such as multipurpose rooms, cafeterias, and gymnasiums. The

production values are scaled for those spaces, with live music, minimal sets, and whatever lighting is available. Audience sizes vary based on location and capacity, ranging from about 60 to 100 people. The production utilizes the talents of nine seasoned, professional, diverse performers and a live musician.

Admission to this event is free, but registration is required. The date for the performance is still being finalized; stay tuned to camprehoboth.com for the latest updates and to register. ▼

FLOTUS Alert!

O

n Saturday, August 6, the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, stopped by the CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard at her favorite lunch spot: Lori’s Oy Vey Café! The Bidens have been longtime patrons of Lori’s. Ever since President Biden took office in January 2021, the Secret Service’s presence in the courtyard has been a surefire way to tell if the First Family is in town. Last year, Lori Kline even introduced a new sandwich to the menu in their honor: The Bidens, which combines Lori’s famous chicken salad (Jill’s favorite) with tuna salad (Joe’s favorite) for a delectable treat.

“It’s always such a pleasure to serve and see the Bidens,” said Lori. “They’ve been such great supporters over the years, and we are such big supporters of them!” ▼ Pictured (l-r): Sarah Hermann, Sharon Conover, Lori Kline, First Lady Jill Biden, Kathy Dillon, and Monica Chmielewski

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Women’s FEST 2023 Sets the Date Next year’s Women’s FEST is scheduled for April 27-30. After a triumphant return in April 2022, FEST is already shaping up to offer lots of Fun, Entertainment, Spring, and Tradition in 2023. Mark those calendars now!

AUGUST 19, 2022

5 Letters

President’s View

BY WESLEY COMBS

Assessing Progress

I

don’t know about you, but this summer has flown by so fast. As the season began, I formed a list of things to help prioritize what was most important given the limitations COVID presented last summer. Being intentional about being inclusive is my mantra as shown in my earlier column in Letters, and the same goes when choosing what and where to focus your energy. With Labor Day only a few weeks away, I decided to reflect on progress against my goals. #1: Make time for family and friends. It is easy to grab lunch or dinner with those you see most often at the beach, when hanging out at Aqua for Happy Hour, or catching the amazing Kristina Kelly at The Pines. After being part of this community for more than 30 years, my husband Greg and I are grateful to have a wide variety of friends who we met in other ways too, like when walking our dog Bailey on the beach or attending CAMP Rehoboth events.

CAMP plans to remain a relevant and a nimble resource as we continue our mission to “Create A More Positive (CAMP) Rehoboth.”

Which is why we take a moment each week to think about who we have not seen in a while and reach out so we can get them on our increasingly busy dance card. As the years go by, I consider the quality of my relationships to be the most important asset necessary to be happy. #2: Exercise more. Staying healthy is easier when your life is filled with people who you value and vice versa. However, over the years it became apparent that completing a workout took more than joining a gym. All too often I would blow it off for one reason or another. My coach training reinforced what I had already learned: making a change happens when you create accountability to reach an objective. In the end I decided to hire a personal trainer to help me stay on Letters 6

AUGUST 19, 2022

track and help hold me responsible to deliver on my commitment towards better health by simply showing up. #3: Make Board service fun. Being a board member carries a big responsibility and can be stressful at times. To help minimize burnout and retain the incredible skills my fellow board members bring to the table, I know it is important to just enjoy being together doing something that takes our minds off the day-to-day and sharing a laugh or two. After two years of social distancing, we cannot wait to let it all hang out over Labor Day weekend at SUNFESTIVAL, CAMP Rehoboth’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The weekend kicks off on Saturday, September 3, featuring headliner comedian Judy Gold, where we plan to laugh the night away. Before the show, there will be a silent and live auction featuring fabulous trips, concert tickets, and much more. You must be there to win so make sure to check out the ad on page 11 and article on page 8 to learn more.

On Sunday, September 4, the mirrored disco ball will once again hang from the convention center ceiling at Sundance.

Back by popular demand, legendary Studio 54 DJ Robbie Leslie starts the night at the Sundance Disco Twilight Tea playing your favorite “songs with words.” Direct from New York, remixer, producer, DJ James Anthony finishes the night with his “big room” sound.

Tickets are limited so check out ads on pages 7 and 13 for more information.

While I am confident in the progress I have made towards my personal goals and am incredibly proud of the steps we are taking to continue to grow and transform CAMP Rehoboth, there is always more work to be done. I look forward to an amazing SUNFESTIVAL to cap off what has already proven to be an incredible summer, for both me personally and for this wonderful organization.

Wesley Combs is CAMP Rehoboth Board President.

TRANSITION

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s the next step forward in its ongoing leadership transition, the Board of Directors of CAMP Rehoboth Community Center has issued a request for proposals to identify a Strategic Planning Consultant to help assess and update CAMP’s strategic plan. CAMP plans to remain a relevant and a nimble resource as we continue our mission to “Create A More Positive (CAMP) Rehoboth.” We invite you to help the Board find a forward-thinking and innovative consultant to help guide it through this process. If you know of someone, are interested in responding, or need more information, please visit our website: camprehoboth.com/employment.

CAMP Rehoboth’s ongoing evolution also includes a physical transformation thanks to two grants—totaling more than $170,000— received from the State of Delaware. These funds will help us modernize our facilities, create a more private HIV testing space in the back of the courtyard, put a new roof over our heads, and make improvements to increase energy efficiency and overall security. If you know of someone in the community with experience managing renovation projects who can provide support on a volunteer basis, please contact Interim Director Lisa Evans. ▼

Buy your tickets today for

Labor Day Weekend Events benefitting camp rehoboth

Saturday, September 3, 6:30 PM - 9 PM featuring Emmy Award Winning Comedian

JUDY GOLD PLUS awesome Live and silent auction packages Gen. Admission

$50 + cash bar

scan QR code BELOW for tickets and more Information

VIP packages available.

For more information, visit

Sunday, September 4 $50 includes open bar 7 pm – 10 pm 10 pm – 1 am SUNDANCE Disco Twilight Tea with

SUNDANCE Big Room Sound with

DJ Robbie Leslie

DJ James Anthony

camprehoboth.com/sunfestival2022 AUGUST 19, 2022

7 Letters

SUNFESTIVAL

LIVE AUCTION Two First-class Airline Tickets and a Week’s Stay at the Best Address in Puerto Rico

S

UNFESTIVAL 2022’s highlights will include the always-popular Live and Silent Auctions. Bidders can try their luck, hoping to win exotic trips, tickets to some of the hottest concerts and Broadway shows, and so much more.

The Live Auction will be held Saturday, September 3, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Running just prior to the start of Judy Gold’s hilarious stand-up show, crowd favorite Lorne Crawford returns as our professional auctioneer.

Bidding for the curated Silent Auction, which will be done exclusively online, opens to the public on Sunday, August 28, and ends on Saturday, September 3, at 11:59 p.m.

“Thanks to the generosity of our many donors, this year’s SUNFESTIVAL Auction is better than ever, with the Live Auction featuring travel, exclusive experiences, and more.

The Silent Auction is all about variety, with something for everyone—food enthusiasts, those looking for a distinctive item to enhance their décor, or folks seeking relaxation and enjoyment.

“Get ready to start bidding—acquire the item(s) of your dreams and support CAMP Rehoboth in the process,” said Auction Co-chair and Board member Natalie Moss.

Winners can pick up their items at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on Sunday, September 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or Monday, September 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

All proceeds from SUNFESTIVAL benefit CAMP Rehoboth, a nonprofit corporation, and support the activities and programs it provides to Rehoboth Beach and surrounding communities. For more information, go to camprehoboth.com/sunfestival2022.

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AUGUST 19, 2022

You and a guest will enjoy a relaxing week’s stay at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico. Your getaway will include two first-class airline tickets from the airport of your choice (in the continental United States) on United Airlines, and a luxurious week’s stay at this exquisite 5-star resort located on 483 pristine acres that include two miles of secluded beaches. Take in spectacular views while relaxing in a deluxe guest room that includes balcony views of the lush tropical surroundings. Donor: Danny Sebright

Two Tickets and One-night Hotel Stay for 2022’s Most Talked-about Concert

Hot on the heels of Lizzo’s new album release, Special, you can bid on two amazing seats to the tour everyone is speaking about, at the September 27 show at DC’s Capital One Arena. Friends will be green with envy when you snag two tickets to Lizzo’s biggest North American headline tour to date, with support from special guests Latto and Saucy Santana on select dates. The package includes a one-night hotel stay at a top Washington, DC hotel. Donor: Clay Ellis, Maritz Global Events

Trip for Two on Adventure Bears’ Fall 2023 Cruise

Join Adventure Bears as they set sail on the Celebrity Equinox for a 9-day/8-night cruise to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao from Ft. Lauderdale. This laid-back, allinclusive cruise for gay furry men and their friends is scheduled for October 14-22, 2023. Package includes a single- or double-occupancy room, classic beverage package for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin, Wi-Fi for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin, one device per guest, and pre-paid gratuities for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin.

Winners are responsible for airfare, taxes, fees, and port expenses. Donor: Clay Ellis, Maritz Global Events

“...this year’s SUNFESTIVAL Auction is better than ever” — NATALIE MOSS, AUCTION CO - CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBER—

SUNFESTIVAL

Trip for Two on Olivia’s 50th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise II

Next year will mark 50 golden years of Olivia - let’s celebrate our Golden Anniversary together! Sail out of Ft. Lauderdale on February 26, 2023, on Holland America MS Nieuw Amsterdam; ports of call on this 8-day/7-night cruise include Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay. Donor: Olivia Travel

QR CODE will take you to the auction site, where you’ll be able to create a bidder’s account, access a bidding how-to, browse packages and view package details, and— place your bids!

P LE A S E B I D G E N E R O U S LY

SILENT AUCTION BID ONLINE!  SODEL Concepts Gift Basket Four Matt’s Fish Camp

t-shirts (size L) + $100 gift certificate to any SODEL restaurant.

 Paul’s Kitchen Gift Basket Wine! Olive oil! Spices! Chef Paul Cullen packed a basketful.

 Never Never Land Kennel & Cattery. Two nights’ boarding (up to $102) and grooming (up to $55).

 Mod Cottage Beautiful Mariposa Large Rope Serving Bowl. Includes serving set.

 C.F. Martin 0KK Concert Ukulele Gorgeous, versatile, Hawaiian koa instrument.

 Geri Dibiase Photograph on Canvas “Colors of Old

San Juan,” this colorful photo (21”x30”) will brighten any room.

 Fins Gift Package $200 in gift cards + Fins & Big Oyster swag (t-shirt size S).

 Décor Design Center of Rehoboth Beautiful, unique

coral lamp by Wildwood. No two lamps are painted the same. ▼

AUGUST 19, 2022

9 Letters

b bie Le

DJ

j

es an t on

ie

DJ

am

h

sl

Ro

y 10 pm - 1 am

7 PM - 10 pm

PLATINUM SPONSORS Edward Chrzanowski

GOLD SPONSORS Wes Combs and Greg Albright

Danny Sebright

SILVER SPONSORS Sondra N. Arkin

Bronze SPONSORS Lewis Dawley & Greg Becker

Natalie Moss & Evelyn Maurmeyer

Christine Lay & Dr. Mari Blackburn

Joe Filipek & Larry Richardson

Karl Hornberger

Jennifer Rubenstein & Diane Scobey

Kent Swarts & Chris Hughes

Leslie Sinclair & Debbie Woods

Gary Seiden & Ah Bashir

Denise Karas compass RE

Andy & Steven Jaskulsky

Jon adler Kaplan & Cliff Lassahn

Rex Varner & Tom Balling

Jay Chalmers & John Potthast

Chris Rouchard

Easy Rider Stable Chris & Daryl

Letters 10

AUGUST 19, 2022

Thomas Porter

Melissa Kaufman

Jeffrey Kusch

bid on exotic trips, hottest broadway/concert tickets and more at

SUNFESTIVAL silent* & live auctionS Saturday September 3 from 6:30 to 9:00 pm

(Live Auction Just prior to start of Judy Gold’s hilarious stand-up show)

Two first class airline tickets and a week’s stay at the best address in Puerto Rico

Two tickets and one-night hotel stay for the 2022’s most talked about concert

You and a guest will enjoy a relaxing week stay at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico. Your getaway will include two first-class airline tickets from the airport of your choice on United Airlines in the Continental United States and a luxurious week’s stay at this exquisite 5-star resort located on 483 pristine acres that include 2 miles of secluded beaches. Take in spectacular views while relaxing in a deluxe guest room that includes balcony views of the lush tropical surroundings.

Hot on the heels of Lizzo’s new album release, Special, you can bid on two amazing seats to the tour everyone is speaking about at the September 27th show at DC’s Capital One Arena. Friends will be green with envy when you snag two tickets to Lizzo’s biggest North American headline tour to date with support from special guests Latto and Saucy Santana on select dates. The package includes a one-night hotel stay at a top Washington, DC hotel.

Trip for two on Olivia’s 50th Anniversary Caribbean Cruise II

Trip for two on Adventure Bears fall 2022 cruise

2023 will mark 50 golden years of Olivia: Let’s celebrate together!

Olivia is planning the biggest celebration for our GOLDEN L ANNIVERSARY. Not only is ‘L’ the Roman numeral for 50, but it also represents so much of what Olivia stands for: from Lesbian to Liberation to Love!

Sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale from February 26 to March 5, 2023 on Holland America’s MS Nieuw Amsterdam, ports on this 8-day/7-night cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale include Grand Turk/Turks & Caicos, San Juan, Charlotte Amalie/St. Thomas, and Half Moon Cay/Bahamas.

By popular demand, the first week sold out in record time, so they’ve added a second week for this cruise.

Join Adventure Bears as they set sail on the Celebrity Equinox for a 9-day/8-night cruise to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao from Ft. Lauderdale. This laid-back, all-inclusive cruise for gay furry men and their friends on their Fall 2023 (Oct 14, 2023, to Oct 22, 2023).

Package includes a single or double-occupancy room, Classic Beverage Package for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin, Wi-Fi for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin, one device per guest, pre-Paid gratuities for 1st and 2nd guests in the cabin. Winners are responsible for airfare, taxes, fees and port expenses.

*Bidding for the silent auction will be done exclusively online and opens on August 28th and ends on Saturday, September 3rd.

All proceeds from SUNFESTIVAL benefit CAMP Rehoboth. For more details, visit www.camprehoboth.com/sunfestival2022.

AUGUST 19, 2022

11 Letters

SUNFESTIVAL

BY NANCY SAKADUSKI

Yes, She Can Say That Judy Gold Headlines SUNFESTIVAL

I

f there were a Swiss army knife of the entertainment world, it might well be Judy Gold. She’s an actor, TV writer, producer, podcast host, storyteller, musician, author, and standup comedian, but the common denominator is that she’s funny. Funny enough to win two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work as a writer and producer on The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Funny enough to have her own off-Broadway show. And funny enough to have a long-running podcast called Kill Me Now with Judy Gold.

One of her best-known efforts was her one-woman show, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, co-written with Kate Moira Ryan and described as “a performance piece that explores it all: from rugelach to rabbis, matzoh to marriage, Ann Landers to Anne Frank, and guilt to G-D.” It was based on interviews with more than 50 Jewish mothers and included stories about her own mother and her own life as a lesbian Jewish mom.

Judy Gold has made two prior appearances in Rehoboth—2009 and 2014—and is now set to headline at SUNFESTIVAL on September 3. Fay Jacobs (no slouch in the comedy department herself) says, “Judy is royalty in the LGBTQ comedy world. Her humor is smart and hilarious, and she does so much for our community.” And that last part is why Judy Gold is more than just funny.

“When I started in the ’80s, I didn’t talk about being gay,” Judy says. “I was working all the mainstream clubs, and I wanted to be a comedian who happened to be gay.” Things changed when she had a child. Suddenly, “I had all this material about being a lesbian mom.” So, in the mid ’90s, she decided to come out as a gay parent in the mainstream clubs. “Most of the gay comics were working in safe rooms, and I just was like, ‘Every comic talks about their family. I’m talking about my family.’” She worked straight clubs and shows on Comedy Central, “and it was just ‘there’s Judy—she’s funny, and she happens to be gay and talking about her partner and her kids.’”

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When told that Fay Jacobs acknowledged her contribution and called her royalty, Judy is overcome. “Oh, my God! That is so sweet.” She jokes, “I love you, Fay Jacobs,” but admits, “it really makes

“Judy is royalty in the LGBTQ comedy world.

Her humor is smart and hilarious, and she does so much for our community.” me feel good. It touches my heart.”

On her podcast Kill Me Now with Judy Gold, Judy and her guests discuss things that annoy them and it’s a long list. “It’s not like I get older and I’m getting less aggravated,” she says. “Injustice, stupidity, ignorance…people who are not curious… what is happening?” She’s particularly concerned about free speech. “I really truly believe in free speech—all speech is free speech.”

It’s an issue that most comedians face.

And it’s gotten worse in today’s every-

thing-offends-somebody world. Still, Judy doesn’t shy away from controversy. “The more subversive the topic, the better the joke better be. You can joke about anything, but you better have a great joke.”

Judy even authored a book on the topic: Yes, I Can Say That: When They Come for the Comedians, We Are All in Trouble (Dey Street Books, 2020). In it, Judy says, “Laughter is a unifier. It’s the best medicine.” The book has received enthusiastic reviews. Funny lady Amy Schumer had this to say: “No one makes me laugh harder than Judy Gold.” {Ed. note: Judy will be signing copies of her book at Browseabout on Sunday, September 4, from 11:00 a.m. till noon.} There’s a long tradition of Jewish mother jokes, and being a lesbian Jewish mother gives Judy an additional comedic angle. “Thank God for the gays and the Jews,” Judy says. “They love to laugh.

People who are marginalized have the best sense of humor. We don’t take ourselves seriously.”

Judy has good memories of her past visits to Rehoboth. “When you perform in places where people are relaxed, they tend to laugh more,” she says. Judy and her wife, Elysa, are planning to stay for several days to enjoy the town and the beach. “We love it…we’ll definitely take advantage of being there.”

When asked what topics she might address during her SUNFESTIVAL performance, she keeps her jokes pretty close to the vest, but playfully says, “I’m going to talk about Fay Jacobs, for sure.” When pressed, she says, “I’m definitely going to be talking about free speech and cancel culture and how ridiculous it is.” And as in nearly all her work, “I’ll be talking about the LGBTQ community, my partner, and my relationship.”

Anything else? Oh, yes. “Tell Fay I can’t wait to see her. ▼ Nancy (Day) Sakaduski is an award-winning writer and editor who owns Cat & Mouse Press in Lewes, Delaware.

End the summer with CAMP Rehoboth at SUNFESTIVAL 2022!

Labor Day weekend’s annual benefit for CAMP Rehoboth — Delaware’s largest LGBTQ community center!

General Admission: $50 per person General Admission each night $90 SUNFESTIVAL PASS: $90, includes one ticket to each night Saturday night : Cash Bar Sunday night : Open BaR HOSt: Individual $100 • • • •

HOSt: couple $200

Name listed as Host on: Recognition Board in lobby of Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Thank you ad in Letters.

1 ticket to Saturdayʼs Judy Gold concert/live auction Saturday night (Seating in Front Section B, cash bar).

1 ticket to Sundayʼs Sundance (open bar).

1 SUNFESTIVAL t-shirt.

• • • •

Name listed as Host on: Recognition Board in lobby of Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Thank you ad in Letters.

2 tickets to Saturdayʼs Judy Gold show/live auction (Seating in Front Section B, cash bar).

