Bare Facts
Copyright 2000 Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
Official Publication of the Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
February 1, 2001
Box 1982; Topeka, KS 66601 Voice Mail: 785-478-BARN e-mail: benude@lakeedun.com Website: www.lakeedun.com
Legal Update
Although we did not believe one was required, the county put intense pressure on us to apply for a Special Use Permit for our special place. With the strong recommendation of our lawyers, we made our application last fall. In December and January, it came before the appropriate bodies to consider.
Needless to say, the entire process has been interesting and extremely political. But, after much deliberation, the County Commission voted to grant us a Special Use Permit that will allow us to continue operation without any major changes. This permit, however, expires in two years. Your Board of Directors believes this represents a great opportunity for us to make the Foundation even better and more responsive to the desires of our members.
It is important that we act in a deliberate fashion without excessive delay. To help us, we need your help. Members will find a questionnaire enclosed. It is short! Please take a minute to complete this and return it to us. Your input is critical to help us make the best decisions for everyone.
What Naturism & Lake Edun Mean to Me
by Dee Merrifield
Pure and simple, naturism is non-sexual, social nudism, preferably practiced in a safe and natural setting.
Last summer I was talking to my mom about NOT liking to wear clothes and how uncomfortable they were. She already knew about this quirk in my personality and said, "Well, you could always join a nudist colony." I said, "uh, mom, they prefer to be called naturist camps, and by the way . . ." I then proceeded to tell her about Lake Edun. She got quite a chuckle. I asked, "wouldn't dad be relieved to know I finally found a 'safe' place to sunbathe naked?"
In the past, I was always on the lookout for a 'secret place' to sunbathe nude. Eventually, someone would discover me and I would have to find a new place. My poor dad always worried about what might happen to me because I was out there alone. I was never afraid. What did I know. I was young and invincible. After being spied on for the fourth time, I gave up. Now, I am many years older and understand his concern. That is the point I am trying to make.
I feel so totally SAFE at Lake Edun. Going there literally gives me a feeling of child-like innocence. It is inspiring to walk naked in nature without the constraints of clothing. One can't help but feel like a kid again. I go there for peace and quiet. It is very therapeutic and relaxing to just get away from the hectic rigors of work and everyday life, even if only for a few hours.
I'm sure this would sound absurd to those who do not get what NATURISM is all about. We can only hope that one day the nay sayers will open their hearts and their minds and walk naked with us.
Return To Edun/9 Scheduled
The 9th annual Return to Edun celebration is scheduled for the weekend of August 3-5. The Board of Directors wanted a date later in the summer that also fell on a weekend with a full moon, as has been traditional for Return to Edun celebrations. The weather should be excellent - Certainly much warmer than it is now.
Barry agreed to head up this year's celebration and Nancy will be assisting. These two committed and talented Eduners will plan an exceptional event. Nancy is already well connected with various bands in the area and can make good use of her organizational skills; Barry, before his problems [see Random Thoughts] has begun to locate some new sounds in the Kansas City area. We look forward to their joint project.
We will update everyone as details become available. Meanwhile, if there are some activities or bands you would like to see this year, or if you are willing to help with planning, be sure to contact Barry, Nancy, or LEF!
First Work Day Scheduled
By Mike Horst
The first workday of the new millenia has been set for Saturday, February 10 from 1-5 pm. All Lake Edun Foundation members and guests are encouraged to come out and help cut cedars and dead wood. Bring a chain saw if you have one. We will also be transplanting some additional cedar seedlings to along Indian Hills Road and get an early start on our Spring clean-up.
You may have noticed a sauna is scheduled following the work day activities to bring the day to a relaxing close.
