Letters from CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 35, No. 2

inside

THIS ISSUE

See page 34.

SNL at 50: Talk Amongst

30 Out & About A Rainbow at the End of the World

32 View Point Repairing Trump’s Social Damage RICHARD ROSENDALL

34 Let’s Do More

36 Straight Talk

From Plain to Proud DAVID GARRETT

Letters from CAMP Rehoboth welcomes submissions. Email editor@camprehoboth.org. 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. Letters to the Editor (up to 300 words) are published at the discretion of the Editor on a space-available basis. Letters may be edited for length or clarity.

The Real Dirt

Signs of Spring ERIC WAHL

Historical Headliners

Role Play: Greta Garbo/Queen

Christina ANN APTAKER

Women’s+ FEST

NANCY SAKADUSKI At the Polar Bear Plunge, L-R:

ROMEO

VINCENTE 48 From Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell…

To Writing Our Own Stories FELICE COHEN 52 Harbingers of Spring

When the Red, Red Robin… TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER 54 Sea Salt Table

Mary Ann’s Irish Coffee ED CASTELLI 56 Reflections Playing Singles in a Doubles Game PATTIE CINELLI

EDITOR: Marj Shannon

EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE: Matty Brown

DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Mary Beth Ramsey

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: Tricia Massella

DISTRIBUTION: Mark Wolf

CONTRIBUTORS: Ann Aptaker, Murray Archibald, Rich Barnett, Matty Brown, Ed Castelli, Pattie Cinelli, Felice Cohen, Robert DeDominic, Clarence Fluker, Michael Thomas Ford, David Garrett, Joe Gfaller, Julian Harbaugh, Fay Jacobs, Leslie Ledogar, Kim Leisey, Tricia Massella, Marianne Michalakis, Sharon Morgan, Brent Mundt, Eric Peterson, Mary Beth Ramsey, Stephen Raskauskas, Richard Rosendall, Nancy Sakaduski, Terri Schlichenmeyer, Marj Shannon, Beth Shockley, Leslie Sinclair, David Tam, Mary Jo Tarallo, Eric Wahl

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

The inclusion or mention of any person, group, or business in Letters from CAMP Rehoboth does not, nor is it intended 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. © 2025 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved by CAMP Rehoboth. No portion of this publication may be

Robbie Johnson, Angel Smandra. See more CAMPshots page 60.

CAMP REHOBOTH

MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE

MISSION

CAMP Rehoboth is an LGBTQ+ community center determined to Create A More Positive (CAMP) environment that is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities in southern Delaware and beyond. We seek to promote cooperation, understanding among all people, and well-being, as we continue our to work to build a safer community with room for all.

VISION

CAMP Rehoboth envisions communities in southern Delaware and beyond where all LGBTQ+ people thrive.

VALUES

Community | Belonging | Positivity Diversity | Visibility | Transparency Safety | Partnership | Compassion

From the  Editor

BY MARJ SHANNON

Guess what? Women’s History Month is here, despite its disappearance from some “official” calendars! (Kind of reminds me of Christmas coming to Whoville despite the Grinch’s best efforts to erase it….) Needless to say, we’re celebrating the month—see Mary Jo Tarallo’s column on page 12, and Clarence Fluker’s paean to women’s wisdom on page 14.

We’ll also celebrate women—and everyone else, too—come April 10-13, at Women’s+ FEST. This welcoming, inclusive event offers opportunities to mix, mingle, party, dance, laugh, learn—come and be part of the joy that is FEST! See page 44 for details. (BTW—there’s still time to submit artwork to the juried FEST Art+ 2025 exhibit at CAMP Rehoboth. See CAMP Arts for more.)

But hey—April is a month away! We have lots to celebrate right here in March. There’s National LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week (March 17-21)—Stephen Raskauskis has something to say about that. Trans Day of Visibility is March 31; see Sharon Morgan’s column on trans health. Julian Harbaugh speaks to the freedom to femme—and the joys of hair dye. (Who knew?!) There’s also a column from Beebe Healthcare’s President and CEO, David Tam, MD, expressing his commitment to providing a healthcare place for us ALL.

Another March celebration: spring! The equinox is March 20, and several of our writers have taken notice. We have flora and fauna aplenty, from robins and red knots to mourning cloak butterflies and oak-pine forests. Maybe take this issue outdoors to enjoy as you welcome spring up-front-and-personal?

And of course, there’s St. Patrick’s Day. Ed Castelli brings us a recipe for the perfect Irish Coffee with which to toast the day. Or really, any day….

PRESIDENT Leslie Ledogar

VICE PRESIDENT Teri Seaton

SECRETARY Pat Catanzariti

TREASURER Polly Donaldson

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS

Amanda Mahony Albanese, Wes Combs, Lewis Dawley, Mike DeFlavia, David Garrett, Jenn Harpel, Kim Leisey (non-voting), Michelle Manfredi, Kevin Ussery, and Hope Vella

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kim Leisey

CAMP REHOBOTH

37 Baltimore Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 tel 302-227-5620 email editor@camprehoboth.org www.camprehoboth.org

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.

We have lots that’s not March- (or spring-) centric, too: Matty Brown tells us about CAMP Rehoboth’s Yoga for Men program, and the connections that community has forged and leaned upon. Pattie Cinelli relishes her single life in a “doubles” world. David Garrett’s column gives us a window into the lives of a devoted—if unlikely—couple who traveled from Plain to Proud. The Rehoboth Beach Film Society has a new Executive Director; meet Dave Bevers in Brent Mundt’s column.

Questions, comments, and feature ideas are always welcome—you can reach me at: editor@camprehoboth.org.

Thanks so much for reading Letters

OPPORTUNITY BOX

Flash Fiction Contest:

The contest closed on February 15. Many thanks to all who submitted stories. Winners will be announced in the April 4 issue of Letters

Limericks:

May 21 is Limerick Day. To celebrate, we want to publish yours in our May 16 issue. Submissions accepted through Friday, May 2.

LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week

LGBTQ+

Health Awareness Week will be recognized from March 17-21, 2025. This year, the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health has set the theme as “Health Equity NOW!” as an urgent call to action for better healthcare access and outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community. “As policies and funding shift, threatening the health of some of our most vulnerable communities, unwavering commitment to protecting vital services and expanding inclusive care must remain a priority,” said the Coalition.

With the theme in mind, CAMP Rehoboth is participating in the Delaware Advocacy Coalition. Earlier this year, the Coalition launched “Invest in Health: Fund HIV Prevention DE,” a campaign dedicated to ensuring accessible, equitable, and effective HIV prevention resources for all Delawareans. The partnership of public health and community-based organizations includes the Delaware HIV Consortium, AIDS Delaware, Beautiful Gate Outreach Center, Brandywine Counseling, CAMP Rehoboth, Sussex Pride, and Planned Parenthood of Delaware. Find out more by visiting camprehoboth.org/advocacy. ▼

Honoring Transgender Day of Visibility

On March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) will celebrate its 16th year as a holiday. The day shines a light on the courage, beauty, and resilience of the transgender community. The day also marks an opportunity to track progress from the previous year. Now, more than ever, it’s urgently clear: community members must challenge the erasure of the trans community.

In celebration of TDOV, CAMP Rehoboth has partnered with Transitions Delaware and other community organizations to host the Sussex County “Be The One” workshop on Sunday, March 30. After kicking off with two presentations in New Castle County earlier this year, the Be The One campaign comes to Sussex as more than just a talk; it’s a movement of hope and empowerment to support LGBTQ+ youth. Be The One recognizes the importance of providing role models of affirming adults for queer youth and seeks to equip allies with the tools needed to create safe spaces of support and love. For more information on the workshop, and to register, visit camprehoboth.org/events. ▼

NOW ON SALE

Women’s+ FEST Passes and Tickets

The time has finally arrived! Women’s+ FEST 2025 FEST Passes and tickets are now available to purchase online at camprehoboth.org/ womensfest.

FEST Passes are $120 and include admission to the Be Steadwell and Gwen La Roka shows at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, admission to the Saturday night FEST Premier Dance featuring GirlsRoom & DJ Peggy Castle, and a commemorative FEST t-shirt with custom artwork by Laura Jednorski.

There are several events outside of the FEST Pass to complete attendees’ weekend festivities. Check out the full scoop on page 44 and purchase tickets today before they’re all gone at camprehoboth.org/womensfest. ▼

Upcoming Activist Training Workshops

Following the “Protecting Progress” panel, which featured ACLU of DE Executive Director Mike Brickner, plans are being formulated to bring a series of activist training workshops to CAMP Rehoboth. Watch for dates and registration information at camprehoboth.org/ events. ▼

ANTARCTICA

Mary Jo Tarallo

CAPITOL HILL | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman McBride

Boyd Meets Girl to Perform at CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Rehoboth welcomes Coastal Concerts to host musical duo Boyd Meets Girl at CAMP Rehoboth’s Elkins-Archibald Atrium on Sunday, March 23, at 11:00 a.m. The concert is free, but registration is required by visiting camprehoboth.org/events. Attendees of the outreach concert will receive a discount coupon for brunch at the Sunny Bay Café, located at 236 Rehoboth Avenue in Rehoboth.

Boyd Meets Girl pairs Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd with American cellist Laura Metcalf. The duo has toured the world sharing their eclectic mix of music from Debussy and Bach to Radiohead and Beyoncé. Their debut album, Boyd Meets Girl, reached #3 on the Billboard charts, and their follow-up album, Songs of Love and Despair, was praised in Gramophone as “Beguiling…fascinating…enchanting….”

In 2024, Boyd Meets Girl gave the world premiere performances of ANAHATA, a cello and guitar double concerto composed by the Grammy-nominated Clarice Assad, which was commissioned for the duo by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. More information on the duo is available at: coastalconcerts.org/2024-25concert-season.

Coastal Concerts will also host Boyd Meets Girl on Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., at Bethel United Methodist Church Hall, 4th and Market Streets, Lewes. ▼

Empowered Futures: Legal and Healthcare Readiness Day

I

n partnership with the University of Delaware’s Partnership for Healthy Communities and Delaware Technical Community College, CAMP Rehoboth will host “Empowered Futures: Legal and Healthcare Readiness Day.” The event will take to the Del Tech-Georgetown Campus on Thursday, March 27, 9:00 a.m. to noon, and is dedicated to supporting Delaware’s LGBTQ+ residents in navigating key legal and healthcare decisions.

Services available include: healthcare proxy assistance, guidance for estate planning, parentage and adoption support, resources for name/gender change, FREE legal counsel/assistance, FREE notaries to finalize documents, LGBTQ+ community resource tables, and a space that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive.

This event is about providing the support, tools, and connections people need to protect what matters most. Together, let’s create a future where everyone is prepared and empowered! Please be advised: some services will require a government-issued ID. ▼

SAVE THE DATES: SUNFESTIVAL AND BLOCK PARTY!

Even as the community eagerly approaches the fabulous return of Women’s+ FEST (April 10-13), save the dates for CAMP Rehoboth’s upcoming signature events later this year: SUNFESTIVAL and Block Party.

SUNFESTIVAL is the two-day extravaganza that takes over the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on August 30 and 31, 2025. Next, the annual CAMP Rehoboth Block Party will take over the second block of Baltimore Avenue on Sunday, October 19. Visit camprehoboth.org/events for more information. ▼

Stronger Together: Partnering to Support April 2025 MAAETC Conference

CAMP Rehoboth is proud to partner with other Delaware organizations to support the MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (MAAETC) Annual Conference on April 7 in Dover, as part of its ongoing efforts to End the HIV Epidemic (EHE) through its CAMPsafe programming and testing.

This year’s conference, “Stronger Together: Using Creativity and Unity to End the HIV Epidemic,” will bring together 150 clinicians, care team members, community workers, social workers, pharmacists, and others who provide essential services to people living with or at risk for HIV. Attendees will participate in presentations, breakout sessions, and workshops focused on how local organizations can collectively contribute to the EHE initiative. For more details and to register, visit maaetc.org. ▼

Photo credit: Dario Acosta

From the  Executive Director

Not for Naught

Adear friend who recently moved south called me to share a story. My friend was going to an exercise class in her new town. When she walked into the establishment a young woman greeted her from behind the desk and simply asked, “How are you today?”

Filled with the chaos and heaviness of the world my friend blurted, “I’m feeling like I’ve worked and lived for naught—fighting to own a credit card, having to wear shoulder pads in my suits at work to be taken seriously, and competing for jobs where I earned a wage that was much less than that of my male colleagues. Today it feels like it was all for nothing.” The young woman quietly responded, “You did it for us. If it were not for you and all the others that came before us, I would not be owning a business today as a young lesbian.”

Each generation has played a significant role in shaping and supporting the rights and opportunities for Generation Z. While each generation has its own struggles and triumphs, many of the advancements in civil rights, technology, and societal changes that benefit Gen Z were made possible by the efforts and advocacy of previous generations.

Boomers and Gen X were part of the civil rights movements in the 60s through the 80s. They fought for racial equality, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. The progress made during these

times laid the foundation for continued fights for justice that Gen Z now advocates for, including intersectionality and global movements like Black Lives Matter.

Gen X helped to drive the development of the internet, personal computing, and early digital culture. These innovations allowed Gen Z to have tools for global communication, activism, and access to information at their fingertips.

“If it were not for you and all the others that came before us, I would not be owning a business today as a young lesbian.”

Both Boomers and Gen X influenced laws related to gender equality, sexual orientation, and disability rights which directly impacted Gen Z’s ability to live in a more inclusive and supportive society. Also impacted by Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials were environmental movements, advocating for policies that helped raise awareness about climate change, pollution, and sustainability. This has helped to set the stage for the strong environmental activism that is central to Gen Z’s values today.

BY KIM LEISEY, PHD

The progress made in women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the rights of Black and Brown people represents not just individual milestones, but entire movements that fought through immense adversity. The strides were incredibly hard-won—often through pain, sacrifice, and systemic opposition. It is natural to feel a mix of awe and grief when looking back at those who fought for those rights and the hard road they walked to achieve progress, especially in today’s context.

We can easily get bogged down by things outside of our control. Our reactions can be destructive to our relationship with others. When we find ourselves snapping at each other, losing patience, or quickly judging and blaming, we have fallen into the trap that has been set by those who don’t share our values and ethics. Division sets in.

I’d love for all of us who love and support women (cis, trans, gender expansive, etc.) to come together at Women’s+ FEST this April. Let’s use the time to take up our space, affirm our dignity, and have lots of fun. This is the perfect time and place for four generations to gather and tell each other, “Thank you, you did this for all of us. Forward together.” ▼

Kim Leisey, PhD, is Executive Director of CAMP Rehoboth.

President’s View

A CAMP Rehoboth Q & A

Q: “Leslie, I need to do something. What can I do?”

A: “Join us and support our community.”

The question above is the number one question that I have been fielding in recent weeks. Folks in our community are joining their voices with the voices of folks all across the country who care deeply about what is happening to our democracy and to our LGBTQ+ community. To a person, all want to be sure that we are not erased, and that our basic freedoms are not impinged upon or completely destroyed.

Tressie McMillan Cottom, a New York Times opinion columnist, opined in a February 12, 2025, column that, “Chaos wants to shut down thinking and feeling by trapping us in the emotional state of its choosing…. Looking away would preserve our sanity. But [chaos’s] secret politics is that it wants people to look away while it works on the people who don’t.”

…democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires the collective participation of every one of us.

To counter the chaos, Cotton posits that we “[A]cknowledge that the chaos is smoke, but the heist is the fire. Don’t look away from the smoke. Look through it for what is being taken, redefined, and reallocated…. Action is the only real power…[and] opposition is action…. [Action] expands our field of play beyond the area [in which chaos is currently operating]. If you are not inciting yourself or others to act, your political rhetoric will not eclipse [the] chaos.”

As Joyce Vance pointed out in her February 20, 2025, Civil Discourse blog entitled “On Being in Community, “The way we get through [the current assault on our democracy] is together. We don’t get through it by pretending it isn’t happening or hoping it will go away. It’s time. Time for us to get up and be loud…. In Stacey [Abram’s] words, ‘resist, persist, and insist’.”

Understand that “Democracy occupies a lot of space, not all of it on Capitol Hill and in the White House.” It starts right here at home with each one of us. Accordingly, in an effort to “incite” readers to action, I assert that the answer to the question at the beginning of this article is, “join us.”

Let’s start by thinking about why many of us chose to completely uproot ourselves and our fam-

BY LESLIE LEDOGAR

ilies to relocate here. Uprooting and relocating is no easy feat, so there must have been a very good reason that many of us took such a drastic step. My family’s reason is that we wanted to be a part of the welcoming community that is the CAMP Rehoboth community, “where there is room for ALL.” I suspect that many share that view.

The call to action, therefore, is for each of us to double down on nurturing our community, and the community center at its heart. We cannot take CAMP Rehoboth for granted. Participating in our community, in whatever way makes us feel comfortable, engaged, nourished, and treasured, is the surest way to ensure that we all survive and flourish.

For starters, stake a claim in our community by becoming a member of CAMP Rehoboth. Becoming a member is an easy and sure way to proactively demonstrate that our community is important and must be sustained for the long term. If you are already a member, bump up your membership level. Become an event sponsor—sponsorships for April’s Women’s+ FEST are available for as little as $500 and go up to $25,000.

Participation is also key. Volunteer as a CAMPcierge or with CROP (CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program). Attend one or more of our excellent programs such as Tai Chi, Flamming Knitters, or our Veterans’ support group. Participate in the arts programming at CAMP Rehoboth by attending the upcoming performance of the award-winning comedy, 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche, which runs March 7-9, or attending the closing reception of the current visual arts show, Roots & Resilience, on March 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In short, democracy is not a spectator sport. It requires the collective participation of every one of us. Make some of democracy yours by sustaining the community that CAMP Rehoboth has helped to build, a community that supports democracy, human rights, freedoms, and dignity.

By relocating here, you have already chosen to surround yourself with a supportive community. Now it’s time to figure out whatever it is that matters to you the most and your capacity to have an impact—and get to work. As Vance’s blog concludes, “Nothing beats back fear and anxiety over our future like exercising the muscle of democracy.” ▼

Leslie

Ledogar is CAMP Rehoboth Board President.

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C A M P R e h o b o t h .

Volunteer Call Out for Accessibility Group CAMP

Rehoboth is seeking volunteers to join a new Volunteer Accessibility Group dedicated to supporting individuals with diverse needs at events and programs. This group will help ensure that all attendees, regardless of ability, have a welcoming and inclusive experience. Volunteers will assist with a range of duties in creating accessible environments and providing support during events. For those passionate about making a difference and ensuring that all attendees can fully participate in CAMP Rehoboth programs and events, consider joining today! If interested, email: Accessibilty@camprehoboth.org. ▼

CAMP Rehoboth Library Open to the Public

TheCAMP Rehoboth Library is open to the public and more accessible than ever before. After more than a year of renovations to the community center, CAMP Rehoboth’s library has moved to the Elkins-Archibald Atrium. Thanks to the organizing talents of CAMP Rehoboth volunteer extraordinaire Glenn Lash, the library houses over 900 books in categories ranging from LGBTQ+ history, memoirs/ biographies, short stories, performing arts, and much more. As part of the organizing process, hundreds of books from the library’s collection were donated to the Lewes Public Library (along with a CAMP Rehoboth Library stamp). This partnership allows for the distribution of many more LGBTQ+ works to the greater community through statewide library circulation. Due to space limitations, further book donations will not be accepted by CAMP Rehoboth.

The CAMP Rehoboth Library’s pubic hours will be posted online at camprehoboth.org. Community members wishing to reserve the library space can call the CAMP Rehoboth office at 302-227-5620.

Special thanks to Glenn Lash and all assisting volunteers for their organizational efforts, and to the Lewes Public Library for its dedicated partnership. ▼

Thank you, Sri and University of Delaware!

CAMP Rehoboth recently benefited from the University of Delaware’s BlueHensWork program, a funded micro-internship initiative designed to support nonprofit, public service, and government organizations. Through this program, CAMP Rehoboth was able to enhance its data collection and analysis efforts by working with graduate intern Srivats “Sri” Patwari, a Business Analytics and Information Management Master's student. Sri developed and refined survey templates for post-program and event feedback. These surveys are versatile, catering to different audiences using a variety of formats. In addition to surveys, Sri’s work also focused on recommendations on ways to optimize CAMP Rehoboth’s SEO strategy related to member engagement. Thank you, Sri, for your contributions to CAMP Rehoboth! ▼

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Broadwalk on the Boardwalk Sets New Date

I n previous years, CAMP Rehoboth has hosted the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition's Broadwalk on the Boardwalk fundraiser on the Sunday morning of Women's+ FEST weekend. This year, due to the conflicting Coastal Delaware Running Festival, the Broadwalk on the Boardwalk has moved to Saturday, May 10. Stay tuned for more information on this wonderful event, and view the latest on the Women's+ FEST 2025 schedule at camprehoboth.org/womensfest. ▼

Courageous Conversations

Are you feeling challenged by friends and family members on difficult topics and looking for effective ways to communicate with those you care about? On April 19 and 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., join facilitators Rick Grier Reynolds and Joseph Anastasio at CAMP Rehoboth for “Tools for Courageous Conversations.” This two-day workshop will introduce participants to strategies and techniques to use in difficult conversations and situations. The course format is non-lecture, employing experiential exercises from the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) and Nonviolent Communications.

Rick Grier Reynolds is a former distinguished teacher and history/social science department chair at Wilmington Friends School. He’s currently a consultant for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and has been recognized for his innovative teaching of economics, international relations, and peace studies by various regional, national, and international organizations.

Joseph Anastasio, MS, LCSW, is currently a psychotherapist providing clinical services to children, adults, and couples. He is also a trained mediator and teaches courses at Wilmington University. For this program, $20 donations are encouraged to the Alternatives to Violence Project at avpusa.org/. To register: email or call Joseph Anastasio—turnheartlighton@gmail.com or 410.804.6407. ▼

The CAMP Rehoboth LGBTQ+ Veterans Group gathers in the library with a book selection from the LGBTQ+ Veterans/Military section.

Women’s History Month

Celebrate! (No Proclamation Required)

Like so many successful movements, Women’s History Month started small. It began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California, organized by the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women.

In 1978, the group selected the week of March 8 for a “Women’s History Week” celebration to align with International Women’s Day. The following year, other communities throughout the country initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations and a national movement began.

President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation in February 1980, declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week after a consortium of women’s groups and historians successfully advocated for national recognition. The National Women’s History Project (now the National Women’s History Alliance; NWHA) led the consortium.

The NWHA selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward

Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.”