2 tickets to Sunday nightʼs Sundance (open bar).

2 SUNFESTIVAL t-shirts.

Last chance to be a SUNFESTIVAL Sponsor and be recognized in the next two issues of Letters!

To learn more, or to sign-up to be a Host or Sponsor, visit www.camprehoboth.com/SUNFESTIVAL2022 or Contact CAMP Rehoboth at SUNFESTIVAL2022@camprehoboth.com

comedian

Order Tickets Now

JUDY GOLD Saturday, September 3 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Rehoboth Beach Convention Center

AUGUST 19, 2022

13 Letters

CAMPNews CROP’s Call Answered!

T

he inaugural ME Festival for LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and allies was originally slated for Saturday, August 6, in Dover. (It now will take place Sunday, October 16.) Looking toward the original date, the CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) and CAMP staff member Amber Lee thought it would be a great idea to purchase backpacks and school supplies to hand out to youth participating in the festival.

To start, a wish list of school backpacks and supplies was posted on Amazon and a call went out for volunteers to purchase the various items—pencils, markers, notebooks, pencil cases, erasers, scissors, and more. A team of five met on July 23 to sort the bounty, filling 18 backpacks (and eight pencil boxes) with supplies.

Thanks to all who purchased, sorted, and stuffed! And special thanks to TCC Verizon for donating many backpacks to the event.

Though the festival was rescheduled, the backpacks will be given to youth involved with I AM ME, Inc., the nonprofit hosting the ME Festival. Both the organization and— most especially!—the children/youth receiving supplies appreciate all who donated. ▼

The Altern New Episode

I

n this episode, podcast co-host (and CAMP Rehoboth Youth Peer Leader) Julian Harbaugh is interviewed by marketing and outreach strategist Raye Maguire from Frostburg University.

They discuss the “Don’t Say Gay” bills, the increase in violence toward the queer community, and the history of the current “groomer” rhetoric. It’s a great conversation, and the podcast is thrilled to be able to share it. Find The Altern on Instagram @thealternde, and listen on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms. ▼

One More Market

C

AMP Rehoboth’s Handmade Markets runs from 5:00 till 8:00 p.m. the second Friday of each month during the summer season. It wrapped up its regular season on Friday, August 12, and will offer a special market on Friday, December 9.

(The perfect time and place to pick up some great holiday gifts!)

Market vendors: don’t forget to register for CAMP Rehoboth’s Block Party on Sunday, October 16! Interested in learning more or signing up for the markets?

Contact matty@camprehoboth.com or call 302-227-5620 for more information. ▼

Block Party Vendor Registration Now Open

R

egistration for vendor spaces at CAMP Rehoboth’s Block Party is now open. The Block Party will be held on the second block of Baltimore Avenue, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, October 16. Join for a day of celebration, performances, and vendors including local restaurants, caterers, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations.

A limited number of new vendor spaces are available for reservation on a first-come basis. The Block Party is a tremendous way to reach a broad and diverse group of attendees, while supporting CAMP Rehoboth.

Space and tents are limited. Payment/registration is due by September 30, 2022. Event is rain or shine.

Registration fee is non-refundable after September 30. ▼

CAMPsafe Adds Distribution Points

C

AMPsafe has two new condom distribution points: Carvel Gardens and Hollybrook, housing complexes in Laurel, Delaware. CAMPsafe thanks Betty Carmean (Carvel Gardens) and Trina Ruark (Hollybrook) for partnering with CAMPsafe.

Interested in getting added to our distribution points? Contact Health & Wellness Specialist Patricia Clear at PatriciaC@camprehoboth.com. ▼

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.

Letters 14

AUGUST 19, 2022

1M

W ALK

13t h SUN

E

I VA L 5 K T S

To register visit seashorestriders.com and select 13th Sun Festival 5k & 1mi Walk

&

F

CONTACT: Tim Bamforth, Seashore Strider Race Director at tim@seashorestrider.com

SunFestival5k

Sunday, August 28, 2022 - 8:00am RACE: Start & Finish at the bandstand | POST-RACE PARTY: CAMP Rehoboth 37 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE. 19971

CAMP REHOBOTH

SAVE THE DATE! SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16 11 AM-4 PM

2022

On the 2nd block of Baltimore Avenue

Vendor/Sponsor information available at CAMP Rehoboth.

Call 302-227-5620, or email blockparty@camprehoboth.com AUGUST 19, 2022

15 Letters

Out & About

BY ERIC C. PETERSON

Down in the Depths on the 90th Floor

M

any are calling this the summer of the gay rom-com. First, there was Hulu’s Fire Island, a modern gay take on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Then, Netflix premiered Heartstopper, an adorable love story between blazered British boys in high school. In September, Billy Eichner’s Bros, the first gay romantic comedy ever released by a major studio, will hit theatres. But first, Netflix has released a new comedy in eight half-hour episodes, called Uncoupled.

I watched the entirety of Uncoupled‘s first season over the course of three days. Created by Darren Star (Sex & the City) and Jeffrey Richman (Modern Family), it tells the story of Michael (Neil Patrick Harris), a gay New Yorker in his late forties who was just unceremoniously dumped by his partner of 17 years. As the show progresses, so do Michael’s stages of grief, including classics like denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, with a few curveballs thrown in, including dating apps, hookup apps, how to take a good naughty selfie, bad places for Botox, and the gay generational divide.

My bad breakup was a decade ago, so the wounds are healed and scarred over at this point, but watching this show was incredibly validating in many respects. I remember the dizzying and sick feeling when the person you thought you knew so well became completely unrecognizable. And the internal struggle that happens when you’ve assured your friends they don’t have to choose between you and your ex, but you really, really want them to choose you and only you. A bad breakup can make you feel untethered from reality and watching someone go through it—even 10 years later—is comforting.

That being said, I’m happy to report that Uncoupled is also very entertaining. The people are gorgeous and glamorous, the New York locales are ritzy and glittery, and the dialogue Letters 16

AUGUST 19, 2022

sparkles like the copious amounts of champagne that people drink on this show. Unfortunately, what I call entertaining is what a lot of the critics who watch television for a living are calling “out of touch.”

The gay men who people this series carry not an ounce of internalized homophobia in their psyches.

NPR’s Glen Weldon writes about Michael’s heartbreak this way: “He’s crestfallen, yes, but the chief hurdles the series struggles to clear is how difficult it becomes to root for the embittered Michael as he whines to his friends in those [amazing] apartments and clubs and galleries and bars with $25 Negronis.”

Meanwhile, Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter notes that “Uncoupled demonstrates little curiosity… about the world outside Michael’s bubble—wealthy, mostly white cis gay men in their 40s.” That’s a fair criticism, but not entirely accurate. Unlike other New York-centric shows like Sex & the City or Friends where people of color were almost never to be found (and it was practically “Very Special Episode” territory when one finally appeared), Uncoupled features fantastic performances by many actors of color, including Tisha Campbell and Emerson Brooks in recurring roles as part of Michael’s inner circle, and Jai Rodriguez and the brilliantly droll Andre DeShields as a friend and neighbor, respectively.

I’m guessing that what Han means is that the show feels awfully white

(even if it’s not). This is probably due to what Time magazine, in its review of the show, called “affluenza,” a fictional disease carried by one-percenters that makes them oblivious to anyone’s struggles but their own. No, there aren’t any stories here that dwell on the pain of oppression, based on race or anything else—including, by the way, sexual orientation. The gay men who people this series carry not an ounce of internalized homophobia in their psyches.

After all, why should they? They’re rich and gorgeous.

And…am I, a practitioner of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the past two decades, to say that’s okay? Yes, there are issues out here in the real world that desperately need our focus. Roe v. Wade has been overturned by the Supreme Court, marriage equality may very well be next, and Black women have to work 19 months to get paid what the average white man takes home in 12. These are pressing problems, and— as I often write about here—the stories we watch and hear and read have a big impact on how we see the world and all its troubles. But sometimes these same stories, provided they do no harm, can also serve as a joyous and necessary escape.

So yes, Michael is a 49-year-old with a fabulous Gramercy apartment complete with private terrace, a dazzling smile, a quick wit, and killer abs. He and his friends are fun to watch. And yet, if this show is about anything, it’s about heartbreak and how people move through it—and how it can happen to anyone, even pretty people with zillion dollar condos. ▼ Eric Peterson is a Diversity & Inclusion practitioner. His first novel (Loyalty, Love & Vermouth) is available online at Rehoboth’s Browseabout Books. The Rewind Project is available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Make your next move with the Chris Beagle Group A new direction in Real Estate. Whether you are buying, selling, or investing in Southern Delaware, Maryland, or DC, trust the experts on our team to make it happen!

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AUGUST 19, 2022

17 Letters

THE WAY WE WERE

BY FAY JACOBS

Peeking Inside Our Closets

Y

ears ago, Rehoboth had blocks and blocks of rustic cottages—real summer places, with skimpy outdoor shower faucets, plank floors caked with sand, and furniture capable of surviving wet, mildewy towels.

And for over 70 years, the Rehoboth Art League has been hosting its wonderful Cottage Tour. Just like everything else in life, evolution has had its impact. These days it’s definitely not your grandmother’s summer cottage tour.

Nowadays the Art League’s Cottage Tour is part decorator showcase, part art appreciation, and part eat-your-heart-outthat-you-didn’t-buy-property-in-Rehobothwhen-it-was-affordable.

Back in the day, the Cottage Tour was one way for Rehoboth’s growing LGBTQ community to introduce itself to the population at large—especially to people who might not have frequented our early gayowned restaurants and bars. And to folks who might have been fearful about the growing queer population in their town.

Let’s face it, the Cottage Tour is a nosy person’s dream come true. You get to check out the decor and personal effects of strangers. What better fun than to peer into other people’s living rooms, dens, bedrooms, and closets?

And speaking of closets, some cottage owners, intentionally or not, used the tour to come out to visitors. On my first tour, I remember a house with a framed National Coming Out Day poster in a guest room and copies of Letters from CAMP Rehoboth casually displayed in visible places. I was happy to see it.

In the late 90s and early 2000s, when I went on the League’s Cottage Tour, the throngs tromping through the residences were often as entertaining as the tours.

At one home, above the mantle was an enormous and dramatic oil painting of the homeowners. It was beautiful and sensuous.

Two very senior ladies entered behind me. “Look at the lovely piano, and that wonderful paint.... My word, that’s two men. Oh my.”

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AUGUST 19, 2022

Enraptured, they stared at the painting until I thought their little straw handbags would fall to the floor. It begged the question of exactly what Rehoboth rock they had been under, but it was surely a teaching moment.

What better fun than to peer into other people’s living rooms, dens, bedrooms, and closets?

As the ladies toddled off, they made a point of looking at all the personal photos in the subsequent rooms, confirming what they saw downstairs in oil paint. The pair seemed to suffer no ill effects from the initial shock.

At another rainbow abode, the homeowner was upstairs, gleefully showing enthralled visitors a Barbra Streisand video on his 2002, very new, high-definition TV. This caused the tour to back up like Saturday at Five Points. “Turn off the TV,” instructed the downstairs Art League docent. “We’ve got to get things moving!”

That charming Munson home with the light pink exterior was sadly demolished years ago.

As the cottage destinations included an increasing number of same-sex households, so too were the tour participants both straight and gay. And all of the homes were magnificent in their own ways.

It’s interesting to note that by looking at the bookshelves you couldn’t always tell a book owner’s orientation by the book covers. Sure, there were lots of fine art books and intriguing design tomes, but houses on both teams had John Grisham hardbacks and other popular fiction. A non-gay household had the latest Judy Garland bio. Perfect.

Stereotypes be gone.

In those days, when many folks in town bumper-stickered their cars with the slogan “Keep Rehoboth a Family Town”— and we knew what that meant—the Cottage Tour went a long way in showing that our divided community was more alike than different.

As throngs of people tromped through the homes—often over 1,400 people over two days—the cottage occupants all chose different ways to wait out the busybody invasion.

Some of the gay men stayed home, offering meticulously decorated baked goods to the crowds, a further way of introducing themselves to the attendees. Conversations ensued and acquaintances were made.

The first female same-sex cottage owners showed off their personallyconstructed, made-to-withstandhurricanes outdoor shower. And their well-appointed tool shed. Yes, some stereotypes did remain relevant.

And, for the most part, the cottagepeekers were very well-behaved, ooh-ing and ahhh-ing at the properties, decor, art, and statuary. The army of volunteer docents, schooled by the homeowners, could point out particularly wonderful pieces of art or fill visitors in on the history or idiosyncrasies of each home.

On one of my early Cottage Tours, I actually witnessed two women walk into a gargantuan walk-in closet and study it.

In a hushed, slow, and almost reverential tone, one woman said to the other, “Pants on the left; pants on the right…. I’ve never been in a gay couple’s closet before. This is so interesting….”

Seriously? Seriously. And so it went, with those Art League Cottage Tours helping to cement Rehoboth’s reputation as happily diverse, with room for all. ▼ Fay Jacobs is the author of five published books and is touring with her one-woman sitdown comedy show, Aging Gracelessly.

You’ve Always Belonged Here . . .

Lana Warfield 16712 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE Office: 302-645-6661 Cell: 302-236-2430 E-mail: lcwarfield@hotmail.com rehoboth guest 28-02_Layout 1 3/30/2018 2:13 PMLLCPage 1 A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates,

AUGUST 19, 2022

19 Letters

CommunityNews Delaware’s LGBTQ+ Community A Research and Digital Engagement Project

S

tories of Delaware’s LGBTQ+ community throughout time will soon have their moment in the spotlight. Over the next year, the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs (DHCA) will embark on Delaware’s first holistic project to capture those stories and important moments across the state and make them accessible to the public.

“Different people have told different pieces of this story, but it’s not a history that’s been told on any large scale or in any cohesive manner for the entire state,” said Meg Hutchins, project lead and the division’s engagement and collections manager. “This will be an expanded resource, a clearinghouse almost, for this history.”

A small team, led by Hutchins, will spend the coming months gathering key stories and moments in history that matter to Delawareans who identify with the LGBTQ+ community. The project will culminate with an online digital platform that will house the material collected— the cultural information regarding the people, places, and things associated with the queer community. The platform is expected to be accessible to the public in mid-2023 and is itself designed to be easily updated over time.

Public Libraries Expand Telehealth Kiosk Program

Professional researcher Carolanne Deal will work directly with members of the community to collect their stories, and DHCA aims to connect closely with community members to ensure a holistic and diverse project outcome.

While it will include national context, the project is specifically Delaware-focused.

It will be a first-of-its-kind resource that experts hope will pave the way to highlighting other minority communities and overlooked historical stories of Delawareans.

“A big reason we’re doing this work is that the history of the LGBTQ+ community everywhere has had problems with longevity because, when a big part of people’s identities was considered illegal for so long and constantly under threat, it can be difficult to tell those stories because the places and things they connect with tend not to stick around,” Hutchins explained. “We hope to tell a diverse story, so people are represented and see themselves and everybody in the queer community as being a part of this Delaware history and this story.”

To share information that you think will be helpful to the project, contact the team by emailing carolanne.deal@ delaware.gov.

I

n 2021 Delaware became home to the first statewide, library-led telehealth initiative in the country, with placement of telehealth booths in public libraries in Laurel, Milford, and Seaford. (Lewes Library also now has a booth.) From the beginning, there were plans to expand the program, both into additional libraries and into services beyond the “telehealth” implied by the booth’s name.

Types of service expansion plans have long been realized; soon, expansion beyond the four existing sites will be as well, as funding has been secured to install an additional eight booths throughout the state.

Each kiosk affords users access to many types of service, including online medical appointments, Zoom meetings with employers or lawyers, job interviews, and even counseling/therapy sessions.

The kiosks are 100 percent soundproof, include air filtration systems, and self-clean using ultraviolet light. Each offers access to free internet and iPad/laptop use. Kiosks are handicap accessible and can fit two to three people at a time.

A library staff person is available to assist users at each site. Use of the kiosks is free.

Reservations are required and can be made online at getconnected.delawarelibraries. org or by contacting the individual library. ▼

Know o t s Thing My Mom: y, About

e attorn d e r i t 1. Re eal Estate FT R 16712 Kings Highway, Lewes Agent 302.645.6661 e c i v r e S tomer t! s u C .

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The DonnaWhiteside Group 302.381.4871 donnawhiteside@gotogallo.com A member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates, LLC

Letters 20

AUGUST 19, 2022

AUGUST 19, 2022

21 Letters

Training CAMP

BY JON ADLER KAPLAN

Summertime Ocean Swimming

“S

ummertime…and the living is easy…fish are jumping… and the ocean is warm.…”

Those are not exactly the words to the song, but the water temperature is perfect for those who love to swim in the fresh, open ocean. September is one of the best months to swim in Delaware. Ocean swimming can be one of the most exhilarating experiences of summer. But it also offers challenges that ocean swimmers need to be aware of before venturing into the vast body of water.

Look! Check out the water conditions before you dive in: One of the easiest ways to research the water is to ask a lifeguard if there is anything you should be aware of before you go out. If a lifeguard is not present, use common sense. Look for strong winds, weather changes, and jellyfish on the shoreline. Be aware of jetties and old piers and avoid getting too close as unseen currents can slam you into the rocks without notice.

Stay calm: If you go into the ocean feeling stressed, you won’t enjoy your experience and you may be distracted from noticing important safety cues. Turn around and take a walk on the sand, and only enter the water when you are calm, cool, and collected.

September is one of the best months to swim in Delaware.

Swim near guards and the red flags: If for any reason you are swimming by yourself, alert the guards that you are going for a swim. If there are no guards out when you are swimming, ask some friends or friendly people on the beach to keep an eye out for you, and never swim alone!

Stay close to the shoreline: Use common sense and do not go too far away from the shoreline. A good rule of thumb is to Letters 22

AUGUST 19, 2022

go just past where the waves are starting to break. This will allow you to swim in a calm space and not be tossed around.

It makes it easier for breathing as well.

Don’t forget: you are only halfway through your swim when you turn around. Save energy for the swim back to shore!

Have the right tools: The beauty of swimming in the ocean is that you don’t need much, but there are a couple of tools that can help make your experience safer and more comfortable.

1) Sunscreen: Try to use a sunscreen that isn’t harmful to the reefs and ocean life. You want to avoid chemicals such as oxibenzone and octinoxate. Safe Sea is 50+ SPF and has a jellyfish and sea lice barrier protection built in. If you experience a jelly fish sting, apply some vinegar which will help ease the sting.

2) UPF Swimwear: UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It is a system designed to measure the effectiveness of sun-protective fabrics.

This is unique and slightly different from the SPF system used to measure sunscreens, though before the UPF system, sun-protective clothing was also rated according to the SPF system.

While clothing with a UPF of 30 or more provides good protection against the sun’s rays, for optimal protection, look for clothing with UPF 50 or higher.

3) Wetsuits: I bought my first wetsuit last year and love it! Although it is a production to put on and take off, it has many advantages. It will definitely keep you warmer. Not only when the water is cold, but also if you want to stay in the water 30 minutes or longer. It will also help protect your skin from sunburn, jellyfish, and sea lice. Wearing a wetsuit helps you to float more easily as well, which is a huge advantage in the ocean.

Remember: you need to be aware and watch your surroundings when you venture out into the ocean for a swim. Enjoy the beach and ocean, but most importantly—be safe! ▼ Jon Adler Kaplan is a Health Coach and Fitness Trainer both virtually and at Rise Fitness and Adventure. Email Jon with any fitness questions at jonadlerkaplan@gmail.com Photo: Erik Dungan on Unsplash.com

We are here for you.

