Copyright 1999 Lake Edun Foundation, Inc

Official Publication of the Lake Edun Foundation, Inc          Oct 1, 1999

By popular demand, we are planning another fantastic Halloween celebration at the rustic site we used last year. It comes complete with resident ghosts ready to appear as soon as the fun begins.
Myron Jones will be our (g)host. Festivities start as soon as the Annual Business meeting ends on Friday, October 30. We will enjoy a pot luck dinner and an evening of live music (compliments of Nude Fusion), partying and costume judging.
Our (g)host will provide beer, pop, chips, dip, paper plates, napkins and plastic-ware. Eduners provide their favorite dish. The Board of Directors are asking everyone to make a $10-20 (or more) tax deductible contribution to the Naturist Action Committee.

To get there: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXNOTE: This section has been blanked out in the newsletter that is posted on our website.  Copies mailed to newsletter subscribers and members contain complete directions and contact information for the party. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

This is a wonderful setting to celebrate Halloween and will be a fun evening. Bring your friends (visitor fees apply) so they can see, first-hand, how wonderful it is to be clothing-free. If you missed last year, don't miss again!

This year marks the conclusion of our first year operating as a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation. It has been a good year with the promise of better years to come.

As required by our by-laws, we will hold the annual meeting of the Lake Edun Foundation on Saturday, October 30 beginning at 6:30pm. This will be in conjunction with our Halloween Party which has always been a great time. At the Annual Meeting, we will hear reports from the various committees, consider plans for the upcoming year, and elect members to the Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors or have any proposals you would like to see presented at the annual meeting, send them to our Post Office Box or contact a member of the Board.

Be sure not to miss this meeting.  We only have one business meeting a year.  It is important that we have as many members of the Lake Edun Foundation in attendance as possible so we can hear from everyone.

Editor's Note: For your consideration, descriptions of the Board of Directors positions are included in this Bare Facts.

Hello everyone! Welcome to fall! It saddens me to
see that summer has officially passed and the days
that we can spend at the lake to enjoy the sunshine
are numbered. It makes me glad to know that we have
some good parties planned for Halloween and Christmas.

On October 30, Myron has graciously volunteered his
place for the Halloween party/Annual members meeting.  Please make plans to attend this as we will be
electing our new board of directors for the next year.
I want to encourage everyone to give their input into
the process. Everyone is entitled to cast their vote
on who they want to see on the board. Your Board of
Directors work very hard to make sure that Lake Edun remains a place where a person can come and enjoy the naturist lifestyle in a relaxed, friendly atmoshpere.  It has been a pleasure working with the Board this year and I look forward to working with the Board this upcoming year. If there are changes that you would like to see made, I would encourage you to run for the Board of Directors and be a part of the decision-making process. Ok, enough said about that! Come on out to Myron's place and wear your scariest costume! It promises to be a good time for everyone!

I have just recently found out that we have a place to
hold the Christmas party. Cameraman Dave, who shot
the videos for us at Return to Edun 6 and 7 has offered his lovely home for the Christmas Party. We
will announce the details of this party in the December newsletter.

Cameraman Dave is still editing the video footage he
shot at Return to Edun 7. He should have it done
shortly. Thank you for your patience to all who are
eagerly awaiting his latest creation! Remember, a
good work of art takes time!

Also, a big thank you goes out to Vickie, Sally, and
Cookie and anyone else involved in putting together
the 60's party over Labor Day weekend! It was a huge
success! There was much tye-dying going on and many children and adults having a great time! I saw some really awesome tye-dye designs that weekend!

Hope to see everyone at the Halloween party!

Oct 9; Noon-4 PM; Work Day (Final One)
Oct 9; 7-9 PM; Sauna
Oct 24; 4-6 PM; Sauna
Oct 30; 6:30 PM; Annual Membership Meeting
Oct 30; Halloween Party (after Annual              Membership Meeting)
Nov 7; Noon-2PM; Board of Directors Mtg
Nov 7; 4-6PM; Sauna
Nov 27; 7-9PM; Sauna
Dec 11; Christmas Party
Jul 14-16, 2000; Return to Edun 8

* A subscription to our quarterly journel, Nude & Natural, the highly acclaimed publication on Naturism in the world.

