Ilsley Continues his Travels This week, Ilsley travels to Portland, Oregon, for a visit with members of Hidden Springs. A long-established Pacific Northwest nonlanded club, memberships are available to singles, couples, and families. Hidden Springs is a many-time winner of the most traveled nonlanded club in AANR and has also won many awards for its informative newsletter. Members are active and enjoy Indoor Nude Recreation Nights at a local athletic club and the popular Bare Bowling. They also visit landed clubs, take trips to hot springs and nude beaches, and attend activities hosted by members. Ilsley will take a little side trip to California this weekend to spend time with members of another nonlanded nudist club, the Southern California Naturist Association (SCNA). SCNA promotes or hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year such as pool parties, barbecues, and resort/beach weekends. Special multi-day events are scattered throughout the calendar year with houseboat trips to Lake Mojave or Lake Mead, rafting down the Colorado River, or nude sailing weekends.This weekend, Ilsley will make an appearance at one of the club's biggest parties of the year. The Ilsley is a traveling trophy commissioned to commemorate AANR's 75th Anniversary as the credible voice of reason for nude recreation in North America. Ilsley is traveling to nearly 40 AANR clubs and resorts across the U.S. and Canada. Throughout his tour, special themed events and celebrations are planned at host clubs along the way. The award is named for the late Rev. Ilsley Boone, the founder and first Executive Director of AANR's predecessor, the American Sunbathing Association. Boone is perhaps best remembered as the flamboyant clergyman who served as plaintiff in the 1958 case of Sunshine Book Co. v. Summerfield. That case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court and established, once and for all, First Amendment protection for nudist publications. Ilsley ends his tour in August 2006 at the Association's 75th Anniversary Convention at Deanza Springs Resort outside San Diego, California. You can track Ilsley's weekly progress on his year-long tour right here on the AANR website. 
Nude Art Print Stays Put Art gallery owner Sid Sax didn't see a problem when he displayed a print of Federico Botero's "The Bath" in his Fernandina Beach, Florida, shop, Yahoo!News reports. However, the bare bottom of the woman in the print caught the attention of one offended passerby who went to the city and asked what rules were in place regarding public displays of nudity. Sax was asked to take the print down, as it supposedly violated a city sign ordinance and he already had one sign in place. Sax refused to remove the artwork and filed a lawsuit on the grounds that it wasn't a sign, it was tasteful, non-sexual art. The city retracted its request for Sax to remove the picture and has agreed to pay him nearly $5,000 to cover his legal fees. Read more at Art Store Wins Dispute. It's Not Too Late To Shed Your Threads If you missed the celebration of Nude Recreation Week, July 10-16, it's not too late to join in the fun. Last week 50,000 members of the American Association for Nude Recreation celebrated the event's 31st year. Nude Recreation Week 2006 was a great success and was covered in various media venues throughout North America. Events ranged from fine art shows to sports tournaments to open houses. The common ingredient? Friendly, accepting folks who share a passion for clothes-free recreation. There's plenty of summer left. Visit an AANR Club near you for a stress-free experience you won't soon forget. Outdoors, Au Naturel An article in the Akron Beacon Journal by staff writer Mark J. Price details the early days of nudism in America in Ohio during the 1930s. Stemming from interest in the back-to-nature movement that had already caught on in Europe, a group of Akronites began enjoying the benefits of nude recreation even as the Great Depression loomed. Campers met in the woods of a 55-acre farm. Memberships were inexpensive, and regimens were strict including "strict character examinations." At one time seven clubs were operating in the area with an emphasis on morality and health. Yet even though nudity was new to America and local officials were suspicious at first, they declined to make any arrests or interfere with the campers, recognizing the campers' right to enjoy their chosen pastime on private property. Those early nudists contributed to the legacy that their great-granchildren can enjoy today in nudist clubs and campgrounds across North America in an atmosphere that promotes body acceptance and respects diversity. Read more at Outdoors, Au Naturel.  |