We know these are stressful times, and we know that coming together and helping one another is how we get through them.

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As your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, I will help you create a plan that makes sense for you and your goals. With our knowledge and resources we will help you manage risk and keep your plan on track, so you can focus on all that’s happening in life.

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Associate Vice President Financial Advisor 55 Cascade Lane +1 302 644-6620 Jennifer.Harpel@morganstanley.com NMLS #1310708

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23 Letters

Words Matter

BY CLARENCE FLUKER

We Have to Take Care of Each Other

W

hen I was in college my uncle died. I grieved his death and grappled with a host of emotions. That experience continues to influence how I see myself and the world. At his funeral I saw his ex. I was standing alone near the exit door, and he came over to offer his condolences. He and I had never held any real deep conversation. Until that point, we’d only exchanged hellos and goodbyes, typically when he accompanied my uncle to my grandmother’s house. I didn’t know much about him other than he was my uncle’s boyfriend and for once my grandmother seemed to approve of the guy my uncle was dating.

It was brief, but it was the longest talk we’d ever had, and I was grateful he saw me, maybe more than I saw myself, and thought it important for him to make a connection that day. I don’t recall all that we talked about, only the feelings of comfort and visibility and the last words he said just as he walked away. “We’ve got to take care of each other.” Over the years those parting words have come back to me, time and time again. Those words have provided a springboard for my actions and courage for my voice a thousand times over. We must take care of each other.

A couple of weeks ago, I opened my social media and there was a surprising and brave video posted by a buddy of mine. He was experiencing early symptoms of what he believed to be and later was confirmed as monkeypox. For the next week and a half, he shared openly what was happening with his body, his emotions, and his process of navigating the health system to get the assistance he needed to diagnose and ease his pain. This friend of mine is well known in his community, has more than 20,000 social media flowers, and didn’t at all have to share his lived experience, but he did so because he thought it could help other people.

Not only did he share content of himself and what was going on with him, he fielded questions from others and repeatedly posted updated information from the CDC and links from health departments from multiple jurisdictions that provided information for vaccine registration.

Monkeypox is a global problem, a national challenge, and a local opportunity to take care of each other.

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AUGUST 19, 2022

Shame could have prevented him from doing any of those things, but instead, he used his platform during his illness to be transparent and connect his community to resources and accurate information that he knew others may need and not necessarily know where to get it or be comfortable going to find it.

The current monkeypox outbreak spreading across the United States is not exclusive to gay men and other men who have sex with men, but it is disproportionately impacting the community.

To that end, now is a time when we can commit ourselves to taking care of each other. We can take care of ourselves and others by keeping informed on the latest news and updates provided by the health department, hospitals, and trusted community health organizations. We can take care of each other by monitoring our own bodies and if we have reason to believe that we need medical attention, we seek it, or that if we should isolate, that we do so to reduce the risk of harm to someone else. We can take care of each other by being mindful of our words and how we talk about the disease and not using language that stigmatizes, shames, blames, or furthers the hurt of people with the disease.

Monkeypox is a global problem, a national challenge, and a local opportunity to take care of each other. Our community has risen to the moment in the past in order to keep each other and others safe and we can individually and collectively commit and take actions do it again. We have to take care of each other, and we will.

Clarence J. Fluker is a public affairs and social impact strategist. Since 2008, he’s also been a contributing writer for Swerv, a lifestyle periodical celebrating African American LGBTQ+ culture and community. Follow him on Twitter: @CJFluker or Instagram: @Mr_CJFluker.

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AUGUST 19, 2022

25 Letters

Health in Our Community

Monkeypox FAQs with DPH

O

n Wednesday, August 3, CAMP Rehoboth spoke with Camille Moreno-Gorrín, a senior epidemiologist with the Delaware Division of Public Health, for the latest updates on the monkeypox virus.

We posed some of the most frequently asked questions from the community.

CAMP REHOBOTH: How is monkeypox transmitted? Is it airborne at all?

CAMILLE MORENO-GORRÍN: Airborne transmission has not been documented.

It is spread through direct contact with an infected person, especially contact with the lesions that appear during the rash period of the illness.

CR: Why is this being labeled a “men who have sex with men” (MSM) issue?

CMG: Some of the cases observed around the world and the US have been among MSM, but it is not restricted to these groups. Monkeypox is a disease that affects everyone. There was even a pediatric case reported by California. We don’t like to message that this is restricted to certain groups—it can affect anyone and is not restricted to certain sexual behaviors either.

CR: Can you expand on how the virus is transmitted through direct contact?

CMG: Direct contact through any bodily fluids, including kissing, cuddling, and sharing drinks [could cause infection].

That’s what we’re observing in Delaware and the cases we’ve seen nationally.

Primarily, it’s been sexual transmission, although we’ve seen persons become infected without any sort of sexual interaction.

CR: What about surface contact?

CMG: It’s possible, but lower risk. It’s not highly transmissible through inanimate objects, but it’s still a risk. We take that into consideration when speaking with persons who’ve had close contact with an infection. We ask if they’ve had close contact with linens—a hotel room or something where the linens are soiled. We take that into consideration.

CR: What precautions should be made ahead of large-scale events?

CMG: The most important thing to highLetters 26

AUGUST 19, 2022

light is public awareness. It’s important to highlight: “if you feel sick, stay home.”

There are some symptoms that come before the rash, so people should look at whether they’re feeling feverish, have a running nose, or feel fatigued. The rash can appear two to four days after those symptoms appear. So monitoring, know-

HIV PrEP and HIV PEP are both different from PrEP and PEP for monkeypox. They are different treatments. ing your body, and knowing if you were exposed to someone with a rash [are important preventative steps]. If your partner tells you that they think they have a rash, then try to get tested. Take the proper precautions before attending that event.

CR: Where can people get tested?

CMG: People should visit their primary care doctor as their first choice. There is the option to get tested via our public health clinics here in Delaware for people who are un- or under-insured. Commercial labs such as LabCorp and Quest are also conducting tests. That’s been a great help to us at the health department to expand testing opportunities.

CR: How exactly can uninsured persons get tested?

CMG: The preferred route at this moment

is to call our office at 1-888-295-5156.

We can screen callers and can identify whether they have high risk factors—for example, if they have HIV or are on HIV PrEP. We can identify whether they have symptoms that are compatible with monkeypox, and then we’ll refer them to one of our clinics.

CR: Why doesn’t Delaware have a vaccine when other states do? Are we going to get a vaccine?

CMG: The number of vaccine allocations that states get depends on the number of cases that they have and the concern of the disease in the community. We do not have a large number of cases. We have received three allocations of vaccine in Delaware [Ed. note: each allocation includes multiple doses of the vaccine], but it is being prioritized for persons who have been exposed to monkeypox (post-exposure prophylaxis; PEP) and to persons that belong to high-risk groups (they are HIV positive, or they have partners on HIV PrEP, or they reported having multiple sexual partners in the past 21 days). We take into consideration those high-risk factors, we screen them, and then we refer them. Unfortunately, it’s not something that’s widely available in the community, but we’re getting there. It depends on the allocation of cases.

CR: Why are persons who are HIV positive and persons on HIV PrEP most likely to get infected with monkeypox?

CMG: It’s the commonality in risk factors and risk behaviors that are identified in this outbreak that has been spreading via sexual contact. HIV also is predominately spread through sexual contact. Due to those commonalities, we want to make sure we are addressing those groups. We can assume that someone on HIV PrEP is more susceptible to being exposed to HIV. CR: Can you clarify the difference between PEP in reference to the monkeypox vaccine vs HIV PrEP? CMG: HIV PrEP and HIV PEP are both different from PrEP and PEP for monkeypox.

They are different treatments.

Continued on page 36

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27 Letters

health+wellness

BY ROBB MAPOU

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

I

n my last column, I wrote about how one can distinguish between normal everyday cognitive failures and signs of dementia. Here, I’ll provide tips to maintain and improve brain health. These are based on a 2020 updated review of strategies to prevent and slow dementia published in the medical journal The Lancet. The review identified 12 potentially controllable risk factors* that account for 40 percent of dementia cases. #1: Stay healthy. Risk factors directly related to brain health that can be addressed with your physician include high blood pressure, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, and diabetes. #2: Stay physically active. A big risk factor identified in The Lancet review is physical inactivity. Physical activity and exercise can also prevent or reduce obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.

This does not mean you have to start running marathons or going to the gym. Vigorous walking, light weight training, and outdoor physical activities such as gardening, hiking, rowing, and pickleball are great.

Balance training may reduce your risk of falls—many people enjoy yoga and tai chi. Fall prevention is important because falls are a frequent cause of brain injury in older adults—another risk factor in the 2020 review. Also, broken bones due to falls can cause extended infirmity and cognitive decline due to isolation. So, find a physical activity that you enjoy and do it daily for 20 to 30 minutes. #3: Socialize. Social isolation was another risk factor identified in the review. As one example, I saw a decline in my mother’s cognitive and physical functioning due to social isolation during the first year of the pandemic.

She lost all the social contact and activities she had previously enjoyed, which took a toll. Social inactivity can also lead to depression, and it appears that in-person social contact is better than Zoom, Facebook, or other virtual con-

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tact. So, see your friends, get involved with a new social group, or volunteer. #4: Challenge your brain. The Lancet noted that those with less education seem more prone to dementia. Although some may choose to go back to school and add another degree, most will not want to do this. But as we age and are no longer working, continuing to challenge our brains becomes important and may foster the growth of new neurons. The best way is through a new cognitive activity that you find challenging. You might take a class to learn something new such as an unfamiliar subject, a foreign language,

But as we age and are no longer working, continuing to challenge our brains becomes important and may foster the growth of new neurons. or how to play a musical instrument— many of my friends know that I favor the ukulele. If you enjoy puzzles, do more complex ones. Although the benefits of brain games such as Lumosity have been touted as helpful, there is limited research showing long-term benefits.

For the most part, people get better at these games, but this does not result in improved daily functioning. #5: Drink in moderation. Excessive consumption was a new risk factor in the 2020 review. A recent study lowered the amount of daily alcohol considered safe. However, study findings have been inconsistent. So, use good judgment. For men, the thinking has been no more than two alcoholic beverages a day and for women, no more than one. #6: Get some fresh air. Another new risk factor in the 2020 review was exposure to air pollution. Granted, many people are not fortunate enough

to live by the ocean. Also, the impact of air pollution builds over time for those living in cities. But we know that being in nature and green space can improve mood. And because depression is a risk factor for cognitive decline, being outdoors when weather permits is good therapy. #7: Finally, there are three important, controllable factors that were not mentioned in this review: First, lower your stress. Excessive stress over time taxes the body and the brain and can lead to depression. Most of the recommended activities can lower stress. However, if you find yourself unable to cope with stress, seek the help of an experienced therapist.

Second, maintain a regular sleep routine. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep. Research has shown that less can affect cognition, especially attention and memory. And, if you are having problems sleeping, speak with your physician about possible causes.

Third, maintain good nutrition. This can alleviate or reduce obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, which are often interrelated.

Want a structured program? Check out two books written by my colleagues: The Brain Health Book, by John Randolph, PhD., ABPP, and High Octane Brain, by Michelle Braun, PhD., ABPP. ▼ *Less education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, low social contact, excessive alcohol intake, traumatic brain injury, and air pollution.

Dr. Robb Mapou is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology) in Delaware. In addition to evaluating older adults who have concerns about cognitive changes, he specializes evaluating teenagers and adults for autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disorders, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. His office is in Rehoboth Beach. His website is drrobbmapou.com.

Classes & Events For more information about any of these events, please visit camprehoboth.com or call us at 302-2275620. 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

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 you to synchronize conscious breath with mindful movement. The sequence of poses is designed to energize and strengthen, as well as relax and lengthen muscles.

MEN’S DISCUSSION GROUP

8/24, 9/14, 7:00 p.m. Summer location: Epworth UMC, 19285 Holland Glade Rd, Rehoboth Beach

The Men’s Discussion Group typically meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The group is a safe and nurturing space for GBTQ men to start conversations important to our community. For more information, contact William Dye at william.z.dye@ gmail.com.

YOUTHUP MONTHLY SOCIAL 8/19, 9/16, 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 11to 19-year-old LGBTQ+ youth. Email youthup@camprehoboth.com for location or other information.

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.

FLAMING KNITTERS 8/22, 9/12, 6:30 p.m.

Flaming Knitters provides a thoughtful and engaging space for working, conversing, connecting, showing off, sharing resources, and supporting fiber-related crafts/projects in a queerand trans-affirming space. Meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at the CAMP Rehoboth courtyard.

COFFEE TALK

9/10

8/27, 10:00 a.m. Summer location: Five Points Village, Lewes, at the pavilion (across from Arena’s)

Bi-weekly & Monthly Events

YOUTHUP BOOK CLUB

CAMP REHOBOTH BOOK CLUB

WOMEN IN CIRCLE

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.

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 matter

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.

8/20, 9/3, 9/17, 10:00 a.m. Summer location: Unity Spiritual Center of Coastal DE, 98 Rudder Rd, Millsboro

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 OUTING The YouthUp Outing occurs each month on the second Saturday. This event is designed specifically for 11- to 19-year-old LGBTQ+ youth. Locations and times may vary so please email youthup@camprehoboth.com for more information.

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

8/23, 5:30 p.m. (Zoom)

8/22, 5:30 p.m. (Zoom)

YOUTHUP DISCUSSION GROUP

REHOBOTH TRANSLIANCE

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

TransLiance meets the last Saturday of each month. We meet at CAMP and then go out on the town. For more information, visit: transliance.com.▼

8/25, 9/8, 6:30 p.m. (Zoom)

8/27, 7:00 p.m.

AUGUST 19, 2022

29 Letters

FRITZI HUMAN COMPANION: Laurie BREED: Tabby AGE: Two years old—Fritzi came to us as a “COVID kitten” FUN FACT: He’s obsessed with canned wet cat food.

He comes flying out when he hears that can crack open! #FurryFriends #HungryCats Interested in having your critter(s) featured in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth? Send a high resolution picture (300 dpi) along with their name(s) and one fun fact to editor@camprehoboth.com. Our roaming photographer will also take photos in the courtyard all year long.

Letters 30 AUGUST 19, 2022

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AUGUST 19, 2022

31 Letters

Guest House Chronicles

BY TOM KELCH

A New Chapter with Bill and Bob

I

n 1987, Steve Elkins and Murray Archibald, along with their friends, were getting ready to open the hottest new entertainment/dance club in town, The Strand. On just the next street over, another gay business, in fact the first in Rehoboth, was listed for sale. The Paradise Guest House (PGH) was forced to close, as the owner, employees, and many who had frequented it were ill and dying from the HIV/AIDs pandemic.

In Washington, DC, Bob Jerome and Bill Courville were flipping through the Washington Blade when they came across a property listed for sale in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. They decided to go check it out and drove off together to Rehoboth Beach.

It was not love at first sight. Of their first impressions of 40 Maryland Avenue (aka Paradise Guest House) in 1987, says Bill, “So, we drove there, and we saw it.

It was pretty awful. It was the middle of winter.... It was bleak.”

The guest house was in bad shape.

Makeshift construction seemed to be all over and unfinished, and the previous owner seemed to them to have left in a hurry, leaving everything in place, untouched.

Bill and Bob had very different backgrounds and personalities than our dear friend (and PGH owner) Herbert.

But they had recently decided that they wanted to own/run a guest house. Bill, from Louisiana, had worked at a 13-room hotel called the Maison DeVille when he was a young man in New Orleans. He was very impressed by the exclusive and fabulous lifestyle, and he had envisioned himself one day having his own inn.

Bill was born in Opelousas, Louisiana.

His accomplishments included: a PhD in psychology; he’d worked as a therapist and an executive coach. He’d also worked for the mayor of Washington, DC as special assistant for international development, and had been an HR director for a New England health care company. He’d worked for a Saudi prince Letters 32 AUGUST 19, 2022

when he lived in the Middle East for several years, spent a year hitchhiking through Europe, and spent a couple of years in Paris where he worked for a French baroness and learned to tap dance. (Bob says Bill left a lot out.…)

When they told her Rehoboth Beach, downtown and one block from the beach, she said, “BUY IT!!!”

Bob Jerome was born in Minneapolis and moved to Whittier, California, at the age of three. He went to Pomona College in Claremont, California, then went to Tunisia in North Africa and studied French and Arabic. He did a masters at Tufts/ Harvard and then his PhD at the University of Geneva. With a degree in international relations, he moved to Washington, DC and got a job working for a number of senators. After that he worked for a UN support group, then a job with the US Department of Commerce in International Trade Administration, followed by a position with a financial management company. He also wrote two books and taught in several places around the world, including the Philippines, Tunisia, and Geneva.

When Bob was in Geneva, he was married to a woman...but it didn’t work

out. Bob explains how difficult his internal battle was: “I was kind of confused sexually; when I came back to the States, I dated some women and dabbled with some men. I really hadn’t decided.... The whole AIDs issue was another reason to stay away from the gayness...it was a complicated time. I was not comfortable with the gay issue early on. It took me a while to grow into it.”

Bill and Bob were very unsure about buying the Paradise Guest House, and they reached out to a a good friend who knew Rehoboth well. They told her they had found a 28-room inn for sale, but it was in terrible condition. She asked the location. When they told her Rehoboth Beach, downtown and one block from the beach, she said, “BUY IT!!!!”

While they worked on purchasing PGH, the property behind the guest house—an old bowling alley, skating rink, and movie theater—was getting an overhaul. The building would soon become The Strand, a gay disco. Steve and Murray had filed the paperwork with the city and big planning was underway.

The Berthas were on high alert.

They had had enough of all the gay development in their town, and The Strand was just a few lots down from Bertha Pusey’s home. She intended to stop it. And also had plans of her own she was working on…. ▼ Tom Kelch is the innkeeper and property manager of the Rehoboth Guest House. He is excited to write this series for Letters and thrilled to share these stories with Letters’ readers.

Home is where you belong, let us help you find your place.

St. Petersburg | Gulfport | Tampa Fort Myers | Naples

James W. Warren II 239.595.0084 jameswarren.org

© Compass Florida, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice.

AUGUST 19, 2022

33 Letters

Letters 34 AUGUST 19, 2022

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35 Letters

Volunteer Spotlight

BY GLENN LASH

My Path to Volunteering at CAMP Rehoboth

T

he realization that I was a reincarnated 1950s house spouse came upon me this morning.

Oh sure, I figured I was one as I already enjoy baking, darning socks, ironing, etc. But where was the honestto-gosh proof?

My hubby had just finished his shower and left the bathroom pretty much just as he found it. I on the other hand felt the spirit of June Cleaver enter me.

First off, I noticed the toilet roll was almost spent so I moved a replacement within reach. As it was difficult to get to the extra roll, I put a back-up just out of sight. Then I rehung Mark’s towel so it would dry quicker, moved the full trash can to the door so I’d remember to empty it, spotted the supply of mosquito spray and recalled we needed some in the garage (putting two aside), watered

the plant, dusted the shelves, re-fluffed the guest towels, and straightened the bathmats. Only THEN did I pull back the shower curtain and proceed with my own shower.

I showed up, started tidying up, and never left. Ah, bliss.

