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Bay of Plenty Newsletter: March, 2022
This newsletter is included here because it includes an article written by Kevin & Joan who used to own and operate a resort named Katikati. It was located on the North Island of New Zealand and was a popular nudist oriented park and now has been purchased by new owners and Kevin & Joan are free to travel and enjoy retirement.
Kevin clearly explains the key word "Offensive" and how that can be interpretted. He also mentions the fact that most nudists are not out to make a point by mowing their lawn nude, etc. Both sides of the issue have legal roles and responsibilities as well as rights to behave in a polite manner. Some of the approaches and attitudes that Kevin has encountered while treking illustrates the tolerance that New Zealanders have which could surely be copied in other parts of the world.
Take a look at the newsletter and especially read Kevin's article.
Bay of Plenty Newsletter: March, 2022
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Take a look at this blog by Dan Carlson about family naturism:
https://meanderingnaturist.com/2019/02/08/the-case-of-the-disappearing-nudist-children/
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AANR
Do you ever do something like drive down the street and then think about what effort it takes for that experience to be a good one? For instance, engineers have to properly design the layout, contstruction workers have to lay pavement and sidewalks as well as build the drainage system, electricians have to wire signals and programmers have to program the PLCs that control the traffic lights and finally maintenance people have to constantly make this stuff work.
We may take for granted some of the priviledges that we nudists have gained over the years. AANR is the type of organization that constantly strives to make things better for us in the naturist community. For over 8 decades they have championed the causes against pretty tough odds and still are in the front when new challenges present themselves. The Government Affairs Team, GAT, chaired by Tim Mullins consistantly monitors legislative actions and proposed legislation and the members of the team do not hesitate to present our views whether in person at hearings or by written responses to the concerned political bodies. They will represent members and clubs at the local community as well as at the state and national levels. Their experience with these efforts can be a terrific meaningful resource to clubs like ours and we should remember to use it when we have this type of concern. All we have to do is let GAT know about a problem and they will help us out. As the political climate changes there may be those who want to take away some to the gains we have made and we must be well aware of those threats and not hesitate to challenge them. We want to expand our priviledges and rights, not deminish them.
AANR is important in other respects as well. The Bulletin is packed with meaningful articles that pertain to our way of life. These works not only reflect the experiences of others, they also offer information about topics like: sun exposure, make-up use, travel, spas, nudist pride, and other items of interest. The columns by the Executive Director and President always include very insightful observations that have meaning for the members. The Bulletin also offers a classified ad service and advertising opportunities for resorts, etc.
ANNR provides benefits and services that make it well worth our annual contributions.
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Naturism Article
Here is a URL for an interesting article from on the other side of the pond, as they say.
5-ways-nudism-will-enhance-your-social-life
Featured Resort
The Orient Land Trust, OLT- Valley View Hot Springs as we know it, has been a favorite destination of nudists for over 30 years. Located at the top of the San Luis Valley of Colorado just south of the town of Salida, Valley View is situated on 2300 acres of mountainside property. Hot springs are the major attraction and the resort offers cabins, RV spaces as well as tent sites for campers.
The resort is managed and operated by a board of trustees and a team of employees. Changes and improvements are performed by volunteers who donate their time and talents.
Valley View Things to Do
Soak & relax in the various hot springs.
Explore Orient Mine
Witness Bat Flight from Mine Entrance
Hike naked in the many trails through 2300 acres of mountain terrain.
Join OLT & volunteer to work on improvements.
Become a governing board member.
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Here we plan to keep the membership informed of the latest happenings and events organized by the Roadrunner Naturist Club. Additionally, we will discuss topics of interest and reprint news, opinions and articles from other publications that we think will be interesting to our group. We ask the membership to submit any suggestions, opinions, rants and raves. If we find them suitable we will publish them.
Roadrunner Event Calendar
Events have been added to our calendar for 2018 and are included here. We have included a Google Calendar for those who like to scan blocks of time while deciding which events fit their schedule. We have also included a printable page that includes all of the events for the year. This a handy tool for the “ refridgerator door” folks who like to keep the events listed all in one place. The calendar page has a brief description of each event and a link to more details. The member can scan the coming months to find out what is happening and choose the events that interest him/her.
To review the event details the member can click on the “Details/RSVP”. Then to let the hosts know that the member intends to attend the event he/she can click on the “RSVP” link, complete the online form and submit it.
With few exceptions, “ RSVP" links are only included for the next 2-3 months because we think that will be sufficient time for the hosts to plan as well as for the members to firm up their schedules.
Remember to recheck the calendar page before attending an event. Schedules change and your printed-off form may not be the latest and greatest. Also, it is necessary to RSVP to the hosts and if changes have happened they will advise you about them.
