Conference moira::naturism

40.0. "Clothing-Optional Life" by MOIRA::FAIMAN (Ontology Recapitulates Philology) Mon Apr 04 1988 19:11

    I just got the second issue of _clothing-optional_Life_ this weekend.
    This little magazine is a real gem!

    A little history:  the editor, Jim Cunningham, is virtually a naturist
    organization all by himself.  For some years he published _Divine_
    _Reflections_, a Christian/nudist magazine.  (I've never seen an
    issue.)  This was succeeded by _Barefoot_, an interesting hybrid of
    naturism, holistic living (e.g., homebirths and herbal medicine), and
    religion.  _Barefoot_ lasted two issues and was succeeded by _coL_.
    He also tried to start a Christian nudist boarding school, Mount Carmel
    Academy, which apparently fizzled (but MCA is the official publisher of
    _coL_).  MCA Recreation Club apparently has regularly clothing-optional
    recreational activities in the northern Vermont area.

    In _coL_, the holistic content has been dropped.  "Divine Reflections"
    lives on as a department ("In this regular feature topics concerning
    clothing and religion are discussed.  Any religion which is part of our
    culture is welcome.")  But the focus is on nudity, and particularly
    family nudism, as a wholesome way of life.

    The magazine is approximately 50% photos (many full-page).  While
    they're black and white (or sepia, or other half-tone effects), the
    quality is remarkably high.  (In this latest issue, the cover is a very
    nice four-color wraparound picture, and Jim indicates that he'll be
    trying to do more four-color work in the future.)  The family/living
    orientation is clear in the photos:  there are pictures of small
    children, teenagers, families, people mowing their lawn, reading in
    their living room, showering, etc., as well as people at beaches and
    swimming pools.  The photos are consistently both attractive and in
    good taste.

    One of the features on _Barefoot_ which was carried over to _coL_ is
    "Vermont ... Naturally".  "This section of COL, composed by the editor,
    describes in detail various places in Vermont where nudity is socially
    acceptable."  He says that this fourth installment of "Vermont
    Naturally" will be the last, since he's pretty well covered the sites
    he knows of (and doesn't want to limit the interest of the magazine to
    Vermonters), but the back installments are available, either with the
    full issues of the magazines or as photocopies.

    Other content includes a longish (but interesting) editorial, personal
    experience articles, "Nakid Memories" ("a collection of autobiograph-
    ical reminiscences submitted by COL readers"), "Clothed Encounters"
    ("readers share true stories about when they were caught 'with their
    pants down' and what the reactions were"), and  a long letters section
    (with a more intimate feeling than typical "Letters to the Editor"
    departments). 

    If you want the latest information about the legal fight over
    Assateague or Moonstone, you probably won't find it here.  If you're
    looking for recommendations for Carribean resorts, subscribe to
    _Clothed_with_the_Sun_.  But if you want a magazine that makes you feel
    good about nudity and its possibilities for your way of life, this is
    certainly it.  I would recommend _clothing-optional_Life_ without
    reservation.  Subscribe today!  (Enclose $5 extra for a copy of the
    first issue.)

    Issues are 7x10", slightly smaller than "standard" magazine size, and
    60 pages.  Production quality is high (especially considering that this
    is basically a one-man garage publication).  Publication is "about
    quarterly", meaning "at least three times a year".  Published by Mt.
    Carmel Academy, RR 1, Box 1737, Waterville, VT 05492.  Subscriptions
    (four issues) are $15 (first-class mail, $20; outside the USA,
    "inquire".) 

    Issue 3 of COL came out over Christmas.  It is just as nice (and
    just as late) as the previous issues.
    
    There is a new address for subscriptions and other correspondence:
    
    	clothing-optional LIFE
    	P. O. Box 452
    	Enosburg Falls, VT
    	05450

see 229.0 for a description of _Vermont Unveiled_, the collected "Vermont ...
Naturally" columns from _Barefoot_ and _Clothing Optional Life_.