My domestical dawning helped me to accept some of my quirks: how I cannot enter a room without straightening, dusting, or fluffing something. Even when it’s a friend’s house. Mark knows that when we enter a CVS I will end up reorganizing the shelves. Heck, that’s how I became a volunteer at CAMP. I showed up, started tidying up, and never left. Ah, bliss. ▼

Health in Our Community Continued from page 26

Also, when we say persons who are HIV positive or have partners on PrEP are at higher risk, it’s the behavior that is the risk, not the HIV PrEP itself. Do not discontinue using HIV PrEP for fear of contracting monkeypox. It’s the risk of exposure, not the PrEP itself. HIV PrEP is necessary.

Persons who are HIV positive or are on HIV PrEP are at higher risk of exposure, but not of being infected with the disease itself. It’s a sensitive topic, and we don’t want to stigmatize this disease.

CR: What are your suggestions on getting messaging out surrounding monkeypox?

CMG: We don’t want to create panic, but at the same time we don’t want to underestimate this virus. There are persons who’ve reported infections with this virus, especially in the genital area, that are very bad and painful. We don’t want people to go through that.

The severity of the disease is not too high. The case fatality rate is not too high either—it’s at about three percent. It’s not a fatal disease, but it’s not a fun disease.

Letters 36 AUGUST 19, 2022

It’s important to highlight the importance of prevention. There are measures that can be taken: protection, knowing your body, understanding if you’ve been exposed, knowing that if you’ve been engaging in risky behaviors, you’re going to be at a higher risk. So, if you think you have it, limit contact, visit your primary care physician, and talk to them.

There’s no stigma to it. But it’s taking the right precautions and preventing the spread. Part of it is educating on what those symptoms are as well.

CR: Does using condoms help?

CMG: If the rash is localized to that one area, and not anywhere else, using condoms during sexual intercourse will help.

If there is an opportunity that a lesion is covered by a condom, then yes, that would be helpful. But it is not true in every case.

The rash goes through different phases. It can start as similar to a herpes virus or fungal infection, so maybe in that phase it can be easily covered, but then it will progress to larger lesions and

condoms are not helpful at all. At that point, abstinence is the response—you should not have sex if you have those lesions. There are recommendations on the CDC website on how to continue to have an intimate life if you are infected with monkeypox. There are other recommendations on virtual sex and phone sex that could work for you.

CR: Is there a long-term infection period?

CMG: Right now, we have not observed any long-term effects of monkeypox. This is something new for us, but it’s not like COVID that was a novel disease. We do have some understanding, and no, we haven’t seen any long-term implications.

I could imagine that eventually someone gets re-exposed and if their immunity was down, they could get re-infected, but it wouldn’t be because the initial infection reappeared.

For more information or if you think you’ve been exposed, call the DPH hotline at 866-408-1899. ▼

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37 Letters

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Letters 38 AUGUST 19, 2022

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AUGUST 19, 2022

39 Letters

HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY

BY MICHAEL GILLES

The Straight Eights: A Passion for Cars

B

ill Teaney tends to favor the styling cues from the 1960s that made a striking statement in all things automotive. He leans toward Chrysler products in particular, stemming from treasured childhood memories.

“Growing up, our neighbor owned his own Chrysler/Plymouth dealership. So as a kid, I saw my neighbor bring home demonstration models from his dealership that he and his wife would use for about three months before giving them back to eventually sell. I saw the best of the best right on my own street in his driveway.”

Greg Oliver loves the 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible. It’s by far his favorite car because he went with his father to pick it up new. “I took my driving test in it and went to the prom in it. It is what I have left of my father and when I drive it, I’m 16 again.”

Now, I have to admit I’m not a car guy. I own a 16-year-old minivan that goes from zero to 60 in about 10 minutes. My wife and I tend to park in underground garages, hence the various dents and scratches that are the result of playing automobile pinball with the big poles holding up the ceiling.

But these guys are for real.

They’re both members of the Straight Eights, the Baltimore-Washington chapter of America’s largest organization for gay and lesbian car enthusiasts—Lambda Car Club International (LCCI; lambdacarclub.com/straight8s). The club welcomes car enthusiasts seeking to celebrate their common love for automobiles of all types, from vintage to contemporary.

How did this club begin? In September 1982, three guys discussed the idea of running an ad in the Washington Blade, looking for people interested in old cars. As the informal group looked toward becoming an organized club, the owner of a straight-eight-equipped car suggested the name “Straight Eights.” Originally a term describing the engines with the cylinders in a single row

Beach Ball special weekend getaway includes: THURSDAY NIGHT

Meet and greet at Port 251.

FRIDAY MORNING

Fun time with Go-Karts or Miniature Golf at Midway Shopping Center, followed by lunch at one of the Midway eateries.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Official kickoff of the Beach Ball weekend package with a private reception at Grain on the Rocks at the Lewes Ferry Terminal, where one can enjoy many gorgeous classic vehicles in their parking lot.

SATURDAY MORNING

Downtown Bethany Beach— the annual car show from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. featuring special guest MotorWeek (with 65+ classic cars, ranging from the 1950s through the 2000s, on public display).

SATURDAY NIGHT

Concludes with annual awards banquet at the Cape Henlopen Lodge.

Letters 40 AUGUST 19, 2022

(especially in pre-1950s cars), its irony and double meaning appealed to the group. Soon afterward, 11 people attended the first formal meeting, and the Straight Eights became a reality.

The Straight Eights have a special relationship with the Sussex County area. Their annual September Beach Ball Invitational weekend started out rather small, about 30-some years ago, as a simple weekend getaway to Rehoboth Beach. It has steadily grown and evolved to over 120 registrants and a very organized, three-day weekend of car-centric events for vehicles of all classes and years.

This year, their Beach Ball Invitational dates of September 22 to 25 happen to coincide with the Straight Eights’ 40-year anniversary.

To join Straight Eights, you don’t have to own a classic or unique vehicle—only a passion for them. Members show everything from brass era antiques to cutting-edge technological marvels and from Japanese micro cars to huge American land yachts. While some members own fleets of collectible automobiles, others own one, or even none. If you’re into cars, whether it’s an acquisitive obsession or it’s just an interest you enjoy from afar, you are very welcome to participate!

The Straight Eights car club has always supported CAMP Rehoboth in various ways over the years, and the two organizations enjoy a good relationship. Bill Teaney, Straight Eights President, puts it this way: “Much like old friends, we always pick up right where we left off.” Greg Oliver’s spouse even ran a bed and breakfast right next to CAMP Rehoboth for 20 years.

The Straight Eights are a very warm, supportive, and friendly car club of local community professionals. They love all types of vehicles, and welcome new members, offering camaraderie, networking, and new experiences. When you own an old car, your friends in the car club are your best friends when something goes wrong. It’s a great opportunity to share the love of cars with the local LGBTQ community.

And for the owner of a beat-up 2006 minivan, a vision of old cars that work and look great! ▼ Michael Gilles is a playwright, actor, and director from Milton, and a regular contributor to Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.

AUGUST 19, 2022

41 Letters

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Letters 42 AUGUST 19, 2022

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43 Letters

It’s My Life

BY MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

You Say Tomato, I Say Enough

“M

ore tomatoes?”

Cubby eyes the bowl I’m carrying in from the backyard. It’s overflowing with Black from Tula tomatoes.

“I had to,” I tell him. “Some of them were starting to rot.”

Last week, we had no tomatoes. At least not in the house. The tomato plants in the back garden, however, have been covered in fruit for a while now. We enjoyed looking at them and congratulating ourselves on successfully growing something edible. These are plants that I started indoors from seeds. Now they’re six feet tall and form a jungle in the plot allotted to them.

And now the tomatoes are ripening and we have to do something with them.

The problem is, we’re already kind of weary of them.

I realize this is not an unfamiliar problem to people who grow vegetables. Every year, excited gardeners plant seeds, or buy seedlings and think about how exciting it will be to have things to eat from our very own gardens. We talk about how the vegetables will taste so much better than those found in stores, and about how much money we’ll save growing our own food. We envision making sauces and salads, of canning this and that to enjoy over the winter. We picture ourselves sharing our bounty with friends.

At first, it’s thrilling. Watching plants grow is a delight. Seeing the first flower buds appear means vegetables are coming soon! Maybe we pull the first carrots or beets from the ground, marveling at their beauty. Possibly we collect lettuce leaves, or dill right in our own backyard gardens, and it’s all so natural and wonderful that we have to lie down for a little bit to recover from the sheer joy of being farmers.

Inevitably, though, we realize that, just maybe, we have overestimated just how many beets we can eat. We watch the zucchinis piling up on the kitchen counter, and eye with a bit of dread the baskets of green beans that threaten to overflow onto the floor. Fresh tomatoes are lovely Letters 44 AUGUST 19, 2022

indeed, but at every meal?

And so, we begin to give some of it to friends. And friends-of-friends. Anyone who will take it, really. “Hey, would you like some Black from Tula tomatoes?” I ask our neighbors. “They’re an heirloom variety. Originally from Ukraine,” I add, hoping this shameless pandering to their

We watch the zucchinis piling up on the kitchen counter, and eye with a bit of dread the baskets of green beans that threaten to overflow onto the floor. sympathetic natures will guilt them into taking the 78 tomatoes that lurk inside the paper bag I’m holding out.

If I’m lucky, they simply admit defeat and take them. More commonly, however, they exact revenge by accepting my tomatoes and, before I can beat a retreat, thrusting into my hands something in return. “We have so many peppers this year!” they exclaim, and I’m forced to smile and pretend that peppers are precisely what I’ve been missing from my life.

The problem with the tomatoes is that they’re happening all at once. And this is the problem with gardens in general.

In your head you imagine having things to eat all summer long. And yes, this can

happen. But only if you’re one of those people who thinks things through and plants a combination of things that ripen at different times. I am not that person.

So, what happens to me is that there’s basically a two-week window during which everything has to be harvested and dealt with.

“You could make them into sauce,” my friend Marty suggested. “Or pickle them.

Or just can them.”

Marty is a person who both plans his garden and knows how to deal with the things he’s planted when it’s time to pick them. He builds entire days around canning. His pantry is filled with jars of vegetables he’s put up. Everything is labeled and dated. A single glance inside his shrine to all-things-homemade will crush your self-esteem into dust.

“Or I could just give them to you, and you could do all those things,” I said.

“Nice try,” he said as he pushed me out the door. “Oh, and here. Take these summer squash with you.”

I wish I could be somebody who cans vegetables. I do. But I also know that I am not. I also should probably never have started those tomato seeds in the first place. But in the middle of February, when I got the idea, it seemed reasonable. It also seemed reasonable to plant all 23 seeds in the packet, every last one of which germinated and turned into a sturdy plant. I managed to pawn off a bunch of them on friends, but I still ended up with 14. And as I now know, 14 tomato plants is a lot.

I want to say that I will not make the same mistake next year. But we all know this is a lie. If anything, I will plant more things. So don’t be surprised if you come outside one morning and find a basket of radishes on your porch. You’re welcome. ▼ Michael Thomas Ford is a much-published Lambda Literary award-winning author. Visit Michael at michaelthomasford.com Photo: Edson Rosas on Unsplash.com

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45 Letters

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47 Letters

Celebrating Tom Wilson

BY ERIC PETERSON

Artist, Lover, & Friend

I

n the early 1980s, Tom Wilson and his beloved mother visited Rehoboth’s Back Porch Café. After thoroughly enjoying their meal, Tom asked Keith Fitzgerald, the co-owner, if he could meet the person responsible for their sumptuous meal. “The rest,” says Fitzgerald, “is history.” Tom and Leo Medisch, the chef, quickly fell in love and remained a couple until Tom’s death.

Prior to that meeting, Wilson had enjoyed great success as a fashion model.

He had been photographed by Francesco Scavullo and appeared in the pages of Vogue and Cosmopolitan. He partied with Andy Warhol in New York and posed in Europe and Africa. But he always had a plan: to save enough money to return home and create art.

“Both men were charismatic in their own inimitable ways,” says Fitzgerald, “but what a casual observer might not know was how passionate they were about what they did, and how compassionate they were to others.” They were both artists, he explains. “Leo’s passion was in the culinary arts and he loved to create new dishes and loved to eat.

Tom’s passion for art is obvious from the amazing body of work he left us.”

Wilson was a prolific painter whose work still hangs in private homes throughout Sussex County. His work was shown once each summer at the Back Porch Café in exchange for curating the art displayed there the rest of the year between 1983 and 1994.

But now, art lovers can see much of Tom Wilson’s work in one place. Nearly 30 years after his death, his work is being showcased in a solo exhibition (Tom Wilson: Super-Realist/Surrealist) at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover.

The exhibition is on display now through October 16. Strategic partners in support of the exhibit include CAMP Rehoboth, Bad Hair Day?, and the Back Porch Café.

“Bringing attention to artists who contributed significantly to Delaware’s arts and culture legacy, such as Tom Wilson’s, is why we are here,” says Michael Dudich, Director of the Biggs Museum.

Letters 48 AUGUST 19, 2022

“It’s been a privilege sharing his work with the state’s diverse communities. It was recognition well-earned but too long delayed.”

Wilson’s work is very much a product of lower Delaware and features the cottage-style homes found in Rehoboth and Lewes, portraits of the diverse citizens of Sussex County, and even animals like horses, cattle, hogs, and wildlife that are becoming rarer in the 21st century. The work itself is often bright and bold. Comparisons to Edward Hopper are ubiquitous, but Wilson had a style all his own.

Biggs curator Laura Fravel says, “Both Wilson and Hopper depicted older homes in coastal towns. They both explored dramatic effects of light and shadow and had a sense of intriguing, psychological tension in their work.” But as she explains, Wilson’s unique background makes him different. “Wilson also lived as an artist and fashion model in New York City as photorealism was coming into vogue.” She also believes that his identity as a gay man impacted his

work. “Many of the leading artists using photography and other forms of image reproduction in their work were also queer, including Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and Richard Estes.”

Keith Fitzgerald, who later became a close friend, also notes that Sussex County was a big influence. “[Tom had an] uncanny ability to capture the special light we often enjoy in Sussex County, especially in spring and fall,” he says.

“He loved that light and spoke of it often as an inspiration for certain paintings. I have lived here for 50 years, and I agree.

A bright, clear day in Sussex is probably as beautiful as anywhere on the planet.”

Peggy Raley, owner of the Nassau Valley Vineyards and another dear friend of the late artist, resists categorizing her mentor or his work. “Tom, himself, would have told you that simply, he was an artist,” she says. “His art had constant imagination. Imagination has no definitions or pigeonholes. When you look at a Tom Wilson painting, you want to go there.”

Continued on page 50

“Learn about Tom and Leo. Believe in the power of love; that’s their story.”

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AUGUST 19, 2022

49 Letters

Celebrating Tom Wilson Continued from page 48

The exhibition also contains many of Wilson’s later works, which diverge from the hyper-realism of his oil paintings. He created these after he was diagnosed with AIDS. “His work at that time began to express the brevity of life coming at him,” Raley says. “Oil paintings took too much time. He began using pastels again. He had a fabulously whimsical period of doing pastels in his garden.” She notes much of the work of this period is a bit darker in tone and subject matter, but that every piece contains some imagery connected to a path. “He knew he was going somewhere,” she says.

Tom Wilson died from complications of AIDS on Memorial Day Weekend, 1995. For many of his friends, who hadn’t known very many gay men and had never met anyone with HIV, the loss was heartbreaking, but also had the effect of making the abstract and political very real and personal. After his partner’s passing, Leo was quoted as saying, “I don’t want to be alone. But when you’ve had the love that I’ve had, everything else pales by comparison.” Leo Medisch died in 2013 after battling lung cancer.

Comparisons to Edward Hopper are ubiquitous, but Wilson had a style all his own.

Letters 50 AUGUST 19, 2022

For many of the 22 lenders who sent Tom’s pieces to the Biggs Museum for the three-and-a-half-month exhibit, it was a way not only to share his work, but to remember the man they knew and loved. “He was the most charismatic artist and human being I’ve ever known,” says Keith Fitzgerald. “Our six originals are our pride and joy but seeing them curated with the other 44 pieces is… gob-smacking. He and [Leo] would be so touched at the outpouring of love for his work, and them as a couple.”

“Tom was explosively alive all the time,” says Peggy Raley. “He had many dear friends, and I am humble and grateful that I was among them.” Asked what she’d like to say to anyone experiencing his work for the first time, she says, “Let it speak to you. If you listen to all the other definitions of what you think you are supposed to see, you might be disappointed. There was absolutely zero about Tom Wilson that was disappointing.”

But soon after, she adds some additional counsel. “Continue to follow this story. Learn about Tom and Leo. Believe in the power of love; that’s their story.

Understand how hard people fought who came before you, so that their hard work means something.”

To make it easier for people to experience the exhibition, CAMP Rehoboth, Bad Hair Day?, Nassau Valley Vineyards, and the Back Porch Café are all offering complimentary guest passes to the Biggs Museum of American Art for the duration of the exhibit. While at the Back Porch, guests can order a “Wilson,” a variation on Tom’s favorite cocktail, the classic Manhattan. New and old fans of his work can continue to learn about Tom by watching a festival screener for the film, The Luminous Life of Tom Wilson, on YouTube, and by visiting the Back Porch Café on September 7 to celebrate the debut of a book on Tom Wilson’s life and work with authors Ryan Grover and Laura Fravel.

A visit to the Biggs Museum in Dover between now and October 16 will not only be a feast for the eyes, but an important history lesson. Too many of our stories, particularly those of the people in our community who perished during the worst of the AIDS epidemic, have been lost. But Tom Wilson was a man so charismatic, so talented, and so giving that his legacy simply will not die. The Biggs Museum of American Art is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ▼

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51 Letters

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53 Letters

Dining Out

BY FAY JACOBS

Aqua Grill: Still Hot for Happy Hour But Creating Great Buzz for Its Food

W

The table, sporting its beautifully plated Crab Cakes, Soft-shell Crab, Shrimp Tacos and Tuna Bowl was more seafood fine dining than happyhour hangout. Actually, it’s both, which is great news for everybody.

Letters 54 AUGUST 19, 2022

e all know that Aqua Grill along Baltimore Avenue is a fabulous venue for drinks, happy hours, meeting up with friends, and great music. But I’m telling you that it has boosted its reputation in the restaurant department—way up.

And the apps and entrees (not to mention house-made desserts) I had there recently rival the best kitchens in town.

Our table of four started with crazy good appetizers like crunchy Brussels sprouts, fresh, never-frozen Chicken Tenders, and Warm Artichoke-Spinach Dip with pita and veggies.

We all think of chicken tenders as a go-to kids’ meal, but let me tell you, these deliciously crusted, lightly fried morsels of chicken were yummy and tender without being anything like the tenders you find everywhere else.

And cheers for the Brussels sprouts, glazed with siracha-soy sauce and served hot and crispy. Rounding out the quartet of appetizers was house-breaded Crispy Calamari, served with tartar, marinara, and lemon sauces.

Of course, our cocktails—for me, a perfectly balanced Rose Kennedy (vodka-cran-soda) and for Bonnie, a Rob Roy (a Scotch Manhattan)—complemented it all.

I’m going back this weekend to check out the Aqua Loaded Fries—I saw them on an adjoining table and lusted. They were waffle fries with melted beer cheese, smokey bbq ranch, bacon, pickled jalapeños, and scallions. That’s a lunch waiting to happen.

Perfectly suited to the huge happy hour crowd at Aqua, their list of delicious appetizers is endless. Also available are Aqua Nachos with melted beer cheese, black beans, corn, pickled jalapenos, shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, tomatoes and pickled onions. More choices include Seasonal Hummus, Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls, and more.

As if we needed entrees after that appetizer feast, our dinner selections arrived hot and hearty. The table, sporting its beautifully plated Crab Cakes, Soft-shell Crab, Shrimp

Tacos, and Tuna Bowl, was more seafood fine dining than happy-hour hangout. Actually, it’s both, which is great news for everybody.