This procedure has been in beta testing for a few months now and seems to work well. If you have suggestions for improvements let the web-guy know.
AANR E-Bulletin
One of the meaningful benefits of belonging to an AANR affiliated club is the monthly AANR E-Bulletin. This publication contains informative articles about our lifestyle that can explain and reenforce your ideas and convictions about living nude.
The latest issue is a shining example of what this publication should be about. Dan Whicker, the new Executive Director, writes about “No Comparison” and brings home some of the questions we all have had about ourselves and others. He gets right down to it when he expresses the need to question the views of persons who are hesitant because they are not “perfect” in one way or another. Dan has a very good writing style and we are fortunate to be able to read his articles.
On a sad note, there is a short notice about the death of Allen Alexander. His wife, Cheri, started Travelites Club and is still active in its operation.
Bev Price, AANR President, writes an article about FUN. She has a good perspective about what we should be looking for as part of our way of life.
Tim Mullens, the Governmant Affairs Chair, always has serious information about governmental relations with folks trying to promote nudism around the USA. He and his group tirelessly present arguments at all levels of government and struggle to maintain the rights we have and enjoy. If you do not read any other part of the E-Bulletin you should read Tim’s section.
The article on European Nude Spas by Ron Levin points out how different the folks over there are and how easily they relate to nudism and public nudity. Hopefully, we will experience more acceptance and change in the attitudes of both our public and our public officials. "Here’s to hoping that some of this European mindset and their textile-free wellness paradises make their way over to the land of the free.” I think we all can agree with that statement.
This months E-Bulletin includes articles on family projects, books & movies, and workout planning. Some AANR staff members wrote about their first nudist experience at a commercial spa while others tell about nude beach outings. They share stories that we all can identify with.
The E-Bulletin always has a club section and usually spotlight one club. The Sandy Bares is written about in this issue.
Also, there is an article by Joan Harris, WINR Chair, about Women in Nude Recreation. Women with questions and concerns will find this short work interesting. The current E-Bulletin is packed with other articles about clubs, travel, cooking, health, some children’s puzzles and even a Nudist Bill of Rights.
Another aspect of the newsletter is the classified ads and commercial advertisements that members and businesses place there. These advertisements show how others have lived and spent their years living the nudist lifestyle. You might start to wonder if it is possible to have a park model at Turtle Lake for summer use and spend the winters in another park in Arizona. There are all types of accomodations available at all prices and it makes you really consider the possibilities.
This is just a brief touch on this very important publication by AANR. The new design and layout is great, easy to read and packed with new attractive articles and photos. It is worth your time to sit down and become informed about AANR, our lifestyle and the experiences of others.
NATURISM MAKES COMEBACK IN FRANCE AS MILLENNIALS REBEL AGAINST THE RULES OF THEIR PARENT’S GENERATION
FFN estimates that in the past three years alone, the number of naturists in France has leaped from 1.5 million to 2 million.
By Gary Mussell (Article published in the SCNA Newsletter, Ocotber 2016. Reprinted here with permission.)
In 2009, this newsletter reported on a steep decline in top freedom and nudity in France. At the time, Gen-Xers expressed their disapproval with their parent’s promotion of nudity and semi-nudity at seaside resorts and beaches, claiming it was promoting skin cancer. There was also a dramatic rise of cell phone cameras and the potential for photos to be placed on the Internet without permission.
Nudists around the world lamented the loss of what had always been the world capital for top freedom. A 2008 poll found 24% of French women were perturbed by top freedom on beaches, while 57% said it was OK only in a private garden. A law was passed that along the beaches that line the nearby Seine River, topless sunbathing was punishable with a fine of €15,000 per offense. Then things began to change. The children of the Gen Xers, the Millennials, rediscovered the health benefits and body freedom of not wearing clothes, and they became more comfortable with nude tweets. It was also a way of protesting against their parent’s rules and values. “Young people are using nudity as one of many ways to speak out against authority,” said Jacques Freeman, the head of communication at APNEL (Association for the Promotion of Naturism and Liberty). “Nudity is understood as freedom from their parent’s culture.”
Many females choose to become naturists in order to make a feminist statement, he explained. “In being naked they feel empowered.” The recent surge in immigrants from the Middle East may also be a factor, as the French seem to be rebelling against the newcomer’s demands for more modesty on the streets and separate beaches for Muslim women where only burkas may be worn.
Yves Leclerc, the vice-president of French Federation of Naturism, said that young French couples with children were particularly responsible for the new surge in interest. “ young couples are attracted to naturist camping holidays because there is a far greater sense of family and conviviality in these spaces," he said. “The spirit of these campsites is far more about tranquility, security and conviviality." He added that the camps were an excellent place for children to play and learn.