NWHA is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of women’s contributions to society. It is a non-partisan organization, “committed to educating and empowering individuals through inclusive and diverse perspectives on women’s history.” The organization relies on membership dues and volunteers to advance its mission of “promoting women’s history and advancing gender equality.”

A good place to start a personal celebration might be a visit to the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, DC, or the National Women’s History Museum in New York City. The museum in DC is the first museum in the world “solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.” Located on New York Avenue, this private museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Evening hours are 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

Another museum dedicated to women is The National Women’s History Museum, founded in 1996. It is an online museum, “dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society.” According to the website, the museum strives to “bring to life the untold stories of women throughout history and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate and amplify women’s impact—past, present and future”.

Another unique way to observe Women’s History Month is to collect a series of quarters that honor women. From 2022 through 2025, the American Women Quarters Program celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States with new quarters released by the US Mint in partnership with the Smithsonian Women’s History Museum.

Honorees include well-known and not-so-well-known women. But they all have interesting stories to tell. The coins

BY MARY JO TARALLO

cover a diverse group of prominent women that you might say represent the best of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some examples?

The theme for Women’s History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.”

Althea Gibson was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956 she became the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam tournament—the French Open.

Zitkala-Sa was a Native American citizen and rights advocate who also was a writer, composer, and educator. She wrote The Sun Dance, the first published opera written by a person indigenous to North America.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt has a coin. Roosevelt pressed the United States to join and support the United Nations and became its first delegate to the committee on human rights. She oversaw the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Baltimore native Dr. Anna Pauline “Pauli” Murray was an American civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar and theorist, author, and an Episcopal priest. Murray’s work influenced the civil rights movement and expanded legal protection for gender equality. Her coin spells out HOPE—A Song in a Weary Throat.

Rehoboth Beach resident Shelley Stevens came across the Murray coin recently. “I got change after buying something and just happened to look at the coins,” she said. “I did not know this woman but went on to read about her advocacy for civil rights and gender equality. I didn’t realize there were women quarters! These will be rare coins

someday, given our current climate.”

There are many other ways to celebrate Women’s History Month. It could be as simple as watching iconic TV shows like The Gambit, the ground-breaking series Sex in the City, Grace and Frankie, and even The Golden Girls, or women-oriented films such as Big Little Lies, Hidden Figures, Mrs. America and— yes—Barbie!

Look into the works of accomplished female authors. They range from classic works by Jane Austen, to Virginia Wolff, to Harper Lee, to Alice Walker, to Maya Angelou. And, lest we forget, Margaret Atwood who wrote The Handmaid’s Tale. The novel was transformed into a TV series that terrified so many when it aired.

Aside from reading books, or watching movies and TV shows, investigate the biographies of those who created them. Their backgrounds are interesting and inspirational. Here are three examples:

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian novelist and literary critic, known for her speculative fiction and feminist perspective. She has published 18 novels and 18 books of poetry. Her work has sparked global conversations about women’s rights and dystopian futures. The Handmaid’s Tale is considered a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism and misogyny. Atwood is also a strong supporter of environmentalism, feminism, and social justice.

Maya Angelou’s biography describes her as a multi-talented American author, poet, civil rights activist, singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood’s first Black female director. She published seven autobiographies, poetry, essays, and is credited with work in film, television, and theater. Angelou collaborated with Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. during her civil rights activism. She was also an educator and Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

On the movie front, Greta Gerwig is

an American actress, director, screenwriter, and playwright based in New York. In addition to Barbie, Gerwig also directed other women-oriented films including Lady Bird and Little Women. Her films often explore themes of coming-of-age, female empowerment, and family and romantic relationships. Curiously, Gerwig has been nominated but has never won an Academy Award for Best Director. Only three women have done so—Kathryn Bigelow for The Hurt Locker, Chloe Zhao for Nomadland, and Jane Campion for The Power of the Dog Locally, the League of Women Voters of Sussex County, Delaware, (LWVSCDE) is partnering with the Rehoboth Beach Film Society (RBFS) in a special screening event, the “Defending Democracy Film Festival” at the Cinema Art Theater in Lewes on Monday, March 24. The event will feature a series of short films touching on gaining and protecting the right to vote. More information and tickets are available at rehobothfilm.com.

And March is a great time to purchase tickets for upcoming shows at Clear Space that specifically feature female leads—Beautiful: the Carole King Musical, and Annie

Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is considered a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism and misogyny. Atwood is also a strong supporter of environmentalism, feminism, and social justice.

The American Dream Blog offers 15 ways that Women’s History Month can be celebrated. Among them are: exploring the history of women’s rights; being aware of issues women still have today; posting on social media to spread aware-

ness of Women’s History Month; supporting a women’s nonprofit; supporting women-owned businesses; supporting women authors and artists; participating in women’s advocacy; mentoring a girl or woman; joining a women’s volunteer group; and writing a thank you note to a woman who inspires you.

There are many other resources for ideas on how to observe Women’s History Month. Local libraries will have suggestions and/or displays on books by and about female authors. The Rehoboth Beach Library suggests popular titles like Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You, Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, Gabriela Garcia’s Of Women and Salt, and even Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice.

As of this writing, there still is a website entitled Women’s History Month (womenshistorymonth.gov). In the past, the site has been a collaboration by the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The organizations joined in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.

Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” However, Women’s History Month is on the list of annual observances that have been banned by Executive Order within government agencies, due to the purging of all diversity, equity, and inclusion policies/initiatives. ▼

Mary Jo Tarallo is a former journalist and public relations professional for various non-profits. She won a Gold Award for a United Way TV program starring Oprah Winfrey.

Words Matter

Leaning on the Wisdom of Women

Ido not care what anyone says, the month of March is and will continue to be Women’s History Month. Despite the efforts of some who want us to downplay, ignore, and dismiss their contributions, throughout history women have been at the forefront of perseverance, wisdom, and change, offering insights that continue to resonate today. From authors to activists, leaders to artists, their words have served as beacons of encouragement in the face of adversity. In moments of doubt or hardship, turning to their wisdom can provide both comfort and clarity.

Over the years, I have gone to YouTube and spent more time than I can account for watching the last few minutes of the Hillary Clinton speech from the 2008 DNC Convention. She was speaking to an immediate audience of thousands, and a secondary audience of millions. Having faced a tough personal defeat, she mustered up the conviction to deliver a powerful speech and encourage others to do what was necessary for a greater win. The part that I always home in on is the story she tells of another woman:

“This is the story of America. Of women and men who defy the odds and never give up. How do we give this country back to them? By following the example of a brave New Yorker, a woman who risked her life to shepherd slaves along the Underground Railroad. And on that path to freedom, Harriett Tubman had one piece of advice. If you hear the dogs, keep going. If you see the torches in the woods, keep going. If they're shouting after you, keep going. Don't ever stop. Keep going. If you want a taste of freedom, keep going. Even in the darkest of moments, ordinary Americans have found the faith to keep going. I've seen it in you. I've seen it in our teachers and firefighters, nurses and police officers, small business owners and union workers, the men and women of our military—you always keep going. We are Americans. We're not big on quitting.”

We are at an inflection point. Another moment in American history where those on the side of equity and freedom cannot

quit. In these times, words can be a powerful source of the strength that we need. A well-timed phrase, a thoughtful reflection, or a deeply felt piece of wisdom has the ability to shift our perspective, reminding us of our resilience, courage, and capacity for hope.

We are at an inflection point. Another moment in American history where those on the side of equity and freedom cannot quit.

This month my column shares five powerful quotes from remarkable women who have been on my mind lately—voices that have stood the test of time, offering perspective and encouragement to those in need. These words are not just passive reflections; they are invitations to reframe our struggles, they are calls to action, and reminders that even in the darkest moments, light can be found. May they offer solace, spark reflection, and remind you of the unwavering strength within.

Toni Morrison:

“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”

Zora Neale Hurston:

“I will fight for my country, but I will not lie for her.”

BY CLARENCE FLUKER

Bishop Vashti McKenzie:

“Love makes a difference in how we see ourselves; created an image of God. God’s love makes a difference in how we deal with suffering. God’s love makes a difference in how we handle the impossible. Nothing is impossible with God.”

Lucille Clifton:

“won't you celebrate with me what i have shaped into a kind of life? i had no model. born in babylon both nonwhite and woman what did i see to be except myself? i made it up here on this bridge between starshine and clay, my one hand holding tight my other hand; come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed.”

Pauli Murray:

“I have been cast aside, but I sparkle in the darkness.

I have been slain but live on in the rivers of history.

I seek no conquest, no wealth, no power, no revenge; I seek only discovery

Of the illimitable heights and depths of my own being.”  ▼

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 Instagram: @Mr_CJFluker.

It’s My Life

Turtle Crossing

I’ve been thinking about turtles a lot lately.

Specifically, I’ve been thinking about box turtles. When the summer months arrive, they’ll emerge from hibernation and start wandering around. Often, they decide to cross a road. Given how slowly they move, and how instinct requires them to keep going in a forward direction regardless of the dangers involved, this is a perilous undertaking.

When it comes to reacting to approaching a turtle on a road, there are three types of people: those who adjust their course to avoid the turtle, those who stop to help the turtle across, and those who deliberately run over the turtle.

By far the largest group are those who change course to avoid the turtle. This is the easiest thing to do, requiring the least effort, and generally the turtle is unharmed and left to continue on its way. Of course, it does nothing to prevent injury to the turtle from other drivers. But the assumption is that things will be okay, and at least no harm was caused by the driver.

Those who stop to help the turtle often choose whether to intervene based first on if it’s safe to do so and second on whether it’s an inconvenience. Will it imperil themselves or others? Will it make them late? Do they have hand sanitizer to use afterward to prevent Salmonella contamination?

And those who choose to deliberately run over the turtle? How many of them are there? Various studies using fake turtles (and snakes and other critters) show that anywhere between three percent and six percent of drivers will deliberately change course to run over an animal in the road.

The larger question, of course, is why anyone would do this. The theory most generally offered up is that some humans—particularly men driving very large vehicles—simply like to prove that they are the dominant species and don’t think the life of a turtle is all that important. As someone who routinely

stops to help turtles across roads, I have a darker theory: I think some people revel in cruelty.

I have never been accosted by anyone while helping a turtle across a road. However, I have friends who have. Some have been screamed at by others who felt inconvenienced by having to stop and wait while a turtle was moved. Others have had other drivers very deliberately rush to squash the turtle in question before it could be helped. A few have been physically threatened simply for trying to help the turtle get across.

In short, the people who choose to hit turtles do it both because the life of a turtle means nothing to them and because they know it makes other people feel bad. In fact, making someone else feel bad is probably seen as a bonus.

So, why have I been thinking about this? Because America is currently a turtle crossing a road. And a whole lot of people are turning out to be the kind of people who revel in squashing it.

Every day on social media I see a lot of people upset about what’s happening. Usually, this is accompanied by some variation of, “Why isn’t anyone doing anything about this?” or “What can we do about this?”

These are good questions. And how we answer them says a lot about ourselves. Most of us, I think, are choosing to just avoid the turtle, going

BY MICHAEL THOMAS FORD

America is currently a turtle crossing a road. And a whole lot of people are turning out to be the kind of people who revel in squashing it .

on our way and hoping for the best. Some are stopping, trying to figure out a way to get the turtle to safety. And others, well, they’re actively delighting both in hearing the turtle’s shell crunch as they run it down and thrilled that it’s causing pain to the people who wanted to help the turtle.

I don’t blame the people who are choosing not to stop. Intervening feels difficult, if not impossible. How, exactly, do you help the turtle? But more and more, I feel that the decision to do nothing is made not just because we don’t know how to help, but because we fear that others will actively try to prevent us from helping or possibly attack us for doing so. A shocking number of us don’t seem to want the turtle to get across the road. And not only do we not want to see it get across, we want to see it dead and flattened.

I haven’t figured out yet how best to help the turtle either. At the moment I feel like I’m dodging too many other drivers who either aren’t stopping or who want to hit the turtle. But I also feel like more and more of us are going to stop, and that we’ll figure out a way to collectively get the turtle across. Even if it means standing in the way of oncoming traffic. ▼

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

outweighs Experience uncertainty. Advice Matters.

With emphasis recent events, an on managing risk is even more important as investors look for informed strategies to help them protect their wealth.

At Morgan Stanley, we have the experience, knowledge and resources to help you manage risk, to recognize how it could affect your portfolio, and to work toward minimizing its impact. Meet with me to learn more and get personalized advice you need in an uncertain world.

Urgent: LGBTQ+ Wellness

You Are Not Alone

LGBTQ+ Health Awareness

Week, from March 17–21 this year, is an opportunity for us to reflect on wellness for ourselves as individuals and for the LGBTQ+ community. Wellness is not just about diet and exercise but a holistic concept that includes physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being.

But, achieving wellness can be more difficult for LGBTQ+ individuals due to systemic barriers, discrimination, and social pressures. Many of us face challenges accessing healthcare, feeling emotionally safe, or being legally recognized in our gender identities.

And every day, more of our rights to achieve wellness are being taken away or threatened.

Physical health is foundational to overall wellness, but we as LGBTQ+ individuals often experience significant barriers when seeking care. A 2020 report from the Center for American Progress found that nearly one in three LGBTQ+ people encountered discrimination in healthcare settings.

Many LGBTQ+ people delay or avoid seeking medical help due to fear of mistreatment; these delays can worsen health conditions and increase the risk of preventable illnesses. Transgender individuals face even greater challenges to accessing care.

For those of us fortunate enough to have access, finding LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare providers can be life-changing. When medical professionals create a respectful, safe environment, it becomes easier to address health concerns without fear of bias.

However, many LGBTQ+ folks have limited access to affirming healthcare. And, sadly, with the rising cost of living, even if you’re lucky enough to have insurance, even basic healthcare—like buying over the counter medications—might be a luxury.

Mental and emotional wellness is equally important. Many of us in the LGBTQ+ community struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health

issues. The Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health revealed that nearly half of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Among transgender and nonbinary youth, the number is even higher.

Today, we face new barriers to LGBTQ+ wellness ...

Many of our mental health issues stem from trauma and from “minority stress”— the chronic stress we feel due to discrimination, social rejection, and internalized stigma. This concept connects to W.E.B. Du Bois’s theory of “double consciousness,” which describes the feeling of seeing oneself through the eyes of a society that devalues one.

LGBTQ+ individuals often feel pressured to present themselves in ways that conform to societal expectations, whether in the workplace, school, or within their families. Over time, this internal conflict can lead to mental and physical health issues.

Therapy with LGBTQ+-affirming professionals can help with healing, but access remains a challenge.

Building strong support systems through chosen family, friends, or LGBTQ+ community organizations is key to emotional resilience. Engaging in self-care practices, such as setting boundaries, avoiding toxic relationships, and participating in identity-affirming activities, can also reduce the effects of minority stress.

Spiritual wellness is another critical component of overall well-being. While spirituality is often tied to organized religion, it can take many forms, such as meditation, connecting with nature, or personal rituals. We can reclaim spirituality on individual terms to serve as a source of strength and grounding.

Today, we face new barriers to LGBTQ+ wellness affecting healthcare access, legal recognition, social inclusion, and basic freedoms.

One of the most significant actions at the time of this writing has been restrict-

BY STEPHEN RASKAUSKIS

ing gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth under age 19. Federal funding has been withdrawn from institutions providing such care, and insurance coverage under Medicaid and TRICARE has been severely limited. Legal recognition is also at risk. Federal agencies have been directed to recognize only male and female genders as assigned at birth, removing nonbinary gender options from passports and halting gender marker changes. For transgender and nonbinary individuals, accurate identification documents are essential for everyday activities, including travel, employment, and healthcare access. Inaccurate identification increases the risk of discrimination and can place individuals in unsafe situations.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have also been targeted, with executive orders aiming to dismantle these initiatives in federal agencies and institutions receiving government funding. Universities and organizations promoting inclusivity are threatened with funding cuts. Despite these setbacks, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and legal organizations are fighting back. Lawsuits challenging the legality of policies restricting gender-affirming care have already resulted in temporary blocks on some measures, offering hope that legal avenues can prevent further setbacks in LGBTQ+ rights.

It’s easy to feel powerless. But when we stand together, we can more easily defend our rights to wellness. The resilience of our community is evident through the legal battles, grassroots activism, and public awareness campaigns focused on preserving and advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

As we observe LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, remember: you’re not alone, and your wellness matters. Now more than ever, it’s important to check-in regularly with LGBTQ+ people in your life to make sure we all have what we need.

Stephen Raskauskas is a Sussex County native who has produced content for radio, TV, digital, and print.

A lung cancer screening detected my cancer early, when it was most treatable. It could do the same for you.

Talk with your health care provider to schedule a lung cancer screening today. If you don’t have one, a nurse navigator can help — whether you have insurance or not.

You’re eligible for a lung cancer screening if you:

• Are between age 50 and 80; and

• Smoked a pack a day for 20+ years in the last 15 years; or

• Smoked two packs a day for 10+ years in the last 15 years. Call 2-1-1 or scan the QR code to visit HealthyDelaware.org/Lung.

BY DAVID TAM, MD

Love, Compassion, and Inclusion

When preparing to drive from Los Angeles to Washington, DC to start medical school, my parents made me promise to “not stop in Michigan.” It was 1984 and Vincent Chin, a Chinese American, had been killed in an attack by two men who were angry about losing their jobs in the automotive industry two years prior. I can still recall feeling anxious and unsafe as I drove across our country, even though I was a commissioned officer in the US Navy—and how American is that?

The need to feel safe and secure is a fundamental and elemental need for all human beings. And it is even more important when you are receiving routine wellness care, addressing a health issue, or facing life-threatening or emergency treatment. Without it, critical communication and understanding are compromised, possibly resulting in lessthan-ideal health outcomes.

As a pediatric neurologist, I could not care for my patients well if I was not able to communicate effectively and understand the concerns of both the kids and their parents. And how could they trust me with their intimate questions

if there was no trust because they felt unsafe in my office?

And now, as a healthcare administrator, I recognize the importance of doing everything possible to create and foster a safe and welcoming environment for the patients and families we care for every day.

I recognize the importance of doing everything possible to create and foster a safe and welcoming environment for the patients and families we care for every day.

At a time when so many people are coming up to me sharing their concerns about their safety and healthcare, I wanted to reach out to people in our community to let them know that Beebe Healthcare is committed to providing a safe place for everyone who needs our help. As part of that journey, we will partner with organizations like CAMP

Rehoboth to understand what people need to feel safe and welcome. We are an organization that is constantly learning to excel—our recent visit to Whitman-Walker Health in DC with CAMP Rehoboth is an example of that commitment.

We are not perfect but will keep working with you to be your healthcare partner. We will work with Kim and the CAMP Rehoboth team to see how to replicate some of the great work being done by Whitman Walker. We will strive to reassure ALL people who walk through the doors for healthcare that they are SEEN and respected for their individuality and humanity, and welcomed with love, compassion, and inclusion.

Beebe Healthcare is committed to our partnership with CAMP Rehoboth and other wonderful community organizations, working together to promote safe and affirming healthcare in southern Delaware.

Thank you for your support. ▼

David Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, PACHE is President and Chief Executive Officer of Beebe Healthcare.

SUSSEX COUNTY’S CHOICE FOR SURGICAL QUALITY & SAFETY

Now Recognized Nationally by the Leapfrog Group

At Beebe Healthcare, we are committed to delivering the safest and highest quality care to the people of Sussex County. We are proud to have our Specialty Surgical Hospital in Rehoboth Beach nationally recognized by the Leapfrog Group as one of the 15 top rural hospitals in the country – and the only hospital in Delaware to earn this distinction. This honor is awarded to those that meet the highest standards for a variety of quality and patient safety measures – including low infection rates, surgical safety, error prevention, ethical billing, and ensuring patients provide informed consent for procedures.

Since opening in 2022, Beebe’s Specialty Surgical Hospital has quickly earned a reputation as a destination for surgical care for a range of needs –from general to orthopedic surgeries and breast and bariatric procedures. Our expert team leverages a range of minimally invasive techniques and robotic surgical systems, helping patients recover faster and get back to living their healthiest life.

health+wellness

See Me

Nature made a mistake, which I have corrected. –

CHRISTINE JORGENSEN

Why does health matter? In an ever-evolving understanding of health, most healthcare professionals embrace the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) concept that health is instrumental to one’s overall sense of well-being, not simply the absence of disease. To that end, preventive care and screenings play a key role in ensuring a healthy life.

In the US, access to such care is fractured, at best. For marginalized populations, such healthcare may be even more difficult to access. This country’s health expenditure far exceeds the return on investment, leading to significant health disparities between demographic groups. As the current Administration focuses on canceling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, these disparities will only be exacerbated.

No group may be more vulnerable now, however, than those who identify as transgender. Approximately 1.6 million Americans age 13 or older—or 0.6 percent of the population—identify as transgender. According to the 2023 KFF/The Washington Post Trans Survey, nearly two-thirds of trans adults knew their gender identity differed from their sex assigned at birth before they turned 18, and one-third felt this before they turned 11.

Most trans adults reported more unhappy childhoods and feeling less safe than their cisgender counterparts. Moreover, close to 80 percent of trans adults reported serious mental health issues growing up and 30 percent had substance use disorders (SUDs) as a child or teenager. Two-thirds of trans adults currently report discrimination because of their gender identity, including verbal and physical abuse; failure to acquire or being fired from employment; or being evicted or denied housing. For transgender adults of color, these numbers are even higher.

Trans adults report these discriminatory practices carry over into healthcare, where 24 percent state they have been denied care because of their gender identification. Even when trans adults

access care, close to 50 percent report their practitioners know little about how to meet their health needs.

The tragic irony of this is that basic preventive care delivery is the same, whether the patient is cis- or transgender, with some nuances. The Johns Hopkins

Approximately 40 percent of trans adults acknowledge that not a day goes by where their mental health is not in jeopardy.

Center for Transgender and Gender

Expansive Health outlines that early cancer detection through routine screenings is important for everyone, no matter how they identify. Therefore, anyone with breast tissue, a cervix, a uterus, or a prostate gland should ask for and receive relevant screenings.

For example, a person whose breast tissue is exposed to estrogen should receive routine mammograms. Gender affirming bottom surgery normally does not remove the prostate; hence, appropriate screenings should continue.

A bone densitometry test (DEXA scan) is recommended for everyone over

BY SHARON MORGAN

the age of 65, to detect osteoporosis, a bone weakening that could lead to falls or fractures. However, regardless of how someone identifies now, individuals who experienced early menopause or have a parent who had a hip fracture should begin screening as early as 50. Moreover, anyone who has had their testes or ovaries removed and has not received hormone therapy in the past five years, should receive routine DEXA scans, regardless of age.