* Membership card, which gains admittance and discounts at hundreds of Naturist clubs throughout the world.

* The Naturist Network. Contact information for affiliate groups, clubs & special interest groups listed in each issue of Nude & Natural.

* Discounts on most items available through The Skinny-Dipper Shop, includes books, magazines, clothing, accessories, etc.

* Regional gatherings.  Members receive advance information and discounts on admission.

* Membership dollars help support TNS' political action affiliates - Naturist Action Committee and Naturist Education Foundation.

Editor's Note: Starting or renewing a TNS membership through the Lake Edun Foundation benefits TNS and us!  The cost is still $40 but your card will have "Lake Edun Foundation" printed on it and we are allowed to keep $5 of the money to help with our budget.

The Lake Edun Foundation will have a booth at the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce annual business fair.  This is being held at the Topeka Expo Center on Tuesday, October 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..  We will hand out information on Naturism and Lake Edun and answer any questions people may have.  It will be a great opportunity to explain to many in the community the beneficial aspects of Naturism.  Kelly is looking for members to join her in representing The Lake Edun Foundation at this business fair.  If interested, please contact her by e-mail at Dizzie28@yahoo.com or leave a message at the barn, (785) 478-BARN.

Hi All! 
    Chuck and I recently made a trip to Colorado to take my son (Mike) to Fort Carson.  I thought ya's might be interested in our trip.
    On our way into Colorado springs, we visited a place called "Nell's Café".  There were two waitresses there that we just fell in love with.  Every time they came to our table, they had the bottom of the coffee pot so Chuck had to give them a hard time.  They paid him back by serving him a half-a-cup of coffee grounds.  We liked it so much there that we had to stop on our way out also.
    The mountains were beautiful.  We brought home a few rocks from the stream at 'Seven Falls'.  We also went to 'Cheyenne Park'.  Rather than get a room, we decided to sleep in the car.  It was wonderful listening to the rushing water all night.
    We are pretty lucky being in Kansas.  Gas prices were awful!  Colorado Springs was $1.33 a gallon and Denver was $1.39!!  I hated paying that much but we had to get home.
  We made a special trip to Littleton, Colorado because we were going to go to 'Mountain Air Ranch'.  We went through a lot of hassle trying to get the phone number for there.  I even called my parents collect and stayed on the phone way too long!  Then we decided to check the phone book.  They are listed in the business white pages.  I wish we'd thought of that sooner.  We didn't get to visit Mountainaire but we found out how lucky we have it at Lake Edun.  For a one day the visitor's fee is $37 for a couple and a single male is $125 (They said something about a singles card).  So guys ¾ you're saving $110 by coming to Lake Edun.  We should have asked more questions but we were too tired.  Anyone that knows more about Mountainaire ¾ I'm interested!
    Love ya'll,
Marian

    As a member benefit, anyone who is a member of the Lake Edun Foundation may obtain an internet dial-up account at www.lakeedun.com for only $120 per year.  This means, that if you are currently using aol or any other internet service provider, and are a member of the Lake Edun Foundation,  you may switch so you have a lakeedun.com e-mail address for only $10 per month.  In addition, members will have unlimited use of their account to access the internet, send messages, research information, or join chat rooms.
    This is a great price and a prestigious e-mail address.  It allows you to communicate to the world the values you hold most dear.

    Members interested in taking advantage of this opportunity should send their check for $120 and their desired e-mail name (your-name@lakeedun.com) to our PO Box or slip it through the slot in the barn.  While this offer not available in all areas, it should be available to most members.

Firewood sale, only $10 for 1/2 cord (p/u truck load)!!!
There is a limited amount of firewood available at this fantastic price.  What's the catch?  To take advantage of this offer you have to be a member of the Lake Edun Foundation and you have to cut/gather the wood yourself.  Anyone interested should contact Webb at 478-BARN or at benude@lakeedun.com