Many naturist holiday campsites are specifically family- orientated and provide a secure and communal environment as well as activities for naturist families, he explained. The Fédération Française de Naturisme - FFN (French Federation of Naturism) is reporting an increase of 40 percent in memberships between 2014 and 2015 alone. In a reply to a newspaper article about the sudden trend reversal, Eric John, a local tourist wrote: “The last time I visited Cassis/Calanques was 10 years ago and only remember there being a few topless sunbathers. But I was there again in June and I was struck how many people were going full natural.
Another reason might have been a TV promotional campaign last April by the French tourist bureau in Atout, France, that targeted the typically prudish Brits to come to France for its "naturist environments.” “For the naturist, France offers the chance to enjoy a free lifestyle in any environment you wish." The ad went viral in social media for several months.
A few weeks ago, the Green Party in Paris proposed a law that would designate a nudist park area within the city similar to parks that exist in Germany. The Nudist Association of Paris (ANP) claims 372 members and say current facilities for them are cramped. One such area could be alongside Daumesnil Lake in Bois de Vincennes to the east of the city. The Paris City Council announced plans to turn the lake into a public swimming zone by 2019, and the nudists are asking for a designated area there. Deputy mayor Bruno Julliard has expressed support for the nudist proposal. France now boasts a full 460 spaces totally dedicated to naturists, most of which are camps or colonies. There are also 73 naturist beaches, 35 bed and breakfasts, and 24 nudist swimming pools.
copyright: SCNA Newsletter for October 2016
Roadrunner Discussion Groups
Discussion Groups
You never realize how much knowledge and talent resides in a group until the time comes that individuals have the opportunity to demonstrate that knowledge . Lately, the Roadrunners have started two discussion groups—one is a Reader’s Group and the other is a Science Geek Discussion Group— and the initial meetings of these groups have shown that there is a great amount of both talent and interest in these subdivisions of the Roadrunner Naturists Club. The readers have completed one book and have choosen a second one to read during the next month. Their plan is to read a work during every 4-5 weeks then meet and discuss the book and author. To hear the impressions of others about the same work is an enlightening experience and shows that not all of us come with the same background and reference points, etc. Some readers are concerned with the realism of the story while others are more into the ideology that the author expresses. The reader’s group is a great experience and stimulates the mind to consider all aspects of the book.
The Science Geeks explored the latest contemporary discovery of a possible 9th planet existing in the outer reaches of our solar system. The discussion leader explaned the organization and historical changes to the solar system as well as its relationship to the Kaiper Belt objects which led to the current thinking that there is a huge Neptune sized planet orbiting around the currently known objects and influencing their behavior. The members of the group are certainly not PhD scientists and the group leader did a great job of tailoring the discussion so everyone was able to grasp the concepts and understand most of the ideas. He also had made some physical devices that really helped demonstrate the nature of orbits and how objects are positioned as they travel through space. This group has chosen a new topic for the next session in March. They are going to look into the “hot” topic of GMOs.
These two groups meet at members’ homes and are a good example of how the nudist lifestyle can be successfully incorporated with other interests. Members should feel free to contact a member of either group if you are interested in joining. There is a limit to the viable number of members but there are a couple of openings in each group as of now. Use the contact phone or email address to find out who to contact if you don’t know of the members.
The Roadrunner Readers just finished "The Girl in the Spider’s Web” by David Lagercrantz. It is the fourth in the Lisbeth Salander series set in Sweden. The first three books were written by Stieg Larsson and the entire set is called the Millennium Series.
The first Larsson book was so innovative and unusual that it created massive interest throughout the world and was translated into many languages. Three films were made of the story — two European and one American. It created lots of interest in other Scandinavian authors, like Jo Nesbo, which they still enjoy. The weather, location and structure of the agencies in this areas surely contribute to the types of stories that have been written there.
This latest book was a difficult read because it involved too many characters and too many different story lines. The reader has to really pay attention to keep track of the threads that weave the tales. It is not a “I can’t put it down” book like the first in the series. I suppose if our group was a rating group we would give it a 2 1/2 stars our of 5.
Next we are reading “Assata” by Assata Shakur, the autobiography of a member of the Black Panther Party during its heyday. She lived in exile in Cuba for many years and this book was written there.
Also, we are compiling a list of possible works to read and would like for the other members of the Roadrunners to offer suggestions about their favorite good reads and we welcome any members who would like to join our group. It is great fun to present one’s opinion about a book and to see how your opinion differs or is the same as others. We have a good time discussing the characters and story lines in the books we read. Come join us!!