Cardiovascular screenings are important for everyone. But those on hormone therapy should be aware that the medications can adversely impact cholesterol levels.

How individuals choose to transition varies widely within the transgender community, which can add complexity to gender affirming care. Most trans adults who identify as nonbinary or non-conforming change their clothing, hairstyles, and physical appearance to more closely align with their gender identity. They also are more likely to change their name and use different pronouns.

While about 60 percent have used hormones, only about 30 percent have had surgical reassignment or other surgical procedures. Transgender youth may receive puberty blockers, medications that pause puberty. Of note, these same medications are used in health situations unrelated to gender affirming care, including some cancer treatments, so overall bans on them could prove fatal.

Preservation of reproductive options should also be considered in gender affirming care. Clients may wish to preserve egg or sperm and consider surrogacy or IVF to fulfill biological reproduction. Frank discussions should occur early and routinely over safe sex practices. These would include appropriate vaccinations, the use of condoms, and discussions on the use of PrEP medications to prevent HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and HIV testing and treatment as appropriate.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women have higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than the general population. Routine screenings should include frank

discussions of sexual practices, with applicable testing based on the information provided.

Finally, access to routine mental health care is paramount for those who identify as transgender and should include addressing any previous or existing SUDs. Approximately 40 percent of trans adults acknowledge that not a day goes by where their mental health is not in jeopardy. Trans adults tend to have lower education levels and lower incomes than their cis counterparts and are more likely to report not having health insurance or relying on Medicaid. They are also more likely to use ERs, urgent care centers, health clinics, or pharmacies to access care.

Part of a cohesive strategy to provide quality gender affirming care is acknowledging how woefully ill-prepared

Here Comes Spring!

The arrival of the spring equinox (March 20) marks a significant turning point in the natural world, heralding the moment when day and night are of nearly equal length. The spring equinox is often associated with renewal, growth, and balance. As the Earth tilts on its axis, we transition from the dark, cold months of winter into the warmer, brighter days of spring. This seasonal shift not only affects the environment but also has a profound impact on human health and well-being. With the increase in daylight, our bodies experience a natural boost in mood and energy. Sunlight plays a critical role in regulating our circadian rhythms and stimulating the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being. Additionally, exposure to sunlight aids in the synthesis of vitamin D, essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation.

LET’S STAY CONNECTED!

clinicians are to take care of those who identify as transgender. A 2018 survey of students enrolled in 10 different medical schools suggested up to 80 percent were not comfortable treating a trans adult. A separate study of 150 institutions across Canada and the US indicated only about five hours of curriculum were dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s (WPATH) Standards of Care—Eighth Edition (SOC-8) provides clinical guidance to health care professionals to assist transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in accessing safe and effective pathways to achieve optimal health and well-being. Founded in 1979, the organization currently has over 3,000 health care professionals, social scientists, and legal professionals worldwide, all of whom are engaged in transgender

health+wellness

clinical practice, research, education, and advocacy. Per the SOC-8, WPATH underscores that gender affirming care is not only quality clinical care, but encompasses social tolerance, equality, and full rights of citizenship.

That gender is a social construct, not a binary biological fact, has been well established. More importantly, how someone perceives their gender cannot be ascertained through outward appearance. To be seen as one wishes is a fundamental right and allows all individuals the opportunity to live the lives they deserve. ▼

Sharon A. Morgan is a retired advanced practice nurse with over 30 years of clinical and healthcare policy background.

Photo by Shane on Unsplash.

As days grow longer, the prospect of engaging in outdoor activities becomes more palatable, with moderate temperatures tempting many people out to bike, walk, golf, play ball—in a word, exercise Gardening, another popular spring activity, not only provides physical exercise but also promotes mental relaxation and a connection with nature. The act of tending to plants can be meditative, reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.

Of course, the news is not all good: For individuals with seasonal allergies, spring also presents health challenges. Pollen from blooming trees, grasses, and flowers can trigger allergic reactions, including sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. Keeping informed about pollen levels, staying indoors—with windows closed—during peak times, and consulting healthcare providers about appropriate treatments can help manage symptoms.

The spring equinox serves as a reminder of nature’s cycles and our connection to the environment. Embracing the season’s energy (while avoiding its pollen!) can foster a renewed sense of health and vitality. ▼

Youth Crisis Support: Crisis intervention services for children under 18. Parents and caregivers are connected to a crisis clinician. Available 24/7. Call 800-9694357 or text DE to 741-741.

988: Free, confidential support and resources for anyone in distress. Available 24/7. Call 988.

Delaware Hope Line: Free coaching and support. Links to mental health, addiction, and crisis services. Available 24/7. Call 833-9-HOPEDE (833-946-7333).

All of CAMP Rehoboth’s programs, services, and events are listed here: camprehoboth.org/community-calendar. Please visit the site often to ensure you have up-to-date information on what is being offered—and when. ▼

Aging Gracelessly

Taking My Lumps

Goody, goody. I’ve got a new report from the aging ridiculously department. I’ve been diagnosed with two—count ’em, two—new diseases. Neither of which are life threatening but any medical or dietary intervention will be far, far worse than the disease.

First, over the past few years, I started to grow unsightly lumps on my knuckles. Specifically, the fingertip knuckles on my index, middle, and pinky fingers. Oddly, it’s not from overuse on my writer’s keyboard. Not even from overuse of my middle finger to communicate with other drivers.

Nope, it’s a disease called erosive osteoarthritis. It’s a progressive condition causing erosion of the cartilage and episodic pain in my digits, and what looks like bone spurs atop my knuckles. Also, my index fingers are starting to point in directions other than gaily forward. Swell. And my fingers often do.

Post-menopausal women are this disease’s target audience and the ugly truth is that my fingers are not merely ugly but intermittently useless. Opening bottles and jars as well as using a manual can opener are things of the past. Is the next step my inability to button up buttercup?

What’s the remedy? Well, my doctor suggested dietary changes to improve my symptoms.

Giving up sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Omigod, he just recited the ingredients in an espresso martini.

“What if I give up two out of three,” I asked.

“They’re your fingers,” he said. Okay, between Bonnie’s heart healthy diet and my cutting out sugar, caffeine, and liquor there’d be nothing left but water and Bazooka sugar free gum. Oh wait, the Food and Drug Administration just outlawed Red Dye number 3.

Face it, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and Bonnie’s ban on salt covers the whole food pyramid.

So I told my doc I’d try to cut back on

the ingredient trio but it will be very, very stressful.

“That’s too bad,” the doctor said, “because you also have Raynaud’s Syndrome, a narrowing of the blood

So while my head is throbbing from caffeine withdrawal, my fingers can join in.

vessels in the extremities, which limits blood supply to the fingers and toes.” And it’s caused by…wait for it…stress and cold temperatures.

Are you kidding me? I have to move to Belize and limit stress???? Neither are possible but frankly, of the two, moving lock, stock, and schnauzer to an exotic locale would be easier than trying to limit stress right now. Have you listened to the news???

Damn. I’ve always thought my exceedingly cold fingers and toes were normal reactions to 12 degree temperatures and putting ice in my drinks. But no, my toes and fingers going exceptionally cold and even numb during times of stress and freezing weather is actually Raynaud’s Disease. Also called

BY FAY JACOBS

Raynaud’s Phenomenon. And frankly, it’s a phenomenon I’m not confined to a rubber room by now.

Here’s a plus. Once a person’s extremities warm up, it can cause throbbing pain. So while my head is throbbing from caffeine withdrawal, my fingers can join in. What a mixed message. Giving up sugar, caffeine, and alcohol will cause me enormous stress, not help eliminate it. What’s a person with lumpy hands and cold feet to do?

First, I practiced self-care and bought really warm socks and bulky mittens like Bernie Sanders wore in his beach chair on that social media meme.

And I decided to go for moderation. I’m already avoiding sugar to ward off Type 2 diabetes, so my low-carb diet should help. Since I only have one or two cups of coffee a day, cutting back on caffeine might work.

And I’ll give up sugary cocktails like margaritas, mojitos, and yes, chocolate martinis. Instead, I’ll stick to plain vodka and sugar-free cranberry juice. Sure, I thought about giving up alcohol entirely—but I got cold feet.

So that’s it. Moderation. I refuse to knuckle under. And as soon as I turn this column in to my editor, we’re off to Florida for a month. If I turn off NPR, drink Dunkin’ Decaf, and limit myself to only one happy hour martini, Ft. Lauderdale and its weather should be just what the doctor ordered. ▼

Fay Jacobs is a freelance writer, storyteller, and author of six books of (mostly) comic essays. She has written for the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, The Advocate, the Washington Blade, Delaware Beach Life, and—for 30 years—Letters from CAMP Rehoboth.

Trans Day of Visibility

The Freedom to Femme

Transgender Day of Visibility is about giving transgender people agency over themselves and their stories.

Hair dye isn't usually on the list of steps people take to transition—but it was for me. Last November, I dyed my naturally-ginger hair jet black, along with my facial hair, and I can't imagine going back.

I run the risk of sounding ungrateful every time I talk to people about dying my red hair black. I’ve spent my whole life being told how lucky I am to have red hair—a member of a mere two percent of the population. But, in an age of readily available hair dye that looks just as good as (if not better than) my natural color, why does that matter? Why is being born with red hair considered better than being born with a different hair color and putting in the work of dying it red? The media spends so much time focusing on whether something is “real” or “natural,” and not nearly enough time on whether something is right for someone.

It's not uncommon to see trans people who are scared to transition because they don't think that they'll look masculine enough to be a man, or feminine enough to be a woman, or whatever their desired gender presentation is if they're nonbinary. They fear that they won’t have what those in the drag scene know as “realness”—the ability to pass as their gender.

That was, admittedly, one of the reasons why it took me so long to start hormones and undergo gender affirming surgery. I didn’t even know that I wanted to be a man, but I was still afraid of “not looking right” after transitioning. How many other people are holding themselves back from expressing their true selves—be it gender, style, or any other self-expression—because of a fear that they won’t “look right”?

But transitioning is just one of those things where you don't know what will happen unless you try. You can look at your parents and your siblings to see how things might play out, but, at the end of the day, hormones and surgery look different on everyone.

I could not have predicted five years ago that my voice would drop by an entire octave and my jaw would fill out because of testosterone. And I certainly wouldn't have

BY JULIAN HARBAUGH

believed you if you told me I would be gendered correctly even in a dress. And those are only a handful of the joys that transitioning gave me.

I tried black hair dye a couple times before deciding to dye my entire head black, but, critically, I always left some of my hair red. Whether it was the hair on the side of my head when I dyed my fringe black, or the four inches of red roots when I dyed the ends of my long hair black, you could always tell that I was a redhead. It wasn't until I fully committed that I realized how much it suited me—a sentiment echoed by my loved ones. Sometimes we need to dive in at the deep end to feel the freedom of changing.

One of the things I've rediscovered posthair dye is makeup. When you have light colored hair and facial hair, any kind of eyeliner or dark makeup is glaringly obvious. It's a fun look, but it's an eye-catching look. There are people with light colored hair who can pull that off—I'm just not one of them. Now, I can wear a dramatic smokey eye or dark kohl eyeliner and it looks cohesive with the rest of me. It’s like Adam Lambert said when asked why he dyed his red hair black: “Red hair just isn’t rock and roll.”

With black hair, I have the freedom to experiment with makeup while making a statement when I want to. And experiment I have—not just with makeup, but with fake nails, platform heels, and hair extensions. There's a sense of immense joy and even relief in being able to put on all these traditionally feminine items and still see a man when I look in the mirror or when I interact with other people. Black hair, like transitioning, gave me agency over the way I was perceived.

Transgender Day of Visibility is about giving transgender people agency over themselves and their stories. It is about fighting back against the narratives on the news that try to tell us who we are. We know who we are. It's time everyone else did as well. ▼

Julian Harbaugh (he/him/they/them) is Marketing Specialist at CAMP Rehoboth.

Get Tested for Syphilis

In 2025, CAMPsafe expanded our services to include rapid syphilis testing. With results available in as little as 15 minutes, this new service is offered at no cost within our on-site health suite, alongside our existing sexual health resources, including HIV testing, counseling, and PrEP referral.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. In its early stages, syphilis can often go unnoticed or be misdiagnosed.

The CDC has reported a noted rise in syphilis cases nationwide, with a 61 percent increase between 2019 and 2023. Men who have sex with men accounted for 32.7 percent of all primary and secondary syphilis cases in 2023.

The good news: syphilis is treatable with antibiotics. This is why CAMP Rehoboth wants to remind the community that getting tested regularly helps catch infections early and ensures that treatment is effectively administered.

Remember, preventative care helps protect yourself and others. So get tested at CAMP Rehoboth today! ▼

PREVENT HIV, SYPHILIS, & MPOX

Free, rapid, walk-in syphilis and HIV testing and counseling is available in the CAMP Rehoboth Health Suite.

CAMP Rehoboth 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE Tel: 302-227-5620

SCAN CODE TO BOOK APPOINTMENT ONLINE

TESTED with E.J. Kenyon, volunteer tester, at CAMP Rehoboth.

Vincent DeLissio is the CAMPsafe Program Coordinator at CAMP Rehoboth.

SNL at 50: Talk Amongst Yourselves

I’ve been a big fan of NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) for its entire 50 years. In fact, I consider it a major influence on my life.

Back in the 70s, I’d race home on Saturday nights to tune into the TV show whereas most of my high school compadres were still out drinking beer and trying to get laid. Not that I didn’t partake in the drinking. But as a closeted gay boy, SNL provided a great excuse to, ahem, avoid any girls interested in gettin’ too friendly with yours truly.

The SNL Not Ready for Primetime Players, as they were known during the first three seasons of the show, were the kind of friends I longed for—smart alecks poking fun at politics and social norms. They were edgy and at times silly. And they didn't just entertain; they challenged viewers to think critically about the world around them. The musical guests on the show were eye opening too: Blondie, Meatloaf, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello. They pushed boundaries and definitely weren’t the types of musicians and groups my classmates gravitated towards. SNL reinforced for me that it was okay to be different.

Naturally, I tuned in to the recent, well-hyped SNL 50-year anniversary special. All 3.5 hours of it. In my opinion as a super fan, it was okay. Not brilliant as many pundits seemed to think. I liked the odes to favorite old skits, and I was particularly delighted to see many of the early Not Ready for Prime Time Players. I do wish Dan Aykroyd had attended, as he was my favorite original cast member. Not only did he create eccentric and compelling characters, but he had a way with words that caught my ear. And he also was a stealth hottie—those eyebrows, floppy locks, and sly grin. Yes siree, I definitely had a big gay crush on him back in the day.

The major disappointment of the anniversary special for me was that it did not tackle Donald Trump. Sure, the “Black Jeopardy” skit featured Tom Hanks as a “magat” in a red Make America Great Again hat answering Black cultural

questions and then being afraid to shake a Black man’s hand. Actor Robert De Niro referenced America as “living in full diaper now,” but the quip in the “Debbie Downer” skit was too subtle and came well after the three-hour mark. Neither mentioned the president by name.

From what I can tell from my research, all the presidents made fun of reacted similarly—that is, with good humor. Except one.

If ever there was a time to pay homage to Saturday Night Live’s history of free speech and lampooning of presidents and politicians, the 50th anniversary show should have been it.

In fact, I think it’s fair to say the biggest source of the SNL’s comedy over the decades has been the presidents of the United States. All nine presidents since the program aired in 1975 have been targets of comedic skits. Republicans like to scream about SNL’s liberal bias, but the fact of the matter is the show has skewered the leaders of both parties. Two of my personal favorite POTUS skits involved President Clinton. In 1992, comedian Phil Hartman portrayed a porky Bill Clinton jogging into a McDonalds to chat up customers and eat fast food right out of their hands. Later in the decade, comedian Darrell Hammond portrayed Clinton reading titillating excerpts from the Paula Jones case deposition report, likening it to a trashy romance novel.

My boy Dan Aykroyd, by the way, did a great Jimmy Carter imitation. You should google the 1977 clip of the “Ask President Carter” call-in show where the straightlaced, teetotaler president talks a teenage boy through an acid trip.

From what I can tell from my research, all the presidents made fun of reacted similarly—that is, with good humor. Except one. Of course, you know to whom I refer. Donald Trump is said to despise SNL. Is anyone surprised? Sociopaths are known for having terrible senses of humor. They typically find other people’s pain and suffering hilarious. And they most certainly don’t understand self-deprecating humor.

Some are insinuating the lack of POTUS skits in the SNL 50 special was due to Trump targeting the media and media owners. Could it have been the chill of further legal and regulatory action against NBC? In a program designed to encapsulate the show’s history and ongoing cultural relevance, the lack of POTUS-mocking felt to me like a shocking unwillingness to confront the biggest social upheaval of our age.

I’ve always thought of comedy as a willing and vociferous ally in pushing back on injustice and encouraging social change, so I’ll be watching to see how SNL handles Donald Trump when its new season 51 begins later this year. Will it take on this autocratic president when it matters most? Or will it kneel and kiss his ring? As Linda Richman, the host of SNL’s popular “Coffee Talk” skit in the 1990s was fond of saying: That’s the topic, now talk amongst yourselves. ▼

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

Out & About

A Rainbow at the End of the World

The other night, a couple of friends and I got together to drink a little wine and watch some movies. My host had one condition: whatever we watched had to be “stupid, silly fun,” because [gestures wildly at everything]. We settled on a double feature of Melissa McCarthy in Spy (2015), and Kristin Wiig and Annie Mumolo in Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021). We drank, we laughed, and we forgot everything for a while.

Left to my own devices, however, my recent entertainment choices are leaning toward the dystopian. Which seems like a bad choice, because after all…[gestures wildly at everything]. One of my favorite shows at the moment is Severance, on AppleTV+. Season 2 began in January, almost three years after Season 1 concluded. The world is very different now than it was in 2022, but I’m just as hooked this time around as I was then.

If you’ve never seen the show, the basic premise is that a large pharmaceutical company (so you know they’re rotten) has invented a procedure wherein employees can volunteer to have a chip inserted into their brains. The chip essentially divides a worker’s memory between their at-work selves and their at-home selves.

When workers arrive at the office, they take an elevator to the basement, and then suddenly the workday is over and they’re free to go home. However, their work personas never really get to leave the office. When they leave at the end of the day, they take the elevator up, but suddenly they’re back at work. They might be physically rested, but they’re expected to go right back to their desk and keep on working.

What’s more, the company is something like a cult. Founded in 1865, the founder is worshiped like a god. In fact, there are lots of fans who believe that the work of Lumon (which is mysterious even to the “severed” employees who can never escape) has the ultimate aim of bringing their long deceased leader back to life.

I suppose I’m able to enjoy it because the dystopia of Severance is very different from what we’re experiencing now. It’s more hyper-capitalism and less fascism, and the sci-fi elements of the show certainly provide an escape from reality. At the same time, watching the “innies” fight for their freedom is inspiring in a way that feels necessary right now. It doesn’t hurt that the writing, direction, and performances are all top-notch.

…the rise of an autocratic government almost always coincides with the suppression of already vulnerable groups, and this always includes sexual minorities.

Two of my favorite members of the cast are John Turturro and Christopher Walken, as a pair of employees who unexpectedly find love in the corporate basement prison of the show. When it becomes clear that Irving (Turturro) has developed a little crush on Burt (Walken), and then that his tender feelings are being returned, no one in the office bats an eye. There isn’t the merest hint of snickering or anything that might resemble homophobia from any of their co-workers. Of course, it’s a television show, so the couple eventually encounters their share of obstacles. But discrimination based on their sexual orientation is not among them.

Compare that to my reality, where many friends of mine who sing with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington recently learned that their upcoming concert at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra was quietly erased from the calendar of events after the current administration installed its leader

BY ERIC C. PETERSON

as the new Chairman of the Board. This follows several executive orders that seek to limit a parent’s ability to provide gender-affirming care for their trans child, and immediately rid the federal government of all Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs that (among other things) create welcoming work environments for marginalized groups (including LGBTQ+ people) so that they can be happier and more productive at work.

Of course, none of this is surprising. Any student of history can tell you that the rise of an autocratic government almost always coincides with the suppression of already vulnerable groups, and this always includes sexual minorities. In this way, I suppose that Severance isn’t very realistic as dystopian dramas go. (My other favorite dystopian series, Silo, could reasonably draw the same criticism, with its depiction of a recently rekindled romance between two women played by Harriet Walter and Clare Perkins.)

I’m okay with all of it. First of all, it’s good to know that positive depictions of queer love are still being seen on television, despite all the [gestures wildly at everything]. Second, it’s good for my soul to imagine a future that might not be perfect, but where they finally, at long last, just leave us alone. Even if we’re forever trapped in an underground bunker or the basement of a creepy office building, we deserve that much.

Is it any wonder I prefer my dystopia on TV? ▼

Eric Peterson is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) practitioner, pop culture junkie, and sometime novelist. His debut novel (Loyalty, Love & Vermouth) is available at Broweseabout Books and online.

Repairing Trump’s Social Damage

One Act of Courage Can Inspire Others

If you believe America is fallen and wish to restore White Christian male supremacy, there is no point in pretending you support democracy. If you fashion yourself an alpha male, you should own what you are doing and not look for others to blame.

Having decided four years ago to incite an insurrection and seize power, you should not then claim it was Antifa—rather than your supporters—who stormed the Capitol, attacked police officers, and smeared feces on the walls.

Donald Trump, now in the midst of his second coup attempt, had his press secretary say that the federal judges who have ruled against him are the ones provoking a constitutional crisis. That is the mark of a first-class weasel. But it is what bullies often do when people stand up to them; they point fingers at anyone and everyone except themselves.

We must earnestly strive to rebuild trust and cooperation despite our differences.

Democrats are pushing back against Trump’s oligarchic putsch in Congress, in the courts, in the streets, and in media, both old and new. Rather than wring our hands, we should join in the pushback.

Trump and his supporters brought “shock and awe” by attacking on multiple fronts from the moment he returned to office. But they have shown a good deal of stupidity, carelessness, and recklessness in the process. That is their vulnerability.

From its outset, America has had a conflict between its high ideals and its often low behavior. We talk about liberty and justice for all, then engage in racist bank redlining and try to erase transgender people. We boast of pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps, then make billions from government contracts. We invoke Christian values, then deny food and medical care to sick children.

There are signs of hope. In opposing vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) noted that he was a survivor of childhood polio. He wrote, “I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures.”

Point taken. But had McConnell voted to convict Trump on impeachment for inciting an insurrection four years ago, we might not now have an anti-vaxxer as head of DHHS. We need people who stand up for the truth when they’re in power, not as they’re heading out the door.