I loved the Honey Cajun Shrimp Tacos with pineapple pico, Cajun aioli, and cilantro in a flour tortilla—rice and beans on the side.

The tacos were sizable and the shrimp was a knockout.

Bonnie’s favorite was the Tuna Poke Bowl with ahi tuna, pickled ginger, edamame, carrot, cucumber, seaweed salad, wasabi, avocado, sesame glaze, and sushi rice. But while we were at it, we also got to taste the special Aqua jumbo lump crab cakes, made in-house daily—very Baltimore-like, the way they should be!

The soft-shell crab sandwich we all shared was also exceptional. If you are gonna go for crab, go for it at a place that gives you a great meal for your money, and that’s Aqua.

And of course, along with the great food and conversation at our table, we got to see all manner of folks we knew stroll by, stopping to chat, including CAMP Board President Wes Combs and Board Member Mike DeFlavia. For a Monday evening, the place was hopping with an extremely diverse crowd. I loved it.

Dessert, you ask? Well, we had our arms twisted and were thrilled we did. The Key Lime Pie was a lovely treat, but it was the cheesecake that got me. I took one bite and announced “Okay, this is a real New York Cheesecake. A New Yorker made this.” Yup, Patti Small, from Long Island, New York, created the fabulous cheesecake in-house at Aqua. Patti was cooking on the night of our visit, in the Aqua Grill kitchen run by chef Kevin Burns—who clearly has done a grand job with the menu, presentation, quality, and preparation of the food.

Sure, keep going to Aqua for cocktail hour and all the fun. But treat yourself to the delicious food as well—brunch, lunch, or dinner.

You’ll be happy you did. ▼

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55 Letters

CAMP Cheers!

At the Purple Parrot

Bartender/Mixologist: Andy Feshchenko

A

ndy’s worked at Purple Parrot for the past five years. At 30 years old, Andy’s originally from Ukraine, and moved to Delaware in April 2017.

His favorite period of the year is September to December. “The locals start to come back out, and that family feel to the bar is the best. It’s a slower, but great pace.”

When asked what’s his favorite drink to make, Andy says it depends on the mood of the customer. For refreshers, he loves to make crushes. For tasty delights, his go-to is a Mudslide. For somewhere in the middle? A concoction called Monkey Bones­—“It’s heavy, but really tasty.”

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THE BIERGARTEN: Pineapple Crush Splash of pineapple juice 2 crushed Dole pineapple chunks 1 oz pineapple vodka 3 oz club soda or sprite

Letters 56 AUGUST 19, 2022

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57 Letters

Letters 58 AUGUST 19, 2022

AUGUST 19, 2022

59 Letters

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

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

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

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

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

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

REHOBOTH FOOD & DRINK 1776 Steakhouse, Midway Shopping Center................................302-645-9355 Aqua, 57 Baltimore Ave................................................................ 302-226-9001 Back Porch Café, 59 Rehoboth Ave...............................................302-227-3674 Blue Moon, 35 Baltimore Ave........................................................302-227-6515 Café 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 Purple Parrot Grill, 134 Rehoboth Ave...........................................302-226-1139 Rigby’s, 404 Rehoboth Ave............................................................302-227-6080 Shorebreak Lodge, 10 Wilmington Ave.........................................302-227-1007 The Pines, 56 Baltimore Avenue....................................................302-567-2726

Letters 60 AUGUST 19, 2022

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

INSURANCE

COUNSELING/THERAPY/LIFE COACH

Critter Beach, 156 Rehoboth Ave..................................................302-226-2690 Pet Portraits by Monique................................................................717-650-4626

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

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

PET SERVICES

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

REAL ESTATE

Allen Jarmon, NextHome Tomorrow Realty...................................302-745-5122 Bill Peiffer, Patterson Schwartz, 18958 Coastal Hwy....................302-703-6987 Chris Beagle, Berkshire Hathaway, 37230 Rehoboth Ave............302-227-6101 Debbie Reed Team, 319 Rehoboth Ave.........................................800-263-5648 Donna Whiteside, Berkshire Hathaway, 16712 Kings Hwy...........302-381-4871 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.

AUGUST 19, 2022

61 Letters

The REAL DIRT

BY ERIC W. WAHL

Here Comes the Sun

A

ugust is here and along with it the fast-approaching end of summer. Soon, the air will be filled with aromas from cookouts and the sound of children playing during the Labor Day holiday. Around these parts, it is the symbolic end of the summer season. However, it also means that the landscape will be filled with stunning displays of the yellows, oranges, and golds of the mighty sunflower.

Helianthus, from the Greek words Helios (sun god) and anthos (flower) describes the genus of plants that we refer to as the sunflowers. Our native species, Helianthus angustifolius, is known as the swamp sunflower. It thrives in moist to wet soils and can grow to five to 10 feet tall. Its bright yellow flowers can be up to three inches in diameter with a purple center.

The leaves are narrow, long, and a glossy dark green.

The common sunflower, or Helianthus annuus, is an annual as the species name suggests. Sunflowers provide us with numerous commercially available products, including their delicious seeds.

These seeds are a food source not only for humans, but also for birds and other wildlife. The seeds are high in vitamins B1, B3, and B6, and they can be made into a spread similar to peanut butter.

…fields of sunflowers were planted after the tragic events of Hiroshima, Fukushima, and Chernobyl to help ameliorate the radiated soils.

In the wild, they are found in old fields and prairies, but the domesticated cultivars are commercially grown throughout the United States. These are the more common flowers seen on farms and in roadside stands for sale in arrangements that brighten anyone’s day. Other prodLetters 62 AUGUST 19, 2022

ucts stemming from sunflowers are flour, oil, and even a coffee made from their roasted shells.

All parts of the sunflower are considered valuable. Their stems, which are fibrous and thick, were once used to make paper, and the leaves were used to feed cattle. In addition, several parts of the plant have therapeutic properties and were used to treat coughs, colds, and bronchitis. A tea made from the flowers was used to lower fevers. The beautiful yellow flowers were even used to make dyes.

Another species worth planting in our edible landscapes is the Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus. Also called sunchokes, their tubers are highly prized for their taste and texture. The tubers can grow to be the size of a medium potato and can be used as a potato substitute in many dishes. They can be sliced and pickled or used raw in salads. Sunchokes are considered one of the best edible plants in the wild. They can reach heights up to 10 feet, prefer full-sun exposure, and can tolerate a range of soils.

Other sunflowers in the genus include Helianthus divaricatus, or the woodland sunflower, and Helianthus giganteus or giant sunflower.

Sunflowers also have the ability to

absorb toxic metals, minerals, and radiation from the soil; as a result, they are called hyperaccumulators. In fact, fields of sunflowers were planted after the tragic events of Hiroshima, Fukushima, and Chernobyl to help ameliorate the radiated soils. The radiated isotopes and other toxic substances are taken up into the plants and stored in their leaves and stems. The sunflowers are then harvested and disposed of as radioactive waste.

Sunflowers symbolize happiness, loyalty, and adoration. Being native to the Americas, the ancient Incas worshipped and held the sunflower in high regard as it symbolized their sun god. Priestesses wore sunflowers in their headdresses, and they were often decorated with gold.

Sunflowers, the quintessential summer and fall blooming plant that follows the sun with its nodding head and bright rays of petals, putting smiles on anyone’s face that looks in their direction. In the words of the Beatles, “Here comes the sun, and I say it’s alright.”

Stay cool, and let’s garden together! ▼ Eric W. Wahl is Landscape Architect at Pennoni Associates, and President of the Delaware Native Plant Society.

Photo: Gerome Bruneau on Unsplash.com

AUGUST 19, 2022

63 Letters

CAMPshots

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

Crazy Fun in the Dog Days of Summer: Night of 1000 Madonnas, Decades Disco Dance Party, Poodle Beach, RB Hot Spots, and Much More!

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at Night of 1000 Madonnas: Keith Long, David Franco, Mike Ballas, Brandon Pollack, Steve Morris, Brent Quinn, Tom Newton, John Hackett, Tim Carr, Cliff Lassahn, Bill Schachtz, Marvin Miller, Gary Seiden, Carey Chavis, Jeff Raver, Eric Teves, Mat Gulic, Zack Stein, Yassi Hariri.

OPPOSITE PAGE 2) at Night of 1000 Madonnas:

Andrew Jardine, Pyam Hariri, Sam Gerbion, Brian Helsdon, Leon Vignes, Grant Oines, Jamie Kotchek, Clarence Pienda, Craig Schwartz; 3) at Richard Thibodeau’s Pop Up Art Reception at CAMP Rehoboth: David Smith, Kenn Williams, Richard Thibodeau; 4) at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant: Ed Gmoch, Paulette Lanza, Ron Butt, Nancy Weston, Kim Letko, Freddie Lutz, Pamala Stanley, Kevin Naff, Paul Smedberg, Michael Molesky, John Bator, Brian Sparrow.

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Letters 64 AUGUST 19, 2022

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65 Letters

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

1

(Continued from page 65) THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at Decades Disco Dance Party: (Top Row) Jodi Foster, Amy Garson, Cindy Holms, Shelly Conaway, Renate Costner, Cindy Bertoni, Ellen Dahl, (Bottom Row) Erin Reid, Kim Schuler, Beth Petitte, Joanie Murphy, Sue Garson, Suzanne Kruppa, Mary Jenkins, Teri Agosta, Hugh Seta, Bryan Hecksher, Tara O’Connor, Rina Pellegrini, Sandy Kraft, Gail Purcell, Kaye Sullivan, Susan Jerenberg, Tama Viola, Diane Cooke, Doreen Hartley, Karen Faber, Lisa Balestrini.

OPPOSITE PAGE: 2) at Decades Disco Dance Party: Laura Reitman, Joann Glussich, Jamie Forshey, Kim Witmer; 3) at Blue Moon: Justin Lennon, Brandon Powell, Marvin Miller, Cheryl Lennon, Gene Goodman, Dan Kyle, Thayne Jasperson, Tim Ragan, Jelani Remy; 4) at Back Porch Café: RB Mayor Stan Mills, Marcia Maldais, Rod Cook, George Toma, Andy Staton, RB Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski, Tom Protack, Frank Cooper, Mark Clark; 5) at Outlet Liquors: Sue Cassidy, Sam Calagione; 6) at Diego’s Bar/Nightclub: Marty Rendon, John Cianiosi, Eddie Adams, Chad States; 7) at Bay Center: Dewey Beach Commissioner Paul Bauer, Pat Wright, Joyce Pool, Dale Cook.

(More CAMPshots page 98) Letters 66 AUGUST 19, 2022

Dancing in the Dog Days!

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67 Letters

Celebrity Interview

BY CHRIS AZZOPARDI

Neil Patrick Harris’s Problem

W

hen Neil Patrick Harris shot a scene for the new Netflix series Uncoupled, in which his character tries to snap just the right Grindr shots, it was a little…hairy.

It was “taking angles” and “making sure that you didn’t show your stuff in certain positions” that Harris says was “interesting.”

“We had to find what my ‘d actually looks like,’” said the actor, throwing up air quotes while on Zoom to promote the series.

In Uncoupled, Harris’s Michael, a married Manhattanite, has the rug pulled out from under him when his husband of 17 years, portrayed by Tuc Watkins (Desperate Housewives, Boys in the Band), suddenly decides to end things.

Michael quickly learns that, for a single gay man in his mid-40s living in New York City, he’s a little behind the times when it comes to contemporary queer culture. Openly gay TV rom-com mogul Darren Star, who created Sex and the City and Younger, helmed Uncoupled with Jeffrey Richman, so naturally there’s a fair amount of gay sex.

But, as Michael learns, in order to get some taps, you’ve gotta show the goods on social media. Harris’s bare bottom is prominently featured during the episode, though it was the front of his body that resulted in heated discussions and debates.

“My modesty’s fine; I wasn’t that nervous about that,” he admitted. “You have this weird contraption around your actual genitals so no one can see it, but I didn’t want Netflix execs or the editors to see this, like, weird pouch thing, and the camera couldn’t see that either.”

In other words, situating a penis just right is a complicated affair on set. So complicated that, when he went to his trailer the day of the shoot and found “two flaccid rubber phalluses on my desk,” it was time to get the producers involved.

“They were like small and weird, and I think something people used to pack themselves, like drag kings, but it didn’t Letters 68 AUGUST 19, 2022

“I really do need to erase those pictures off my phone…” look very flattering and I sort of said, ‘I don’t want this! I don’t want you to take a picture of this!’”

Specifically—because who wouldn’t want every single last detail?—Harris described the phalluses as “latex, pale, single-colored thing[s].”

And if you ever wondered what it’s like to work on a set of a show in which the penis of your character is up for debate, wonder no more: “We had a nice text thread with the producers,” he recalled. ‘What about this photo if we crop it? And what about this?’ It was the filthiest thing of all. ‘Too big, too thick, too long.’ I was like, ‘Come on!’ But we kind of met in the middle.”

As for the new-and-improved, NPHapproved pics? Still on his phone, he says. Though not for long because his two kids with Michigan-born husband David Burtka, Harper and Gideon, could possibly see them when they go through his phone.

“I really do need to erase those

pictures off my phone,” he said.

In other Neil Patrick Harris penis news: He had you fooled in Gone Girl, and contrary to popular belief, what you saw down there wasn’t the real thing.

“We’re at the New York Film Fest, and we’re about to do the red carpet, and [director] David Fincher, when we’re all saying hello, turns to me and goes ‘Oh, by the way: We added a digital dick to your thing so just so you know, it’s not yours. It’s digital.’ I was like, ‘Is it nice?’”

Harris knows that, perhaps, you were misled: “I think people think they might have actually seen my dong on Gone Girl, but that was a digital dong.”

On behalf of NPH, sorry for the confusion. ▼ Chris Azzopardi is the editor of Q Syndicate, the LGBTQ wire service. His work has appeared in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, GQ, and Billboard. Reach him via Twitter @chrisazzopardi.

AUGUST 19, 2022

69 Letters

Letters 70 AUGUST 19, 2022

Giving back is my way of saying “Thank you.”

George Bunting Jr, Agent 19716 Sea Air Ave #1 Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 Bus: 302-227-3891 george@gbunting.com

1211006

We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That’s one reason why I’m proud to support Camp Rehoboth.

Get to a better State®.

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

AUGUST 19, 2022

71 Letters

Historical Headliners

BY ANN APTAKER

Singing Bisexual Swashbuckler: Julie d’Aubigny

S

ome people have a natural talent for making mayhem and enjoying every minute of it. Such a woman was Julie d’Aubigny.

Born in Paris, possibly in 1670 or 1673, into a family of wealth and privilege, Julie grew up in close proximity to the royal household of King Louis XIV. Her father, Gaston d’Aubigny, was the Grand Squire of France, a position responsible for training the royal pages and for overseeing the royal stables. In addition to his excellence as a horseman, Julie’s father was an expert swordsman. Gaston d’Aubigny was, to all accounts, a “man’s man,” fond of the manly arts of fencing and fistfights.

Contrary to the typical education of young women, Gaston not only educated his daughter in various academics— usually reserved for boys—but also in the martial skills of swordsmanship, fist fighting, and the art of gambling. Julie excelled at all of it, especially sword fighting, and by age 12 she was a highly competent swordswoman.

She was also an attractive and lusty young woman. At age 16, she embarked on an affair with her father’s immediate superior in the royal household, the Comte d’Armagnac. Even by French standards of the day of royal intrigues and romantic liaisons, Julie’s behavior and the Comte’s passionate response were scandalous. To tone down the gossip, the Comte arranged to have Julie married off at age 17 to a clerk, Jean de Maupin. Despite these nuptials, Julie spent little time―and soon no time at all― with de Maupin and continued her affair with the Comte.

Soon, though, even this proved too humdrum for the adventurous Julie.

She ran away with a fencing master named Séranne. The couple gave fencing demonstrations at local fairs and taverns to earn a living. In time, Julie, accustomed to the more privileged life of royal adjacency, cooled on the affair.

Other affairs followed with men and women, as did challenges to her skill with a sword. She bested all comers, Letters 72 AUGUST 19, 2022

Julie, undeterred by the restricted accessibility to her lover, came up with a scheme which has put her into the history books as one of the most daring lovers of all time. wounding and even killing men who dared challenge her. It is said that over the course of her life, Julie d’Aubigny killed or wounded at least 10 men, though the number may perhaps be higher.

Of Julie’s affairs with women, perhaps her most notorious was with a merchant’s daughter, Cécilia Bortigali. Cécilia’s father was, of course, outraged, and to avoid scandal he packed his daughter off to a convent. Julie, undeterred by the restricted accessibility to her lover, came up with a scheme which has put her into the history books as one of the most daring lovers of all time. In order to get into the convent, Julie hastily took up religious orders, granting her entry into the convent where Cécilia was housed.

Once inside, the recent fortuitous death of one of the nuns provided Julie with

a plan to allow Cécilia to escape the convent: Julie stole the deceased nun’s body, placed it in Cécilia’s room, set the body on fire, which quickly spread to the rest of the room, forcing Cécilia to flee for her life and into the waiting arms of her lover. The two, reunited, ran away.

But like most of Julie’s affairs this one soon ended, not least because Julie was charged with grave robbing and arson, with arrest warrants pursuing the couple. Only through the intercession of her old lover, the Comte d’Armagnac, did Julie escape imprisonment or the death sentence. The Comte’s influence secured a royal pardon for Julie, the first of two she’d receive as a result of her flamboyance in love or with her sword.

Though Julie was famous, or infamous in some circles, for her way

Continued on page 78

THE LEE ANN WILKINSON GROUP BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES I GALLO REALTY

AND DELAWARE HUMANITIES PRESENT

FIND

YOUR PLACE IN

HISTORY

2022 HISTORY BOOK FESTIVAL LEWES, DELAWARE

Our 2022 History Book Festival returns to its in-person, weekend format. Join us for a wide range of historical fiction and narrative nonfiction by both well-known and emerging authors.

SEPTEMBER 23, 24, & 25, 2022 HistoryBookFestival.org AUGUST 19, 2022

73 Letters

Letters 74 AUGUST 19, 2022

AUGUST 19, 2022

75 Letters

Letters 76 AUGUST 19, 2022

AUGUST 19, 2022

77 Letters

Historical Headliners

Continued from page 72

with a blade, she was also known for an astonishingly beautiful voice. After her royal pardon in the Bortigali affair, Julie was free to return to Paris, where she joined the Paris Opera. Soon becoming a star, where she was billed as La Maupin, Julie’s performances were often as brazen on stage as her life was off stage.

In one performance, during a particularly passionate scene, Julie bit the ear of her operatic lover, causing the man’s ear to bleed!

Never one to be left out of a fancy party, Julie, dressed in men’s attire, crashed a royal ball in Paris, where various noblewomen were in attendance.

Her eye on the most beautiful, Julie boldly sidled up to the woman and kissed her, succeeding where a number of male suitors failed. The men, their honor thus belittled, challenged the interloper to duels. Julie, of course, defeated them all.

She fled to Brussels, where she received the second of her royal pardons.

The newly enacted royal decrees against dueling only mentioned men. Women, not normally associated with martial arts,

In one performance, during a particularly passionate scene, Julie bit the ear of her operatic lover, causing the man’s ear to bleed! were not mentioned in the decrees, thus paving the way for the king—who was said to be amused at Julie’s antics—to issue a pardon.

By the early 1700s, Julie embarked on what appeared to be a serious and loving relationship with Madame la Marquise de

Florensac. The couple remained together a mere two years, from 1703 to 1705, due to de Florensac’s death.