Join us. Wear your work clothes with the clear expectation of getting out of them later
DON'T FORGET
Feb 4; Sun; 2-4:30; HN Bowling in Independence
Feb 10; Sat; 10-12; Board of Directors meeting
Feb 10; Sat; 1-5 Work Day
Feb 10; Sat; 5-9 Sauna
Feb 16; Fri; 8-10; HN Swim in KC
Feb 24; Sat; 7-9; Sauna
March 10; Sat; 10-12; Board of Directors meeting
March 10; Sat; 6-8; Sauna
March 16; Fri; 8-10; HN Swim in KC
April 20; Fri; 8-10; HN Swim in KC
May 26; Sun; 60's Tie Dye Party
June 9; Sat; 12-3; Open House
June 16; Sat; Renew Wedding Vows
July 9-15; Nude Recreation Week
July 14; Sat; 12-3; Open House
August 3-5; Return to Edun
August 18; Sat; Kansas Invitational
Sept 2; Sun; Luau Party.
A Few Lines From The Prez:
by Eldon Rice
LEFoundation@kscable.com
The other day I was wondering if I should be mad at my parents for stopping in Kansas. It is so cold this winter. Why here of all places did they call this home? I can't blame them, because I chose to stay here as well. The reason I stay here is because of four real seasons. We have it all here. We just can not enjoy the lake now, like we do in the summer. I just need a few more degrees on the thermometer to get myself going. The lake is beautiful this time of year. If you have not had the chance to go this winter, take the time. It is so peaceful. We are going to schedule a workday on Feb. 10, 2001 to clear and move some cedar trees. We will have a board meeting, followed by work, and then a sauna. I hope to see many of you there. If not, spring is just around the corner.
We still need to know if anyone would like to have a party at their home this winter. If so please email me to let us know.
Spotlight On A Special Member
By Kelly "Dizzie" Shepardson
I apologize for not having an article in the January issue of Bare Facts. It was a very crazy month after the holidays.
I would like to announce a member of the month for February. The Member of the Month for February is Barry and Debbie Lowther. Barry and his wife Debbie have been members since 1999. In that time since they have been very active in activities at Lake Edun.
Barry works hard for us on the Board of Directors and planning our Return to Edun 9 celebration. Debbie is always willing to lend a hand or go that extra mile to make new members and guest feel at home at Lake Edun.
Thank you Barry and Debbie for all you do. It's because of people like you that Lake Edun is what it is today. And thanks to everyone who lends a hand to make Lake Edun a very special place.
If you would like to nominate anyone to be recognized for their hard work at Lake Edun, please drop me a line at Dizzie28@yahoo.com or send a letter in care of Lake Edun Foundation, PO Box 1982, Topeka, KS 66601.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
TNS Membership Rates Go Up
The Naturist Society, the national organization the Lake Edun Foundation is associated with, recently announced their membership rates will increase effective January 1. Members of TNS receive a card recognized at all affiliated clubs and facilities. In addition, they receive four issues of the colorful quarterly publication Nude & Natural.
If you have considered joining The Naturist Society, now is a great time. They have agreed to extend the old membership rate of $40 until April 1 for members who join through the Lake Edun Foundation.
If you wish to join TNS or extend your membership, use the form included with this issue of Bare Facts to join.
Love And Peace
by Michael Hodgson, aka Jerry Garcia
I have always considered myself an "old hippie"; politically and culturally. At this point in my life, (late 40's) I thought I would be happily retired, in an America where extreme conservatism, and other forms of mental illness, were fading memories; where personal freedom was bounded only by respect for others, and victimless crimes prosecutions were a quaint historical curiosity. I was wrong.
As anyone who was and is involved in the struggle for civil rights can tell you, there is "America" and there is Amerika. In Amerika, the rights and liberties set forth in the constitution don't matter, set aside by the whim of public officials, for the greater good, as determined by an elite. We seem to be entering an era where the western equivalent of an Islamic law society is being foisted on us.
This philosophy is effecting many areas of private life, but is very evident in the move, nationwide, to repress nudism and naturism. Repressive regimes rule the public lives of its subjects by fear and intimidation, and the private lives, by shame and repression. A body natural culture is not one given to hierarchical, paternalistic or militaristic views.