WARNEMUENDE, Germany, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Sun-loving eastern Germans accustomed to decades of nude bathing during the communist era are under siege from western German holiday-makers shocked by the uninhibited tanning patterns of their eastern cousins. Sandy beaches that have been crammed with naked bodies of all shapes and sizes since the days of East Germany's communist government have become battlegrounds between natives fighting to keep the beaches free of fabric and well-heeled, well-dressed westerners. Some angry tourists from the west have even thrown sand on the naked bathers. The skinny-dippers have taken a more relaxed approach, but regularly ignore warnings to get dressed. ``It's the most natural thing in the world,'' said Martin Fiedler, a 25-year-old after bounding onto the beach from the Baltic's dark blue surf in this town 240 km (150 miles) north of Berlin. ``It feels great to swim naked and lie bare on the beach,'' he said. ``It's a liberating experience. You can feel the water and sand everywhere. I wouldn't feel comfortable in a suit anymore.''
UNCOMFORTABLE WITH EAST GERMAN NUDITY
But Ralf Meyer, a 30-year-old pilot from the western city of Frankfurt on a visit to the Baltic with his wife and infant daughter, said he found the nude bathers obnoxious. ``It's not my thing,'' he said. ``If the nudists feel compelled to show themselves to the world, they should do it on their own nudist beaches and not here in front of everyone else.''
Three elderly west German women agreed. They said they were appalled by the naked bodies lying everywhere in Warnemuende, a struggling east German fishing village that is trying to reinvent itself as a tourist hot spot. ``It's revolting,'' said one shielding herself from the blazing mid-summer sun with a hat, dark glasses and long sleeved shirt. ``This is only the start. The next thing you know they will be walking around naked on the streets.'' To appease the more conservative western sensibilities, local hotels and tourism officials have tried to mark stretches of beaches where the nude bathing is ``verboten.'' The signs are often ignored. ``We get some complaints,'' said Stephan Kriesen, a 23-year-old life guard surveying scores of nude sunbathers beneath his observation post in a so-called ``fabric zone.'' But he said he doesn't intervene. ``It's not my job. And besides,'' he said with a wry shrug, ``there are actually quite a few attractive women down there.''
NUDITY UBIQUITOUS ON EASTERN GERMAN BEACHES
The authorities have nevertheless succeeded in persuading most of the bathers on Warnemuende's main beach in front of the central promenade to wear something even though nudity is ubiquitous. The bathing suits begin to disappear just a few hundred metres (yards) away. On a recent hot

Sunday afternoon myriad of naked men, women and children frolicked unperturbed on the beach. There were various groups of nudists playing volleyball, paddleball, kick ball, and other games. ``This whole beach used to be nude,'' said Frank Kolbe, a 42-year-old boat mechanic, wearing only a smile as he stood next to his lithe girlfriend whose attire was limited to a thin ankle chain. ``The prude westerners are coming in here and slowly but surely ruining one of our best traditions. It doesn't bother me if they come over here and sit on our beaches with their bathing suits. So why are they so bothered when we sit here nude?'' Theories abound as to why the easterners developed such a passion for sunbathing au naturel during the four decades of communist rule while the westerners stayed clad. Easterners, who were raised in the atheist communist state, say the Catholic and Protestant churches are responsible for the more prudish western stance. Some westerners say the quality of the eastern swimwear was so poor that many opted to swim naked rather than in ``rags,'' as one woman put it.
NUDE SUNBATHING IMPORTANT BIT OF FREEDOM FOR EASTERNERS
``Nude sunbathing was a piece of unencumbered freedom for East Germans during the communist era,'' said Lutz Grueder, director of tourism in Warnemuende. ``It was the one thing the state couldn't take away from us. We couldn't travel anywhere but at least we could lie naked on the beach.'' Whatever the roots of their divergent attitudes, it's clear that ``Naked War On the Baltic,'' as Bild newspaper described it, is another illustration of the divisions still plaguing Germany nearly a decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the country. ``It's just disgusting,'' said Julie, an 11-year-old girl from west Berlin. ``What do they think bathing suits were made for? There are so many fat naked beer bellies running around here. They should stay at home or at least put their pants back on.'' It's a sentiment that annoys the easterners. ``The westerners didn't grow up in a free environment like we did,'' said Wolfgang Berger, a 47-year-old businessman, smiling at the irony of his description of communist East German.
``Westerners have a distorted view of nudity,'' said Manfred Schulze, a 58-year-old technician who left East Germany for the west in 1984 but missed the nude bathing. He drove 700 km (435 miles) from Cologne with his daughter for a weekend of naked swimming. ``Western Germans are prudes,'' ran a headline on the front page of the Ostsee Zeitung newspaper. It appeared above a report of a survey that showed 40 percent of easterners regularly sunbathe in the nude. By comparison, only 25 percent of the westerners would ``tolerate it,'' the paper said. Grueder said Warnemuende has taken the nudist issue seriously because tourism has become a vital source of revenue for the town of 6,800, which, despite its enviable location on the Baltic, has an unemployment rate of nearly 20 percent. Many of the 563,000 overnight stays last year were westerners. Their complaints about the nude beaches did not go unheard.

