An Italian gent named Piero contributed the following story about the joy of living naked. Sounds just grand to us!

I usually spend my Summer holiday at Valalta FKK (Istra - Croatia) which is a huge naturist village where about five thousand people can live in camping and in bungalows. I’ve been practicing nudism for twenty-two years and I started spending my summer holidays in naturist villages in 1995. I live naked all day long at Valalta: I walk, I swim, I run, I keep in touch with nature, I relax outside my bungalow and I’m always naked. I like going by bicycle naked: I put a towel on the saddle and I ride the bike for some hours a day. A lot of people go naked by bicycle.

On occasion in my stay at Valalta , every year I make friends with German, Austrian and Dutch people whom I speak in German and in English to. I speak to Italian people as well, since I’m Italian! Some people invite me to drink or to eat something with them outside their bungalow: I sit down naked like them and we talk about many subjects. I’ve always met very friendly people who are open-minded.

When I have lunch, I usually eat naked, sitting down on a towel in a pizzeria. After having breakfast, I often go to the top of a hill that’s inside this big village. I walk naked on a footpath and I reach a viewpoint where it’s possible to get a wonderful view on Limskj canal. A lot of people get to the top of this hill walking naked. When it’s autumn or Winter I’m looking forward to going again to Valalta but I must wait for Summer…

I cannot but say that it’s a wonderful experience and I think it’s worth making this kind of experience which makes me feel very free: I feel freedom and I’m very happy with naturism, so I can spend unforgettable days (I hate a life led by strict rules and impositions). My friend Paul is often with me and agrees with me about naturism (which) he likes very much. I often spend some days around a lake in Austria where I stay in a FKK camping in order to live naked. Unfortunately I’m not allowed to stay naked on the Italian beaches because of Italian law, but I can do it only at Dante’s Lido near Ravenna. When I practice naturism I’m in seventh heaven!

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

A reader named Diane recently contacted Nudist Day, upset by “The Summer From Hell!”, a story contributed by Jerry Troeger, owner of Bonita Nudist Resort near Binghampton, New York, that recounts the events around the time he and his wife Annie purchased the club. Diane claims to represent other former members of the club and we publish her entire letter below as we’re a democratic publication and value our readers’ opinions. That said, Nudist Day does not take sides in such disputes, and Diane’s comments do not in any way reflect our opinions.

We, and a number of other former members of Bonita Nudist Resort, recently read the article “The Summer From Hell!” written by Jerry Troeger published on Nudist Day’s web site – and our collective jaws are still down to the floor. The article cannot go unanswered as it slaps the face of so many members who did so much backbreaking, and sometimes dangerous, work to help the Troegers realize their dream. The dream of becoming the new “caretakers” (a term of their choosing) of a truly beautiful, peaceful and unique setting that only Nature can provide.

Yes, the Troegers’ bought Buckridge Nudist Park and renamed it Bonita Nudist Resort and yes, there were a lot of upgrades needed and yes, Jerry fell from a tree and broke his ankle, but that is were fact ends and fiction begins. First, respect is certainly due to the previous owners as it is they who made Bonita what it is today. Cap & Carol Preston made many capital investments, constructing all of the camps current amenities including the hot tub (recent neglect risks its continued use) the petanque courts (now tracts of weeds), and the pool (which used to be open ALL the time and not by request). Except for 3 small windowless sheds currently being used as “cabins”, and some investments for required upgrades and maintenance the Troegers’ have not made any capital investments.

Second, the attempt at forming a co-op was hosted and ran by the Troegers. There were no red flags to be raised here – it was (amicably) obvious to everyone that this would not be a viable solution. I guess it should be mentioned here that the hosts of this meeting were constantly paranoid that the current owners had a spy hidden in the bushes listening to our every word – maybe he was right about the red flags!

Third, before the new caretakers could even think about opening their doors, there was a laundry list of items that needed to be addressed before a license would be issued. This list, that came only a few weeks before opening, was quickly made public to the many seasonal members who traditionally come to camp early to help with preparing their sites for the coming season. These members, without hesitation, took on not only the major projects on that list but also branch collection, raking and mowing of the entire camp, etc. I wonder why none of this was mentioned in Jerry’s article?

Ok, so now it’s a few weeks after the camp opens and Jerry mentions of a “meeting”. Here are some points to put some perspective on what was discussed prior to and at that meeting: The phone calls regarding the lack of water only started after repeated requests and a week without water; The calls were made at 5 am because the phone would constantly go unanswered during normal business hours; Their teenage children were not just in the office, they were at times, running it and yes – this is not appropriate; With SO many critically important things to attend to – like the office – maybe the garden shouldn’t have been a top priority. Also, according to the members that were at the meeting, although there were comments directed at Annie they weren’t racial slurs.

