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Looking Back - Reminiscing with Jack Lebo
No Clothing, But Plenty Of Sunscreen
At NJ’s Sunshine Park
A It was a Friday in August and the year was 1980. It turned out to be a day that would remain in my memory for many years to come. I was busily at work at my desk at a daily newspaper in New Jersey, when the editor approached with an assignment. Now this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill assignment. I was to visit a nearby nudist colony, for a series of interviews with a number of guests and employees for a feature story.
Following a phone call to set up an appointment with the director, I hopped into my Honda and headed toward Mays Landing, New Jersey. I had no problem locating the Sunshine Park Nudist Resort, with numerous signs in Mays Landing pointing the way.
I drove to the entrance and was directed to the main office. As I entered, it looked much like any other efficiently-run office — an attractive young secretary was seated behind a highly-polished desk, answering the ringing phone and typing correspondence; a chambermaid was carrying a basket load of soiled bedclothes; a pair of teenage girls came toting an ice bucket for a refill; and a middle-aged maintenance man was tinkering with a light switch on the wall. It was the usual bustle of a moderately-furnished businesslike office, a perfectly normal scene, except for one thing...NO ONE WAS WEARING CLOTHING!
A sweet voice came from behind the secretary’s desk, “Have a seat, sir, and our director will be with you shortly.”
Dr. N. was the director of this unique enterprise, and this is where I was introduced to a way of life...NUDISM.
While waiting for the arrival of Dr. N., my eyes couldn’t help but wander around the office. The doctor’s secretary went about her tasks. She got up several times searching through the file cabinet, unperturbed that a visitor, trying his best not to stare, was staring straight at her. When I observed that she was completely nude, I erred. She did wear a wrist-watch and a gold necklace. I just hadn’t noticed. The chambermaid unloaded the basketful of soiled sheets and pillowcases into a huge hamper in a closet, and removed some fresh, neatly-folded ones from the shelves.
The two giggling teenagers came through the door asking where they may fill their ice bucket. They were pointed toward the kitchen, where they bounced in and accomplished their mission, giggling the entire time. Could it be me, the only one in the office wearing clothes? The maintenance man was all business. He carried one of those large metal tool boxes and wore a belt which held a variety of screwdrivers, pliers, and an assortment of tools, as he fiddled with the light switch. This scene looked especially like a hilarious comic film. There was this gent, buck-naked, going about his work, wearing a ridiculous red cap inscribed with the initials, “S.P.”for Sunshine Park.
Finally, the doctor arrived and I was ushered into his office. I asked some routine questions for starters. According to Dr. N, “There’s no need for high walls or security guards here, primarily, because social nudity is becoming more and more acceptable these days, and problems with interlopers and peeping-toms are now a thing of the past.”
Continued the Doctor, “Sunshine Park had been in existence for the past 61 years. It was founded by a Baptist Minister, Dr. Boon, who became sold on nudism in Sweden and Germany, while traveling through Europe. Dr. Boone returned to the United States, full of enthusiasm. He purchased 100 acres of land on the shores of the Egg Harbor River in 1931 and incorporated it as a nudist resort in 1936. The park has been in operation ever since.”
This year-round resort has been well-accepted by the surrounding communities. As a matter of fact, two handsome scrolls are proudly displayed on the doctor’s office walls proclaiming Sunshine Park as being “Good taxpayers and a definite asset to the communities of Hamilton Township for the past 61 years.”
“Many families and couples spend their entire vacations here,” declared the Doctor. “They either pitch their own tents, or live in the trailers or cabins. Other sun enthusiasts come in to spend the day, or the entire weekend. Many other guests spend their evenings in Atlantic City, just about 15 miles up the road. Presumably, with their clothes on.”
The Golden Rule
Regulations at Sunshine Park, said the director, are quite simple: “The major rule is, the Golden Rule...Do unto one’s neighbors as you would like them to do unto you. In other words, don’t stare at his wife - if he has one - or his lady friend. Contain yourself so far as your emotional reactions. Keep pets on a leash, and keep that camera in the trunk of your auto. Everyone who comes here seems to bend over backward to have no ‘hanky-panky’. As a result, we have a nice group of folks here whose only common denominator is that they don’t happen to wear any clothing at the moment.”