BY RICHARD J. ROSENDALL

A flashpoint in the resistance against Trumpism was the resignation of several top Department of Justice officials over the decision to drop criminal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for his support of Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown. The resignations included Danielle Sassoon, acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York. Notably, she has extensive conservative Republican credentials. It is not so easy to dismiss her as a partisan Democrat when she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and is a member of the Federalist Society.

Contrary to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Justice Department attorneys are not the president’s personal lawyers. They represent the American people and are sworn to uphold the Constitution. The DOJ’s culture is one of respecting the law and the evidence without regard to party lines. Bravo to the Justice officials who refused to participate in Trump’s lawlessness and disorder.

It is not enough to fight back against Trump and his minions. We must communicate about our larger purpose while recognizing that some people are not receptive to anything we might say. Trump has poisoned our public discourse to an extent that will take many years to heal.

It is not enough to focus on people’s self-interest, such as the price of eggs. We must earnestly strive to rebuild trust and cooperation despite our differences. Our nation cannot endure if we are constantly at one another’s throats. Fascism grows and thrives in chaos.

Just as Trump does all he can to blast away any sense of the common good, we must work to nurture it. This includes respecting the evidence Trump routinely disregards. For example, the price of eggs has been affected by an outbreak of avian flu, not political policy.

A penchant for destructiveness as a display of power is a sign of arrested development more than leadership. We need to uplift people; Trump doesn’t know how. We must appeal to one another’s better angels, not succumb to his transactionalism.

The rash of resignations at DOJ over Eric Adams is a reminder of shared values that Trump cannot sweep away. One act of courage and principle can inspire others. Make it a trend and we can begin to restore our embattled republic. ▼

Richard J. Rosendall is a writer and activist at rrosendall@ me.com.

Let’s Do More Together

Yoga for Men Shows Us How “N

ow more than ever, let’s do more together.” CAMP Rehoboth has adopted this theme for its participation in Do More 24, the statewide fundraiser for Delaware nonprofits running March 6 at 6:00 p.m. through March 7 at 6:00 p.m. This mantra highlights the importance of community and coming together in the face of strife and challenges. In honor of our wellness issue, Letters is highlighting CAMP Rehoboth’s Yoga for Men program, which exemplifies this idea wonderfully well.

Meeting on Saturday mornings at 8:45 a.m., the group is led by instructor Tim Rennick, who started facilitating CAMP Rehoboth’s class in 2020. Rennick was introduced to yoga in the 90s and began teaching in 2010. Currently, Tim is a practitioner of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga but also enjoys studying a variety of yoga lineages. Additionally, Tim holds a Master of Science in Yoga Therapy from the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Through the past four or so years, Tim has witnessed how powerfully CAMP Rehoboth’s group has formed community and solidarity among its participants.

“The community that’s formed around the class is, I think, the result of intention, time, and space,” said Tim. On its own, the program creates a safe space for positive masculinity and a shared experience of common anatomy, and also fosters the formation of union with the authentic self. Many paths lead to the state of yoga, but all are meant to develop awareness and the understanding that its participants are already whole. All levels are welcome to Yoga for Men, and everyone is given the opportunity to modify or advance their practice, based upon their preferences.

Beyond the class, the group began meeting together afterwards to develop social connections. “Our focus on yoga continues to be well-established, but a few months into the program’s beginnings, a small group of us decided to extend our time together over coffee,” said Tim. “Over the years, this weekly—

and totally voluntary—ritual has given us the time and space to strengthen our bonds.”

Indeed, the post-class meet-ups have fueled the group’s continued popularity. In the so-called Rehoboth “off-season,” more than 20 participants come into the Elkins-Archibald Atrium to gather and exercise. According to frequent participant Rick Buske, an off-season class used to bring in about four participants just a few years ago; the growth has therefore been quite noticeable. “Really, we're kind of running out of space,” he said. (From the perspective of CAMP Rehoboth’s programs, it’s a fortunate issue to have.)

Therein lies the strength behind engaging with CAMP Rehoboth’s programs and services: they are geared towards creating a sense of belonging and connection.

“Once you establish social ties, it's like glue,” observed Rick. For him, the group not only provides a healthy workout (the class itself has delayed the personal need for knee surgery, Rick is convinced), but it also helps combat the all-toocommon loneliness that sometimes accompanies older age and has lingered for many since the pandemic.

BY MATTY BROWN

Outside of the Saturday morning classes and the post-yoga coffee meetups, the group’s bonds deepened. “There are examples of members supporting each other through experiences that range from movie nights to kayaking trips to fundraising for memorializing passed members,” said Tim.

Last year, the group sadly lost two of its members somewhat suddenly. Their deaths were shocking, but with the group’s glue intact, they knew how to respond as a tight-knit, unwavering community. Participants raised funds for two plaques to dedicate to their friends. They installed them on a local, downtown bench around where they gather postclass. These post-yoga meetups now pay tribute not only to these names, but also to the growing sense of camaraderie and fellowship in the class.

Therein lies the strength behind engaging with CAMP Rehoboth’s programs and services: they are geared towards creating a sense of belonging and connection. The simple act of getting up early and participating in yoga each week has formed formidable friendships and provided an opportunity for all its participants to get together and lead healthy lives.

Like many of CAMP Rehoboth’s recurring programs and services, this weekly yoga class is completely free to its attendees. As Tim explains, “financially supporting our program not only helps folks know their body better, but it also helps forge relationships in a context that promotes well-being.” To support programs like this at CAMP Rehoboth, consider making a donation by visiting give.camprehoboth.org. ▼

Matty Brown (he/him) is the Communications Manager at CAMP Rehoboth and Editorial Associate for Letters.

L-R: Jefferson Rougeau, Rick Bost, John Bell, Tim Rennick (instructor), Tom Moore, and Dan Furman gather during a recent yoga class. Photo credit: Michael Beigay

Straight Talk BY

DAVID GARRETT

From Plain to Proud

This is a love story unlike any you have heard before. It is a story of two men—Mark and Steve—who met via email solely for the purpose of sharing each other’s life stories and experiences with each other. They did, indeed, share being friends in similar circumstances. They shared their stories, their hopes, and dreams for the future. And then—unplanned as it was—they fell in love and got married. But there was a long journey of pain from their respective lives that they shared with one another along the way. What makes this so unique is that Mark was Amish and Steve was Mennonite.

Steve grew up in one of the more conservative Mennonite churches and cultures. From various public sources, we find that Mennonites are a part of the Anabaptist movement whose roots go back to 1525 in Switzerland. Key faith affirmations of the Mennonites include adult baptism of those who are believers, washing of feet in a ritual that symbolizes servanthood, excommunication of erring members from the church, not swearing oaths, and marriage only within the same church. Mennonites have been known as pacifists, seeking non-violent means to resolve disputes.

Steve embodied these beliefs and throughout his childhood and adolescence, he was not exposed to television, wore “plain” clothing, did not work on Sundays, and had no contact with anything considered mainstream entertainment. His family moved frequently during his younger years, and this resulted in Steve not building deep roots in any community.

As a young man, Steve attended a Mennonite Bible college—an institution at which proper young Mennonites would be indoctrinated in the faith of their forefathers. The track everyone traveled urged them to meet their future spouses there, get married, and have children. The end goal was to perpetuate the faith that they lived. Steve did just that. Yet after a 10-year marriage that was unfulfilling—aside from being a proud and

grateful father to three sons—he and his wife left the church and divorced.

Mark was a member of the Old Order Amish. Now the Amish community enjoys an idyllic reputation from those who are “English.” We, the “English,” drive past the buggies on those country roads, wave to the children at the back window, and gaze longingly at the simple lifestyle they lead. The Amish are people of the earth, the hard-working, dedicated simple people, so we surmise.

In all honesty, as Mark shared so jarringly, the Amish have developed a rapid increase toward Christian nationalism, racism, misogyny, bigotry, and homophobia. These things are now part of the Amish. The Amish lifestyle can appear so mundane, simple, and goodhearted to those on the outside. Once you pull back that curtain and see the wizard, you realize that reality is much different than perception.

Mark held a very different position among the Amish. His job was one in which he explained the Amish community and Amish history to the outside world. As Mark shares, “I spoke at colleges and universities, dealing with the press and researchers. I was privileged to meet people from all over the world, from all

What changed everything was that they fell in love.

walks of life. I remain very grateful and enriched by that experience. Where else could you talk with a British Lord, a Hollywood star, and a Tibetan yak herder? It was wonderful. But the more contact I had with the outside world, the more I began questioning the Amish community. If you live in such a hyperreligious environment, you are cut off from the larger world. You exist in a very isolated vacuum.”

Mark, as had Steve, met a girl and got married, because that was the script they were supposed to play. Mark’s marriage lasted 27 years. But those years were filled with doubts, unfulfilled dreams, and serious misgivings about what God had in store for him.

Mark and Steve met through the efforts of a relative. They were connected for the purpose of coming from similar backgrounds and sharing common ground. What changed everything was that they fell in love. For both of them, it was an unexpected, life-altering, allencompassing love.

When asked how the two of them complement each other, they both had sheepish grins on their faces. Mark said that Steve is the spontaneous one and Steve replied that Mark is the organized one of the two. “This house would not be as tidy and organized if left to my own devices!” Steve is the one who cooks, and Mark is the one who cleans up.

True love of husband and husband demands that each have their own purview, talents, and strengths. Mark and Steve got married in October of 2024, and have been enjoying life together since. They have both moved from Plain to Proud. They are certainly proud of the life they share and the life they have ahead of them. ▼

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.

L-R: Steve, Mark

Located at the south end of the boardwalk in beautiful Rehoboth Beach

Full custom design center and repair service on premises, most can be completed while you’re here on vacation Exclusive home of the “Rehoboth Beach Bracelet” Official Pandora Dealer Large selection of: 14kt Gold, Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Tanzanites GIA Certified Diamonds in all sizes Watches including Movado, Raymond Weil, Seiko, Citizen, Pulsar, and Swiss Army

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The Real Dirt

Signs of Spring

As winter loosens its grip in our region, including the oak-pine forest, subtle yet unmistakable signs of spring begin to emerge. These woodlands, composed primarily of towering pines and sturdy oaks, experience a gradual transition as the days lengthen and temperatures rise. Unlike the dramatic bloom of spring in more temperate forests, the awakening of life in the oak-pine forest is a measured and deliberate process. The first indicators are often small and easily overlooked, but they signal the forest’s readiness for the changing season.

One of the earliest signs of spring in the oak-pine forest is the swelling of buds on deciduous trees. Oaks, which dominate much of these forests, are slow to leaf out fully, but by late winter and early spring, their buds begin to enlarge. The red oak (Quercus rubra) and white oak (Quercus alba) develop reddish or grayish-brown buds that gradually open as the temperatures become more favorable.

While oaks take their time; understory plants and early-blooming shrubs emerge more quickly. One of the first to flower is the trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), a low-growing evergreen plant that thrives in the acidic soil beneath pines. Its delicate pink or white flowers release a sweet fragrance, signaling the arrival of warmer days. Another early bloomer, the red maple (Acer rubrum), produces clusters of tiny red flowers well before its leaves appear, adding a splash of color to the subdued forest palette across the treetops.

Birdsong is one of the most noticeable harbingers of spring in the oak-pine forest. As temperatures rise, migratory birds that traveled south for the winter return to establish nesting territories. Among the earliest arrivals are the eastern phoebe (Sayoris phoebe) and the pine warbler (Setophaga pinus), both of which thrive in pine-dominated areas. Their calls break the winter silence, providing a welcome reminder of the season’s shift.

Woodpeckers, including the red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)

One of the first insects to reappear is the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), which overwinters as an adult hidden in tree crevices.

BY ERIC W. WAHL

and the downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), become more active as they search for insects hidden beneath tree bark. Their drumming on hollow trunks and branches serves as both a way to find food and a means of attracting mates.

With the warming weather, insect activity begins to increase, marking another key sign of spring in the oak-pine forest. One of the first insects to reappear is the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa), which overwinters as an adult hidden in tree crevices. As soon as temperatures rise above freezing, these butterflies emerge, fluttering through sundrenched forest openings.

Ants, bees, and other pollinators also become more active. Honeybees and native bumblebees begin to forage on the few available blossoms, playing a crucial role in the pollination of early-blooming plants. Meanwhile, beetles and other ground-dwelling insects stir from their winter dormancy, providing a food source for birds and small mammals.

The thawing of vernal pools, temporary bodies of water that form from snowmelt and spring rains, triggers the emergence of amphibians. Wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are among the first to appear, their distinctive quacking calls filling the cool spring air. These frogs, along with spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), migrate from their woodland shelters to these ephemeral pools to breed.

The presence of amphibians is a key ecological event in the oak-pine forest. Their eggs and larvae serve as an important food source for other wildlife, and their arrival signals the full onset of spring’s renewal and abundance.

Mammals, too, begin to show signs of increased activity. Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus), which spend much of the winter in a state of torpor, become more visible as they emerge to forage for leftover acorns and seeds. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) shed their dull winter coats in favor of a sleeker, reddish-brown summer coat.

The arrival of spring in the oak-pine forest is a slow and steady process, marked by a series of subtle but significant changes. From the swelling buds of oaks and the first blossoms that emerge to the return of migratory birds and the awakening of amphibians, each sign contributes to the forest’s transformation. Though the shift from winter to spring may not be as immediate or dramatic as in other ecosystems, the oak-pine forest follows its own rhythm, welcoming the season with a quiet yet unmistakable renewal of life.

Be safe, and let’s garden together. ▼

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

Photo by Liz DeLassus on Unsplash

Historical Headliners

Role Play: Greta Garbo/Queen Christina

The rumors abounded. Despite her acknowledged and well-publicized passionate affair with silent screen idol John Gilbert, there were whispers throughout 1920s and ’30s Hollywood about Greta Garbo’s romantic liaisons with women. Among the women Garbo was said to have romanced, or was romanced by, was the notorious Mercedes de Acosta (who seemed to have had an affair with just about every woman in California). But the affair that makes my little ol’ dyke heart go pitter-pat is the one the incorrigible “Lulu” herself, the fabulous Louise Brooks, said she had with Garbo in 1928.

Stories of Garbo’s same-sex affairs were further bolstered by glimpses into her clothes closets. According to feminist scholar Lois W. Banner’s biography of Garbo, the Swedish actress’s closets were stocked with “mannish suits, shirts, and ties.” Banner goes on to note that Garbo often referred to herself as a “fellow” and signed her letters as “Harry Boy.”

Garbo wouldn’t be the first screen star to lead a double life. In the days when same-sex relationships could kill a career, keeping one’s non-conforming sexual adventures hidden from public view was de rigueur.

The movie-going public, during Garbo’s silent screen stardom and her equally successful career in the talkies, loved Garbo as the beautiful femme fatale or the romantic heroine suffering, even dying, for the love of a man. With her smoldering eyes, and her perfect onscreen timing to make her leading man wait for her attentions, nobody played the male fantasy of a desired woman better than Greta Garbo.

But one film may have come closest to the true Garbo: 1933’s Queen Christina. In the film, the Swedish queen is scripted as a strong-willed, independent woman who gives little thought to romance. She’d rather wield her royal power to modernize her realm and bring peace to Sweden in the midst of the bloody Thirty Years War.

This generally follows the truth of the real Queen Christina who, despite pressures to marry to produce an heir, remained unwed and eventually abdicated the throne rather than submit to the authority and sexual needs of a husband. In her autobiography, Christina wrote of her “insurmountable distaste for marriage” and her distaste “for all things females talked about and did.”

Garbo…was an elegant butch, full of zest and swagger, including a sword at her side.

And oh, did I mention that Christina preferred men’s clothes to women’s? In the film, Garbo, in Christina’s 17th century male attire, was an elegant butch, full of zest and swagger, including a sword at her side.

Hollywood, though, was not about to disappoint Garbo’s many fans and their need to see their heroine in the embrace of a handsome man. And so it was that Tinseltown’s Queen Christina had a passionate romance with a dashing Spaniard, portrayed by none other than Garbo’s ex-lover (she left him, literally leaving him at the altar!), John Gilbert. Audiences swooned.

The film did give a nod, though, to Christina’s love of women. The movie

BY ANN APTAKER

includes a scene where Christina kisses one of her Ladies in Waiting. Not a peck on the cheek, nor a brush of the lips. A full-on, mouth-to-mouth smooch.

Garbo, herself a Swede, knew well the history of her native land and its famous queen. As an actress, Garbo gave Christina the appropriate regal bearing. As a woman, she gave Christina the insistence of independence. But it was as a lesbian that Garbo found the power of Christina.

The casting of Greta Garbo as Queen Christina was a perfect match; not only because both women were Swedish and both had lesbian affairs, but because both women insisted on living life their own way. Their independence meant more to them than power (in Christina’s case), and acclaim (in Garbo’s). Both women quit the public sphere at early ages: Christina’s abdication at a mere 28 years old, Garbo’s retirement from acting at 36. And both women spent the remainder of their lives in relative seclusion. Christina, a Catholic convert, eventually settled in Rome, where the pope extended his hospitality. Garbo left Hollywood for New York, where she lived as a near recluse until her death in 1990.

The reasons for Christina’s abdication and Garbo’s retirement from Hollywood were, of course, more complex than their non-conforming romantic and sexual lives. In Christina’s case, there were political intrigues. In Garbo’s case, it is said she grew bored with Hollywood and its factory-like approach to filmmaking and its demands to satisfy the unrealistic needs of movie fans.

That the lives of these two Swedish women, 300 years apart, could come together in a darkened theater and flickering images on a screen is the sort of coincidence that defies space and time. Garbo, I think, knew it. Christina, I think, would approve.▼

Ann Aptaker is the author of short stories and the Lambda & three-time Goldie award winning Cantor Gold series. Her latest book is A Crime of Secrets.

FRANK ECHOLS

Why Should I Book With a Travel Agent?

An Uncle’s Story

Ithink that I would have been a great father. My husband and I should have planned to get pregnant when we were a little younger. I’m getting older now; I accept that. I’m hopefully wiser, too. I’m finding that being a great uncle to fabulous kids I spoil every chance I can is just as rewarding.

I also have realized that gifting experiences is more important than gifting expensive items. They still want the items, sure, BUT they remember I am the one who brought them on the train to see Santa every Black Friday, to the mall in DC, and later, on their first cruise.

A few years back, my nephew asked me how I make enough money—doing what I do for a living—to take them on such nice trips. A bit forward, huh? That’s my nephew! (He gets it from his uncle—ha!)

Oh, have I mentioned that I am a travel agent? It can be confusing. I have heard there are travel agencies that charge people fees to make money. Never pay a fee to a travel agent. Travel agents make commissions off of the hotels, cruises, and vacation packages they book for you. For

example, if you book a Viking River Cruise, it costs you no more money to book yourself or book with me. However, if you book with me, Viking pays me a commission. That is how I make my money. If you are paying a travel agent a fee on top of that, that agent is overcharging you and making double profit.

My nephew had another forward question: Can’t people book trips themselves online? Why do they need you? Yes, my nephew, people can book trips themselves. In fact, a lot of my clients book a cruise themselves but then allow me to take it over. That’s because sometimes my agency has a special deal I can add to it, or they just like knowing that if something does go wrong, I am the one who will take care of it. I take it over, the supplier pays me a commission, and the client pays no fees and no more money to have me take it. More importantly, I have been doing this for 30 years, and my knowledge can help with your planning. You may choose to stay at the hotel of your dreams, but I just had clients stay at that same hotel, and it was a nightmare. I can share this information with you to make sure you are truly choosing the best places for your travel needs.

I never charge a fee just to talk to me. After talking, if we aren’t the best fit for each other, or if I am not knowledgeable in the area you are interested in, I will suggest who you should talk with to better help you. Again, no fee. Never pay a travel agent a fee. Did that answer my nephew’s question? Not really. Until this past year.

I took both him and my niece to Costa Rica. It was part of our hosted tours where we take a group of people to a destination. They zip-lined for the first time. He is also old enough to drink in Costa Rica, so while sipping

…gifting experiences is more important than gifting expensive items.

a cocktail together (yes—this makes me feel old), he looked around at our guests, everyone laughing and having fun talking about their adventures.

He smiled at me, and he said, “I get it now.” He went on to explain that he understands that it is not about the money; it is about the experience. He said these are not your clients; they are our friends.

Yes, my nephew “got it,” and I was overjoyed. That joy turned to concern when my niece chimed in with, “I want to be a travel agent….” But that is a story for another time. ▼

Frank Echols can be reached at frank@ where2nexttravel.com.

Advertising content supplied by Where 2 Next? Travel

BY NANCY SAKADUSKI

It’s a Plus in Every Way

A PLUS FOR INCLUSIVITY

FEST’s new name and logo is to emphasize that FEST is one of the best events on the East Coast for women, both trans and cis, nonbinary folks, and those that live on the spectrum of the feminine spirit. The plus sign is a signal that the 2025 Women’s+ FEST is inclusive. So please, join us in celebration, April 10-13!

We want everyone to feel welcome. If you or your companion have any needs related to accessibility, please contact accessibility@camprehoboth.org.

A PLUS FOR TRADITION

The “T” in FEST is for tradition, and there’s a reason for that. FEST is the place to cherish old friends and embrace new ones. It starts with the Georgette Krenkel Welcome Dance, the traditional way to kick off FEST and your first chance to mingle, connect, and reconnect. It is only matched by the popular Farewell Social, the place to remember and relive your FEST experiences and make plans for next year.

Another tradition of FEST is the many

opportunities to connect and reconnect, whether on the pickleball court, the dance floor, or over a mimosa at the drag brunch. The vibe is welcoming and caring, and the focus is on solidarity.

Although the “T” for tradition is important, the “F” for fun is positively fundamental, and this year offers even more opportunities for fun, whether it’s the NEW mingo activity (bingo with music), picking up gotta-have gifts at the Expo, acquiring a new read at the pop-up bookstore, or essential relaxation with sound therapy.

FEST is the place to cherish old friends and embrace new ones.

A PLUS FOR DIVERSE ENTERTAINMENT

There’s something for everyone on this year’s roster. Queer pop composer and musical storyteller Be Steadwell will headline Friday night’s program, a don’t-

miss evening of music, auction action, and humor.

Stand-up comedian Gwen La Roka will provide the laughs we all need right now. Gwen hit the comedy scene with an explosive energy that quickly won the hearts of her audiences and led to performances at world-famous come dy clubs such as The Laugh Factory, Zanies, and The Improv. Her honest comedic approach, meshed with her physical humor, has crowds of all ages and back grounds laughing at life, together. And whether you’re bidding or just watching the action, you won’t want to miss the FEST Auction, which will be held Friday evening, be-

Be Steadwell Brings the Love

e Steadwell’s music is a fusion of pop, folk, and soul—a complex gumbo of looping, vocal layering, and beat boxing. But at its heart are songs of love. “Sharing space and singing love songs allows us to feel present, safe, and held for a moment,” explains Be. “I hope my audiences leave feeling that love.”