Continuing through Jerry’s article - The “phony complaints to the board of health” were far from phony. In fact Jerry, afraid to respond personally, offered incriminating information to another member who at great personal risk agreed to write letters to quell the situation. Furthermore, he was so paranoid that this member would try to do harm to his wife that several other members made special trips (some several hours away) to Bonita to make sure Annie was not alone when Jerry went to work.

“In all fairness, there were several members that took pity on us and did much to help and we thank them. But in some cases, there was a price tag on this too.” This is perhaps the statement that hurts the former members the most. When Jerry broke his ankle most of the members wanted and willingly jumped right in. They not only took care of the normal daily tasks, but also took on major projects. Not out of pity, but out of love for the park and the people that “live” there. One of the guys, who had done SO much for the park prior to and after Jerry & Annie bought the place, took on major electrical and plumbing projects worth thousands of dollars while his wife was always willing to help in the office and event planning. This same couple, former AANR officials, managed the snack bar offering many a mouthwatering meal. The price for THIS help? They were thought to be saboteurs and eventually told that they were not welcome at the park. The price to the rest of the members: An expanded dining area with a snack bar that was no more – unless you gave 24 hours notice that you wanted a hamburger or hot dog. The highest price here?: The loss of two of the most hardworking and fun members.

In all fairness, the water system is still plagued by problems, but maybe it’s because he insisted on using undersized pipe and not because of sabotage. The water system, by the way, was installed by the son of another member - a member who sustained a serious injury while performing HIS “pity” help. This injury was so serious that the member risked permanent disability. Fortunately after surgery and rehab he recovered - without seeking any retribution from Jerry. Here is some of the other help that so many members (both seasonal and associate) did for Jerry and the park: Drainage system at the lake, landscaping at the lake, help moving Jerry & Annie’s furniture from their previous house to their new residence. The price for this? - the loss of Fawn Hall, which used to be the camps only indoor social center. One member and his son constructed a staircase to connect the upper and lower level so that the Troegers had access to their kitchen and bathrooms without having to walk the outside perimeter of the building, while two other members took care of drainage problems to their new home. Other members converted the old game room into 2 rental rooms while still others helped with pool maintenance and so much more. Members gladly helped with the routine activities to run the camp since Annie had to drive Jerry’s tool truck so he could work while his ankle healed. Members did all of this not because they were asked but because they WANTED to – out of love not pity. The price here??? The trash dumpster was removed and members were told to take their trash with them many of whom stay for extended periods followed by a several hour (long) trip home. Hmmm… The red flags are really flying now.

Although this has already seemed like a lot for some people to read, this needed to be said. And, trust us, there is so much more that could have been added here. Perhaps the saddest of all is that the “troublemakers” that Jerry mentions in his article are the very same members that did all of this work. It seemed that the more a member did the more Jerry sought to drive them out. Is it any wonder that, without exception, we are now all former members?
So if there were lessons to be learned, they were learned by the members. As we have all moved on we take comfort in knowing that not all camp owners are like the Troegers. Bonita means beautiful and this tranquil place certainly lives up to its name but it’s not because of the Troegers, it’s in spite of them.

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - John Shuler, 42, pleaded guilty to child pornography charges on Friday (Oct. 26, 2007) in Federal court. Shuler and his girlfriend, who claimed to be nudists, had boasted online that they had sex with children and photographed them. When arrested, Shuler had nude pictures of a 12 year old victim in his wallet. His wife Heather is to be tried November 5. Nudist Day laments that modern society is filled with so many sex offenders and that some have managed to infiltrate naturist groups. Be vigilant!

Lately the news has been filled with headlines out of Burma, an Asian country that has suffered under the brutality of a military dictatorship for the past 45 years. Despite the lack of basic human rights in that nation, its despotic rulers aren’t against social nudity! As far back as 2001, they had in fact sold the rights to an island in the Andaman Sea to a Thai entrepreneur, for the purposes of building a nudist resort. Vikrom Isiri, who is also a politician in Thailand and has already built a casino resort on another Burmese island, planned to edify the nudist resort on Saint Luke’s island, where nudity would be mandatory. Our efforts to confirm the club exists six years later have turned-up empty, but if it ever is built, any nudist who would patronize such a place while the Generals still rule, deserves to be branded a “Faschudist”!