A Nudist Halloween Tale?
What did we get into?! We originally published a story by Jerry Troeger, owner of Bonita Nudist Resort in New York state, which prompted a reader to give her own version of the events he made reference to in his piece, which did not mention anybody by name. The original author wasted no time in writing a rebuttal, which we publish below. Nudist Day isn’t usually the right venue for this sort of back ‘n forth finger pointing, and thus this was the first and last time we will try to be that democratic! We give the Troegers the final say because it is their club and their livelihood, after all.
THE HORRORS OF FALL, by Jerry Troeger
It’s fall again, season of change, strange beauty and tall tales. It’s the season of All Soul’s Eve, when spineless monsters creep from their lairs spinning their webs of deceit causing fear and confusion in the hearts of men. The time of year when recurring evil roams freely, seeking to capture the souls of all who wander into their path. We know their names, yet for the time being and sake of decency we dare not speak them. They prey upon what they no longer have or lust for from the darkest corners of their hearts. They disfigure truths, challenge the very limits of credible reason in their quest to haunt and terrorize. They know no limits save that of their own consciences (which, like migrating fowl, seem to have gone south for the winter). They are here, in our midst, even as we speak…
We therefore challenge you, the reader, to come see first hand the horrors of Bonita. Witness imaginary “windowless” cabins, undersized pipes, and the pool that never seems to be open long enough. Hear phones ringing in the night, not to be answered until the dawn of the day. Observe the invisible landscaping at the lake. Sense the specter of former owners lurking in bushes just beyond your reach. Read for yourself the countless atrocities reported by the Tioga County Board of Health. Hear the wails of these departed souls crying in the wind….
Now that I have your attention. I would like to address the letter written by Diane. This person has wisely elected not to use her last name so we won’t either. We’ll play along and afford her whatever shred of dignity still remains after reading her story. Normally, I would not even respond to this kind of rhetoric, especially when identities are thinly masked. It demonstrates lack of credibility and conviction. Peoples’ opinions are their own. But when they are put on a public forum, especially when they are misguided and designed solely to take aim at a person’s livelihood and family, I strongly take issue.
The author states: “…The phony complaints to the board of health were far from phony“.
Fact: In the three years we have owned this camp, no violation of any kind, whether it be for food, water or sanitary conditions was ever issued. Anyone can contact the Tioga County Board of Health at (607) 687-8565 for verification. It is a matter of public record. These people are professionals, dedicated to protecting the health and safety of the public. They do their job.
The author states: “The water system is still plagued by problems but maybe it is because he (the owner) insisted on using undersized pipes, not sabotage…”
Fact: The water system specs, pipe size included, were drawn up by a professional engineer employed by Martin Plumbing in Owego NY, (607) 687-1295, copy of proposal available to all by request. Unless Diane states she was actually here for the 2007 season, which we believe she was not, she has no first-hand knowledge about the performance of the camp plumbing. I also never mentioned anything about “sabotage” in my article. Why did she?
The author states: “One member and his son constructed a staircase to connect the upper and lower level…”
Fact: This “anonymous” member she refers to also has a wife named Diane. (Coincidence?). He and his son were paid the amount they requested to do the work. Although quite fair, it wasn’t a freebie as the author inferred. Nor was most anything else that was done around here. Compensations were given in cash, reduced seasonal rates, free trailer storage, food, or pounds of flesh as the author is intending to do in her letter.
The author states: “..The trash dumpster was removed…and members were told to take their trash with them…”
Fact: The dumpster we had was frequently overloaded by campers (seasonals and transients alike), leaving refuse on top of it, next to it and behind it when full, only to have the forest animals tear it apart through the night. It became a visual nightmare and a potential health issue. We tried to reason with people but to no avail, so we had it removed.
Fact: What Diane conveniently forgets to mention is that, right in our seasonal leasing agreement, it states that: “Management will dispose of normal kitchen garbage only for any person…at no charge…” (Seasonal contract, item # 13. Copy to anyone upon request).
Our Ford pick up truck then became the camp dumpster and Diane and practically everyone else in camp deposited their own refuse in there many times. But if she mentioned THIS in her article, she’d really look foolish, so I understand the short-term memory again.
The author states: “…the loss of Fawn Hall, which used to be the camp’s only indoor social center…”
Fact: “Used to be” is exactly the point. We expanded the clubhouse dining area after our first season to compensate for the re-appropriation of space in Fawn hall. We also built a game room/common area in the old owner’s residence which includes a stove, refrigerator, microwave, pool table, satellite TV, two rental rooms and sitting area. Diane probably knows this but conveniently elected not to make the connection. For the sake of her article, it served her better to mention what was taken away, not what was added.
And as far as how much we have spent here above and beyond the selling price, since no one has put their noses in our checkbook, they have no idea how much we have invested. And besides, it’s none of anyone’s damned business anyway. They don’t own the place. We do. And I think herein lies the root of the problem she and her constituents have with us.
I could continue to debunk this literary farce but it has taken up more of my time than it deserves already. I hadn’t planned on breaking my ankle our first season. And as I said in my original article, from our hearts we truly thank all those who helped us in our time of need. But as I also said previously, in some cases there would be a price tag on this too. Well, here is the proof.
So, as this same crew of malcontents continue to repeat the same negative rhetoric in various forms, each taking their respective turns at stirring the pot, I can only suggest to them that it is time to move on and grow up. It’s been three years already. Life is short. You reside in Arizona and Texas and possibly Arkansas now. There are other places to haunt. Spin your webs somewhere else. And although I have never been paranoid of people “lurking in the bushes” I am wary of snakes in the grass. That’s why we keep the picks and shovels handy.
Happy Halloween.
Jerry and Annie Troeger
Bonita Resort