The audience at Women’s+ FEST can expect to sing, dance, and laugh with Be and their band. Be says, “When I perform, my goal is to make you feel seen, to make you smile, and to make you feel proud, happy, and excited to be GAY!”

Be caters their performances to each audience. Of course, it always helps to play a show for a loving, supportive audience, which they will certainly find at FEST. “Get ready for yummy love song covers and new original music,” Be says. “I’m so excited to celebrate our community in Rehoboth. See you soon!”

WANT A TASTE?

Go to besteadwell.com/music to listen to some samples (the music videos are pretty great as well).

Womens+ FEST 2025

tween the two entertainers. It’s short but exciting!

Other FEST treats include Tret Fure, a prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena and a veteran of the women’s music scene; quick-witted veteran comedian Poppy Champlin; popular local band Mama’s Black Sheep; and returning favorites Christine Havrilla and Regina Sayles.

And let’s not forget the drag brunch, with headliner Zhané Dawlingz, Miss Continental 2024. “In winning the crown, Zhané became the first Black trans woman and the first Ohioan to win this legendary and historic pageant. Even more remarkable, she won on her very first try, something just plain unheard of for Miss Continental.” (The Buckeye Flame)

The vibe is welcoming and caring, and the focus is on solidarity.

A PLUS FOR MORE

Women’s+ FEST 2025 brings more venues, more activities, and more participants than ever before.

More options for singles. In addition to the Singles Dance, enjoy the new Sip n’ Mingle for Singles, an event that will include a fun “puzzle piece” activity to encourage mingling and making connections, whether they last a day or a lifetime.

More sports. This year brings three opportunities for golf, as well as a doubles pickleball tournament, cornhole, and bowling.

More speakers and educational sessions. Hear Colonel Grethe Cammermeyer in conversation with Retired Major General Tammy Smith, the first female general to serve in an Eighth Army headquarters-level position. Get insights from Coke Farmer, former Director for Undergraduate Programs, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park.

More art. Don’t miss FEST ART+ 2025, CAMP Rehoboth’s juried art exhibition that showcases artistic expression across all media while embracing trans, nonbinary, and all artists who embody and celebrate the feminine spirit—a commitment reflected in the “+” of its title. The opening reception will take place Thursday, April 10, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., but the exhibition will be open to the public throughout FEST.

A PLUS FOR YOU

Plan your schedule now. Go to camprehoboth.org/womensfest for information, prices, and tickets. ▼

Disclaimer: FEST Schedule is subject to change.

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

WEARABLE ART

FEST t-shirts are known for their striking artwork, and if you aren’t already collecting them, let this be the year you start.

Geri Dibiase has supplied the art for the FEST t-shirts for years, but this year, Geri hand-picked Rehoboth-Beach-based artist Laura Jednorski to create art for the shirt.

Laura uses texture and varying media to create her unique works of art. She first paints several basecoats to set the tone for the painting. The next day she goes back into her studio to see what she discovers. From there she uses her mind’s eye to bring that image out onto the canvas.

Laura has always leaned into her creativity. As a child, she took up a brush and painted her bicycle. She had her own house painting business for many years, focusing on color consulting and faux finishes. Laura now has an art gallery at her home in Rehoboth.

Laura’s art will also be featured at the Live Auction during the Friday night entertainment program. ▼

Christine Havrilla

Zhané Dawlingz

Tret Fure

Regina Sayles

Twinless Stars Dylan O’Brien x2

If you’re a fan of Maze Runner and Teen Wolf star Dylan O’Brien, you probably remember his appearance on the sci-fi/comedy anthology series Weird City, where he found himself simultaneously heterosexual and also involved in a passionate romance with Modern Family patriarch Ed O’Neill. Now he’s the star of the equally unusual queer romance Twinless. The film played Sundance where it won the Audience Award and became the subject of a piracy attempt (Mr. O’Brien has at least one sex scene in the film and it was leaked online) but it also won its star the US Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting. It’s about two young men who form an intense relationship after meeting at a support group for people whose twin siblings have died, and it was written and directed by O’Brien’s co-star, gay filmmaker James Sweeney, featuring Gilmore Girls icon Lauren Graham as O’Brien’s mother. When do non-film-festival goers get a legit look? Stay tuned. ▼

Rains Over Babel Forecast to Set the Queer Arthouse Aflame

Anoddball standout at Sundance, the debut feature from Colombian filmmaker Gala del Sol, Rains Over Babel, has been picked up for North American distribution by Latido Films. Welcome news it is, too, because inventive queer filmmaking feels more and more like an act of defiance in the US, and this one has invention to spare. Set in an afterlife dive bar called Babel, queer misfits gather for a surreal trip through Dante’s Inferno. Full of angels and demons, fight sequences, dance numbers and, we are told, talking lizards, they all await their fate. Sounds like The Good Place reboot we’ve been waiting for. It’ll probably float into your local arthouse theater later this year. ▼

BY ROMEO SAN VICENTE

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion Reunion

Good news, gays of the ’90s, pop culture is going to cater to your needs in a big way very soon because there’s a sequel to 1997’s Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion in the works. Details are sketchy right now, but the next chapter in the story of two best friends re-inventing themselves 10 years after high school is getting a 30year fast forward. It’s being produced by Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino, who will also star, of course (we’d ignore it if they didn’t, obviously) and Robin Schiff (Emily in Paris), who wrote the first film, will write this one. Who goes to their 40th high school reunion? We have no idea, but we’re rooting for the return of sardonic Gen X queen Janeane Garofalo, who stole scenes in the first movie. We need her now more than ever. ▼

Laverne Cox’s Key Role in Outcome

That recent clip of Laverne Cox on The View where she reminds viewers that it’s the “other 1%” of the population that people should be upset about instead of trans people has gone very viral, making its truth-telling way around the internet. She was on the show to promote her now-streaming sitcom Clean Slate but her next project is already readying itself for public consumption. It’s called Outcome, the latest film from director Jonah Hill (who also co-wrote with Ezra Woods), and it’s about an actor on a career slide, battling blackmail and his past actions. Starring Keanu Reeves as the actor in question, Cox has a specific and pivotal role in the film that also features a long list of big names: Hill, Cameron Diaz, Matt Bomer, Susan Lucci, David Spade, Kaia Gerber, comedians Roy Wood Jr. and Atsuko Okatsuka, and Martin Scorsese. Apple TV+ is readying its release this year, and there’s sure to be an unmissable marketing push. Set your reminders. ▼

Romeo San Vicente is angelically devilish.

From

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell…

To Writing Our Own Stories

In 1992, amid Bill Clinton’s presidential victory and Boyz II Men’s chart-topping reign, the nation adopted the divisive motto: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” As a senior at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, already grappling with the weight of impending graduation, this motto underscored a pressing, personal question: “Was I gay?”

Perplexed by the uncertainty of how one truly knows (Were there telltale signs? Should I simply kiss a girl for clarity?), I sought counsel from a therapist. Her probing questions didn’t yield immediate answers, and with the real world fast approaching—getting a job, finding a place to live, how I’d survive—I shelved introspection for later.

Fate, however, had other plans. A one-year job at my alma mater led to a messy, secret affair with my boss, Sarah—a woman 34 years my senior who was committed to a long-term partner. Yes, adulthood was off to a great start. Despite the complications, our love deepened over a shared passion for reading. Sarah introduced me to Rubyfruit Jungle, The Price of Salt, Curious Wine, and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, handing them to me with the wry instruction: “For your sapphic education.” She understood what I didn’t yet fully grasp—that queer literature offers a lifeline to those navigating their identity. These books provided solace and connection during a time when I often felt adrift and alone.

Queer literature has always been this way—powerful, affirming, and transformative. For decades, stories of romance, coming-of-age, and self-discovery have challenged societal norms, tackled themes of identity and acceptance, and dismantled stereotypes. Most importantly, they validate unique experiences, offer rare glimpses of representation, and broaden perspectives for queer and nonqueer readers alike.

Authors like Rita Mae Brown, James Baldwin, Alice Walker, and Oscar Wilde broke ground, fearlessly confronting

themes of sexuality and race in works that reshaped literature and gave voice to the marginalized. Yet, these voices haven’t always been celebrated. LGBTQ+ stories have long been silenced, marginalized, or omitted altogether.

As we celebrate queer literature and the enduring contributions of LGBTQ+ authors, we must continue to amplify these voices to ensure they endure for generations.

Even now, despite strides toward inclusivity—non-queer allies posting “Love is Love” on social media, Target selling Pride merchandise, and Massachusetts electing its first lesbian governor in 2022—the LGBTQ+ community faces a troubling backlash. In 2023 alone, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ legislative bills were introduced across the US, including Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, alongside a growing list of banned books. These steps attempt to push the LGBTQ+ community back into the shadows, undoing decades of progress.

And yet, demand for queer literature persists. According to NPD BookScan, fiction sales in the US have surged in recent years. This growing appetite for diverse stories underscores why The Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Bookstore (SLPUB)

BY FELICE COHEN

was founded in 2022 by sapphic authors Louise McBain, Tagan Shepard, and Cade Haddock Strong. Their mission: to build a vibrant community connecting readers and writers of sapphic literature. Heading into its third year, SLPUB now boasts nearly two dozen authors and appears at Pride events, queer bars, and women’s festivals, including Women’s+ FEST at CAMP Rehoboth.

SLPUB’s audience relishes the opportunity to meet the authors whose books resonate so deeply. For those isolated or ostracized due to their identity, these stories offer essential validation. For me, Rubyfruit Jungle was that pivotal book. Celebrated for its candid portrayal of queer identity and unapologetic exploration of desire and self-discovery, Brown’s work inspired countless LGBTQ+ authors to share their truths.

I am one of those authors.

My memoir, Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love, recounts my clandestine affair at 23. That it received an endorsement from Rita Mae Brown herself was profoundly validating—not just of my writing, but of my love story. I often wonder: If I’d had a book like mine back then, would I have carried so much shame for loving someone older? I hope my book offers that solace to someone else now.

As we celebrate queer literature and the enduring contributions of LGBTQ+ authors, we must continue to amplify these voices to ensure they endure for generations. You can help by requesting queer literature at your local bookstore or library, starting a Little Free Library (littlefreelibrary.org/), emailing your elected officials, or—perhaps most powerful of all—writing your own story.

We no longer live under the oppressive shadow of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Make your voice heard. There is a community waiting to celebrate you. ▼

Felice Cohen, author of Half In: A-Coming-ofAge Memoir of Forbidden Love, is also an author with the Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Bookstore.

Built for Hoops Solution on

Harbingers of Spring

When the Red, Red Robin…

The signs are unmistakable.

You know that spring’s arrived with a few important milestones: the days get longer, while sleeves and pants get shorter. You start to think about what to plant on the veranda before planting your fanny on a beach towel. And you finally notice the chit-chitchit-chit of spring’s first visitor.

It’s a fact that robins have been around for thousands of years, in seven different forms in North America and nine subspecies in Europe, all of which are categorized by their natural range. The most common robin on this continent is the American robin, which is also one of North America’s most common birds, period. He shares his red breast with most of his cousins but the difference between the bird we have in the hand and two birds in an overseas bush is in the coloring of their backs and wings. Yes, all robins are distantly related; scientists say that the species began to split at least two million years ago.

While the robin is surely the most ubiquitous bird in North America, the word for the bird wasn’t in use until the very early 1700s. Middle Ages birdwatchers called it “redbreast” before that, which wasn’t enough for Carl Linnaeus who, in 1766, first described the robin in the twelfth version of a book he penned. He gave it the Latin name of Turdus (meaning, thrush) and migratorius, (to migrate), which is good and all but still doesn’t sound very nice.

John James Audubon did Linnaeus one better by offering more detail on the bird in 1820 and by Victorian times, the robin had become quite beloved. It was seen as a supposed bringer of luck, happiness, and fresh beginnings, and appeared on Christmas cards delivering joy and Yule wishes. Native Americans saw robins as messengers from the spirits. Obviously, the robin is a great muse for painters, songsters, and writers, too.

As birds go, the robin’s life is somewhat remarkable.

Robins, who are monogamous when breeding but not necessarily so when

nesting, can raise three successive clutches in the April-to-July season, in which they lay up to five robin’s-egg blue (duh!) eggs each time. Sadly, this fecundity is necessary, since just four out of 10 nests produce living babies and only one out of four fledglings will live a year. While the average robin only lives about 14 months, the luckiest ones live five or six years, and a handful might become pensioners and live up to 14 years in the wild.

[B]y Victorian times, the robin…was seen as a bringer of luck, happiness, and fresh beginnings…

While Mommy Robin is the one to actually make the nest and sit on the eggs for two weeks, both parents share feeding duties several times an hour, around the clock, for the first couple weeks or so, until the kids fully fledge. Once they have a few decent feathers, baby robins practice hopping around and moving their wings while still in the nest; Mom and Dad will continue to supply them with worm casserole and raspberry sundaes while the kids learn to forage on their own. Later in the year, weeks after they’ve flown the coop, the fledglings will have that red breast that every kid wants.

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Literally, robin parents become empty-nesters after roughly a month or five weeks. They may stay together, or they may split up and possibly mate again with different robins. If they happen to see one another in the same territory the next year, they might hook up for old time’s sake and have another clutch.

Other fun facts about robins:

• They’re among the first birds up in the morning.

• Robins are known carriers of the West Nile virus.

• You may know a robin as a big fan of earthworms but they’ll also eat fruit, bugs, nuts, seeds, and beetles. What’s for dinner depends on the season and the time of day.

• Robins are real party animals: if they eat nothing but honeysuckle, they get drunk.

• Robins may seem solitary, but they tend to roost together at night, sometimes with a few thousand of their BFFs.

But the real question is this: where do robins go during the winter?

The answer is: it depends. While some do fly a little bit south in the winter, the odd truth is that many stick close to home, even when it gets bitterly cold, as long as there is grub and decent enough shelter to be had. When the groceries get hard to find, the robins will head south but maybe not too far.

So go ahead and feed them, give them open-sided boxes or dense shrubbery for shelter, and keep your eyes open for them. Robins are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, so just don’t disturb them or hurt them, or you’ll get more than just The Bird. ▼

Terri Schlichenmeyer’s third book, The Book of Facts and Trivia: Science, came out in September 2024.

The Sea Salt Table

Mary Ann’s Irish Coffee

Ihave a love-hate relationship with coffee. I love everything about it... the process, the smell, the taste. The jolt. But it can hate me. Drink it a smidge too late in the day, and no amount of counting sheep is gonna get me to sleep.

My husband and I have been together 30 years. But I still recall the requirements list I had during my youthful dating. Potential mates had to tip well. No toes poking out of sock holes (a story for another article). And you had to like morning coffee. Savoring coffee is a long-held Castelli ritual. My maternal grandmother was an all-out addict. Her caregivers said she asked for coffee until her dying breath. She may have stopped eating, but coffee was next level for her. I suspect above oxygen.

To my youthful mind, making a pot of coffee for two meant I was halfway to the white picket fence with all its trimmings. Making a pot just for me while dunking a tea bag? Or worse, popping a Pepsi? Depressing.

And for some reason, I used to not trust tea drinkers. What were they hiding? I mean come on. What type of lunatic-potential-ax-murderer says, "I love the smell of coffee but not the taste"? Really? Smell ya later.

Of course, now I know better. Tea drinkers can be lovely people. Even the morning ones. Although I'm still working on a friend who insists chocolate milk is the best wake-up beverage. That's just dumb.

Hey, quick tip before I forget: Whatever coffee you brew, mix a sprinkling of cinnamon in the grounds. Folks will say how great it is, even though they can't place why. The cinnamon taste dissipates, while smoothing out the acidic bite. Try it. You'll see.

This month I'm highlighting a recipe I'm calling Mary Ann's Irish Coffee. Every year, she and her husband Rick host the best St Patrick's Day party before the big Harrisburg parade. People form a line in their kitchen and Mary Ann churns out glass after glass.

To my youthful mind, making a pot of coffee for two meant I was halfway to the white picket fence with all its trimmings.

STEPS

BY ED CASTELLI

This recipe is based on the many such coffees Mary Ann consumed in college at the Dublin Pub in Morristown, New Jersey. It's meant to be served in a tall and wide beer glass, resembling its hardy Irish cousin, the pint of Guinness. In her words, "the perfect Irish coffee is a heavenly cloud of fresh whipped cream floating on dark coffee laced with whiskey and brown sugar."

I start salivating for these right after Valentine's Day. They'll make even the staunchest teetotalers crave java.

Let’s get started, shall we?

 Whisk a cup or so of heavy whipping cream just until it begins to hold a soft peak, about 2 to 3 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to use.

 While your coffee is brewing, rinse your pint glasses with hot water to warm them up.

Ž In each glass, mix:

• One heaping teaspoon of brown sugar

• 2oz of Irish whiskey

 Add your hot coffee and stir each again.

 Gently spoon or pour some whipped cream on the surface of each. Then clank your glasses... Sláinte!

TIPS

• Like a properly poured Guinness, the whipped cream should float on top, forming a delicious velvety layer. If yours is a bit runny, it will mix with the coffee but still taste great.

• The darker and bolder the coffee the better.

• For the whiskey, Mary Ann and Rick prefer Jameson. I've also gathered a wee extra pour never hurt anyone. ▼

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.

Photo by Ed Castelli

Reflections

Playing Singles in a Doubles Game

I’m used to being different. These days I call myself a free spirit, although at a younger age I confess I thought there was something wrong with me. Marriage and having a child were never on my ‘to do’ list, but I never eliminated them entirely. I always thought if the right person showed up then maybe, just maybe, I could have a kid.

I always loved doing exactly what I wanted. As a teen, my parents never demanded detailed descriptions of my destination. When they asked where I was going, I said, “Out to the movies.” They replied, “Be home by 11.”

I loved sneaking into Manhattan with my high school group of boys and girls from public school (I went to Catholic school for 13 years) and spending the evening with my friends in Greenwich Village. Meanwhile pretending I was just a few miles from home watching a movie on the big screen.

I never got caught, never got hurt, and always had an exciting time on my secret adventures. It seemed to me that friends who had boyfriends had a very restricted fun quotient. They seemed content to spend every waking hour either on the phone or attached at the hip to their current beau.

It also seemed my married aunts were subservient to spouses and their families just like my mom was. They were always cooking, baking, cleaning, and taking care that the household ran smoothly. Most didn’t work, but if they did, they still were the glue that kept their home together. My mentor became my single aunt who had her own apartment, commuted to a very cool job in NYC, wore stylish clothes, and enjoyed life.

In college I had crushes and tons of friends, but no beaus. I was perfectly content with being unattached. While the phrase ‘friends with benefits’ didn’t exist, that’s exactly what we hippies were to each other, experimenting and having a good time without (in those days) the fear AIDS.

After graduating I landed a job on Madison Avenue and my own Manhattan

apartment in Turtle Bay. I started getting advice from well-meaning relatives and friends who suggested sure-fire techniques for finding a mate. They’d say, “Dress up and sit at a bar in the Waldorf Astoria,” or “Wear more eye makeup to emphasize your dark eyes.” When I got older, they’d bombard me with questions—that were more like demands—like, “Why aren’t you dating?” or “What’s wrong with you?”

My mentor became my single aunt who had her own apartment, commuted to a very cool job in NYC, wore stylish clothes, and enjoyed life.

BY PATTIE CINELLI

The one piece of advice I took to heart was, “Don’t focus on it. Finding someone will just happen.”

I didn’t try finding a mate; instead, I focused on pursuing my love of travel. In fact, my vision of my life was me as a travel writer living abroad. I had a hard time picturing a man sharing my career dream with me.

When one of my friends from Greenwich Village moved to Honolulu, I followed him. I was living my dream in Hawaii—competitively paddling Hawaiian outrigger canoes, working for Associated Press, selling roses and gardenias in the Waikiki discos, and reporting for the ABCTV affiliate.

My 20s and my Hawaiian dream too quickly became a memory: I was called back to the east coast to take care of family business. I was still without a partner. Years passed quickly and family responsibilities became, at times, overwhelming. When I met someone in church who became my boyfriend, I finally felt ‘normal.’ Yet, when he asked me to marry, I knew it wasn’t for me. More than 30 years later, we are still the best of friends.

Much later in life I got the perfect child I pondered mothering when I was a young woman. Marcello, a 40-pound goldendoodle, was my kid, friend, confidante, and companion. He went with me to parties, swimming, on overnight car trips, and to friends’ homes. He taught me about unconditional love.

In 1980 just six percent of 40-year-old women had never married, according to the Pew Research Center. In 2021 that jumped to 25 percent, the highest percentage ever recorded. It seems more women are discovering what I’ve known for a long time.

My life is filled with the most interesting people these days. I found my ‘family’—a young woman with whom I worked for several years. She and her three children have become the objects of my love and attention.

I often get an “I’m so sorry,” accompanied by soulful puppy-dog look with big eyes and a tilted head, when I reveal I’m a woman with no partner and no children. Those condolences are misplaced: I have deep, life-long connections with both men and women. I have always done exactly what I want and love having the time to work on being the best version of myself.

My life has been a solo game full of unexpected turns, open spaces, and endless possibilities. Happily, the game continues.  ▼

Pattie Cinelli is a writer and a holistic health & fitness professional. Email her with questions or column ideas to: fitmiss44@aol.com

Photo: Getty Images for Unsplash+

BARE: A BARE: A BARE: A POP OPERA POP OPERA POP OPERA

ONE LOVE. ONE LIFE. ONE TRUTH

“Discover the soul-stirring journey of self-acceptance through heart-pounding pop-rock anthems and dance that will leave you breathless!”

1 7 S H O W S : M A Y 1 - 1 8

O O R S : T h e D o o r s T r i b u t e

M A R C H 2 8 - D E S T I N A T I O N S O U L T O W N : W i t h T h e S e n s a t i o n a l S o u l C r u i s e r s

If you were captivated by the rebellious spirit of RENT, the raw intensity of SPRING AWAKENING, or the dark wit of HEATHERS... then “BARE: A POP OPERA” is your next MUST-SEE SHOW!

Dare to FEEL with BARE: A Pop Opera, the electrifying coming-of-age musical that explores love, identity, and faith With a pulse-pounding pop/rock score and a gripping story of forbidden romance and self-discovery, BARE is a modern cult classic We’re assembling a DIVERSE AND POWERHOUSE cast, crew, and musicians from across the country to bring this unforgettable production to life. With breathtaking vocals and gut-wrenching emotion, this isn’t just theatre it’s a transformation!