Perhaps it was her sadness at de Florensac’s untimely death, or perhaps other elements dampened Julie’s natural flamboyance, but after her lover’s passing Julie d’Aubigny—swashbuckling adventuress, bisexual serial romancer, passionate opera star—retired, ironically, to a convent, where she died, still in her thirties, in 1707.

We can hope that wherever Julie d’Aubigny ascended—or descended— she is still raising hell. ▼ Ann Aptaker is the author of short stories and the Lambda & Goldie award-winning Cantor Gold crime series. The latest in the series— Hunting Gold—was released July 12, 2022.

Facebook: Ann Aptaker, Author Twitter: @ AnnAptaker, Instagram: ann_aptaker.

DOG DAYS OF AUGUST HAVE YOU HOT AND BOTHERED? Come chill with hand-crafted cocktails and scrumptious dinners.

(It’s never too early to plan ahead… Jazz Festival is right around the corner.

Three nights of awesome entertainment).

— OPEN YEAR ROUND —

Dinner 7 nights, 5:00-10:00pm | Happy Hour, 5:00-6:30pm CALL FOR RESERVATIONS: 227-3100 Telephone: 301-227-3100 • www.justinthymerestaurant.com 38163 Robinsons Drive • Rehoboth Beach (the corner of Hwy. 1 & Robinsons Drive)

Letters 78 AUGUST 19, 2022

Possum Point Players produced by special arrangement with Samuel French

irth

by Tim F

September 16, 17, 23, 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Matinee: September 18 & 25 at 2 p.m.

TICKETS

directed

Box Office - 302-856-4560 Online at www.possumpointplayers.org

ft

cca Cra

by Rebe

L

Saturday, October 8, 2022

A musical celebration of the past 50 years!

More details coming soon!

o

Possum Point Players’ 50th Anniversary Gala

orld

Save the date!

t s h e e k a w m ve

g o ‘ r o un d

Possum Point Players values diversity and inclusion in casting, and in all other areas of the organization.

AUGUST 19, 2022

79 Letters

Q Puzzle Of Baseball and Viagra

Solution on Page 116 ACROSS 1 What’s in the stallion’s mouth 5 “No mo’!” to Gomer 9 Mushroom source 14 Where to find great stones 15 Younger actress Mazar 16 Party in Ian McKellen’s land 17 With 26-Across, baseball movie and source of this puzzle’s quote 19 Screen siren Garbo 20 Rocker Ringo 21 Off-rd. transport 23 Facial characteristic 24 Fraiser portrayer 26 See 17-Across 28 Certain plugs 29 Phallic fishes 31 Relative of Jethrine Bodine 32 Adult film store aisle 33 Org. for Vijay Singh 34 With 53-Across, a quote about a difficult task... or about Viagra 40 Spills one’s seed 42 Portion (out) 43 Early caucus state 44 Rudy Galindo’s milieu 45 Straight ___ arrow 47 Black key for Elton John 48 Drag queen Varla Jean

50 Good looker in a gay bar?

53 See 34-Across 55 Like a top 56 Copland composed for it 57 Words after “bears” 61 Barcelona boy 62 Came to a halt 63 Queens rule over them 64 Palm starch 65 Arrow shaft 66 Dixie Chicks’ “Goodbye ___” DOWN 1 State of polar bears 2 Gobbled down 3 Models of perfection 4 Discharge on one’s face 5 Univ. URL ending 6 Born, to Bonheur 7 Subs from Hirschfeld’s country 8 Bottle of whiskey 9 Math subj.

10 “People” person 11 Moon of Uranus 12 Detroit record label 13 Like beefcake 18 What the Dead Remember writer Harlan 22 Someone who won’t eat your meat

25 Positive reply 27 Gershwin and namesakes 30 Andean pack animal 32 They come before sneezes 33 Summer setting in Ore. 34 It’s nothing but a butt dance 35 Loose cannon 36 Either lesbian at the altar 37 “Baby Doll” band 38 On their field 39 Jodie Foster’s Little Man ___ 40 Diet guru Richard 41 South Pacific setting, broadly 45 Some sex-toy batteries 46 Shoots from cover 47 Home st. of Harper Lee 49 Words for opposing sexual abuse 51 Synthetic fiber brand 52 Hollow stone 54 Salon offering 58 “Isn’t ___ little old for you, dear?”

59 Sea for Debussy 60 Big initials in fashion

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AUGUST 19, 2022

81 Letters

The Sea Salt Table

BY ED CASTELLI

Summer Squash Gratin

W

e love having people over for dinner. But I resist the term “dinner party” as it can imply something formal.

Coming to our house? Skip the kitten heels and new blouse. In fact, we often encourage loungewear. Our guests know: come casual, come hungry, and come expecting you might be put to work.

After relaxing over drinks and apps, there’s nothing I enjoy more than barking orders over the din of a crowded kitchen.

Just kidding about the orders, although hearing a collective “yes chef” would be fun.

Folks are encouraged to keep drinking while being voluntold to perform simple tasks like stirring, carving, pouring, plating, whatever. The point is I’ll never be the cook who keeps everyone seated while presenting fancy platters and singing “Ta-da!”

The key to successful entertaining is for hosts to have fun. If we’re having fun, it’s contagious. I apply this to my menu planning as well. I never juggle elaborate dishes with complex timings. “Make ahead” is my middle name. I’d rather be laughing over your juicy office gaffe than figuring out my next step in a recipe.

The items I serve fit neatly into three categories: things I’ve never made before, things I buy, and things I can make in my sleep.

It seems counterintuitive, but I do like to make at least one dish that’s new to me. A main, a side, an app, or dessert.

It’s quite fun because I haven’t set a bar for the recipe to turn out a certain way. In fact, I’ll often ask people to vote: keep or sweep. Or we’ll kick around how it could be made better.

I also take a page from the great Ina Garten and look for what to buy already made. Stuff my own olives? Make ice cream? Labor over caramel sauce?

Occasionally sure, but mostly nah. You get more bang from a fresh vinaigrette.

Sure, if I have the time and will enjoy making bread, then great. If not, I buy it and move on.

Letters 82 AUGUST 19, 2022

sour cream; 1¼ cups shredded Cheddar or Gruyère cheese; ⅓ cup Parmesan or Asiago cheese; ¼ cup white cooking wine; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp salt; and ½ tsp pepper.

 Mix the following, and sprinkle on top: 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs; 3 Tbl melted butter. If you’re making this ahead, cover and refrigerate (bring to room temperature before proceeding).

The key to successful entertaining is for hosts to have fun. If we’re having fun, it’s contagious.

Lastly, I make sure I have at least one dish I know I can depend on. A crowd pleaser that consistently produces great results. Although even that can backfire.

Like the time I made my infamous pot roast, but it refused to get fork tender. We quickly found there’s only so many times folks can circle a Christmas tree….

But the dish I’m featuring this month is so very dependable. It’s summer comfort food that highlights the bounty coming from our farms. And cheese! Who doesn’t love cheese even on the hottest days?

Oh, and did I say make ahead?! It’s among my most requested recipes for all these reasons and more.

Let’s get started, shall we?

STEPS

 Cover and steam the following over

an inch of gently boiling water: 2 pounds of yellow summer squash, cubed; ½ cup coarsely chopped onion; 1 tsp of salt

 After 5 to 7 minutes, when the squash is fork tender, drain into a large bowl.

Add ¼ cup softened butter and mash until blended.

 Mix in the following, then pour into

a greased two-quart baking dish: ½ cup

 Bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown.

TIPS • Green zucchini is an OK substitute. But I don’t find the skin to be as tender, so I recommend you peel a couple strips lengthwise (not all) before cutting into chunks.

• Don’t skip the wine. This dish is unique in that it’s not cooked off. You’ll taste a subtle hint in every bite, and that would be missed.

• Using a food processor, I grind my own breadcrumbs from a loaf of Italian bread. I don’t even remove the crusts as I like my crumbs “rustic.” Pop them in the freezer and you can scoop out what you need for months. In a pinch substitute panko.

• When my husband and I eat really light for dinner, like a simple piece of grilled chicken and a salad, I often find I’m hungry two hours later. This recipe provides a dish that’s a bit more stick-to-your-ribs. It balances a light summer main such as fish or scallops. But make no mistake, it can hold its own in the dead of winter next to a juicy steak. ▼ 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.

AUGUST 19, 2022

83 Letters

jacklingo.com

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Letters 84 AUGUST 19, 2022

LEWES

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MILLSBORO

28442 Dupont Boulevard Millsboro, DE 19966 office: 302-934-3970

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

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

AUGUST 19, 2022

85 Letters

OUTlook

BY BETH SHOCKLEY

School’s Out—Forever

O

n the day I retired this past July, I posted the song, “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper on my Facebook page. The 1972 song, of course, raucously celebrates the end of the school year with children screaming “Yay!” and a distorted school bell ringing at the end. A bit juvenile for me to post the song at the end of my 9-to-5 working life, but the underlying feeling is true nonetheless. It seems I’m a 12-year-old at heart.

I won’t lie—the past few weeks have been pure bliss and sloth. I feel like Sisyphus finally got that boulder over the mountain. Sunday nights now I fall asleep without anxiety clawing my stomach. In fact, that’s most nights now. I take naps. I read the New York Times AND the Washington Post all the way through. I read lesfic books to my heart’s content. I stay up late and listen to music.

But my purposeful laziness is coming to an end.

I’m starting to make lists of the things I intend to do now. However, they’re fun things, and things I want to do. After 48 years of working for a paycheck, most of the time doing things I HAD to do for someone else, my time is now mine.

I’ve been reflecting on my work life. I’ve been lucky, but I also worked hard. I had part-time and summer jobs beginning when I was 14. But I was most fortunate to be hired for my first real job right after college in my field: journalism. I lived in Columbia, South Carolina, where I had graduated from the University of South Carolina J-school. The job was doing news for the state’s public radio network.

My boss sent me on my first story, to cover controversial environmental hearings at the Savannah River nuclear plant, near Augusta, Georgia. I got lost trying to find it, but eventually found my way on the map. I had done some reading up but didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t expect the many suspicious eyes on me as I set up the mic and tape recorder at the front of the room.

I sat through the hours-long hearing, recording the whole thing.

The protestors (yay, there were protesters!) got up to speak. Three of them took to the podium, put gags over their mouths and stood there for an hour.

After 48 years of working for a paycheck, most of the time doing things I HAD to do for someone else, my time is now mine.

Letters 86 AUGUST 19, 2022

That did not make good radio.

By the time I got back to the station, it was about 9:30 p.m. I had hours of tape to listen through. I didn’t have the right tape editing tools.

I hadn’t indicated where in my notes the good quotes were. The woman running the board that night, Pontheola Mack, took pity on me and helped me at least get the right editing tape. It took me two hours to find some useable sound bites, and hours later, I wrote a couple of versions of the story so my boss could report it the next morning.

The sound bites I gave him were too long; he had to stop at about a minute in. There’s school, then there’s real life. Sounds bites at that time, for public radio, should never have been longer than 30 seconds.

But I was a quick study. Eventually, the station decided to produce a half-hour live news show in the evenings following All Things Considered—and I would be its anchor. We called it Carolina 6:30.

I was promoted to statehouse reporter and anchor. I knew nothing about how the South Carolina legislature worked, but I learned as I went along—which legislation and legislators to follow, the smart ones, the blowhards, the scoundrels.

Lindsay Graham was a state legislator in those days and he was an asshole then, too. South Carolina was in the process, in the early 1980s, of turning from blue to red. It all made for great radio.

That job was a great launchpad. I jumped from radio news in Columbia to working for a US Senator in DC, to Voice of America, to ABC News in New York, to speechwriting for politicians, national heads of Girl Scouts of the USA and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and various and sundry other jobs in between. My longest job was at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control—16 years as the writer and editor of Outdoor Delaware, a (nowonline) magazine.

I’ve had a long and satisfying work career but now it’s time to do what I want with whatever time I have left on the planet. Yes, indeed, school’s out! ▼ Beth Shockley is a retired senior writer/editor. She lives in Dover with her wife and five furbabies.

AUGUST 19, 2022

87 Letters

Letters 88 AUGUST 19, 2022

AUGUST 19, 2022

89 Letters

arts+entertainment

BY DOUG YETTER

SPOTLIGHT ON THE

arts

CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at the Heart of Our Community

DDOA XXII Award Winners

More Than the Average Bear

Make plans to stop by CAMP Rehoboth and see the Delaware Division of the Arts’ Award Winners XXII before it closes on September 5. There’s some amazing art in this exhibition and you do not want to miss it.

CAMP Rehoboth is hosting an exciting bear-friendly art exhibition—More Than the Average Bear—September 10 to October 8. This juried exhibition will showcase works by artists from Washington DC to NYC, as well as local artists.

Right: Stained Glass by Jeffery Moore

Tom Wilson Don’t miss Tom Wilson: Super-Realist/Surrealist at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, on display through October 15. Complimentary passes are available for CAMP Rehoboth members— just stop by the office to pick up your pass.

Above: Galaxy by Tom Wilson

Images by Delaware Division of the Arts XXII Award Winners Top Row: (L-R): Satellite, Satoshi, Situation, oil on board by Mia Muratori; French Fop, clay, underglaze, acrylic paint by Gail Husch.

Bottom Row: Stereo Pair 17-62, palladium print by Roger Matsumoto

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.

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AUGUST 19, 2022

arts+entertainment

artist SPOTLIGHT

LORRAINE LEAVEL

Doug Yetter: When did you become interested in theater and where did you receive your training?

DY: What’s your favorite part of being an artist?

LL: Knowing that something I’ve created can make an impact on others. Cheer them up, make them laugh, give them something that challenges them.

Lorraine Leavel: I became involved in theater in junior high. I am a bit of an introvert and theatre provided an opportunity to express myself in new ways. I received my BFA in musical theater, and BMT in music therapy at Shenandoah University concurrently. I find the arts very therapeutic.

DY: Your least favorite?

LL: Deadlines—LOL! And the arts being undervalued by society.

DY: You’re a true triple threat! You sing, dance, and act….

LL: I consider myself a singer/actor/ mover. I have sung for as long as I can remember, and acting has fascinated me through the years. I love creating a character, putting myself into someone else’s shoes, and seeing the world through another lens.

DY: What have been your favorite roles—and why?

LL: I want roles that challenge me vocally or emotionally. Mother in Ragtime is a favorite—the story brings me to tears and reminds me how far we still have to go. I loved playing Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd—the score is delightful and she’s a lot of fun— ruthless, yet cheerful! Margaret White in Carrie is a role I would play again and again. It’s a joy working alongside amazing casts and creative teams.

DY: You’re also a remarkable costumer. How did that evolve?

LL: My mother and grandmother taught me to sew, and I started by making little clothes for my Barbie dolls. I loved my college costuming classes and worked for a summer as a costume shop assistant. When theaters found out that I sew, it naturally evolved into helping with costumes. It’s fascinating how much of a character can be found through the clothing they wear.

DY: Your husband, Cody, is also a graduate of Shenandoah and has become a well-known jazz saxophonist on Delmarva. Other than both of you being outrageously talented, what traits or talents of his did you find most attractive?

I love creating a character, putting myself into someone else’s shoes, and seeing the world through another lens.

My costuming skills also allowed me to work as wardrobe assistant for Paul McCartney at Firefly a few years ago. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity working with clothing in the entertainment industry.

DY: You also teach?

LL: I am starting my 18th year as an arts educator, teaching theater to grades K-8 at the Southern Delaware School of the Arts in the Indian River School District. I can’t think of a better way to spend my days then sharing my passion for theater with younger learners and watching them grow and discover.

LL: Honestly, I’m in awe of his talents.

His understanding of music and the complexity of jazz is intimidating—in a good way. And I love that he puts his whole self into his music—it is his passion. What I love the most is how he always tries to do the right thing and he makes me laugh. Who could ask for anything more?!

DY: How do you define success?

LL: Putting in the work every day, doing the best you can, knowing that you may not always be perfect, but continually growing. Most importantly—treat others with kindness. I’ve always felt most successful while lifting others up.

DY: Any last thoughts?

LL: I’m very grateful to work with so many wonderful arts organizations in Southern Delaware! ▼

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

AUGUST 19, 2022

91 Letters

arts+entertainment

by Terri Schlichenmeyer

BOOKED SOLID Magic Season: A Son’s Story

by Wade Rouse c.2022, Hanover Square Press $27.99, 304 pages

You’ve always looked up to your dad.

Sometimes it happened literally, like when you were a child and “up” was the only way to see his face hovering over yours. You’ve looked up at him in anger, embarrassment, dismissal, and yeah, you’ve looked up to him in the best ways, too—never forgetting, as in the memoir Magic Season by Wade Rouse, that sometimes, the hardest thing is seeing eye-to-eye.

Wade Rouse threw like a girl.

He couldn’t catch a baseball, either, and he wasn’t much of a runner as a young boy. He tried, because his father insisted on it, but Rouse was better with words and books and thoughts. He was nothing like his elder brother, Todd, who was a natural hunter, a good sportsman, and an athlete, and their father never let Rouse forget it.

And yet, curiously, Rouse and his dad bonded over baseball.

Specifically, their love of Cardinals baseball became the one passion they shared. The stats, the players, the idea that “anything can happen,” the hope that there’d be a World Series at the end of every season was the glue they needed.

It was what saved them when Todd was killed in a motorcycle accident. When Rouse came out to his father, Cards baseball was what brought them back together after two years of estrangement.

In between games, though, and between seasons, there was yelling, cruelty, and all the times when father and son

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AUGUST 19, 2022

didn’t communicate. Rouse accepted, but didn’t like, his father’s alcoholism or his harsh life-lessons; his father didn’t like Rouse’s plans for his own future. Rouse admits that he cried a lot, and he was surprised at the rare times when his father displayed emotion—especially since an Ozarks man like Ted Rouse didn’t do things like that.

Until the time was right.

Love, Wade Rouse says, is “shaped like a baseball.” You catch it, throw it, or hit it out of the park, but “You don’t know where it’s going.”

Just be sure you never take “your eye off it, from beginning to end.”

Oh, my. Oh, my, but Magic Season is a 10-hankie book.

First, though, you’re going to laugh because author Wade Rouse is a natural-born humorist and his family is a great launching-pad for him despite the splinters and near-clawing despair of the overall theme of this book. That sense of humor can’t seem to let a good story go, even when it’s obvious that there’s something heartbreaking waiting in the bullpen.

Which brings us to the father-son-baseball triple-play. It may seem to some readers that such a book has been done and done again, but this one feels different. Rouse excels at filling in the blanks on the other, essential teammates in this tale and, like any big skirmish, readers are left breathless, not knowing the final score until the last out.

If you like your memoirs sweet but with a dash of spice and some tears, right here you go. For you, Magic Season is a book to look up. ▼ 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.

ENTERTAINMENT MINUTES FROM THE BEACHES!

