Bare Facts
Copyright 2000 Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
Official Publication of the Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
September 1, 2000
Box 1982; Topeka, KS 66601 Voice Mail: 785-478-BARN e-mail: benude@lakeedun.com Website: www.lakeedun.com
Edun's 2nd Annual 60's Party
In just a few days we hold our very popular 60's tie-dye party. If you haven't already made plans to be at Lake Edun for the event, be sure you make your plans now. It is one of the most popular events of the season. NOTE: the pot luck will be on Saturday and the tie-dye will be on Sunday, September 3.
Vickie will provide professional quality dies to use on any cotton, rayon or silk. Eduners provide their own articles to dye. (No sheets or towels, please. They tend to drink the dye.) We will have a few white T-shirts available or bring your own. Pre-washed cotton accepts the dye more easily.
To warm up for the event, we will hold a fabulous pot luck dinner on Saturday. If you are unable to bring a dish, please contribute $5 to the Legal Defense Fund. Then, as evening settles over our paradise, we will dance the night away, with memories of a bygone era.
On Sunday, Sept 3rd, we will begin tie-dying at about 1 pm. Vickie is providing everything required to produce your own work (except the garment). She and other Eduners will be on hand to lend advise or you may refer to her book with dynamite ideas. Throughout, music from the 60's will permeate the Edun atmosphere.
Challenge Received For Legal Fund
We have received a challenge from an anonymous benefactor that will help our Legal Defense Fund. We stand to receive $1,000 for our legal fund if we can raise at least $2,000 from our members during the 60's tie-dye party.
The way it will work is that any gift made by a member, visitor or guest during Labor Day Weekend will be matched 50% by our benefactor. So, if you give $10, our Legal Fund receives $15. If you give $50, our Legal Fund receives $75. If you give $500, our Legal Fund receives $750. There is a pattern here. Hopefully you get the idea.
Be sure to bring your check book. And remember the best part: All gifts to the Lake Edun Foundation are deductible for income tax purposes.
This is a great way for Naturists to get their hands into the pocket of someone who supports our worthy cause!
Don't Miss The Final Work Day
Every year, a certain amount of effort goes to putting everything up and securing things for the long, cold winter. While it is no fun to think about now, it is necessary.
We will hold this final scheduled work day on Saturday, Sept. 30. Plan to help out. If the weather cooperates, it is usually a lot of fun and not too arduous. If you can't join us at this time, but still want to help, there are plenty of tasks that are best accomplished in the winter. Check with a member of the board to learn what you can do to help.
Fifties At 50
This year, we have partied for today. On Labor Day Weekend, we will party for the sixties. Now, let's go and party in the fifties. Join Sally as we help her celebrate her fifties at 50 party.
Sally's fifties at 50 party will be Saturday, September 9. A walker or cane might be appropriate. However, a pot luck dinner is definitely called for. Bring your favorite dish, some good stories, and let's all enjoy what will probably be one of the last events of this season at our special place. If you are unable to bring a dish for the pot luck, and if there is extra food, we hope you will make a $5 contribution to our Legal Defense Fund.
NAC Benefit A Success
On August 5, 2000, the Lake Edun Foundation held a fundraiser for the Naturist Action Committee. This was well attended by many people from across the state. Thank you to Dave Bitters, our local NAC representative, on a great speech about how NAC operates. There was a potluck following Dave's speech. As is customary at LEF potlucks, there were very many yummy dishes to choose from. Yours truly cooked up hot dogs and hamburgers for the hungry crowd. All in all, we raised over $400 for NAC. I would like to thank everyone who made a contribution to NAC. This is our way of saying "Thank you" for being our voice in the legislature.
Join Naturists-Receive Free Auto Shade
We have a limited number of auto shades from the Naturist Society to put in the windshield of your car. We will give them FREE to members who join or renew their membership in TNS through the Lake Edun Foundation. To take advantage of this offer, see the caretaker or send your TNS membership to our PO Box. Your auto shade will be available for pick-up at the barn.
DON'T FORGET
Sept 2; Sat; 60's Pot Luck Dinner
Sept 2; Sat; Dusk; Fellowship Fire
Sept 3; Sun; 60's Tie-dye Party
Sept 9; Sat; 10-12; Board of Directors Meeting
Sept 9; Sat; Dusk; Fellowship Fire
Sept 13; Wed; 5-8; Closed for Private Party
Sept 15; Fri; 8-10; HN Swim in KC
Sept 16; Sat; Dusk; Fellowship Fire
Sept 23; Sat; Dusk; Fellowship Fire
Sept 23; Sat; South beach & Locust Grove closed for party
Sept 30; Sat; 12-4; Final Work Day of the season
Sept 30; Sat; Dusk; Fellowship Fire
Oct 14; Sat; 10-12; Board of Directors Meeting
Oct 20; Fri; 8-10; HN Swim in KC
Oct 28; Sat; Annual Meeting & Election of Board
Oct 28; Sat; Halloween Party (Members only)
Presidential Pearls
by Kelly "aka Dizzy" Shepardson
Hello! Here it is back to school already! This summer has flown by so fast it is unbelievable! It is time for our tie-dye party once again! Vickie will host it this year on Sunday, September 3. We goofed in the previous newsletter when we stated that Saturday, September 2 was going to be the day for the tie-dye. We ask that you bring out articles such as t-shirts, shorts, and any other articles of clothing that you can think of. The one thing we do ask that you keep in mind is not to bring articles such as towels that soak up a lot of dye. We want everyone to have a chance to be able to tie-dye. Hope to see you there! We will hold a potluck dinner Saturday evening around 5 p.m. Bring your favorite dish. If you don't have the talent of Betty Crocker, you can donate $5 to our Legal Defense Fund to cover your participation in the Potluck!