The director’s statements were to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. I observed, as I strolled around the grounds, wearing nothing but my trusty tape recorder, and being escorted by one of the director’s assistants. Several moments after leaving the office and entering the grounds, I got over the initial shock of realizing, I, too, was naked as a jay-bird.
I spoke to a husband and wife, Bill and Rose, who were sunbathing on a pier along the Egg Harbor River. Bill revealed that they were from upstate New York and this was their second visit to the park. They enjoyed the park so much last year, that they decided to return this season. “This whole idea of nudism is fairly new to us,” said Rose. “It’s a very pleasant and relaxing experience and we’re truly enjoying it. I would strongly encourage anyone to try it.”
My escort and I then wandered over to the Crystal Valley Cafe, which was crowded with noontime diners. This natural food restaurant is operated by a couple from New York City, John and Nancy, who informed us that all the food served here, is served in the style of the patrons, AU-NATURAL! For instance, the hot dogs are nitrate-free, and without chemicals. Meatballs with spaghetti are made strictly of grain and soybeans, not meat.
“How does it feel, serving food in the nude and finding your customers also not wearing a stitch?” I asked Nancy. “Absolutely great!” came Nancy’s reply. “It’s the ideal combination-natural food and people in the natural!”
So there! The old nudist camp myth is exploded. There are no high walls with barbed wire surrounding the grounds. No heavily-armed guards at the entrance and other locations keeping an eye out for trespassers and peeping-toms. No lecherous old gents drooling from the mouth while watching unclothed young beauties playing volleyball, and not a single couple participating in hanky-panky behind the bushes.
Sunshine Park turned out to be a very nice, quiet, wooded area of Mays Landing, alongside the sparkling clean, unpolluted Egg Harbor River, in a glorious “movie scene” setting, with friendly families, and people of all ages, relaxing and enjoying themselves in the brilliant sunshine. With my mission accomplished, speaking with sun worshippers of all ages, I returned to the office, and bid farewell to all, and headed for home. Enroute, I passed a public park, where a number of families were enjoying a picnic. Somehow, it all looked quite strange and out-of-place to me. You see, everyone was wearing clothes!
(Editor’s Note: Sunshine Park is no longer in operation.)
*
The year 1941 certainly stands out in my mind, not only for the attack at Pearl Harbor, but for the popular music at that time. As a guy who collected 78 rpm records, I recall many of the best-selling recordings that were played via our local radio stations. Talk radio was unheard of, and most stations used the music format.
1941 was the height of the Big Band Era. The bobby-soxers may have swooned over Frank Sinatra, but it was Tommy Dorsey’s name on the record. Ditto Bob Eberle whose silky smooth vocals with Helen O’Connell sold many a record — for Jimmy Dorsey. The musicians’ union strike was only a year away, but for 1941 the dance halls ruled, ballroom tickets were affordable, the great Depression was quickly becoming a memory, and the war was something the Europeans would have to figure out.
Sinatra was Tommy Dorsey’s lead vocalist, backed by the Pied Pipers on at least 10 of his chart hits. The Pied Pipers were a quartet of three men and one woman, who happened to be Jo Stafford. Stafford’s first hit came in 1941, a song called “Yes Indeed” that she sang solo, along with an assist by Sy Oliver. Tommy Dorsey allegedly fired one of the Pied Pipers in 1942, which led to the departure of the whole group in a show of team unity.
With the eventual departure of Sinatra in 1942, Tommy turned to Dick Haymes for vocal leadership. A bit of trivia: a certain trumpet player joined Dorsey after his discharge following World War II. The kid was raw, but Dorsey saw something he liked. That trumpeter was Carl “Doc” Severinson.