RED NOT CHILI PEPPERS Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute August 28 - 8PM

August 25 - MAMA'S BLACK SHEEP: Quayside@Nite / 7PM August 26 - COMPLETELY UNCHAINED: Van Halen Tribute / 8PM August 27 - DUELING PIANOS: Flying Ivories / 8PM September 1 - FELLOW TRAVELERS: Quayside@Nite / 7PM September 2 - ANGRY YOUNG BAND: Billy Joel Tribute / 8PM September 8 - LOWER CASE BLUES: Quayside@Nite / 7PM September 9 - SWITCHING SEASONS: Stand-Up Comedy / 8PM September 10 - SEPARATE WAYS: Tribute To Journey / 3PM & 8PM September 14 - MANDIE STEVENSON: Psychic Medium / 7PM September 15 - AL FRANTIC BAND: Quayside@Night / 7PM September 16 - BEST FRIEND'S GIRL: Cars Tribute / 8PM September 18 - PRINCESS TEA: Interactive Live Show / 1PM September 22 - CHRISTINE HAVRILLA: Quayside@Nite / 7PM September 23 - MAGNOLIA APPLEBOTTOM: Drag Show / 8PM September 25 - ASSISTED LIVING: The Musical / 2PM & 6PM September 29 - HOT SAUCE BAND: Quayside@Nite / 7PM

7 BRIDGES The Ultimate Eagles Experience September 3 - 3PM & 8PM September 4 - 3PM & 8PM

BROADWAY BACKWARDS

Turning Broadway Upside Down!

September 24 - 8PM

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW EXPERIENCE October 13 -22 (6 shows)

NIGHT OF THE THE WIZARD OF OZ LIVING DEAD: December 1-11 THE MUSICAL JR. (10 shows) October 27-29 (3 shows)

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

www.MILTONTHEATRE.com CANCEL CULTURED PEARLS Miss Richfield 1981 September 28 - 7:30PM

302.684.3038 110 Union St. Milton, DE

AUGUST 19, 2022

93 Letters

Straight Talk

BY DAVID GARRETT

Christian Nationalism It’s Rise (and Eventual Demise)

O

ne of the basic principles of science everyone learns in high school is “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” Over the last couple of decades there has been a strong societal shift away from organized religion. The institutional church has seen its membership shrink at a quick pace. Sundays are no longer the day of rest that they were in the Leave It to Beaver days.

The reactive movement is now in full swing. While the numbers may not be increasing, the power and political posturing of the conservative evangelical church is on the rise. With the appointments of three Supreme Court justices by the previous president, the religious right has attained a new position of power to change our way of life. The executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are supposed to be equal, but we have recently seen how the judicial branch can turn our nation in a different direction in the blink of an eye.

The reversal of Roe v. Wade has shaken the foundation of the liberal agenda and has put other key aspects of our daily life in jeopardy. Justice Clarence Thomas said the quiet part out loud when he identified contraception, private sexual practice, and same-sex marriage as other Supreme Court precedents that can and should be similarly reversed.

Most disturbing, however, is the chatter about Christian nationalism. Marjorie Taylor Greene, certainly not one who is a voice for all the right (perhaps alt-right, though), recently said, “We need to be the party of nationalism and I’m a Christian, and I say it proudly, we should be Christian nationalists.” MTG’s comments follow closely on the heels of another ultra-conservative Republican, Lauren Boebert. She stated, “The church is supposed to direct the government, the government is not supposed to direct the church.... I’m tired of this separation of church and state junk.”

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AUGUST 19, 2022

While it is tempting to discount the breadth of the following that these two women have, we cannot ignore the stage upon which they speak. As duly elected US Representatives in Congress, they have access to tremendous audiences influenced by their words. Even more troublesome are the other voices being raised with the same goal.

This minority cannot rule the diverse majority of our nation.

Andrew Torba is a young 30s social media guru who founded the platform Gab. He represents himself, and allows others on Gab to express, antisemitism.

It serves no purpose in this article to quote any of his or others’ posts, but suffice it to say that the Anti-Defamation League has highlighted his views.

On October 27, 2018, Robert Bowers entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and yelled, “All Jews must die.” He shot 11 worshipers to death, and wounded six others. Bowers had previously posted antisemitic comments on Gab. These acts and beliefs are closely held by those who proclaim Christian nationalism. Doug Mastriano, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Pennsylvania, has paid Gab as a social media consultant for his candidacy. This seems to be an unholy alliance.

David Corn, Washington, DC Bureau Chief for Mother Jones magazine, reflects on this topic. “For much of US history, evangelicals have contended that America is a Christian nation…. The founders did not conceive of the new country as a Christian state and were dubious about the intersection of established religion and government.”

Corn adds later, “Christian nation-

alists are a minority of Americans and a minority of Christians, but I fear that this extremist movement can undermine the values of tolerance and freedom of thought that are crucial for...a diverse country…. Christian nationalism...poses a threat to a pluralistic society. Perhaps it’s good that its adherents have become more open about its tyrannical goal so this anti-American movement can be directly challenged.”

That is precisely why Christian nationalism will eventually experience its demise. This minority cannot rule the diverse majority of our nation. When leaders and groups opposing this movement begin to unite their efforts, they will succeed in undermining the momentum that seems to be currently building.

Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis writes in The Nation, quoting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, “We live in a moral universe.... It is an inexorable truth that freedom will prevail in the end, that injustice and repression and violence will not have the last word.” To fight Christian nationalism, she adds, “we believe it’s necessary to build a multiracial moral movement that can speak directly to the needs and aspirations of poor and dispossessed Americans and fuse their many struggles into one.”

However you worship, whoever you worship, indeed IF you worship or not, speak out when confronted by those who desire to mandate your rights, your thoughts, your beliefs. Let the reactive energy of the demise of Christian nationalism begin. ▼ 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.

AUGUST 19, 2022

95 Letters

A bonded pair.

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3BR, 2BA, one floor living w/ large screened porch 5 blocks to the beach Good rental history Enjoy the traditional cottage, or build new 50x100 lot Randy Mason

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Cell:

Cell:

(302) 236-4254

Letters 96

246 Rehoboth Avenue Rehoboth Beach, DE 302-227-3883 (office)

AUGUST 19, 2022

(302)-236-1142

S R A E B H C A E B H T REHOBO CELEBRATING 8 GREAT YEARS

Top of T 56 Balt he Pines imore Av Startin g at 6p e m

AUGUST 19, 2022

97 Letters

1

3

2

(Continued from page 67) THIS PAGE (left to right): 1) at The Pines: Farrah Barow, Daniela Barow, Jesse Corbin, Chris Messina, David Gonce, Nick Metcalf, Sam Harvey, David Herchik, Jeremy Bernstein, Richard Looman, Simon Melamah, Sandra Nea, David Bauer, Josh Eshelman; 2) at Houston White Co.: Jim D’Orta, Mary Rose D’Orta, George Toma, Marc Chase; 3) at RB Museum: Bonnie Mann, David Mann, Dick Byrne, Sherri Wright; 4) at Poodle Beach: Joe Coates, Yassi Hariri, David Franco, Keith Long.

OPPOSITE PAGE: 5) at Poodle Beach: Tony Perraine, Ralph Weist, Keith Krueger, Diane Krueger, Rick Krueger, Kay Frye, Joel Lawson, Basar Akuzzu, Scott Thureen, Matt Blocher, Matt Alion, Loui Leres, Aman Kapoar; 6) at Aqua: Anthony Giuseppetti, John Walker, John McEwen, David Camorali, JoAnn Glussich, Suzanne Krupa, Michael Welborn, Lisa Strack, Phil Brandt, Shelly Mayes, Tim Mayes, Alberto Rivera-Rentas, Will Durant, Dan Giacobbi, David Gudelunas, Jim Hoban, Tim Devine, Troy Roberts, Michael Forte; 7) at Tacky Tourist: Mark Matey, Tom Negran, Marc Anthony Worosilio, Jay Kottoff, 8) DC Flag Football League Beach Bowl: Christine Whole, Ashley Shronge, David Garrett, Emily Blehsent. ▼

4 Letters 98

AUGUST 19, 2022

5

6

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OUR SUPPORTERS MAKE IT HAPPEN 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 Judy & Carole Jesiolowski James W. Johnson & Matthew H. Shepard* Wesley Lin & Brian Chapman Fred Munzert & J.P. Lacap Beth Pile & S.A. White X Mark Purpura & Matthew Adams* Chris Rinaldi & Brian Powers X Mary Rossettini & Kathleen Taylor Jennifer Rubenstein & Diane Scobey X 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 Wesley Blickenstaff* Jane Blue & Louisa Watrel X Joe Brannen & John Klomp X Tom Brown X Chris & Richard Cahill X Elizabeth Carl & Tori Hill X Richard Coss & Mike Hull* Elbert Leroy Dage Lou Fiore & Jim Burke* Gary Gajewski - In Memory of Dr. John A. Boscia Richard Gamble & Paul Lindsey* David & Marti Garrett* Harry Hallock Fred Harke - In Memory of Robert Rougeau X Holly Horn & Kathleen Garrity X 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

Letters 100

Mark Niehaus & Brooks Honeycutt X Jeanine O’Donnell - State Farm* Gwen Osborne & Katie Handy X Porter-Gordon Family* Deborah Qualey & Karen Gustafson X John Roane & Doug Lingenfelter - In Memory of Jeff Hosley Lori & Renee Rocheleau Mark Roush & Dave Banick* Mark Schweizer & Robert Voelker Susan Tobin & Cathy Martinson* Terry Vick* Mel W. & Linda Lee M. Weller Ronald Wetzel & Nathan Hench*

BLUE LEVEL Marge Amodei* Ronald Bass & George Robbins X Rocky Bible & Kevin Bosley In Memory of Jackie Morris Tim & Meredith Birrittella Teresa Bolduc & Kim McGeown* 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* Tom Galloway & Les Diggs Perry Gottlieb & Tim White* Irene & Lou Katz* Nancy & Tora Kennedy* Paul & Anne Michele Kuhns* Glenn Lash & Mark Paugh Bob Mancuso & Doug Murray Chris Rouchard X Michael Shaffer & Benjamin Wilson X Sandra Skidmore X Frank Surprenant, DDS & Chris Wisner X

GREEN LEVEL Sharon Bembry & Lois Powell* Alex Benjamin & Pete Grover* 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* Ann DeLazaro & Annette Potemski Marianne DeLorenzo & Linda Van de Wiele* Max Dick* Diane Dragositz Kathy & Corky Fitzpatrick X Keven Fitzsimmons & Jeff Stroud X Jim & Tom Flower* Cynthia Flynn & Deirdre Boyle X 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

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Karen Hugues & Cathy McCallister X Anthony Incalcatera & James Buswold Alex IX & Gare Galbraith Nola Joyce & Brenda Eich* Jocelyn Kaplan & Idalie Adams In 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 Susan Morrison* Dennis Neason & Steve Bendyna* Kim Nelson & Lori Simmons X Fran O’Brien & David Gifford* Keith Petrack & Michael Fetchko* Anne Pikolas & Jean Charles X Gail Purcell & Sandy Kraft* Tony Purcell & In Memory of Daniel Espejel Bill Rayman & Frank King* Marty Rendon & John Cianciosi* Douglas Sellers & Mark Eubanks* Scott Shaughnessy & John Hassell* William Snow X Mary Spencer & Kathy Lingo* Joseph Steele & Chris Leady David Streit & Scott Button* Anne Tracy & Mary Gilligan* Cal Weible & Daniel Halvorsen X 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 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?*

CAMP REHOBOTH MEMBERSHIP 2022 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* Dent Farr & Erick Lowe* Dee Farris* 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* Nan Hunter & Chai Feldblum Dorsey Johnson & Kay Jernigan* Philip Johnson* Dee Dee Jones & Julie Blake Frank Jump & Vincenzo Aiosa* Bob Kabel* 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 Phil Merola & Rocco Scutaro 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*

Richard Scalenghe & Thomas Panetta* 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* Dee Speck & Linda Kauffman X Matthew Stensrud & Michael Cohen* Lenny Stumpf & John B. Pitchford* Brett Svensson & Bill Quinn Dust 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 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 Bauer The 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* Ingrid Callmann & Karen Askins* Charlie Codacovi* Beth Cohen & Fran Sneider X Community Bank Delaware* Mark Conheady* Lois Cortese & Jill Stokes X Kay Creech & Sharon Still* Kenneth Currier & Mike Tyler X John D’Amico* Julie A Danan Linda DeFeo X J. Lynne Dement & Lisa J. Snyder* Donna Dolce* 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 Continued on page 102

clear space theatre company

20 Baltimore Ave. (Beach Block) RB, DE 19971

Tickets On Sale Now!

September 15--25

Masks are required for everyone while inside the building. No food or beverages allowed inside the theatre.

For complete show schedules & tickets, please visit:

www.ClearSpaceTheatre.org Or call

302.227.2270

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.

Clear Space Theatre Company, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

AUGUST 19, 2022

101 Letters

Continued from page100

Paul Finn & Joseph Porporino* Barbara Fitzpatrick & Denise Centinaro Deb Fox & Deb Bonneau Charles Gable Christopher Galanty & James Apistolas Ron Glick & Tien Pham* William Gluth & Channing Daniel* Ed Gmoch* Mike Gordy & Ed Brubaker* Joe Gottschall & Scott Woody 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 Mary Anne Hoopes & Dianna Johnston* Vance Hudgins & Denny Marcotte* John Hulse X Mary Huntt & Angela Creager* Janet Idema & Patricia Higgins* Anne Kazak & Chris Coburn X Maryl Kerley X Bonnie Kirkland & Wanda Bair X Myra Kramer & John Hammett* Rob & Jean Krapf X Barbara Lang & Diane Grillo* Kim Leisey & Kathy Solano Jim Lesko Dale & Sue Lomas* Duncan MacLellan & Glenn Reighart* Marsha Mark & Judy Raynor* James Mastoris & Edward Chamberlain X Jonathan Mattner & Chad Rinker Michael & Stephan Maybroda* Kathy & Steve McGuiness* Kate McQueen* James Mease & Philip Vehslage* 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*

Letters 102

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 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 Brian Bartels* 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* James C. P. Berry & Matthew Stanislao Lisa Beske - In Loving Memory of Steve Elkins* Christine Bielenda & Karen Feuchtenberger* Thomas Biesiadny X Deb Bievenour & Susan Shollenberger* Beatrice Birman & Mary Malgoire

AUGUST 19, 2022

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* Jack Bucchioni Carol Buck Al Bulliner X Belinda Buras & Linda Simeone Geoffrey Burkhart & Bruce Williams* Lyn Burleson & Sharon Werner* Carol L. Burnett X Mary Jean Burns & Novalyn Winfield Stephen Burt & Michael Jones Timothy B. Bush X Sherry Butler James Byrnes X Robertine Cale* Debbie Cali & Maddie Cunningham Leslie Calman & Jane Gruenebaum* Pat Campagna & Debra Sansoucie 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 Donald Crowl* Mark Cunningham & Ken Tattersall X Rich Custer Jamie Cuthbert & KT Tinney Howard Cyr & Lynn Ashley* Ellen Dahl* Charles Daniels 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 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 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 Debbie & Karen Dorris* Kathryn Downs Frances Doyle X Paul Dradransky X Zita Dresner Michael Driscoll & Ben McOmber X Deanna Duby & Carol Bruce* Barry Dunkin Gene Dvornick X Sue Early X Frank Echols & Robert Robinson Eden Restaurant X Claire Edmondson & Louise Bylicki Brad Edwards Richard Egler Gail Elliott & Bea Hickey* Pamela Elliott W. Kay Ellis* Ann Evans*

Lisa Evans & Joann Gusdanovic Susan Farr & Joanne Pozzo Jane Farrell Larry & Ro Fedorka* Karen Ferguson* 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* Mary Ford & Judy Hedrick X Beebe Frazer X Phil Fretz X Billiemichelle & Evelyn Friel* Bill Fuchs* Marilyn Fuller & Teresa Marigliano Susan Furman Lorraine Gaasche & Jill Mayer* Frank Gainer & Ramon Santos* Lynn Gaites & Faye Koslow X Nina Galerstein* Charles Gallagher & James Day Marcia Gallo & Ann Cammett 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 & Paul Weppner* 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 Anita Gossett & Ronnie Smith* Robert Gotwalt & Norman Jones Bill Graff & Jeff Schuck* Lisa & Raymond Graff* 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 Christopher Guidone Helene Guilfoy X Lori Guitson Continued on page 104

At The Lodges of Coastal Delaware, we respect, honor and celebrate the individuality of every resident and team member. Here, we believe that a lifestyle community is a place to live, belong, and enjoy 'Life. Your Way.' Named “Best of Delaware” for 2021, The Lodge at Truitt Homestead is proud to be the first SAGECare Certified senior lifestyle community in Delaware, treating each resident with dignity and respect while catering to the unique needs of seniors in the LGBT+ community. Opening in 2023, The Lodge at Historic Lewes will be home to the same exceptional and inclusive lifestyle, offering vibrant assisted living and groundbreaking The Compass Memory Care™.

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reho dental 28-02_Layout 1 3/30/2018 2:12 PM Page 1

LEWES & REHOBOTH BEACH, DE | WWW.LODGELIFEDE.COM | 844-993-9888

AUGUST 19, 2022

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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 Gail Hecky* 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 Moore Mod 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 Wayne Juneau X Mick Kaczorowski X

Letters 104

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* Alan Keffer* Mark Kehoe X Donald Kelly* John Kelly & Randy Sutphin X Michael J. Kelly X Ann Kemper John Kennedy Hunter Kesmodel X Ned Kesmodel & Matt Gaffney X Tom Ketterman Marge Keyes & Julie Arenstein X 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* Kathleen Kress Kevin W. LaBarge X Adam Lamb & Eli Martinez 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* Sherry Leichman & Keith Snyder 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 P. Michael Lutz* Minda Lynch Becky Lyons & Ebie Hamrick X Christopher Magaha* Joe Maggio X Loretta Mahan* Bernadette Maher & Cheryl Tarlecky* Jack Maher X Nancy Maihoff X Eddie Major X Bruce Majors X Harvey Manchester X Domenic Mannello X Robb Mapou & Mike Zufall* Anyda Marchant X Charles Marino & Alan Berman* Diane Markey & Randi Snader* Harold Marmon & Robert Hill* Sharon Marquart Michelle Marsh & Barb Sann Colleen Martin

AUGUST 19, 2022

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 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* 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 Donna Mulder & Denise Delesio* Brent Mundt X Mary Murdoch X Joanie Murphy Marie Murray & Deb Ward X Robbin Murray & De Raynes* Cynthia Myers Marta Nammack & Francis Murphy Marc Nasberg & Howard R. Nelson X Keith Neale X Cindy Necaise & Debbie Cole X Lee Ann Nelson X Darrell Netherton & Robert Wheeler X James Newkirk & Leon Wilkowsky* Janet Newkirk X Arletta Nicholl & Mary Anderson Scott Nickle

Konrad Noebel, MCAT, LMT & Brian Cox* Teri Noel* Janet Nosal Paul Nye & Jerry Hofer 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 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 Steve Sage & Thom Swiger X Chris Sailer & Min Mancini Joe & Nancy Sakaduski* Margaret Salamon* Cindy Sanders & Donna Smith* Sanford & Doris Slavin Foundation X Kim Schilpp* Nancy Schindler & Eric Youngdale Michael Schlechter & Kevin Sharp X Lisa Schlosser & Sherri Brown Rosemarie Schmidt & Carolyn Horn X 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* Kelly Simon Ann Singleton & Twila McDonough 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 Sandy Souder - Unity of Rehoboth Beach* Continued on page 107

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Continued from page 104

Stephanie Specht 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 Milindi Stifler 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 Jill Sungenis & Nicole Bano 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 Cheryll & Bill Trefzger* Carol Trenga & Cheryl Harding Steve Triglia X Roz Troupin & Mary Harris X Patricia Truitt* Matt Turlinski & Jerry Sipes X Ed Turner & Steve Baker X Judy Twell & Cheri Himmelheber Charles Tyrell Bruce Uliss X Thomas Urban & Marc Samuels* 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 Jack Warren* Sharyn Warwick X Ellen Watkins X Troy Watson & Dennis Wolfgang* Barbara Weatherly Debbie Webber & Terry McQuaid* West Side New Beginnings

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107 Letters

View Point

BY RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

Unleashing the Dogs of Intolerance

W

alking home from the bakery on a recent Sunday morning, I encountered a young man with two pit bull puppies. He stood in the street with them to avoid a passing Newfoundland.