I also wanted to mention running for the Board of Directors. We have our elections coming up October 28, 200 at our Halloween Party and General Membership meeting. If you have thought of helping the Lake Edun Foundation, this is a way to do it. We will elect the Board of Directors at our General Membership meeting and then the Board will meet and decide who wants what position. If you are interested, please see a current Board member or you can e-mail me at Dizzie28@yahoo.com for more info. I encourage anyone who wants to run to be present at the Halloween party, otherwise you may not get elected. (Of course, the same can be said if you don't want to be elected.) The Halloween Party will be held once again at Myron Jones' home on October 28. This is also a Potluck Dinner. Bring your scariest dish, come undressed in your best costume and have a good time!
Your Board of Directors voted to make our Halloween Party and General Membership meeting open to members only. Myron has limited space in his home, and we want to give all of our members the opportunity to participate in the general membership meeting.
As a gentle reminder, our house parties are non-smoking in consideration of those who don't smoke. Hope to see you there!
Random Thoughts & Reflections
Thanks to Michael Hodgson whose supportive letter to the editor concerning our legal challenge was published in the Topeka Capital Journal on August 21. It would be nice if some of our members would express their support for Naturism.
Interesting! I understand that Nick Nolte does his exercises each day while nude.
It won't be hot much longer. Enjoy the swimming and sunshine while you can!
Note that our very popular Halloween party has been designated for members only. The board took this step because increased attendance in past years makes the facility very crowded. If you have made several contributions to the Foundation, you may wish to consider completing your membership.
Seeking Advise From Dr. Laura
This letter was forwarded to us from Jim Mearns in New York. Thank you Jim for your contribution.
Dear Dr Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's law. I have learned a great deal from you, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev. 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as it suggests in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
Lev. 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans but not Canadians. Can you clarify?
I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
Lev. 20:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear prescription glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
The Board of Directors Needs YOU
Our annual meeting is less than two months off. The Board of Directors, under Kelly's leadership, is bringing to an end another great season for the Lake Edun Foundation. Now is the time to consider the roll you might play in the future of LEF.
Elsewhere in this issue is a listing of Board responsibilities. Take time to review it and decide how you might make a meaningful contribution to our continued success. It is because of the dedicated individuals who assist with their time and energy by serving on the Board that we are able to provide a wonderful program and facility for all of our members to enjoy..
A nudist has no fear of a pick-pocket
By-Laws Amended
At its last meeting, the Board of Directors voted to amend our by-laws in order to insure greater participation by Board members and make it easier to have a quorum at Board meetings. Article III, Section 3 was amended from:
Section 3. Election and Term of Office
Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of members to serve for one (1) year. All Directors shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified. A director may be removed from office at a special meeting of members by 60% of members voting.
The new wording of Section 3:
Section 3a. Election and Term of Office
Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of members to serve for one (1) year. All directors shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified.
Section 3b. Removal from Office
A director may be removed from office at a regular or special meeting of members by 60% of members present and voting. In the event any director fails to be present, either in person or by proxy, at any two consecutive, regularly scheduled, meetings of the Board of Directors,, that director shall be considered to have tendered their resignation from the Board of Directors and their seat will be considered vacant.
Naturists Have Family Values
Now that we are fully into the election season, we can expect to hear much about family values. It seems to be a motherhood and apple pie issue that politicians can throw around without ever defining what it means. We should not be hesitant to find out where a candidate stands on issues that are important to us.
We have families; and we have values. What's more, we have some very credible research that clearly shows our values are not in conflict with our families. [If you are interested, ask for a copy of our brochure Familial and Societal Attitudes Toward Nudity, and the Effects on Children's Development.] If a candidate, or even a supporter, suggests our choices somehow diminish the society in which we live, demand to know where their research is. If they haven't any research, offer some of ours. If, as is most often the case, they merely become smug and seem to suggest that "everyone" just knows that it is bad, then we need to set the record straight.
If we allow others to perpetuate these false assumptions, we can count on the need to continue to defend ourselves against ignorance and bigotry. If, on the other hand, we engage our detractors and educate them, perhaps the tide will change and body acceptance will, once again, become the norm.