Jimmy Dorsey ran something of a smoother ship in the early 1940s. He owned the #1 spot for 19 weeks out of 52 in 1941, a record that wouldn’t stand long—-Glenn Miller eclipsed it in just a year later. But don’t let that minimize Jimmy’s achievement in 1941; each of the five most popular songs spent at least a week on top of the charts. “Amapola” spent 10 weeks at number one, and is therefore one of the all-time “monster” chart toppers. It would have topped Artie Shaw’s “Frenesi” on this list but for the fact that Shaw’s number already had a few weeks at number one in December of 1940.
Jimmy Dorsey’s hits featured a unique 3-part format. The “A-B-C” arrangement saw Bob Eberly lead the first third, the band-led by Jimmy’s sax took the second part, and Helen O’Connell would finish it out with a flourish. As the average playing time of a commercial 78 rpm record was 3 minutes, each “section” lasted about one minute. It was an unstoppable formula in 1941.
One of the few vocalists not tied to a Big Band in 1941 was Dinah Shore. Although Jo Stafford had a solo hit, and Billie Holiday was regarded as a solo act, both toured as part of larger orchestras. Considering that the Andrews Sisters were a group, it is generally believed, although not easy to verify, that Dinah Shore was the first female, pop star to “call her own shots” if you will. Although later stars like Doris Day and Patti Page would eclipse Dinah on the charts, none would eclipse her ability to perfectly hit each note.
One of the solo artists listed on the charts is Ernest Tubb, with one of the few times that a country song is found on a PopularSong.org annual chart. Another solo name listed is Vaughn Monroe, but he was very much a bandleader in 1941 — still playing the trumpet as more than just an occasional diversion. “Racing With the Moon” would go on to become known as “Vaughn’s Theme” over the ensuing years.
The Dorseys would continue as a major draw for the next dozen or so years, although the size and scope of their various orchestras would swell and shrink. After Tommy succumbed to cancer in 1953, Jimmy combined the show and held on for a couple more years. Jimmy’s last big hit, “So Rare,” was recorded just prior to his death, although it is generally believed that he did not perform on the recording. But as of 1941, The Fabulous Dorsey Brothers were on top of the world of American pop music.
*
Looking Back appears each month. Do you have a memory you’d like to share? Drop a line to: Jack Lebo, Looking Back, 37 Locust Lane, Levittown, PA 19054, or call (215) 943-8870, email: [email protected].
At NJ’s Sunshine Park
A It was a Friday in August and the year was 1980. It turned out to be a day that would remain in my memory for many years to come. I was busily at work at my desk at a daily newspaper in New Jersey, when the editor approached with an assignment. Now this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill assignment. I was to visit a nearby nudist colony, for a series of interviews with a number of guests and employees for a feature story.
Following a phone call to set up an appointment with the director, I hopped into my Honda and headed toward Mays Landing, New Jersey. I had no problem locating the Sunshine Park Nudist Resort, with numerous signs in Mays Landing pointing the way.
I drove to the entrance and was directed to the main office. As I entered, it looked much like any other efficiently-run office — an attractive young secretary was seated behind a highly-polished desk, answering the ringing phone and typing correspondence; a chambermaid was carrying a basket load of soiled bedclothes; a pair of teenage girls came toting an ice bucket for a refill; and a middle-aged maintenance man was tinkering with a light switch on the wall. It was the usual bustle of a moderately-furnished businesslike office, a perfectly normal scene, except for one thing...NO ONE WAS WEARING CLOTHING!
A sweet voice came from behind the secretary’s desk, “Have a seat, sir, and our director will be with you shortly.”
Dr. N. was the director of this unique enterprise, and this is where I was introduced to a way of life...NUDISM.
While waiting for the arrival of Dr. N., my eyes couldn’t help but wander around the office. The doctor’s secretary went about her tasks. She got up several times searching through the file cabinet, unperturbed that a visitor, trying his best not to stare, was staring straight at her. When I observed that she was completely nude, I erred. She did wear a wrist-watch and a gold necklace. I just hadn’t noticed. The chambermaid unloaded the basketful of soiled sheets and pillowcases into a huge hamper in a closet, and removed some fresh, neatly-folded ones from the shelves.
