Nudist Profiles

Nancy Tieman

It goes without saying that as we kick off February, many of us nudists are packing our bags to set sail on the “Big Nude Boat” with Bare Necessities.  It is appropriate that this month’s nudist spotlight is on Nancy Tieman.

The first cruise was in 1991, and this year represents a twenty-fifth anniversary for both Bare Necessities and the nude cruises.  Nancy Tieman created a niche in nude recreation and filled a need for nudists from all over the world.  The cruises are first class, and to say that the February cruises have become a Who’s Who in the nudist community would be an understatement.

Nancy has not only revolutionized the nude cruise; she continues to be an ambassador for nude recreation and a partner to many organizations and communities within the nude recreation industry.  Nudism has benefitted immeasurably from her support of the community, her donations to it and her impact in not only the nudist world, but in the mainstream as well.

Thank you, Nancy, for all you have done for our community, and congratulations on twenty-five years of success.  We will see you in a few weeks!

Renee Christian

This month’s featured nudist is someone who is absolutely beautiful from the inside out. Renee Christian and her partner Tom, has just celebrated twenty-eight years of making nudists beautiful though their special boutique, Under the Sun, which is geared primarily towards “clothing for the free spirit” and is well known within our community. However, what helps make Under the Sun truly special is Renee. Anyone who is personally acquainted with her knows her big smile, large heart and her commitment to the nudist community. Under the Sun has also been a long-time participating business with AANR.

Renee sees things in people we don’t see in ourselves. Shopping with Renee is not a “shopping trip”; it is a “shopping experience”. No matter what kind of day you have had or what is going on in your world, she makes everyone feel special and beautiful. If you have spent an afternoon with Renee, met her at a nudist resort, had her pick out an outfit for you or just made her acquaintance, you know what we are talking about.

So, in celebration of Under the Sun’s 28 years, let’s celebrate 28 years of Renee making the nudist community look and feel beautiful. Her patience, kindness, generosity and loving spirit are as renowned as the clothes she sells. We, as nudists, know it is not about the clothing; it’s about what is on the inside. The irony here is that what Renee does is make us feel beautiful on the outside as well as inside.

Thank you Renee for all you contribute to our community!

Morley Schloss

Our entire nation changed in 1969, highlighted by an event that signifies an entire era, generation and change in mindset for our country. That event was Woodstock, and it forever changed the life of Morley Schloss. Woodstock was his first “skinny dipping” experience, and since that moment, he has not only been a naturist, his life’s work has been geared towards the advocacy, education and promotion of being a Naturist.

Morley founded Naturist Rochester, which is the longest running non-landed city naturist club in the US. He has coordinated the Northeast Naturist Festival at Empire Haven for 24 years and has coordinated the Midwinter Naturist Festival at Sunsport Gardens, which will celebrate its 50th year in 2015, for 27 years. These alone are major accomplishments, but these only scratch the surface of his involvement in the preservation and growth of Naturism.

Perhaps one of the most interesting facts about Morley was divulged in the decision of the 1992 ruling of New York’s highest court, where the People of the State of New York v. Santorelli and Schloss gave women equal rights to be top-free. Morley and his then-wife, Mary, were leaders in this case, perhaps one of the most important cases in our nation’s history for this effort, and still stands today.

Morley, a former president of Eastern Sunbathing Association (ESA) – now AANR-East – , is one of the founders of the Naturist Society NAC and Education Council who has spent a lifetime serving, preserving and advocating our way of life. Interestingly enough, with all of this history, he admits that one of the accomplishments he is proudest of, is the abolishment of the royalty pageants that ASA (now AANR) held. He felt strongly that these pageants were a misrepresentation of our community.

In 2008, Morley received the Baxandall Naturist Leadership Award “in recognition of exceptional volunteer service on behalf of naturism”. Lee Baxandall personally suggested he receive this award, which meant a lot to Morley.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about Morley is that he walks the walk. His club, Sunsport Gardens, is a true naturist haven. The property is unique in that it is a family-orientated community, where organic, healthy living practices – both mind and body – are instilled. The club is ecologically minded and works to preserve the vegetation and habitat. Additionally, their restaurant is health food conscious, and the primary source of heat for the hot tub spa, pool and some showers is solar panels.

Sunsport Gardens is also a leader in a fair approach, and there is NO discrimination regardless of marital status, gender, sexual orientation or age. But in all fairness to Morley, the one thing that stands out is his work with the younger nudists. Where many organizations and clubs have failed to nurture a program that supports our youth, Morley has succeeded. He supports three events a year for young adults, which will draw anywhere from 75 to 200 of our communities younger generation. He truly walks the walk for what he believes in. Many of us cannot quote the exact definition of Naturist, but one thing is for sure, if you look up Naturist in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Morley Schloss.

Thank you, Morley, for the investment of your time and your life to the preservation and education of naturism!