M A R C H 2 9 - A B S O L U T E A D E L E : W i t h J e n n i f e r C e l l a

M A R C H 3 0 - A N G R Y Y O U N G B A N D : B i l l y J o e l T r i b u t e

A P R I L 2 - U N I V E R S I T Y O F D E L A W A R E J A Z

OUTlook

My Rites of Spring

In these troubled times, the most important thing to hang onto is hope—hope that things will turn for the better. I take solace in getting as much nature as I can these days, and I am heartened to know that spring will soon be here. There’s just something inherently hopeful about the arrival of spring, especially this year.

Officially, the first day of spring will occur in just a couple more weeks, on March 20, at 5:01 a.m. EDT. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the vernal equinox marks the turning point when daylight and nighttime are equal, tipping to longer days as spring progresses.

This increased daylight is most welcome, as we work ourselves out of a cold, dark, and snowy winter into the warmer, longer light of spring. The idea helps lift my spirits.

Along with more daylight, another wonderful gift of spring is seeing all the colorful blooms. Daffodils and crocuses will be poking through the soil soon, followed by hyacinths and tulips. I live next to a nature preserve, so I will soon be greeted with white and pink dogwood blooms, and bright green skunk cabbage in the woods. Everyone can notice the bright yellow forsythia, and lovely and delicate cherry blossoms blooming on trees along the roads we drive.

And what is more wonderful than seeing an occasional fox kit or rabbit at the edge of the trees, ducklings in the retention ponds, or hearing the distinct call of peepers (those loud, tiny frogs)? Each year, I can mark when spring has definitely arrived at the first call of the peepers. It has happened as early as February. Although I haven’t heard them yet this year, I have faith that some night soon, as I take out the trash, I’ll hear that magical sound.

All of these signs of spring are incredible, but I think the most amazing harbingers of spring are the horseshoe crabs and shorebirds that arrive in Delaware Bay. It’s a little too early in March, but starting in April/early May, hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs will

This helps us to know that cycles of nature, unlike those of human beings, are largely stable and enduring.

emerge from the depths and converge on Mispillion Harbor, Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock, and Pickering Beach. On these and other Delaware Bay beaches, the dinosaur-era horseshoe crabs will lay hundreds of millions of tiny green eggs.

In May and June, in an event that has captured my imagination since I moved to Delaware 20 years ago, shorebirds will arrive at the Delaware Bay on their spring migration from south to north. Among the most travelled shorebirds, red knots fly 20,000 miles every year from the tip of South America to their breeding grounds in the Arctic Circle and back again, 10,000 miles each way. A red knot has a wingspan of about 20 inches. That’s a lot of flapping.

The Delaware Bay, at about 5,000 miles in on that long journey, is the red knots’ only pit stop. They arrive exhaust-

BY BETH SHOCKLEY

ed and underweight. But after about a month of feasting on the protein-packed horseshoe crab eggs, they are ready for the next leg of their journey north—another 5,000 miles to the Arctic.

This awesome cycle of nature repeats, as so many still do. We just have to pay attention. It helps us to know that cycles of nature, unlike those of human beings, are largely stable and enduring. Even now.

There is so much information available online about the annual Delaware Bay shorebird migration, but a great place to find out more is the website of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC): DNREC.delaware.gov. They have a live webcam perched at DNREC’s DuPont Nature Center, smack dab in the middle of one of the best spots to see this incredible spectacle—Mispillion Harbor near Milford. Just enter Delaware Bay shorebirds on Duck Duck Go. Or you can use that other search engine—the one that doesn’t recognize the Gulf of Mexico.

There will likely be many in-person interpretive programs about the horseshoe crabs and shorebirds when the DuPont Nature Center reopens, which has traditionally been around May 1. But if you can’t get there in person, there’s the webcam. It’s just so darned cool.

There is some urgency. As with so many species worldwide, the numbers of horseshoe crabs and shorebirds are declining. Still, the migration happens, and I’ll be there again this year to witness when it does. It will do my winter-weary heart a world of good. It might yours, too. I hope so, anyway. ▼

Shockley is a retired writer and editor, and shares life with her wife and three kitty boys.

Beth

Photo by Eveling Tavera Fernandez, courtesy of DNREC.

CAMPshots

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

Polar Bear Plunging!

Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge, Chili Cookoff, CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Concert, FURST Friday at the Parrot, and More!

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1 ) at Polar Bear Chili Cook Off: Jan Dunn, Yolanda Pineda, Michael White, Tim Ferguson, Mark Lenard, (Mariachi), Bill Murray, Jackie Strack (Rehoboth Ale House), Denise Anderson, Nicole Chubioglu, Joe Gfaller, Kraig Turner, David Halley, Ben Lopresto (302 Social), Bob Suppies, Amelia Boyer, Keith Petrack, Michael Fetchko, Chris Beagle, Eric Engelhart, Adam Updegraff, Paul Haid (The Pines)

OPPOSITE PAGE 2) at Polar Bear Chili Cook Off: Chaz Breyer, Max Dick (Tiki Jack’s), Michael Taggart, Cody White, Bianca Noelle (Purple Parrot); 3) at Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge: Tony Burns, DE State Senator Russ Huxtable, Drake Smandra, Asher Smandra, Channing Daniels, Conrad Welch, Kathy Zimmerman, Roseanne Faust, Jerry Gallucci, Robbie Johnson, Angel Smandra, Jordan Banks, Jamie Riddle, Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks.

(More CAMPshots page 62)

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

(Continued from page 61)

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at CAMP Rehoboth Chorus Concert, On Broadway: Kate Rocheleau, Donna Dolce, Lori Rocheleau, Kevin Pelland, G Michael Beigay, David Garrett, Pat Catanzariti, Susan Taylor, Teddi Lowery, Diana Schwarz, Doug Yetter, David Scuccimarra, Joe Vescio, Debbie Zwicke, Ben Reavis, Carla Burton, Marj Shannon, Christa Shannon, David Streit, Carol Lewis; 2) Goolee’s Tribute to Love Drag Brunch: Amethyst Diamond, Aura Iris, Regina Cox.

OPPOSITE PAGE: 3) at Goolee’s Tribute to Love Drag Brunch: Jo Pokorny, Brett Svensson, Bill Quinn, Lisa Soens, Laura Hackell, Chris Bowers; 4) Rehoboth Art League Opening Reception: RB

Commissioner Edward Chrzanowski, Victor Diaz, Denise Stripling, Glenn Ashton, John Newton, Scott Shaughnessy, Jennifer Jordan, Dane Tilghman, Brenda Murray; 5) at DE Beach Buddies Valentine’s Dinner at Rigby’s: Steve Swierzy, Frederick Dean Jr., Neal Minietta, Nick Carroll, Ken Naugle, Ryan Williamson, Ricky Didomenico, Ryan Minnick, Jeff Weber.

(More CAMPshots page 80)

Before  the Beach

Dave Bever

The Bramble, The Brine, and the Box Office

Following a nationwide search, the Rehoboth Beach Film Society (RBFS) found its new director right here in the first state. Bever, relocating from Wilmington, takes the reins on March 3.

BRENT MUNDT: We loved your Cape Gazette quote that “we’re all one and the same when we sit in a movie theater.” Movies seem to be the refuge for so many in our LGBTQ+ community, especially during our ‘closeted’ days.

DAVE BEVER: Indeed, it’s where I found the most comfort. Now, I’m all grown up and our amazing RBFS president Barbara Byrd Keenan said it best: “We want all to be seen, heard and entertained.” So, my

Film has the power to transform society.

focus is on when the house lights come back up. Who will moderate a discussion about the issues and the moral dilemmas we just absorbed as a group? Are we engaging in discussions that build bridges and create a more positive

world? How can film help us reconnect in such a divisive time?

BM: Indeed. Related to that, can you talk a bit about your work with the ACLU and Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ)?

DB: That work really started decades ago when I launched my career as a probation officer. I learned the hard way that our criminal justice system relies too little on systemic fairness and justice and too much on the virtues of individual police, probation, and corrections officers, prosecutors and judges—or the lack thereof. I believe in second chances for everyone, and I wanted to be a part of work that guaranteed folks had those second chances. Movies were my joy and refuge then, too.

BM: Most film societies curate content in their own backyard. What do you see among the local bramble and brine that can end up in the box office?

DB: There are amazing veins of rich content here. First and foremost, let me say that the community that Murray Archibald and his late husband, Steve Elkins, built here at CAMP is truly the most unique and heartfelt project I’ve ever seen. I was privileged to have met Steve several times in my first few years in Delaware, and I’m in awe of what he and Murray created and what has been so lovingly sustained. My first take: We need to invite Murray to talk about Steve after the showing of Milk

BM: Can we also screen it here on Steve Elkins Way?

DB: Yes, indeed, what an honor! My role would be to find a lecturer to help Murray put “Milk /Elkins” in perspective. The other area that I plan to focus on is the work of local iconic gay artist Tom Wilson. I’d like to pick up on the great partnership with CAMP Rehoboth two years ago, when Wilson’s work was exhibited at the Biggs Museum. That project included a film by Lewis Allen featuring local collectors Keith Fitzgerald and Peggy Raley—those truly incredible straight allies that every LGBTQ+ community needs. The

BY BRENT MUNDT

short movie Allen produced is such an inspiration.

Wilson was keenly aware that his own anxiety living in the closet contrasted the anxiety of the economic hardships of being African American. Wilson was keenly focused on the African American experience, and it is captured brilliantly in his Hopper-esque work.

BM: Letters published an article about his subject, Wendell, the iconic Black trans woman.

DB: Yes, Wilson is at his best with Wendell, who was welcomed with open hearts long before gender fluidity was even a topic. Wendell screams out for a discussion on what Tom Wilson knew: affluent White privilege can’t buy you acceptance, and economic hardships brought about by Jim Crow are equally detrimental to human development. We all end up in the same DEI boat for entirely different reasons. And, as our DEI boat is buffeted and battered, we need to come together. Right now.

BM: That sure connects some dots across race, class, and gender identity.

DB: Yes. And that’s why film societies exist. The timing here grabs you by the lapels. Think about this. Where Wendell was welcome is where Sarah McBride is welcome today. That “slingshot moment” that Rep. McBride referenced in her

We all end up in the same DEI boat for entirely different reasons. And, as our DEI boat is buffeted and battered, we need to come together.

interview with Matty Brown [February 2025 issue of Letters] is upon us.

BM: Your professional life has been rooted in Wilmington for the last decade. Do you see looming partnerships upstate?

DB: Yes. The Society and the Cinema Art Theater are treasures for this community. Our strength is our size. Proximity is our pal. Collaborations with the ACLU and DCJ and other like-minded organizations are a natural extension of my work. Lecturers and guest speakers are plentiful.

BM: Pop quiz: Do you know the difference between Poodle Beach and Dinah Shores?

DB: From what I’ve seen in Letters, one is the site of “speedos and drag volleyball” and the other is where our lesbian community gathers. My goal is to bring our “L and G” closer together, with an eye on the truly unjust targeting of our transgender sisters and brothers. I am so fortunate that my search committee included consultant Richard Green and board member Charlie Jones—both are solidly engaged at CAMP Rehoboth.

BM: You’ve done your homework! So, what will you do for fun?

DB: I’m in the unique position of having married my professional passion for nonprofits with my personal passion

for film, so I’m still going to be binging movies on and off the clock. Film has the power to transform society. Shining a bright light on the issues is my jam. So, I’m home now—roll the credits. ▼

Brent Mundt is a freelance writer and communications consultant focused on the arts. He lives in Lewes with his adorable mutt, Mable.

Photo: Wendell by Tom Wilson; photo courtesy of Biggs Museum of American Art

arts+entertainment

SPOTLIGHT ON THE arts

CAMP Rehoboth Puts Art at the Heart of Our Community

Join Us for FEST ART + 2025:

A Celebration of Creativity, Inclusivity,

and Connection

BY LESLIE SINCLAIR

Exhibition Dates: April 10-June 6, 2025

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 10, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

New

this year! Art Exhibition Open House – Friday, April 11, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery.

CAMP Rehoboth is thrilled to present FEST ART + 2025, a juried art exhibition held in conjunction with Women’s+ FEST. This dynamic showcase honors artistic expression across all mediums while embracing trans, nonbinary, and all artists who embody and celebrate the feminine spirit—a commitment reflected in the “+” of its title.

We are honored to welcome Lauren E. Peters as the juror for FEST ART + 2025. A distinguished visual artist, Peters explores identity and gender through striking self-portraiture. She first embraced this genre for a small exhibit in 2016, leading to a Delaware Division of the Arts’ Emerging Artist Fellowship in 2018 and the Established Fellow grant in Visual Arts for Painting in 2023.

Peters’ work has been exhibited nationally, and she remains deeply

engaged in Delaware’s arts community as a studio artist at The Delaware Contemporary. She attended residencies in Vermont, Pennsylvania, and New York, and has a history of jurying exhibitions along the East Coast. Peters continues to push the boundaries of portraiture and expand its presence in contemporary art.

Peters will be present at the Opening Reception to share her comments on the selection process and discuss the works on display. ▼

If you are an artist, there’s still time to submit your work for consideration!

Scan the QR code and complete the Registration and Submission Form before March 14, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an acclaimed exhibition—last year’s show featured 33 artists and received overwhelming praise.

Be part of these incredible celebrations of art, identity, and community—whether as an artist or an attendee, we can’t wait to see you there!

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.

Juror Lauren Peters. Photo courtesy of L. Peters

BY JOE GFALLER

Roots and Resilience: Stories of Strength and Spirit

Special Exhibition Closing Reception Saturday, March 29, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the final opportunity to experience Roots and Resilience, a powerful exhibition showcasing the voices, heritage, and creativity of communities of color. Featuring the work of 16 talented artists across various mediums, this thought-provoking collection remains on display through the end of March. Join us for a special closing reception on March 29, as we celebrate the artists and the impact of their work.▼

PERFORMING ARTS

More on Mona Lotts

Late last year, I had the pleasure of having a far-ranging conversation with Mona Lotts in preparation for an article here in Letters. Between her February appearance at Clear Space in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and her summer appearance in Hairspray, we had so much to talk about that the story didn’t fit into just one column.

In the time that has passed since that first column, a lot has changed in our country. Those changes are directly impacting the intersection between the arts and the LGBTQIA+ community, especially drag performers. In justifying the dramatic shake-up to the board of directors of the Kennedy Center, our new president criticized the Center’s previous programming for occasionally including drag performers. Now, as the chairman of that board, he has committed to eliminating drag from the Kennedy Center. The purges of programming there have already begun. Already cancelled: a children’s theater piece that celebrates LGBTQIA+ diversity and the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington’s World Pride concert.

But the role of the arts across our country is the same: to bring communities together, to entertain, to inspire, to enrich, and to nurture hope. Men playing female characters on stage has been part of that from the earliest days

of theater, whether as the custom of the day (as far back as ancient Greece), for humor (the great tradition of British panto), or for pathos. Even when under attack, drag is not going anywhere.

Starting with the 1988 John Waters film, the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray has always been played by a man. Divine originated the role. As a Broadway musical, she was played first by Harvey Fierstein. When the musical was made back into a film, it was John Travolta who put on Edna’s muumuu and curlers. “It has become a tradition for men to play her, as with Peter Pan, where it is always played by a woman. Why, I don’t know,” Waters told Variety years ago. “It gives it an edge. It’s all about outsiders.”

For Mona, this summer at Clear Space won’t be the first time she’s played Edna Turnblad. Mona’s very first experience on the theatrical stage was in this role for a production in Maryland years ago. “The theater bug,” Mona shared, “hit me hard. It changed my life and my confidence level in who I was as an entertainer and who I was as a person. That’s why I love theater.”

When Clear Space’s Artistic Director David Button first approached Mona about the role, Mona shared that what excited her most was that “While it’s such a fun role, Edna is part of a story, not the story.” In a standalone drag

show, the performer is the show. In theater, so many artists from different backgrounds (actors, musicians, designers, technicians) come together to tell one story as a unit. “I look forward to being part of how this big group comes together to tell the story of Tracy,” Mona said.

In an entertaining turn of events, Mona won’t be the only performer who has previously played Edna appearing on stage at Clear Space this summer. Former RuPaul Drag Race star Nina West, who played Edna for the national tour of Hairspray starting in 2021, will be making a guest appearance in an all-new cabaret show for one day only on Sunday, July 6. Mona’s already joked that it would be funny if her Edna made an unscripted walk on. Time will tell!

Hairspray begins performances June 24 and runs through Labor Day weekend at Clear Space Theatre Company. Last year’s summer blockbuster, Jersey Boys, sold out before opening, so even if I wasn’t the Clear Space Managing Director, I’d encourage audiences to get their Hairspray tickets early. ▼

Leslie Sinclair is a member of the Delaware State Arts Council and a passionate leader of CAMP Rehoboth’s visual arts program.

Joe Gfaller is Managing Director of Clear Space Theatre Company.

Image: Kiara Florez, Chaos Ensues

BY TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Cleavage: Men, Women, and the Space Between Us by Jennifer

Finney Boyle

© 2025, Celadon Books, $29.00 256 pages

When it came to friends and family, your cup used to runneth over. You had plenty of both and then, well, life and politics wedged an ocean-sized chasm between you and it makes you sad. And yet—are you really all that far apart?

As in the new memoir, Cleavage by Jennifer Finney Boylan, maybe you’re still two peas in a pod.

Once upon a time not so long ago, Jennifer Finney Boylan was one of “a group of twelve-year-old Visigoths” intent on mischief. They hung around; did normal boy stuff—setting off rockets, roughhousing, roaming, rambling, and bike-riding. The difference between Boylan and the other boys in her group was that Jim Boylan knew she was really a girl.

Then, she vowed that it was a “secret no soul would ever know,” and James went to college, enjoyed a higher metabolism, dated, fell in love too easily, then married a woman and fathered two boys. But there was still that tug. Boylan carried the child she once was in her heart—“How I loved the boy I’d been!”—but she was a woman “on the inside” and saying it aloud eventually became critical.

Boylan had a hard talk with her wife, Deedie, knowing that it could be the end of their marriage. She’s eternally grateful now that it wasn’t.

She’s also grateful that she became a woman when she did, when politics had little to do with that personal decision. She worries about her children, one of whom is trans, both of whom are good, successful people who make Boylan proud. She tries to help other trans women. And she thinks about the words her mother often said: “Love will prevail.”

“Our lives are not a thing to be ashamed of,” Boylan says, “or apologized for, or explained. Our lives are a thing of wildness, and tenderness, and joy.”

Judge Cleavage by its cover, and you might think you’ll get a primer on anatomy. Nope. Author Jennifer Finney Boylan has only one chapter on the subject, among many. Instead, she leans heavily on her childhood and her transition rather late in life, her family, and her friends. She continues where her other books left off, to update, correct, and to share her thoughts on that invisible division. In sum, she guesses that “a huge chunk of the population…still doesn’t understand this trans business at all….”

Let that gentle playfulness be a harbinger of what you’ll read: some humor about her journey, and many things that might make your heart hurt; self-inspection that seems confidential and a few oh-so-deliciously well-placed snarks; and memories that, well-told and satisfying, are both nostalgic and personal from “both the Before and the After.”

This book has the feel of having a cold one with a friend and Boylan fans will devour it. It’s also great for anyone who is trans-curious or just wants to read an enjoyable collection of work from a born storyteller. No matter what you want from it, what you’ll find in Cleavage is a treasure chest. ▼