People at peace with nature and themselves, are not easily drawn into "us vs them" mentalities, or subservient attitudes towards authority. I believe that this era is the last gasp of the old ways of thinking, and that those trying to turn back the clock, to a time of repression and docile obedience, are doomed to failure, and that a "new age" of peace, freedom and expanded consciousness are inevitable tides of history. This does not mean, however, that one can afford to passively sit back and wait for the future to happen. While it will surely come by the time of our grandchildren, I want it in my own lifetime. We must vocally and visibly work for it, become activist in the public arena, and yes, engage our "lives, fortunes and sacred honor" in the struggle.
As some of you may know, I wrote some letters to the paper and was fortunate enough to see them published. I was pleasantly surprised that the response I received (from coworkers and friends) was overwhelmingly supportive, with only a tiny amount of hostility (and a fair amount of good natured kidding), as well as some serious inquiries about the lifestyle.
We can win, and think what it could mean.
- Mark Twain, Letters from the Earth
Science Fiction
www.best.com/~cgd/home/naturism/humnat.htm
The well-respected mainstream author Howard Fast has a science fiction story entitled "The Sight of Eden" that offers a poignantly sad appraisal of the human state of mind.
Seven astronauts have just made the first journey to an extrasolar planet. They find a beautiful Eden, with gardens, rivers, fountains - but apparently no inhabitants. Yet there are also beautiful buildings, some of whose corridors are "lined with colorful and masterful murals of naked children at play".
On their third day, they are finally greeted by a man, human seemingly just like them. Though he has no name in the usual sense, he goes by "Smith" for convenience. He reveals that many worlds througout the universe are inhabited by "humans" just like themselves, and that this whole planet has been set aside and developed as a park.
Smith also reveals, with much sadness, that he is familiar with the history of Earth, its wars, violence, and destruction. Worse, it seems that only on Earth have humans exhibited such pathological behavior. The astronauts from Earth, therefore, are not welcome. They must be confined to their own planet and not allowed to join the rest of galactic society.
Naturally, one of the astronauts objects that the past history of Earth is old and now irrelevant. So Smith demonstrates, simply and elegantly, that this is not the case:
Smith opened his robe, let it slip off his body to the ground, and stood before them naked. The women instinctively turned their heads away. The men reacted in shocked disbelief. Smith picked up his robe and clothed himself again.
"You see," he said.
The five men and women stared at him, their eyes full of realization now.
"In all the universe," Smith said, "there is only one race of man that holds its bodies in shame and contempt. All others walk naked in pride and unashamed. Only Earth has made the image of man into a curse and a shame. What else must I say?"
The astronauts comprehended the absurdity and self-loathing implicit in a race of beings which cannot stand to look at themselves as they really are.
Random Thoughts & Reflections
We learned recently that Barry (of Debbie & Barry fame) had triple by-pass surgery on the 17th. He is reported to be resting at home. Think good thoughts for Barry; think support for Debbie and the rest of their family.
Some projects are easier accomplished when the weather is cold and there are no bugs or heavy brush to compete with. We have scheduled a work day for February 10 from 1 to 5pm to work on some of these things. Join us if you are able. It will be followed by a sauna.
Did anyone else ice skate on the lake? So far, we've had about 7 weeks of good skatin' weather and February hasn't even started yet. Yippie!
About two weeks ago, someone broke the railroad ties we use for a gate and dragged them off. Until the ground thaws and we can install a new gate, there is no combination and you don't need to ensure it is locked when you leave.
Join Us For A Sauna
We attempt to schedule a sauna nearly every month of the year. It provides a relaxing way to meet other Eduners and discuss issues that may be of interest.
Saunas are popular in northern Europe, particularly in the Scandinavian countries where many homes come with a sauna as standard equipment and families spend hours relaxing together, and with friends, in its warmth.