(Continued on page 6)

(Continued from page 5)

``Some people wrote to us saying they felt they were being observed by the nudists,'' Grueder said. ``We try to restrict the nudists to the separate beaches. We have patrols that make checks to make sure the nudists stay off the fabric beaches. We believe there is enough beach for everyone. But it's not easy when you're up against tradition.''

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication and redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

visit, the feeling of apprehension will vanish. Until you experience a thing for yourself, words cannot tell you how you should feel or how you should act or react.
Believe in your mate. You have a good relationship, and he has never asked you to do anything that was wrong or really unpleasant. Occasionally, we don't want to do some things at first, but since it means a great deal to him, it usually turns out fine. This too, means a great deal to him. When you decide to visit a club, give them a call and inform them that this will be your first visit. Contrary to what most people believe, you generally will not be asked to leave your clothes at the gate. You will be given a tour of the premises, where the pool or hot tub, or other facilities are located. If you are visiting a non-landed club, you will most likely visit with some of the members at a neutral location, i.e., coffee shop, after which you will be invited to an event.
Some common fears of women with whom I have been in contact include being secretly worried that she wouldn't be as attractive to her spouse as she had been, compared with all the beautiful figures she was sure must be there.
For the most part, there is a normal cross-section of the population. The solution for this particular lady was the security she felt in her relationship and that the relationship was based on more than just physical attractiveness. Another fear is what sort of people will I meet. You will meet doctors, lawyers, clergymen and women, taxi drivers, accountants, secretaries, warehouse- men, waiters, school teachers, moms, dads, grandparents, teenagers, infants. We are your neighbors, your friends.
It's a wonderful feeling to meet entirely new people and enjoy new interests and activities. There is a peculiar thing you have to experience to believe, but there is a friendliness about nudists that you will generally not find in any other group. I have come to count our nudist friends among my closest. They seem to always be there for me, for us.
Why don't you try your hand at being a nudist in your own home. Try sleeping nude, if you don't already--once you get used to it, you won't want to sleep any other way.
That's the first easy step. Then, when you take your shower or bath, don't grab for a robe except for comfort. Do your nails or set your hair or just read the newspaper. I think you will enjoy it. If you exercise, try it without clothes, it feels wonderful. Wear whatever you need to feel comfortable. Since it's convenient and healthful at times to dispense with clothes, nudists do. We're not different from other people, just more comfortable.
I hope I've been able to help just a little. Offer a compromise to your mate. Give him an hour of your time, you will wish you had sooner.

Sincerely,
Cheri Donna

Copyright © August 1997 by Travelites, Inc.
PO Box 90836, Columbia, SC 29290
All Rights Reserved

We have never met, but I am taking the liberty to write you because I understand that your significant other has become interested in nudism or clothes-free recreation. You are wondering whether or not to share this with him. My husband and I are nudists, and like you, we both experienced all the concerns and uncertainties the first time we tried it. All the vague fears and worries I fretted about proved groundless. I would like to help you experience and become comfortable with this lifestyle. I hope you will let me try.
Perhaps telling about my first experience with nude recreation will lead you to that end. I was vacationing at a resort in the Caribbean. The first two days were spent on the beach sitting in a soggy swimsuit and being chafed by sand. I signed up for a day boat trip and picnic at a beach on an island away from the resort. As we were leaving, I discovered that the excursion was to an island with a nude beach! I decided to go anyway, thinking no way was anybody getting me out of my suit. I stood firm and, in fact, was the last person to give in and shed my swimsuit - I was the last one to get dressed to return to the resort. Why hadn't someone told me about this sooner? I was hooked, and that was over 30 years ago. The phrase, "nude when possible, clothed when practical," definitely describes me. I do wear at least shoes when vacuuming the house though as I have a habit of running over my toes with the vacuum cleaner.
I admit that my first reaction was that I this was something that was not an acceptable practice. I was unaware that there is a national organization and did not know anyone who could shed light on this relaxing way of life. The literature available today, some of which your significant other might have asked you to look over, tells it like it is. Everyone will tell you that once you have made your first

Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 1982
Topeka, KS 66601-1982
(913) 478-BARN
www.lakeedun.com

The Board of Directors sets policy and implements the program for the Lake Edun Foundation. Board members meet monthly as a group and as needed with their committee. Each member of the Board chairs a committee with specific responsibilities and makes periodic contributions to Bare Facts.

President: Preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. Sit as an ex officio member of all committees.

Secretary:  Keep minutes of meetings of both the Board of Directors and members. Maintain membership records. Carry on correspondence with members and with others for the Foundation.
Maintain contact with all appropriate national organizations including TNS, NEC and NAC. Educate our membership on the function and importance of these organizations. Encourage support among our members for these groups.

Treasurer:  Account for all money and property owned by the Foundation. Pay all legitimate invoices in a timely manner as directed by the Board. Make regular financial reports to the Board.

Education/Outreach:  Implement the educational mission of the Foundation to the public through seminars, press releases, articles, presentations, meetings, interviews, etc.  "Bare Facts" Editor serves on this committee. Edit, write articles for, produce, print and mail our monthly newsletter. The Web Master also serves on this committee. Maintain and enhance our presence on the Internet.  Education & Outreach committee is responsible for spreading the word on the beneficial impact naturism can have on the individual, the family, and our community.

Member Relations:  The overall purpose of this committee is to improve membership retention. Screen new applicants. Make a recommendation to the Board concerning their suitability for membership. Maintain contact with members; determine problems or conflicts that may develop with their membership. Work with the Social Committee to develop meaningful activities for all members. Remind members we have not seen about upcoming activities. Keep all members active and interested in the Foundation.

Promotion/Publicity:  The promotion and publicity committee should work in concert with the Education Committee to arrange for appropriate publicity of our foundation with the objective of improving the public perception of nude recreation in general and increasing membership in the Foundation. We want to present nude recreation as a healthy alternative to other forms of family entertainment. We should strive to be featured positively in news stories twice during the year.

Social:  We realize not everyone will be comfortable with the Naturist lifestyle at first. The Social Committee must plan and coordinate special activities throughout the year that implement our educational objectives with our membership and permit members and guests to learn firsthand about the benefits of naturism. It should plan indoor events during winter months when use of our leased facility is not practical. It should make a special effort to conduct events that will attract women and families to the Foundation. Major summer activities should be limited to not more than one per month.
Return to Edun is a sub-committee. It plans the annual Return to Edun celebration including entertainment, security, and all aspects required for the safe execution of this event. Our objective for Return to Edun is to host an event to provide an enjoyable introduction to nude recreation for those who may not have tried it in the past. This committee should plan an event that is safe, enjoyable, and attracts new people to try a clothing-free lifestyle and then join the Lake Edun Foundation.

"Lake Edun Association of Kids" President:  Represent to the Board the interests of children of Foundation members. Promote events designed to involve children so they become comfortable at Foundation activities and parents recognize the benefits on their children's development. Elected by LEAK.

Facilities:  Insure we meet our obligations for maintenance and improvement as required by the terms of our lease. Organize our resources, including work days, toward achievement of these obligations. Coordinate with other committees to insure their requirements are met. The facilities committee is also responsible for insuring firewood is available for all council fires.

Conservation:  Ensure we meet our obligations for conservation as required by the terms of our lease. Organize our resources in coordination with the Facilities Committee to achieve these obligations. Our lease requires we maintain a rustic, natural setting. This committee must plan ways that will tend to encourage suitable plant and wildlife growth. This includes planting trees and shrubs and attracting compatible wildlife. This does not mean all plants and wildlife are desirable. Poison ivy and other noxious and annoying plants must be discouraged. Likewise, beaver that kill trees or muskrat that damage the dam are not desirable. Our objective is to balance the needs of desirable plants and wildlife against our lease requirements.