(Dupont Circle is a dog lover’s neighborhood.) I walked over and greeted the pit bulls and said how handsome they were.

They happily jumped on me, which was not the owner’s fault since he had them leashed and I was provoking them. Their names were Blueberry and Monroe.

Dogs raised with love return it manifold. Some are high-spirited, and not everyone is as fond of them as I, so it is important to obey leashing laws. This is a compromise: There is a socially respectful middle ground between letting dogs run in packs through the streets on one hand and banning them (or particular breeds) altogether on the other.

They are descended from predators, however. Those sweet puppies slobbering on me had powerful jaws.

To be honest, it wasn’t just their coats but their facial bone structure that contributed to their particular beauty.

Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar, “Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war.”

We don’t need a lot of extra effort to get into bloody conflicts; we can simply let go of the leash. I just watched an unscrupulous politician on television angrily stoking intolerance with the lie that massive voter fraud resulted in a stolen election in 2020. When we reward pleasing yet false narratives with our votes, we are just as guilty for what follows as if we had pulled the trigger.

School officials in southeastern Wisconsin have decided that they can remove politics from the classroom by censoring expressions like pronouns and flags that make people uncomfortable. (To give them credit, they are banning MAGA banners as well as rainbow flags.) If they had faced discrimination, they might realize that going about your business as if you have a right to exist is inherently political.

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The trouble is that for those whose identities and views are the default, the political aspect is invisible. It is only differences which cause them discomfort that they regard as political.

How can this suppression affect children whose very existence is labeled political and undesirable, other than to cause harm? I bet those school administrators never read Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.

In the next few elections, to avoid disintegration, it is necessary for Democrats to defeat Republicans.

When there is no room allowed for diverse expression, we end up with right-wing mobs disrupting peaceful protests; a would-be dictator adopting police-state tactics; and insurrectionists causing mayhem and defiling the Capitol. To claim to be a patriot while opposing the right to speech and religious practices different from yours is a contradiction. Diversity is a fundamental feature of this country that cannot be eliminated even if we go after it with fire, blood, and terror. We must at least tolerate one another or die. If that is not revolutionary enough, leaflet someone else.

In the next few elections, to avoid disintegration, it is necessary for Democrats to defeat Republicans. In the longer term, we have something greater at stake than competing sets of policy preferences. We have a republic, which requires adherence to norms of mutual respect.

As long as we make room for the subversiveness of humor, there is hope. Comedy is often edgy, which

brings scolds and worse. Chris Rock was slapped at the Oscars, and Dave Chappelle was tackled at the Hollywood Bowl. At the LGBT March on Washington in 1993, lesbian comic Lea DeLaria provoked a huge controversy by quipping, “We finally have a first lady we could f*ck.”

Whatever one thinks of particular performers, offending someone is unavoidable unless you are too bland to bother with—which offends me. I remember a controversy at a Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington rehearsal in the 1980s over a lyric (possibly a reference to the Virgin Mother instead of the Virgin Parent) to which a progressive member objected. On that occasion the room was with me, and I got applause by pointing out that we were the Gay Men’s Chorus, not the Inoffensive Men’s Chorus. After two decades I moved on, but the chorus is still thriving, having responded to COVID with creative online performances.

To answer the late Rodney King: no, we cannot all just get along. We are a passionate and contentious lot. There are times when we need to put a leash on it, and times when we need to fight aggression and self-destructive folly.

A pivotal election is less than three months away. ▼ Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and activist at rrosendall@me.com.

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AUGUST 19, 2022

109 Letters

DOG DAYS

BY PATTIE CINELLI

The Surprising Benefits of Dog Love

A

bout four months ago I adopted a mini-golden lift my spirits. A 2009 study in Japan found that when dogs doodle puppy, Dante. I already have a sweet, and people look at each other or interact with each other, handsome four-year-old labradoodle, Gianni. He they both get a surge of oxytocin—which is commonly known has been my rock and supporter for the past two as the love hormone because it fosters the development of years since my soul companion, Gianni’s older bonds with others. That’s why it’s not uncommon to find dogs brother, Marcello, transitioned. used in hospitals and by therapists to help reduce feelings of Marcello was my first dog ever. All my life I yearned for a depression. dog of my own. Growing up, I begged my father for a dog but Studies have found that just petting dogs can help lower the only living creature I was allowed to have was a people’s heart rates and blood pressure. Other goldfish. research has found dog owners have lower As an adult, I did not feel it was okay for triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Heart me to get a pup when I had two careers attack patients tend to live longer if they which kept me out of the house well have a canine friend at home. into the evening. It wasn’t until I Having Marcello fulfilled the need was deep into middle age, when I I had for unconditional love. He abandoned the office gig to start gave me a reason to come home my own business, that the longand his overly-enthusiastic greetago buried desire for a canine ing every time easily outmatched companion surfaced. My flexible any parent, partner, or friend’s schedule gave me confidence excitement about my arrival. that I could be a decent dog Marcello gave me companmom. I was excited about how ionship and vastly improved my much fun it would be, how I would social life. I no longer had to search no longer be alone, and how I through my address book to find a would finally be like everyone else friend available to see a movie, have who had dogs in their lives. But I a drink, or just get together. Instead, never imagined how a 40-pound golden I ushered Marcello into the car and we doodle would change my life. took off, sometimes to the dog pool, other From the first day I brought him home, times to an open field where he could play Marcello was a handful. Feisty, indepenball. He even came to parties with me. dent, and not cuddly, he had a way of Marcello helped me cope with crisis.

I didn’t know that just looking me in the eye, then doing whatever When my aunt became ill, Marcello travlooking into my dog’s he pleased. eled with me to New York and emotionally Marcello and I sometimes were outside eyes could lift my spirits. supported me through my aunt’s illness and walking the streets of our neighborhood death. When my yoga mentor and friend four times a day. My neighbor remarked turned 100, Marcello traveled with me to that he had seen me more in the six months New York to celebrate her birthday. since Marcello’s arrival than he had in all the 15 years we had Gianni was a panic-yet-perfect acquisition. When I realized lived across the street from each other. Because I had a dog, Marcello wouldn’t live forever, I was frightened of being without strangers smiled; some even talked to me. When I began lethim. That’s when I got Gianni, who I believe kept Marcello ting Marcello off-leash in the park up the street, I got to know youthful until the ripe old age of 15.5. other dog parents while our dogs played. When I joined the I love my dogs more than I ever could have imagined. I’ve local dog park, I made friends that I still enjoy 15 years later. never loved any living creature more nor have I ever felt as While being outside more, walking more, and making new loved by or as close to any human the way I feel towards my friends are impactful and positive benefits of owning a dog, boys. My home feels complete because of Gianni and Dante. I I never imagined that having a dog might even help me live waited a long time for my canine companions. For me, they are longer. Several studies between 1950 and 2019 found that not just a part of my family, they are my family. I can’t imagine dog owners had a lower risk of death. Studies also show that ever being without them. ▼ dog owners may have lower blood pressure and an improved response to stress. The American Heart Association states that having a dog could reduce one’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Pattie Cinelli has been a health and fitness professional and writer for more than 25 years. Contact her at: fitmiss44@aol.com.

I didn’t know that just looking into my dog’s eyes could Letters 110

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111 Letters

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AUGUST 19, 2022

WE REMEMBER Jean Arleen Houck

J

ean Arleen Houck, 87, of Lewes, passed away Sunday, July 24, 2022, of congestive heart failure.

She was born October. 25, 1934, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

Jean attended West Chester University and worked as a vocal music educator for school districts in Missouri and Pennsylvania, where she inspired countless students in her classroom and through her direction of after-school plays and musicals. Jean married her loving partner, Doris Kayser, May 15, 2015. Jean is survived by her partner, Doris; her cousin, Joan Houck; and a family of friends.

Jean was an avid reader and bridge player but remained committed to her musical pursuits throughout her life as choir director for St. George’s Chapel in Harbeson, the conductor of the Jazz Mass at All Saints’ Church for the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, and a performer with Clear Space Theatre Company.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 9, in St. George’s Chapel Parish Hall, 20271 Beaver

Dam Road, Harbeson, with Rev. Shelley D. McDade officiating.

Attendees are asked to prepare a brief memory of Jean to share during the celebration. A luncheon will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. George’s Chapel music program. windsor's 28-02_windsor's 14-15.qxd ▼ 3/30/2018 2:26 PM Page 1

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AUGUST 19, 2022

113 Letters

Deep Inside Hollywood Amandla Stenberg Enters the Star Wars Universe in The Acolyte

A

mong the new generation of LGBTQ+ Hollywood, Amandla Stenberg stands out. They’ve already made their mark on films like The Hate U Give and this summer’s Bodies Bodies Bodies, and used their platform for activism, but now the queer actor will make the leap into space. Stenberg will play the lead role in the upcoming Star Wars television series, The Acolyte.

Filmmaker Leslye Headland (Sleeping with Other People), who also co-created the Netflix hit Russian Doll, will be showrunner and the first queer woman in that position on a Star Wars project.

There’s very little information at the moment, but Acolyte will take place hundreds of years before the events seen in the 1999 film Star Wars, Episode 1—The Phantom Menace, and involve those wicked Siths making trouble.

Production begins this year, so look for Stenberg to light saber the heck out of some galactic villains in 2023. ▼

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE

Trace Lysette and Patricia Clarkson Hit Venice International Film Festival with Monica

T

he Venice International Film Festival will host the world premiere of Monica, the latest film from Italian writer-director Andrea Pallaoro. Pallaoro shares screenwriting credit with frequent collaborator Orlando Tirado, and the film stars transgender actress Trace Lysette (Transparent) in the title role, her first lead in a feature. Monica is the story of a woman returning home after years away, in order to care for her sick

mother (Patricia Clarkson), and in the process she confronts the world she left behind and reconnects with the rest of her family as they deal with the fallout of rejection and the possibilities of forgiveness. Co-starring Emily Browning (American Gods), Joshua Close (Fargo), and Adriana Barraza (Babel), expect to see it making appearances at more festivals and then a screen near you later this year. ▼

Sarah Paulson Is Giving You Dust

S

arah Paulson, the hardest working lesbian in Hollywood, has a couple of high-profile projects coming our lucky way. She’s already signed on to play author Glennon Doyle in the filmed adaptation of her most recent memoir, Untamed.

A coming out story and meditation on contemporary female empowerment, the TV project comes from J.J. Abrams’s production company. Doyle reached out to Paulson personally to request that she

play her and Paulson agreed. And just announced, Paulson will step into the lead role in the Searchlight Pictures’ thriller Dust. It’s about a woman who has to protect her family from increasingly violent dust storms (!), which seem to be connected to threatening events in her own past. Both are currently in production, so 2023 is looking like the year of even more SP. ▼

The Homophobes Might Not Be Ready for Season 2 of Chucky

I

f you’re queer, it’s the law that you love Chucky, the murderous doll that first appeared in the 1988 film Child’s Play. Look, people make up arbitrary laws all the time. It’s our turn—and the killer toy’s gay creator, Don Mancini, is determined to bring even more queer representation to the second season of the hit Syfy series Chucky.

Coming up, gay teen Jake (Zackary Arthur) and his boyfriend Devon (Björgvin Arnarson) continue to run afoul of the tiny serial killer; Chucky’s bride Tiffany (Jennifer Tilly) and their non-binary child Glen/ Glenda (Lachlan Watson) are in the mix; and the cast is expanding to include Jennifer Tilly’s sister Meg, as well as Showgirls/Bound legend Gina Gershon. Plots are more or less under wraps, but there will be mayhem, murder, and irreverent comedy, because without those things it wouldn’t be the wonderful world of Chucky. Your October just got amazing. Bring your own Halloween candy. ▼

Romeo San Vicente is already stocking up on full-size candy bars that will not be shared.

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115 Letters

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117 Letters

AD INDEX 1776 Steakhouse....................................................... 19 AG Renovations........................................................ 109 AIDS Walk Delaware................................................. 112 All Saints Church........................................................ 96 Apothecanna LLC....................................................... 34 Aqua Bar & Grill.......................................................... 55 Atlantic Jewelry.......................................................... 57 Beebe Healthcare...................................................... 27 Beebe Healthcare Career Opportunities................... 46 Beebe Medical Foundation........................................ 83 Brandywine Urology Consultants............................... 21 Brandywine Valley SPCA.......................................... 111 Bras For A Cause........................................................ 63 bsd.............................................................................. 87 Café Azafrán............................................................... 53 CAMP Rehoboth Block Party Save The Date.............. 15 CAMP Rehoboth Letters Subscription...................... 117 CAMP Rehoboth Premier Sponsors........................... 14 CAMP Rehoboth SUNFESTIVAL..................7, 10, 11, 13 CAMP Rehoboth SUNFESTIVAL 5k............................. 15 CAMP Theatre.......................................................... 106 Caroline Huff, Artist.................................................... 19 Chesapeake & Maine, Dogfish Head......................... 31 Children’s Beach House .......................................... 105 Chris Beagle Group, Realtors..................................... 17 Clear Space Theatre................................................. 101 Coho’s Market & Grill.................................................. 39 Country Lawn Care................................................... 118 County Bank............................................................... 53 DE Div of Public Health, Tobacco............................... 25 Debbie Reed Team................................................... 109 Delaware Community Foundation............................. 38

Letters 118 AUGUST 19, 2022

Delaware Hospice...................................................... 47 Delaware Humane Association.................................. 96 Diego’s Bar Nightclub................. 74, 75, 76, 77, 88, 89 Donna Whiteside, Realtor.......................................... 20 Epworth United Methodist Church............................. 43 Fifth Avenue Jewelers.............................................. 103 Focus Multi Sports...................................................... 23 Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant...................115, 119 Gay Women’s Meet Up............................................. 116 go fish go brit............................................................. 85 History Book Festival 2022........................................ 73 Hugh Fuller, Realtor.................................................... 58 Immanuel Shelter....................................................... 85 Jack Lingo, Real Estate.............................................. 84 Jenn Harpel, Morgan Stanley..................................... 23 John Black/Bill Peiffer, Realtors................................. 70 Jolly Trolley.............................................................. 116 Just In Thyme Restaurant........................................... 78 Lana Warfield, Realtor................................................ 19 Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Realtors............................ 52 LifeMed Institute........................................................ 45 Lori’s Café.................................................................. 34 Loves Liquors............................................................. 39 Maplewood Dental Associates................................. 109 McWilliams Ballard Real Estate.................................. 51 MERR Institute............................................................ 53 Milton Theatre............................................................ 93 Nassau Valley Vineyards............................................ 80 New Wave Spas.......................................................... 85 Olivia Travel................................................................ 37 Port 251 Aperitivo Bar & Restaurant.......................... 69 Possum Point Players................................................. 79

Purple Parrot.............................................................. 59 PWW Law.................................................................. 113 Randy Mason/Shirley Kalvinsky, Realtors.................. 96 Rehoboth Beach Bears............................................... 97 Rehoboth Beach Dental........................................... 103 Rehoboth Beach Museum.......................................... 42 Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Department........... 116 Rehoboth Guest House.............................................. 19 Reiki CENTRAL............................................................ 71 Rigby’s Bar & Grill....................................................... 95 Saved Souls Animal Rescue....................................... 42 Sea Bova Associates, Realtors................................. 120 Seaglass at Rehoboth Beach..................................... 42 Springpoint Choice..................................................... 35 State Farm - George Bunting..................................... 71 State Farm - Jeanine O’Donnell/Eric Blondin........... 109 Sussex Family YMCA.................................................. 30 The Lodge at Truitt Homestead................................ 103 The Pines.................................................................... 49 The Warren Group...................................................... 33 Time to Heal Counseling & Consulting...................... 92 Towers Comedy Festival............................................ 41 Troy Roberts, Realtor.................................................. 78 True Blue Jazz............................................................ 81 Unfinished Business................................................... 71 Village Volunteers...................................................... 56 Volunteer Opportunities........................................... 117 Volunteer Thank You................................................ 117 Westminster Presbyterian Church.............................. 34 Windsor’s Flowers.................................................... 113 Zane Jones, Realtor................................................... 47

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119 Letters

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302-542-4197

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HOLLY OAK - Lewes. New Construction – Expected Delivery this month. 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 to the big 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. $449,900 (2021958)

CAMELOT MEADOWS Rehoboth. Adorable 1972 2BR/1BA w/3-season porch.

Update kitchen & bath. 3.5 miles to beach. Community pool. $85,000 (2026146) Lot

Rent $709/mt.

WEBBS LANDING - Lewes. 6BR/5BA home is +3,300 sq. ft. with an In-Law Suite at the rear, a 2-bed/1-bath unit upstairs, an en suite bedroom off of the family room, plus a 1st-floor main suite with a large bath with soaking tub & shower, plus another 1st-floor bedroom next to the full bath in the hall. Living room opens to the kitchen. Family room has a wood-burning fireplace & dining area. All of this on a 1-acre parcel with its own basketball court.

Community pier on Love Creek. HOA just $200/yr. $648,900 (2019326)

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CEDAR BAY – Ocean View.

2006 2BR/2BA 2nd-floor condo in elevator building.

Gas FP. Laminate floors, New KitchenAid appliances.

Pool & 3 miles to beach. $289,900 (2024352)

ONE VIRGINIA AVENUE – Rehoboth Beach. Third-floor 3BR/2BA condo features ocean views from two balconies. It also fronts the new stainless-steel community pool & sundeck. This condo has approx. 1,400 sq. ft. of interior living space. It includes a living room, dining room, kitchen, office, laundry room, en suite main bedroom, 2 more bedrooms & another full bath. Dues are $1,525/mt. & include water, sewer, heat/AC, 2 parking spaces, storage & more. Approx. rental for similar units is $4,500/week in season. $1,300,000 (2024456)

MARINERS COVE - Millsboro.

Updated 1989 3BR/2.5BA doublewide on the canal w/your own private dock.

Community pool. 15 miles to the boardwalk. $145,000 (2027032) Lot Rent $1,005/mt.

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WEST BAY PARK - Lewes.

2014 2BR/1BA Keystone Outback is 8’x32’ w/2 tip-outs.

Marina community w/pool & more. 10 miles to Rehoboth boardwalk. $32,500 (2026260)

2022 Seasonal Lot Rent $5,290

SILVER VIEW FARM Rehoboth. 1997 3BR/2BA home is a 14’x70’ on a corner lot. Vaulted ceilings. Big deck & shed. Part furnished. Pool & 3 miles to beach. $120,000 (2021962) Lot Rent $604/mt.

CAPTAINS GRANT - Millsboro.

1987 3BR/2BA home is on a 1/3-acre lot w/fenced yard.

Bring your boat or RV. 15 miles to the RB boardwalk & nearby Indian River boat clubs. $269,000 (2024242)

HUNTERS MILL - Milton.

1994 3BR/2BA + bonus room.

Cape Cod-style home. 0.52 ac. Fenced backyard. 2 decks & shed. 9 miles to Lewes beach & 12 miles to the boardwalk. $399,900 (2024852)

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

EMAIL

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Office Independently Owned & Operated by SBA, Inc. Prices, promotions & availability subject to change without notice. * “A/C” Active/Under Contract -- Accepting Back-Up Offers