OUR SUPPORTERS make it happen

PURPLE

Greg Albright & Wes Combs X

Sondra N. Arkin X

Carol Bresler & Carolyn Billinghurst X

Pat Catanzariti & Carole Ramos*

Edward Joseph Chrzanowski*

Lorne Crawford & Simon Fares

Polly Donaldson

Dawn Dupre & Megan Keating*

Skip Dye & Steven King*

David Grossman & Jeremy Graboyes

William Himelright & David Carter

Judy & Carole Jesiolowski

James W. Johnson & Matthew H. Shepard X

Lynn Johnson*

Melissa & Amanda Kaufman X

Kim Leisey & Kathy Solano

Anita Matson

Celie & Tabitha Niehaus

Jeanine O’Donnell - State Farm*

Chris Rinaldi & Brian Powers X

Mary Rossettini & Kathleen Taylor*

Jennifer Rubenstein & Diane Scobey X

Danny Sebright

Gary Seiden & Ah Bashir X

Leslie Sinclair & Debbie Woods X

Angie Strano & Cindy Gruman*

Jen Walker

Charles Wedding & In Loving

Memory of Ronald A. Bessette

Karen Zajick & Jennifer Weeks

INDIGO

Terry Albarella*

Murray Archibald & In Memory of Steve Elkins X

Alex Benjamin & Pete Grover*

Jane Blue & Louisa Watrel X

Joe Brannen & John Klomp X

Deb Chase & Terry Barrera

Beth Cohen & Fran Sneider X

Richard Coss & Mike Hull*

Elbert Leroy Dage

Dennis Diaz & Michael Ewald

Lou Fiore & Jim Burke*

Kathy & Corky Fitzpatrick X

Connie Fox & Donna Adair*

Richard Gamble & Paul Lindsey*

David & Marti Garrett*

Leslie Hegamaster & Jerry Stansberry*

Holly Horn & Kathleen Garrity X Bernadette & Michele Humphrey-Nicol

Peter Karsner X

Jerry Kennedy & Robert Quinones X

Russell Koerwer & Stephen Schreiber X

Roger Kramer*

Susan Kutliroff & Barbara Snyder*

Christine Lay & Mari Blackburn X

Curtis J. Leciejewski, DDS, PA X

Linda Martin & Lucy Kennedy

Lynette Matson & Laure Larkin

Sherri McGee & Kris Aulenbach

Rick Mowery & Joe Conn X

Tom Negran & Marc Anthony Worosilo X

David P. Nelson & William F. McManus X

John Newton & Mowry Spencer X

Mark Niehaus & Brooks Honeycutt X

Kathleen Nilles & Camille Nichols*

Jennifer Noel

Porter-Gordon Family*

Virginia Reaves

Lori & Renee Rocheleau*

Mark Roush & Dave Banick*

Mark Schweizer & Robert Voelker

Mitchell Shahade

Tammy Smith & Tracey Hepner*

Jeff Sube & Ross Peddicord*

Frank Surprenant, DDS X

Susan Tobin & Cathy Martinson*

Terry Vick*

BLUE

Ronald Bass & George Robbins X

Tim & Meredith Birrittella*

Teresa Bolduc & Kim McGeown*

Chris Bowers*

Matthew Brown

Tony Burns X

Paul Christensen & Dennis Morgan*

Coleen Collins & Berdi Price X

Donna Davis & Gail Jackson X

Sharon Denny & Kim Parks

Anne Geary*

Miguel Gomez & Donald Griner*

Irene & Lou Katz*

Nancy & Tora Kennedy*

Paul & Anne Kuhns*

Matthew Rogers & Erik Hein

Chris Rouchard X

Douglas Sellers & Mark Eubanks*

Kimberly Sheaffer & Karen Brause*

Laurie Snyder

Donna Voigt & Jo Hamilton*

GREEN

Marge Amodei & Penni Hope*

Bernice Bell & Susan Marney

Julie Blake and Dee Dee Jones

Wesley Blickenstaff*

David Bower*

David W. Briggs X

Charlie Browne & Rod Cook X

Barry Bugg*

Cheryl Buxton*

James Chalmers & John Potthast X

Stephen Corona*

Lewis & Greg Dawley-Becker*

Mike DeFlavia & Tony Sowers*

Marianne DeLorenzo &

Linda Van de Wiele*

Max Dick*

Ann Evans & Wayne Upshur*

Cynthia Flynn & Deirdre Boyle X

Roland Forster & David McDonald*

Joseph Gfaller & Kraig Turner

Kathy Giles & Theresa Leonard

Perry Gottlieb & Tim White*

Richard Green & Asi Ohana X

Wesley Hacker & David Block*

John Hackett & Tom Newton*

David Hagelin & Andy Brangenberg*

Steve Hoult & Rick Bane X

Karen Hugues & Cathy McCallister X

Anthony Incalcatera & James Buswold

Claire Ippoliti X

Alex IX & Gare Galbraith

Jocelyn Kaplan & Idalie Adams & In Memory of Adeline Kaplan X

Jon Kaplan X

Deborah Kennedy & Beth Yocum*

Eric Korpon & Steven Haber*

Greg Kubiak*

Leslie Ledogar & Marilyn Hewitt*

John Mackerey & Donald Filicetti*

Jill Masterman & Tammy Jackson*

Evelyn Maurmeyer & In Memory of Natalie Moss X

James Mease & Philip Vehslage*

Susan Morrison*

Doug Murray & Bob Mancuso

Dennis Neason & Steve Bendyna*

Kim Nelson & Lori Simmons X

Fran O’Brien & David Gifford*

Keith Petrack & Michael Fetchko*

Anne Pikolas & Jean Charles X

Bill Rayman & Frank King*

Marty Rendon & John Cianciosi*

Sandra L. Roberts

Lucien Rossignol & Tom Harris*

Sheila Sferrella & Cindy Wedel

Marj Shannon & Carla Burton*

Scott Shaughnessy & John Hassell*

David Streit & Scott Button*

Laurie & Matthew Thompson

Anne Tracy & Mary Gilligan*

Lee Voegler & Larry Munsey

Kathy Wiz & Muriel Hogan X

YELLOW

Ann Abel & Carol Morris

Keith Anderson & Peter Bish X

Dale Aultman & Paul Gibbs X

Shannon & Sarah Avery*

Pamela Baker & Diane Dixson*

Mike Ballenger, In Memory of Martin Thomas*

Paul Barbera*

Chris Beagle & Eric Engelhart*

Tom Beall*

Michael Beigay*

Joel Berelson & Charles Maples*

Sherry Berman & Deb Hamilton X

Linda Bova & Bridget BauerThe Sea Bova Associates

Michael Boyle & Greg Murphy X

Mary Ann Brewer

Mark Bromley & David Salie X

David Carder*

Kate Cauley & Pat Newcomb*

Jim Chupella & Jim Wigand*

Dottie/Myrna Cirelli-Kelley X

Steve Clayton & Brad Lentz*

Nancy Commisso*

Billy Cox & John Carr*

Monica & Lona Crist X

Kenneth Currier & Mike Tyler X

Drexel Davison - Bad Hair Day?*

Anthony Delacruz & Ronald Mangano*

Susan Delaney & Susie Ball X

Ann DeLazaro & Annette Potemski

Fred DiBartolo & Steve Wood X

Maureen Dolan & Karen McGavin*

Joan Doyle

Pete Drake

Sandy Duncan & Maddy Ewald*

Karen Faber & Lisa Balestrini Faber*

Alice Fagans & Ruth Ann Mattingly X

Cecily Fisher & Loretta Higgins*

John Flournoy & Jim Chrobot*

Bill Fuchs & Gerry Beaulieu*

Susan Goudy*

Ken Green & Joe Kearney*

Richard & Frances Grote*

Maggie Guardino

Siobhan Halmos & Beth McLean*

Robert Henthorne & Roger Bolduc

Mary Hoban

Kathy Jantzen & Debi Cunn*

Philip Johnson*

Elaine Kakareka

Jim King

Bonnie Kirkland & Wanda Bair X

Jay Kottoff & Mark Matey*

Patricia Layton*

Judy Lettes & Sandra Sue*

Monica Lewis & Ann Zimmerman*

David Lindeman & Andrew Phipps

Frank Liptak & Joe Schnetzka*

Patricia Magee & Anita Pettitt X

Jedediah Millard & Alex Reed

Sherril Moon & Lou Montgomery*

Margaret Moore & Sheree Mixell X

Adamaris Navarro

Pat Nickols*

Terry O’Bryan & Jack Musser

Donna Ohle & Susan Gaggiotti X

Judy Olsen & Joanne Kempton X

Carolyn Ortwein & Ann Barry*

Maggie Ottato X

Dotti Outland & Diane Mead X

Rutland Paal & Robert Mittleman*

Ilene Palena

Peninsula Gallery - Tony & Carol Boyd-Heron*

Joanne Picone & Kathy Bostedo*

Denny Pintello & Coke Farmer*

Frank Pirhalla

Stephen Pleskach X

Barbara Ralph X

Gene Roe X

Thomas Rose &

Thomas Sechowicz X

Terri Ryan & Kerry Muldoon

Kate Sapio

Mark Saunders & Bob Thoman*

Troy Senter & Stacey Chan*

Scott Silber & Albert Drulis*

Polly Smale & In Memory of Charlotte Reid*

David Smith & Kenn Williams

Anita Smulyan*

Susan Soderberg & Terri King X

John Michael Sophos & Miss Dot Sophos*

Diane Sozio & Patricia Hutchinson*

Lorraine Stanish & Beverly Miller*

Matthew Stensrud & Michael Cohen*

Greig Stewart & Jake Hudson*

Pete & Kathy Stoehr

TJ Stone

Faith Stroud

Lenny Stumpf & John B. Pitchford*

Kaye Sullivan*

Kimberly A. Takacs

Barb Thomas & Colleen Harper

Thrasher’s French Fries*

Linda Tiano

Kenna Utt & Lauren Ghidotti

Lana Warfield & Pamela Notarangelo X

Michael Weinert X

Walter Welsh & Martin Thomas

Steven Wunder & Rod Hastie

Joanne Yurik*

John Zingo & Rick Johnson*

ORANGE

Dawn Alexander & W. Kerr Gracie*

James Apistolas & Christopher Galanty*

Romulus Barba & Dean Yanchulis*

Miriam Barton*

James Beal & In Memory of David Van Patter*

Sue Becker & Mary Ellen Wivel

Kathy Board & Jackie Maddalena*

Boland Family, In Memory of Michael J. Kelly*

Richard Bost & Thomas Moore*

Carol Brice

Bill Briganti & Gary Moore*

Ronald Butt & Steve Cannon*

James Carfagno & David Szumski*

Deborah Carroll

Chris Coburn & Anne Kazak X

Mark Conheady*

Lois Cortese & Jill Stokes X

Carl Alan Cox & Darin Henderson

Kay Creech & Sharon Still*

Kathy Davison & Ruth Dickerson X

Ann De Blasi

Linda DeFeo X

J. Lynne Dement & Lisa J. Snyder*

Romy Diaz & Dennis Bann*

Donna Dolce*

Kevin Doss & Arie Venema*

Continued on page 72

Arlyce Dubbin & Katie Heintz*

Lissa Dulany

Brenda Dunn & Karen Anderson*

Mary Dupont

Susan Eig & Ellen Schiff X

Jeanne Embich*

Peggy & Evie Englebert

Robin Esham

Maureen Ewadinger*

Ellen Feinberg & Lesley Rogan X

Paul Finn & Joseph Porporino*

Gary Fisher & Josh Bushey*

Patricia Fitzsimons

Otto & Ashley Foster

Deb Fox & Deb Bonneau*

Peter Garneau & Dennis Rodriguez

Ricki Geiger

Kathleen Gilroy & Rosanne Marroletti*

Ron Glick & Tien Pham*

William Gluth & Channing Daniel*

Ed Gmoch*

Gail Gormley*

Deborah Grant & Carol Loewen*

Tracey & Erica Hellman*

Nancy Hewish & Vicki Martina*

Bill Hillegeist X

Sharon Hoffer

Vance Hudgins & Denny Marcotte*

John H. Hulse X

Janet Idema & Patricia Higgins*

Madelyn Jablon

KPG GLOBAL LLC

Myra Kramer & John Hammett*

Rob & Jean Krapf X

Barbara Lang & Diane Grillo*

Jeanette Laszczynski & Marianne Perry*

Jim Lesko*

Robb Mapou & Mike Zufall*

Marsha Mark & Judy Raynor*

Marie Martinucci & Pam Kozey*

James Mastoris & Edward Chamberlain X

Michael & Stephan Maybroda

Kevin McDonald & Sean McClafferty*

Ray Michener & Tom Carlson*

Sandy Neverett & Pam Cranston X

Sandra Oropel & Linda Frese*

Sharon Owens & Doreen Halbruner*

Sandra Pace & Barbara Passikoff X

Steve Parker*

Patricia Pawling & Jennifer Butz*

Rina Pellegrini

Colleen Perry & Jane Kuhfuss*

Susan Reinagel & Dawn Henderson*

Pat Renninger & Tammy Plumley X

Judy Rosenstein & Elva Weininger X

Deborah & Charles Ross X

Michael Safina & Tim Bean

Sheryl Schulte & Jeanne LaVigne*

Teri Seaton*

Frank Shockley & Arthur Henry*

Susan Shollenberger*

Robert Stoltzfus & Gerald Warhola*

Terrence Sullivan

Trudie Thompson & David Welch*

Lisa & Nikki Turgeon-Williams

Joseph Vescio

Tama Viola*

Scott Wagner & John Sohonage*

Don Wainwright & Tom Jamison*

Paula Walker & Gayle Dumonceaux

Troy Watson & Dennis Wolfgang*

Don Wessel*

Ralph Wiest & Anthony Peraine*

Lynne Wilmer & Jeannie Marsh

Melanie Wolfe & Monica Niccolai*

Robert T. Wright & Jack Lim*

Sherri Wright & Dick Byrne*

Niki Zaldivar & Cecil McNeil X

Helaine Zinaman & Roselyn Abitbol X

RED

Brenda Abell X

Guy Abernathey X

Dale Adams

Jim Affonco X

Mark Aguirre & Wayne Gleason X

C.J. Albro

Bill Alldredge X

Chris Allison

Katherine Alteneder

Anthony Andalft & Marvin A. Lawson

Alan Anderson X

Andrea Andrus & Maggie Shaw X

Peter Antolini X

Patricia Antonisse X

Cynthia Arno*

Diane Athanas

Josh Bach & Edward Ginley

Kathleen Bailey X

Christine A. Baker

John Baker & Richard Latham X

Lana Baldwin

Ruth Ball & Mary Ellen Jankowski*

Curtiss Barrows X

John Batchelor X

Deborah Bea*

Karen Beck*

Alex Belano & Ron Laxton

George Benes & Michael Mallee X

Suzanne Bennethum & Deborah Smith*

Joe Benshetler & Kurt Angell

Jeri Berc X

John Berdini X

Abby Bernstein & Karen Frank X

Lisa Beske - In Loving Memory of Steve Elkins*

Christine Bielenda & Karen Feuchtenberger*

Thomas Biesiadny X

Debra Bievenour

John Billig

Lorraine Biros*

Cathin Bishop & Laura Simon X

Ann Black & Kaye Wachsmuth X

Eric Blondin - State Farm Insurance

Rehoboth Beach*

Jacquelyn Blue X

Rev. Dr. Tom Bohache & Tom Laughingwolf Simmons X

Annabelle Boire X

Carl Bomberger & Mike Rhoads*

Robin Bond & Leanna Johannes*

Bob Bonitati X

Joy Boone & Marina Simmers X

Randall Borgerson X

Nancy Bouse & Norma Morrison X

David & Donna Bowman X

Denise Boychuk

Barb Boyer

Deni Boyer & Loretta Imbrogono*

Brian Boyle & Larry Gee X

Beth Bozman*

Jim Brady & Mike Hays X

Susan Brinsfield & Barbara Devenport*

Jennifer Broomfield &

Dana Broadway

Kevin Brown X

Matty Brown

Tom Brown & James Lemly X

Erin Bryan

Carol Buck

Carol L. Burnett X

Timothy B. Bush X

Richard Buske & Shawn McHugh

Sherry Butler

James Byrnes X

Robertine Cale*

Ingrid Callmann & Karen Askins*

Leslie Calman & Jane Gruenebaum*

David Camorali

Cabrina Campbell & Kimberly Olson

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

Jo Cason & Peggy Neidlinger

Maria Castillo*

Peggy Castle & Debbie Geismar

Sara Cavendish & Wendy Bunce X

Denis Chandler & Sebastion DiMauro

Linda Chaney & Irene Lawlor*

Ann Mei Chang

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

Billy J. Christian X

Dennis Chupella & Rob White X

Norma K. Clark X

Rob Cline

Barbara Clipper

Amy Clouse & Betty Long X

Julie Cockley

Anne Cole & Sandra Freeman

Carolyn Cole X

Stuart Comstock-Gay X

Inez Conover X

Sharon Conover

Josh Cooper & Steve Rathburn*

Jeffery A. Coover X

Edith Coppotelli & Joan Ciolko

E. Corbin

Amy J. Cormier & Alison C. Cormier

Michael Cornell X

Elissa Corrado

Lois Corson X

Mary Costa & Kris Nygaard*

Renate Costner

Becky & Tom Craft X

Wendy Cramer & Carolyn Baranowski*

Theresa-Ann Crivelli &

Angela Murray*

Thomas Croce

Robert Crocetti X

Bill Cross & David McCall X

Helene Cuadra

Madeline Cunningham & Linda Matulaitis

Mark Cunningham & Ken Tattersall X

Rich Custer

Howard Cyr & Lynn Ashley*

Ellen Dahl*

Judithanne Daleo

William T. Darley X

Carol Davidson

Jeff Davidson & Steve Yahn

Denise Davis & Jeanne Bilanin

Jeremiah Davis

Marsha Davis X

Michael Davis

Julie de Mello

Frederick Dean & Steven Swierzy X

Penny Dean X

Scott Dechen & James Maino*

Michael Decker & Arley Jaimes X

Susan Deise & Jerri Budzinski*

Bernie Delia X

Eileen Della Volle

Frank Dell’Aquila X

Tracy Denton & Brenda Welsh

Karen DeSantis & Carol Brice*

David DeVargas & Steven Champion X

Mary Devine

Dawn Devries & Helen Krum*

David DeWitt & Larry K. Ash

Henry & Marcia DeWitt X

Geri Dibiase & Deborah Knickerbocker*

Julie Dickson X

Daniel Digiorgio & John Edwards

Phyllis Dillinger*

Mary Dipietro & Wendy Schadt*

Deb Dobransky & Ketty Bennett*

Arthur Dochterman X

David & Lizann Dockety X

Peg Dolan & Mary McDevitt X

Frances Doyle X

Paul Dradransky X

Michael Driscoll & Ben McOmber X

Susan Dube & Diana Patterson*

Barry Dunkin*

Deborah Duran

Gene Dvornick X

Susan Ebbitt

AJ Eckman

Eden Restaurant X

Richard Egler

Laurene Hedrick Eheman & Deb Hedrick

Gail Elliott & Bea Hickey*

Kay Ellis*

Lisa Evans & Joann Gusdanovic X

Jacqueline Everett & Vicki St. Germain

Jean Falise & Karen Belles

Susan Farr & Joanne Pozzo*

Rene Fechter & Cynthia Smith*

Larry & Ro Fedorka*

William & Claudia Fenderson

Karen Ferguson*

Virginia Fessler*

Irene & Edward Fick*

Ben Ficks & Bob Angell

Allen Fred Fielding X

Dorothy Filbert

Jerry Filbin*

Mark S. Finkelstein & Michael Zeik X

Rick Fischer X

Barbara Fischetti & Janet Thoden*

Kathy Fitzgerald & Lisa Gourley

Kathy Fitzgerald & Alicia Mickenberg

Barbara Fitzpatrick & Denise Centinaro*

Keven Fitzsimmons & Jeff Stroud X

Chuck Flanagan X

Nan Flesher X

Jason Flick & Timothy Jancel

Paul Florentino & Chris Pedersen X

Sandra Fluck & Bev Pasquarella*

Karen Folger

Mary Ford & Judy Hedrick X

Jodi Foster & Caroline Pellicano

Joyce Foster & Maggie Bishop

Debra M. Fox & Miriam Perez

Beebe Frazer X

Phil Fretz X

Neil Frock & Bob Harrison*

Marilyn Fuller & Teresa Marigliano*

Susanne Furman

Cathy Gaiser

Marcia Gallo & Ann Cammett*

Jerry Gallucci & Conrad Welch*

Karen Gantz & Jeanie Geist*

Kathryn Gantz & Kathryn Gehret*

Alexis Gardner

Cheri Garnet

Dona Garofano & Janet Blaustein

Eugene Garone & John Moore

Ed Gasper

Mindy Gasthalter*

Wilson Gates X

Charles George & Dennis Rivard X

Gary Gillard X

Joan Glass X

Angela & Cheryl Glodowske*

Karen Glooch X

Ronald Gluck*

Jane Godfrey*

Randall Godwin X

Jackie Goff & Mary Vogt X

Dave Gold & In Memory of James Yiaski X

Milton Gordon & Bill Hromnak X

Teresa Gordy & Barb Ford X

Dan Goren & Peter Robinson X

Robert Gotwalt & Norman Jones*

Bill Graff & Jeff Schuck*

Maryanne Graham

Joe Greenhall & Tom Klingler

Richard Grifasi X

John Grillone & Paul Schlear, Jr. X

Joseph Gritz X

Wendy Grooms & Barbara Fishel X

Carol Gross X

James Gross X

Paula Grubbs X

Timothy Gualdoni X

Helene Guilfoy X

Renee Guillory &

Melissa Vila-Guillory

Bill Gunning & Joe Greoski X

Continued on page 74

Linda Haake & Holly Schneider

Gerard M. Haley & George D. Zahner X

Cynthia Hall X

Mark Hare & Mike Newman X

Kelley Harp X

Sue Claire Harper

David Harrer & Floyd S. Kanagy*

Mary Hartman & Laurie Nelson

Jeff Haslow X

Janece Hausch*

Mary Diane Hausman

John & Mary Havrilla*

Nancy Hawpe*

Daniel F.C. Hayes*

Gail Hecky*

Linda Heisner X

David Herchik X

Fred Hertrich X

Howard Hicks & Stephen Carey X

Shelli & Barbara Hilbert

Helen Hilderbrandt

Barbara Hines & Nancy Froome X

Howard C. Hines, MD X

Karen & Mickey Hinman

Janel Hino & Patricia Ann Scully X

David Hogue

Connie Holdridge*

James & Edna Holsinger

Chris Holt & Emory Bevill X

Mollyne Honor & Shelley Garfield*

Larry Hooker X

James T. Hopkins X

Elaine Horan & Debbie Sciallo X

Frank Hornstein & Mark Henckel X

James Hospital & Jack Fraker*

Robert Hotes X

Corey Houlihan & Karen Abato*

Ellan Hylton

Batya Hyman & Belinda Cross*

Grant Ingalls

Thomas Ingold X

Chris Israel & John Stassi X

Geoffrey Jackson X

Fay Jacobs & Bonnie Quesenberry X

Sharon Janis X

Steve Janosik X

Robert Jasinski*

Mary Jenkins & Laura Reitman*

Susan Jimenez & Cathy Benson X

Chip Johnson & In Memory of Joseph Lachac*

Derrick Johnson & Darryl Isom

Donna A. Johnson*

Richard Jolly & Charles Ingersoll X

Gay Jones & Barb Bartels*

Glenn Jones X

Sparky Jones*

Tom Jones X Wayne Juneau X

Mick Kaczorowski X

Darleen Kahl & Susan Poteet*

Sharon Kanter & Cyndy Bennett*

Bob Kaplan & Jeff Davis X

Daphne Kaplan & Steve Scheffer*

Sharon Kaplan & Pamela Everett*

Dawn Kasow

Marilyn Kates & Laura Glenn*

Linda Kauffman & Deirdre Speck X

Donald Kelly*

John Kelly & Randy Sutphin X

Michael J. Kelly X

John Kennedy*

Hunter Kesmodel X

Tom Ketterman

Marge Keyes & Julie Arenstein X

Charlotte King*

Lloyd Kingswell & Frank Rogers X

Ilene Klein & Eli Scearce*

Tom Klotz & Noel Nazario

Jane Knaus*

Kathleen Kombacher

Stephen Kopp*

John Kort & Hung Lai*

Robert Kovalcik & Bob Howard X

Marcia Kratz*

Karen Kreiser & Beth Nevill*

Barbara (BJ) Kutsmeda

Kevin W. LaBarge X

Cheryl Landry

Peter Lanzaro & Frank Bodsford X

Gail Larabee & Lynne Butcher

Dr. Mathilda Laschenski &

Dr. Kathleen Heacock X

Mary Jo & Rachel Lauer

Kate Lavelle X

Mary Layne & Monika Ruppert

Leah VanLaanen Beauty

Vanita Leatherwood

Charlie Lee X

Edmund LeFevre & Keith Wiggs X

Lisa Lekawa & Lori Guitson

Charles & Matthew Lentz

Jen Leonard & Claire McCracken*

Jeri Leonard

Christine Leslie & Mary Leslie

Joshua Levengood

Nancy Levenson

Marsha Levine & Susan Hamadock X

Arlene & Ginny Levy-Balmforth

Barbara Lewis

Barbara Lilien*

Alexander Lincoln

Cindy Lins & Diane Milam

Duwayne Litz X

Kim & Liz Lokhard

Robert E. Long X

Jessica Love

Cynthia Lowe & Rae von Doehren*

Debbie Lupton & Ramona Dobbs*

Minda Lynch*

Becky Lyons & Ebie Hamrick X

Tina Maddox & Susan Green

Jim Madgey & Ted Bywalski

Joseph Maggio X

Bernadette Maher & Cheryl Tarlecky*

Jack Maher X

Barbara Mahoney

Amanda Mahony & Alex Albanese

Eddie Major X

Bruce Majors X

Marcia Maldeis & Stan Mills X

Scott Mallan & E.B. Easter

Harvey Manchester X

Joseph Manente & Mike Mireider

Michelle Manfredi

Domenic Mannello X

Stephen Marana Jr.