Our sauna is a room off the barn that we heat with a wood stove. Eduners relax on wooden benches and soak in the dry heat. After about 30-45 minutes, most will want to step outside to cool off - even if the temperature is below freezing. After a few round-trips between the heat of the sauna and the cool of a winter evening, you will feel a sense of relaxation that is difficult to duplicate.
If you have not enjoyed a sauna recently, join us. Bring a towel to sit on and maybe an extra one to dry with and "buff" the body. We have found most Eduners prefer saunas on Saturday evening. If this is not a good time for you, just let us know. Perhaps there are others who would like us to schedule one at a different time. They feel great!
Items We Need
We still need a good quality (but inexpensive) large garden tractor or small tractor with attachments.
Gas-powered hedge shears.
3 and 5 gal plastic buckets
Gas-powered leaf-blower.
Microwave oven.
Canoe paddles for our flotilla of boats.
Small galvanized buckets (like those citronella candles come in) (or other suitable, rust-resistant container) to use as cigarette butt cans.
Our chain saw has worn out. If you have a chain saw you no longer use, we can certainly make good use of it.The Naturalist Naturist
By Biology Bill
This month I'd like to share a joke that's been going around the internet about the reaction of a family to hamsters having babies (thanks, Dizzie). It is relevant, both because I have hamsters with babies at home, but also because it has a Naturist moral. But first, the joke:
After dinner one night, my son came up to tell me there was "something wrong" with one of the two hamsters he holds prisoner in his room. I put my best hamster-healer expression on my face and followed him into his bedroom.
"Honey," I called, "come look at the hamster!"
"Oh, my gosh," my wife diagnosed after a minute. "She's having babies."
"What?" my son demanded. "But their names are Bert and Ernie, Mom!"
"Well, it's just a little hard to tell on some guys," she informed me. By now the rest of the family had gathered to see what was going on.
I shrugged, deciding to make the best of it. "Kids, this is going to be a wondrous experience," I announced. "We're about to witness the miracle of birth."
"OH, Gross,!" they shrieked. We peered at the patient.
After much struggling, what looked like a tiny foot would appear briefly, vanishing a scant second later. "We don't appear to be making much progress," I noted.
"A breech birth," my wife whispered, horrified. "Do something, Dad!" my son urged.
"Okay, okay." Squeamishly, I reached in and grabbed the foot when it next appeared, giving it a gingerly tug. It disappeared. I tried again, with the same results.
"Should I dial 911?" my daughter wanted to know.
"Let's get Ernie to the vet," I said grimly.
We drove to the vet with my son holding the cage in his lap. The vet took Ernie back to the examining room and
peered at the little animal through a magnifying glass. "Oh, very interesting," he murmured. "Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, may I speak to you privately for a moment?"
I gulped, nodding for my son to step outside. "Is Ernie going to be okay?" my wife asked.
"Oh, perfectly," the vet assured us. "This hamster is not in labor. In fact, that isn't EVER going to happen ... Ernie is a boy."
"What!?"
"You see, Ernie is a young male. And occasionally, as they come into maturity, male hamsters will, master,er,er, ah..." He blushed, glancing at my wife. "Well, you know what I'm saying, Mr. Cameron."
"So Ernie's just ...just ...excited?" my wife offered.
"Exactly," the vet replied.
The whole idea of kids (and even adults) being unable to tell a pet's penis from an infant sounds pretty funny, except that there are a lot of people out there who don't want to think about animals, much less people, having erections or penises. As most people now live away from farms and typically have not done any animal husbandry, and particularly because most Americans consider nudity harmful and immoral, it is easy to forget that it can be important to discuss body parts, birth, and other subjects in an intelligent manner.