The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.
- Robert Frost
By Biology Bill
Oooh, That's Cold!
I have noticed that one of the regular topics of conversation at Lake Edun is, in fact, the lake, and its water temperature in particular. In this column I have a few comments to make about how important characteristics of the lake's water vary through the seasons.
Anybody who went swimming during Return to Edun weekend no doubt remembers that the water near the beach was downright hot, particularly on Friday. Veteran Eduners will also remember that situation happens periodically, at least once a summer. Usually at those times there is a lot of talk about how the lake's temperature is similar to bathwater. On the other hand, if you do some swimming (or happen to be tall and reach your toes about six feet below the surface out past the end of the docks, or maybe go scuba diving) you will discover that there is a depth below which the water is always quite cold. Even when the surface of the lake is very warm, those cold layers further down never quite go away. (You can impress friends at cocktail parties by referring to the dividing line as a thermocline.) Why is this? And why does the water's temperature vary, with seemingly cool (I prefer "refreshing") temperatures soon after high ones?
First of all, it's relatively easy to explain why the surface temperature varies the way it does. It is primarily dependent on 1) what the temperature of the air is, 2) how much sunshine there is, and 3) whether it has rained recently. Water changes temperature much more slowly than does air (this has to do with chemical properties of H20, and with the fact that it is a liquid), but hot and sunny weather definitely heats up the surface of the lake and the shallows, and cool weather cools the water down. Rainwater was high in the atmosphere before it hit the ground, so it is a lower temperature and tends to cool off the water that is already in the lake after a storm.
So, why do you still get that cold lake bottom even during very hot weather? Because warm water generally rises and stays on the top, and also because we have a rather murky lake - the sun is not able to penetrate very deeply, and even though we have a shallow lake only the edges and the surface are warmed.
So, the cold water from the bottom doesn't reach the surface - except for twice a year. Now, these times are not the ones people usually pick for a dip, since the temperature is only 39 degrees (i.e., in late fall and very early spring), but they are critically important for our lake as a living environment, as I'll explain shortly. So why 39 degrees?
Water is an unusual chemical. We don't think about this because we are used to it, but it has properties unique in nature. Most chemicals are denser when they are solids than when they are liquids, but water is actually denser as a liquid. This is why ice floats, but in any other chemical the ice would sink immediately to the bottom. In fact, the water is at its densest at 39 degrees F, which means that water less than 39 degrees actually rises above much warmer water. Even the depths are not that cold in the summer, but as the lake cools during the fall and warms again in the spring the surface temperature is strongly affected by that of the air. As the lake temperature slowly moves past the 39 degree densest point, the colder water from below rises past the slightly warmer water above, leading to a great mixing of water in the lake. So why is this important?
You see, if the lake's water did not turn over top to bottom twice a year, it would be a much more difficult place for any of the animals and plants to live. The sun's energy powers all life in the lake at least indirectly, and as I mentioned above the light does not reach very deeply. However, the organic material that microorganisms need to eat to start the food chain always sinks - this leads to a situation where the food is in one place and the light is somewhere else, and the food chain is blocked. The mixing of the water in the spring and fall pulls organic material off the bottom and stirs it through the water column. Thus, the food and the energy are reunited, and the lake can live. Additionally, oxygen is resupplied to the bottom of the lake from the air and upper layers - it has a tendency to run out during the summer.
This property of very cold water to rise is also important in allowing a layer of ice to form over ponds in the winter; if the ice started to form from the bottom, the whole lake would freeze solid, and most animals in it would be killed. As it is, the ice protects the lower parts of the lake from extreme cold, and the turnover of water provides food to start the food chain. So, the lake's temperature has more implications than whether your toes will be chilly; it also has a powerful effect on the life cycle of the lake, and the organisms that are in it. So, the next time a fish nibbles on your toes, think about the ice that protected it all winter, the turnover that provided it food in the summer, and the unusual properties of water that made that possible.
Items We Need
We still need a good quality (but inexpensive) large garden tractor or small tractor with attachments.
Gas-powered hedge shears.
Canoe paddles for our flotilla of boats.
One of our chain saws has worn out. If you have a chain saw you no longer use, we can certainly make good use of it to trim the trees.
Every once in a while, sod is taken up and not replaced. Perhaps the grass appeared to die or plans changed. If any Eduners come upon a quantity of sod, we have several places it can be put to good use. Even if it appears dead, its roots will serve to hold soil and retard erosion.
One water heater that doesn't leak; it doesn't need to work either. Mike is going to use it to improve our shower.
Some day people will grow up and realize that the only thing vile about human bodies is the small minds some people have developed within them.
- Dick Hein Lake Edun Foundation, Inc.
Board of Directors Responsibilities
2000
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 the clothing-free lifestyle and then join the Lake Edun Foundation.
Lake Edun Association of Kids
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 friendship fires.
Conservation:
Insure 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.