Diane Markey*

Christa Marks & Lisa Koenigsberg

Harold Marmon & Robert Hill*

Michelle Marsh

Shelly Marsh & Barb Sann

Norma Martin X

Nan Martino*

John Matthews & Nick Polcini*

Eric Matuszak X

Donna McCabe & Mac Ignacio X

Debbie McCall & Cyndi Brooks

Marcia McCollum

Kathleen McCormick &

Elizabeth Fish X

Mary McElhone & Nancy Kaiser X

Thomas McGlone X

Sarah McGovern & Debbie Pierce

Sharon Mcintyre & Lisé Butier

Joe McMahon X

Anita McMullin

Joseph McNally & Terry Jones X

Chuck McSweeney & Michael

Clay X

Jim & Bruce McVey-Back*

Michelle Meitzner

Buck Melton X

John Messick & C/O Wayne Messick X

Jamie Middelton*

Dr. Phyllis J. Mihalas X

Alicia Miller & Shawn Noel*

Bruce R. Miller & Dean D. LaVigne X

Frank Miller X

Marilyn Miller & Candice Zientek*

Robin Miller

Shelly Miller & Lida Frankel

Todd A. Miller & Michele Frame X

Doreen Millon & Julie Boughn*

Lee Wayne Mills & Don Gardiner X

Linda Miniscalco & Jeanne Drake*

Sue Monismith X

Teri Moore & Barb Kulbaba*

Todd Moore & David Coccagna

Mary Morgan X

Meg Morgan & Susan Lynham X

Pearl Morris*

Jack Morrison & Bob Dobbs*

Joan Moses & Janine Davidson*

Barry Moshinski & Robert Ponzini

Andrew K. Moss & Richard Blevins X

Barbara Moulton & Susan Huber

Brent Mundt X

Joanie Murphy

Lisa Murphy

Marie Murray & Deb Ward X

Cynthia Myers*

Denise Myers

Marc Nasberg & Howard R. Nelson X

Noelle Navarro

Keith Neale X

Cindy Necaise & Debbie Cole X

John Neff

Darrell Netherton & Robert Wheeler X

James Newkirk & Leon Wilkowsky*

Janet Newkirk X

Arletta Nicholl & Mary Anderson*

Scott Nickle*

Konrad Noebel, MCAT, LMT & Brian Cox*

Janet Nosal X

James O’Malley X

Richard O’Malley X

Missy Orlando & Patty Violini X

Jeffrey & Lisa Osias X

Kathy Osterholm*

Randy Overbaugh X

Sally Packard & Dinah Reath X

Jennifer Padula

Richie Pagnotta X

Bud Palmer X

Fran Panzo & Karen Groething

Stephen Pape & Jerry Clark*

Monica Parr X

Diane Pasatieri & Karen Jorgensen

Marilyn Pate & Dorothy Smith*

Carol Patterson & Carol Hughes X

Tim Patterson & Harvey Sharpe X

Daniel Payne

Michelle Peeling & Wendy Adams*

Kevin Pelland

Roy Perdue X

Al Perez & Gary Kraft*

Grace Pesikey & Janet Urdahl*

Don Peterson & Jeff Richman X

Eric Peterson X

Beth Petitte

Bruce Pfeufer X PFLAG-Rehoboth Beach*

Cynthia Phillips

Peggy Phillips & Norma McGrady*

Frank Pileggi & Jon Blackman X

Mark Pipkin & Karl Zoric X

Peter Pizzolongo & Carlos Prugue*

Terry Plowman X

The Pond X

Alynda Ponder & Louann Pope

Trudy Portewig & Luanne Schinzel*

Linda Porto & Linda Tobin

Roni Posner X

Sue Potts & Karen Kohn X

Timothy Price & Gerard Sealy X

Jana Puffenberger

Joseph Purdy & Anthony Pontorno*

Julie Pusey

Jean Rabian & Ralph Hackett X

Mary Rakosky

Elaine Raksis & Maxine Klane*

Rob Ramoy X

Bob & Mary Beth Ramsey X

Linda Rancourt & M. Sue Sandmeyer*

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Continued on page 77

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BY ROBERT DEDOMINIC

You’re Big, You’re Loud, You’re Tough “N

YC. What is it about you? I go years without you. You’re big. You’re loud. You’re tough.” So goes one of the seminal songs in Annie, a musical that has been on my mind lately. Whoopi Goldberg, EGOT winner and host of The View, just appeared in a very successful holiday run of the beloved show, right here in NYC.

I also watched a quiet, small, very entertaining, and well-done movie on Hulu this past weekend: Thelma. It starred June Squibb as a sweet grandmother conned out of $10k. Grandmother ain’t so sweet as she hatches a plan to get her money back. Her partner in crime is starring as Daddy Warbucks in the production of Annie at his senior assisted living facility. It snuck up on me giving me all the feels at the end.

Fun fact: the original Annie Broadway royalty actress Andrea McCardle sang the showstopping “NYC” number in the 1999 televised live version. Current Broadway darling Nicole Scherzinger of Sunset Boulevard fame played Grace Farrell in this production. The song accurately details my love-dislike relationship with NYC. My past two columns have waxed poetic on my love of NYC since my move back from Fort Lauderdale in December. But don’t fool yourself—NYC is hardcore. It is big. It is loud. It is tough.

You’re Big—NYC is mammoth. Every borough is mammoth. You choose your friends by the borough they live in. More than once I have hit it off with someone in a bar or club—whether for friendship or “love”—and in asking where they live, if they say the Bronx, immediately the relationship ends before it even begins. A sad expression is shared by both as we realize that our love affair ends before it even got started. Geographically undesirable—even when you live in the same city. Heartbreaking. LOL.

Brooklyn itself is mammoth. There are still parts of Brooklyn I didn’t know existed and have never been to.

Gowanus, Kensington, New Lots. I just learned about these neighborhoods by doing a Google search five seconds ago.

When I ran the Brooklyn halfmarathon it ended in Coney Island. Coney Island is so far from Williamsburg it took me AN HOUR to get home by subway. Imagine running 13.1 miles and having to travel 60 minutes to get back home. In your own city! The number of people lying on the subway floor wrapped up in those silver space blankets was astounding. And hysterical.

Oddly enough, the tougher you are it seems the nicer you are—in my experience. New Yorkers look out for one another.

You’re Loud—speaking of the subway and speaking of loud—the two go hand-in-hand. While the subway works amazingly well—on time, no issues, a solid 75 percent of the time— those other 25 percent times can be rough. If 25 percent seems like a high number, 23 percent of that is purely weekend service. Weekend service—in a word—sucks. Multiple delays, multiple slowdowns, especially outside of Manhattan. And we can’t forget the ill, the lost, and the homeless. And there are many, many, many of them.

Just yesterday a HUGE fight on the platform erupted as someone screamed up and down, “Watch the Super Bowl tonight, the Democratic Party will finally learn. The Democratic Party will go down in flames,” etc. A few rather large men did not take kindly to that talk—this is NYC—and bedlam ensued. I did not stick around to find out what happened next. NYC Rule #1—when something goes down, run away. Not towards.

You’re Tough—This one is a nobrainer. You wanna live in NYC you gotta be tough. You need a tough skin to survive here. Oddly enough, the tougher you are it seems the nicer you are—in my experience. New Yorkers look out for one another. We take care of one another. The toughest part about living in NYC is probably…finding a public bathroom when you are in need. It's damn near impossible.

Starting January 27, Starbucks began requiring that customers make a purchase to use the restroom or occupy seating areas. This is a reversal of the open-door policy that Starbucks implemented in 2018. Just last week I almost burst trying to find a public bathroom. Luckily, I was near “my” Dunkin’—i.e., the one I frequent. Thankfully the staff knew me and let me use the bathroom without having to buy anything. But guaranteed if it wasn’t my Dunkin’ I probably would not have been let in.

HUGE thanks to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center in Chelsea for: 1) just existing, and 2) their public restrooms and lack of a purchasing requirement policy at their cafe.

And if you are ever really stuck— download the FLUSH app for your phone. It will display the nearest toilets based on your location. See, technology is good for some things!

Even though NYC is “too busy, too crazy, too hot, too cold...” it’s definitely a “Too late, I’m sold, again, on NYC,” for me.

(And thanks for letting me live out all my gay musical theater fantasies in this column! Until next time readers!) ▼

Robert DeDominic is a queer freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Follow Robert on Bluesky at robertdominic.bsky.social.

SCENES FROM REHOBOTH BEACH

(Continued from page 63

THIS PAGE (left to right) 1) at CAMP Rehoboth Art Reception, Roots and Resilience: Teri Seaton, Joan Pegler-Seaton, Alex Mannering, Kassandra Florez, Kurt Florez, Kiara Florez, Kurt A. Florez, Kenneth Florez, Marisol Florez, Craig Gattett, Carolina Mayorga; 2) at Diego's: Adam Gold, Keith Davis, Pamala Stanley, Matt Kinney, Josh Bushey, Brian Bonzek, Jeff Wetzel; 3) at The Pines: David Park, Clarence Pineda, Tom Newton, John Hackett, Darryl Isoma, Derrick Johnson, Kim Strickland, Tom Lawson; 4) at CAMP Rehoboth Blood Drive with the Blood Bank of Delmarva: Barb Ralph, Laurie Thompson.

OPPOSITE PAGE 5) at Rigby's: Derek Rose, Harriette Black, John Black, Beverly Bouver, Jenny Kuhn, Joss Norwood; 6) at Salt Air: Schuyler Asman, Rez HowardSchaezad, Matthew Stensrud, Steve Morris, Michael Cohen, Brent Quinn, Arturo Valazquez, Marvin Miller; 7) at Peninsula Gallery Opening Art Reception: Kathy Brady, Caryl Williams, Marilyn Feldman, Steve Rogers, Fred Dyla; 8) at CAMP Rehoboth Benevolent Community Initiative Community Circle: Charles Marino, Charles Wedding, Travis Stevens, Francisco Rodriguez, Paul Seyfert, Lea Imperial; 9) at RB Bears’s FURST Fridays at Purple Parrot: Max Dick, Glenn West, Herold Hannah, Jeff Coover, Jimmy Villareale, Justin Shaffer, Bane Hubble, Stephen Tackney, Joe Pinto, Tom Phillips, Michael Whitlock, Jeff Donovan, Randy Carswell, Todd Feldman, Lee Whitehead.▼

We Remember Homer Lee Elliott

Homer Lee Elliott passed away January 28, 2025, in Lewes, Delaware. He was 86 years old.

Born on August 3, 1938, in Lexington, Indiana, Homer earned an undergraduate degree in Latin and Classical Studies from Indiana University, and went on to study the classics at Princeton University and languages at the Army Language School. He earned a Juris Doctor at William & Mary Law School.

Homer built a distinguished career as a lawyer. His sharp intellect, integrity, and dedication to justice left a lasting impact on colleagues and clients alike. He also served his country as a military officer, embodying a deep sense of duty and service throughout his life.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Homer was a man of deep curiosity and passion. He loved history, reading, gardening, and spending time with his dog, Parker. Homer will be remembered for his kindness, wit, and unwavering love for his family and friends. Homer is survived by his loving husband, David, who was his partner in life and adventure. He was a devoted father to his children, Homer Elliott II (Robin), Charles Elliott (Karen), and Jane Willcox (Paul), and a cherished grandfather to John, Holden, and Ella. He is also survived by his sisters Virginia, Barbara, and Beverly, and his brother, Ronnie.

A service to celebrate Homer’s life was held February 22, 2025, in Lewes, Delaware. Memorial donations in his honor may be made to HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy: hmsschool.org/donate. ▼

Michael John Mireider

MCarol Lynn Taylor

Carol Lynn Taylor, 80, of Milton, passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Born November 24, 1944, in Baltimore, Maryland, Carol developed a deep love for sports at an early age, particularly golf. She went on to attend University of Maryland, where she majored in physical education and health. Following graduation, Carol pursued a master’s degree in education.

Carol began her teaching career in Baltimore County Public Schools, where she taught for 12 years. In 1978, she joined Anne Arundel Community College, where she would leave an indelible mark over the next 20 years. As a professor, coach, and department chair of health and physical education, Carol coached at least five sports and inspired generations of students. A significant highlight of her illustrious career came in May 2010, when she was inducted into the Anne Arundel Community College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde C. Taylor and Mary E. (Brindley) Taylor; and her special aunt, Martha Taylor. She is survived by her loving wife, Linda Joan McCollum; her brother, Keith Taylor; and many extended family.

Donations in Carol’s memory be made to Brandywine Valley SPCA, bvspca.org/ways-to-give, or Habitat for Humanity, secure.habitat.org/site.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at a later date. ▼

ichael John Mireider, 77, of Lewes, died February 9, 2025. He was born June 23, 1947, in Chester, Pennsylvania, and lived in Media, Pennsylvania, before moving to Delaware. He was predeceased by his parents, Miriam and Joseph; brother, Curtis; sister, Phyllis Ferriola; and partner and mother of his children, Charlotte Mellor.

At 20, Michael was drafted and served honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam War; he continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1973. During his service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal.

In his professional life, Michael was a hairdresser and small business owner. He loved being a stylist. Michael’s hobbies included gardening, spending time with friends at the beach, and celebrating with great food and wine or an espresso martini. He will be remembered for his gentle nature, sweet personality, boisterous laughter, and beautiful smile. Michael and his husband, Joe, were soulmates; their love for one another was undying. They adored the children they raised together and enjoyed having both them and the grandchildren visit.

Survivors include his husband of 44 years, Joe Manente; his children, Jeffrey (Jill) Mireider and Jessica (Adam) Roth; grandchildren, Alexis-Diane Mireider and Jeffrey Mireider Jr., and Wyatt, Charlotte, and Elliott Roth; his brother, William Mireider; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on February 13; burial followed at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro. Memorial donations can be made in Michael’s name to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: stjude.org/ donate. ▼

David Anderson

David A. Anderson of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Wilmington, Delaware, died on February 6, 2025. He was born on January 4, 1946, in Wilmington to the late David F. Anderson and Anne B. Anderson (Barlow). David was predeceased also by his sister, Nancy Anderson.

David graduated from Tower Hill School, Trinity College, and the University of Virginia School of Law. He was a retired partner in the law firm of Potter, Anderson & Carron in Wilmington. In 2008, he moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; he is survived by his spouse, Daniel Davison.

A private graveside service was held at Epworth Methodist Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to Beebe Healthcare’s Home Health Services at beebehealthcare.org/donate. ▼

Loyd Allen Johnson

Loyd Allen Johnson passed peacefully at home in Winchester, Virginia, on February 6, 2025. He was born May 30, 1938, in Winchester. He grew up in Berryville, Virginia, with his father, the late Harry Willard Johnson; his mother, the late Virginia Dofflemyer Johnson Wynkoop; and his brother, the late Larry Willard Johnson.

Loyd is survived by his partner of 60 years, Dolph Spain.

Loyd and Dolph started their life together on May 23, 1964, in Kensington, Maryland, eventually living in Washington, DC, for most of the time of their employment. Their second homes in Drum Point, Maryland, Rehoboth Beach, and Miami Beach, Florida, were enjoyed by them, their family, and close friends.

Loyd was a graduate of the University of Richmond and George Washington University. He taught English and later became a counselor at Langley High School in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Loyd and Dolph loved traveling and toured all 50 states and 86 countries. Theater, especially musicals, was always a part of their lives with many visits to New York and London to see shows.

Loyd was an avid reader and had a collection of over 1,000 autographed books. His love of books inspired him to leave his estate to Handley Regional Library, Berryville, Virginia, to ensure that library services continue to flourish and expand for the citizens of Clarke County, Virginia.▼

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PARTNER’S NAME ( IF APPLICABLE) STREET MAILING ADDRESS

STATE, ZIP

CAMP Rehoboth Volunteer Opportunities

AARP TAX PREP

GREETERS

Mark Eubanks

Doug Sellers

Lorraine Stainish

Jeff Straub

ACCESSIBILITY

Hope Vella

ADVOCACY TEAM

Daniel Bruner

David Garrett

Leslie Ledogar

Sherri McGee

ARTS TEAM

Logan Farro

Jane Knaus

Lois Powell

Leslie Sinclair

Patricia Stiles

Debbie Woods

CAMP ADMIN

Sherri McGee

CAMP CHORUS LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE

Bill Fuchs

Karen Gantz

Judy Olsen

WOMEN’S+ FEST 2025

Join in the fun, entertainment, sports, and tradition by volunteering at the CAMP Rehoboth Women’s+ FEST! With over 20 events over four days, many people are needed to make this a success.

CROP: CAMP REHOBOTH OUTREACH PROGRAM

The CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program (CROP) works constantly to cultivate community and strengthen relationships and the connections between us all. Check the site for monthly volunteer opportunities.

Sign up at camprehoboth.org/volunteers.

Your volunteer efforts benefit you and others. — PLEASE VISIT — camprehoboth.org/volunteers to register as a volunteer and to sign up for available opportunities.

Send your check for $50 to CAMP Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. If you prefer to use your Visa, MasterCard or American Express call 302-227-5620.

thank you

CAMPCIERGES

Joe Benshetler

Barbara Breault

Ken Currier

Will Freshwater

Jim Mease

Kim Nelson

Pamela Rule

Carolyn Laurenzo

Gloria Richards

Dave Scuccimarra

Travis Stevens

CAMP FACILITIES

Carol Brice

Lisa Evans

Eric Korpon

CAMP LIBRARY

Glenn Lash

Patricia Stiles

Russell Stiles

Joe Vescio

CAMPSAFE HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING

Dick Hospital

E.J. Kenyon

Joe Vescio

CAMPSHOTS PHOTO

VOLUNTEERS

G Michael Beigay

Tony Burns

CROP USHERS AT CAMP REHOBOTH CHORUS— “ON BROADWAY”

Desire’e Aurillo

G Michael Beigay

Pat Catanzariti

Donna Dolce

David Garrett

Marce McCollum-Martin

Kevin Pelland

Lori Rocheleau

Renee Rocheleau

Diane Schwarz

Susan Taylor

Zip

DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Jane Blue

Pat Catanzariti

Wes Combs

Mike DeFlavia

Will Freshwater

Amanda Mahony Albanese

To all the CAMP Rehoboth Volunteers for the period: January 24-February 21, 2025

LETTERS DISTRIBUTION TEAM

Glenn Lash

Jim Mease

LETTERS MAILING TEAM

Nancy Hewish

LETTERS PROOFING

Barb Ralph

RAINBOW THUMB CLUB

Chris Bowers

Carol Brice

Linda DeFeo

Patty DiModugno

THIS MONTH IN QUEER HISTORY

Beth Shockley

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Madelyn Jablon

Marce McCollum-Martin

Jim Mease

Kim Nelson

Rina Pellegrini

John Michael Sophos

Joe Vescio

AD INDEX

SANDPIPER VILLAGERehoboth. 2BR/2BA 3rdfloor condo is an end unit. 1,060sf Chesapeake model. 4.5 miles to Rehoboth or Lewes beaches. Near bike trail. $335,000 (2072724)

WHISPERING PINES - Lewes. 2011 3BR/2BA 14’x70’ singlewide. Vaulted ceilings. Spacious kitchen. Shed. Community pool. 4 miles to

SHAWN’S HIDEAWAYMillsboro. Remodeled 1973 3BR/1BA. 1,100 sq. ft. Turnkey. Wrap-around deck. Shed. Marina community. $146,500 (2064756) Lot Rent $485/mt. includes water.

ANGOLA BEACH - Lewes. 1983 1,100sf 3BR/2BA fully remodeled in 2023. Furn. Community pools, marina. 10 miles to beach. $184,500 (2073060) Lot Rent $780/mt. includes water & sewer.

4 SEASONS AT BELLE TERRE - Lewes. ”Like New” 2023-built 4BR/3.5BA home w/full finished basement is approx. 3,800sf. Premium lot. Community pool & 7 miles to bch. $890,000 (2075518)

WHISPERING PINES - Lewes. Remodeled 1974 3BR/2BA doublewide is 1,368sf w/the addition. Big shed. Community pool. 4 miles to beach. $114,900 (2073284) Lot Rent $728/mt.

CAMELOT MEADOWS

- Rehoboth. 1972 3BR/2BA is 1,288 sq. ft. Fully fenced side yard. Main bedroom is en Suite. Community pool. 4 miles to beach. $125,000 (2071060) Lot Rent $1,080/mt.

ANGOLA BEACH -Lewes. Remodeled 1977 2BR/2BA w/sunroom. Fenced yard. Community pools, marina. 10 miles to beach. $128,000 (2073722) Lot Rent $686/mt. includes water & sewer.

RES. of REHOBOTH BAYLewes. Waterfront. 2019 3BR/2BA 2nd-floor condo. Elevator building. 1,400 sq. ft. Community pool & boat ramp. 7 miles to the beach. $509,900 (2078624)

AIR -Rehoboth. 2013 RV w/main BR & 2 sleep sofas (sleeps 6). Nice! Big LV. Community pool & 3 miles to beach. $36,000 (2073114) Seasonal 4/15-11/15. Lot Rent $5,870

CAMELOT MEADOWS

- Rehoboth. 1976 2BR/2BA home was fully remodeled inside & out in 2011! Community pool. 4 miles to beach. $117,500 (2074132) Lot Rent $1,080/mt.

SILVER VIEW FARMRehoboth. 2016 3BR/2BA is 1,624 sq. ft. w/family room addition. Split bedroom plan. Shed. Community pool. 3 miles to beach. $314,900 (2071230) Lot Rent $725/mt.

SEA AIR -Rehoboth. 2023 5th-Wheel RV is 43’ w/5 slides. 1BR/1.5BA & sleeps 6. Community pool. 3 miles to beach. $65,000 (2078148) Seasonal 4/1511/15. Lot Rent $5,870

Living room & family room w/wood FP. Fenced yard. Shed. Community pool. 4 miles to beach. $214,900 (20774942) Lot Rent $868/mt.

COLONIAL EAST - Rehoboth Beach. Remodeled 1981 2BR/2BA. Shed. Furnished. Community pool. 4 miles to Rehoboth/Lewes beaches. $142,500 (2076236) Lot Rent $566/mt.

SEA