I noticed in the story that the veterinarian and the parents were all very embarrassed to use the words "penis" or "erection." Naturists generally believe that we have no reason to be embarrassed about discussing any body part in a frank and appropriately open manner when the subject is relevant. When I read a story like this, after I laugh at the punch line I remember it could be a realistic one in many families. I am reminded of the confusion and misinformation that results from a compulsive need to cover our bodies when there is no need for protection or warmth.
by Dave Bitters
The Newscast With
Nothing To Hide
Sociologists understand that cultures change slowly. Often a cultural change occurs as a result of an advance in technology. This causes people to view the world differently and eventually to change their behavior as a result.
There's little doubt that one of the biggest technological changes of the 1990's was the advent of the Internet. This medium has compressed the speed with which we communicate and multiplied many-fold the volume of information to which we have instant access. It's a technology one doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to see as providing the catalyst for unstoppable cultural changes - increasing individual liberty and rendering useless taboos obsolete. Of course, this won't please the cultural conservatives
As Naturists, we've traditionally faced a difficult challenge in selling our views to the general public. We might explain to our neighbors that, "You can't know what it's really like until you try it." But this isn't helpful to the man on the street who hasn't. The thought that probably goes through his mind is "Why?"
Well, now the Internet offers a show that purports to answer this question. I learned about it courtesy of Bay Area Naturist newsletter editor Rich Pasco. He alerted me to a web site that provides a newscast with a format similar to that of CNN - except that the 4 newscasters are nude.
Yep, it's true. If you have video streaming technology you can click on and tune into www.nakednews.com, which bills itself as "the only network with nothing to hide."
Originating in Toronto, this "infotainment" features 4 thirty-something ladies who provide daily 30-minute news segment (international and national news, weather, sports, business and a closing feature) wearing mostly nothing at all. It amounts to an unflinching and uncensored presentation that simultaneously promotes body acceptance and demonstrates to the public the Naturist idea.
The format is always the same. First you see an image of the earth from behind which the logo NakedNews appears. Then anchor woman Victoria Sinclair appears conservatively dressed in business attire and begins to read the international news. About halfway through this segment, without breaking eye contact with the camera, she begins to unbutton her jacket or blouse, then to remove her skirt. She strips down to her Victoria's Secret underwear, then again without breaking eye-contact undoes her brassiere and removes her undergarments.
While this may sound like a variation on the classic striptease it comes across more as a tongue-in-cheek spoof on the CNN format.
After the international news there's a short commercial spot, then back to Victoria with the national (mainly U.S.) news. After another commercial Diane Foster presents a weather report that has an international focus but ends with a review of the weather around the U.S. No striptease here; she appears on camera nude from the start, though sometimes she wears a hat or stockings as a prop. Then bubbly (and obviously pregnant) Holly Weston presents a
review of the day's sports. She's slightly unconvincing as a sports aficionado, but that's part of her charm.
Following Holly Weston, Carmen Russo appears wearing a tie and a vest (which she usually removes) and reads the business report. The newscast ends with a special feature or commentary by one or more of these ladies.
Aside from an occasional coquettish comment or wink there's nothing suggestive about the program; the nudity becomes as ordinary and uncontroversial as the sort we're used to at Lake Edun. It's hard to imagine any but the most jaded getting any sort of sexual gratification out of watching the NakedNews. One soon realizes that it's just a newscast, only the dress code is a bit unconventional.
The NakedNews appears to have caught on worldwide. Victoria Sinclair explained that during the week of January 22-26 the web site experienced a 7% growth PER DAY in the number of hits. Nor are the viewers only guys, according to Sinclair. She claimed that they've had an overwhelming number of positive e-mails from both men and women.
The NakedNews does have a political agenda, it aims to convince the viewers that the naked human form is no big deal. Maybe one day they'll break another big cultural taboo by adding some male newscasters. The guys may not be interested but I'll bet the gals will be interested.
Give www.nakednews.com a try and tell your friends about it. It will get people accustomed to the Naturist way of thinking and it has the potential to change the culture. You'll like it.
P.O. Box 1982
Topeka, KS 66601-1982
(785) 478-BARN
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