The two giggling teenagers came through the door asking where they may fill their ice bucket. They were pointed toward the kitchen, where they bounced in and accomplished their mission, giggling the entire time. Could it be me, the only one in the office wearing clothes? The maintenance man was all business. He carried one of those large metal tool boxes and wore a belt which held a variety of screwdrivers, pliers, and an assortment of tools, as he fiddled with the light switch. This scene looked especially like a hilarious comic film. There was this gent, buck-naked, going about his work, wearing a ridiculous red cap inscribed with the initials, “S.P.”for Sunshine Park.
Finally, the doctor arrived and I was ushered into his office. I asked some routine questions for starters. According to Dr. N, “There’s no need for high walls or security guards here, primarily, because social nudity is becoming more and more acceptable these days, and problems with interlopers and peeping-toms are now a thing of the past.”
Continued the Doctor, “Sunshine Park had been in existence for the past 61 years. It was founded by a Baptist Minister, Dr. Boon, who became sold on nudism in Sweden and Germany, while traveling through Europe. Dr. Boone returned to the United States, full of enthusiasm. He purchased 100 acres of land on the shores of the Egg Harbor River in 1931 and incorporated it as a nudist resort in 1936. The park has been in operation ever since.”
This year-round resort has been well-accepted by the surrounding communities. As a matter of fact, two handsome scrolls are proudly displayed on the doctor’s office walls proclaiming Sunshine Park as being “Good taxpayers and a definite asset to the communities of Hamilton Township for the past 61 years.”
“Many families and couples spend their entire vacations here,” declared the Doctor. “They either pitch their own tents, or live in the trailers or cabins. Other sun enthusiasts come in to spend the day, or the entire weekend. Many other guests spend their evenings in Atlantic City, just about 15 miles up the road. Presumably, with their clothes on.”
The Golden Rule
Regulations at Sunshine Park, said the director, are quite simple: “The major rule is, the Golden Rule...Do unto one’s neighbors as you would like them to do unto you. In other words, don’t stare at his wife - if he has one - or his lady friend. Contain yourself so far as your emotional reactions. Keep pets on a leash, and keep that camera in the trunk of your auto. Everyone who comes here seems to bend over backward to have no ‘hanky-panky’. As a result, we have a nice group of folks here whose only common denominator is that they don’t happen to wear any clothing at the moment.”
The director’s statements were to be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. I observed, as I strolled around the grounds, wearing nothing but my trusty tape recorder, and being escorted by one of the director’s assistants. Several moments after leaving the office and entering the grounds, I got over the initial shock of realizing, I, too, was naked as a jay-bird.
I spoke to a husband and wife, Bill and Rose, who were sunbathing on a pier along the Egg Harbor River. Bill revealed that they were from upstate New York and this was their second visit to the park. They enjoyed the park so much last year, that they decided to return this season. “This whole idea of nudism is fairly new to us,” said Rose. “It’s a very pleasant and relaxing experience and we’re truly enjoying it. I would strongly encourage anyone to try it.”
My escort and I then wandered over to the Crystal Valley Cafe, which was crowded with noontime diners. This natural food restaurant is operated by a couple from New York City, John and Nancy, who informed us that all the food served here, is served in the style of the patrons, AU-NATURAL! For instance, the hot dogs are nitrate-free, and without chemicals. Meatballs with spaghetti are made strictly of grain and soybeans, not meat.
“How does it feel, serving food in the nude and finding your customers also not wearing a stitch?” I asked Nancy. “Absolutely great!” came Nancy’s reply. “It’s the ideal combination-natural food and people in the natural!”
So there! The old nudist camp myth is exploded. There are no high walls with barbed wire surrounding the grounds. No heavily-armed guards at the entrance and other locations keeping an eye out for trespassers and peeping-toms. No lecherous old gents drooling from the mouth while watching unclothed young beauties playing volleyball, and not a single couple participating in hanky-panky behind the bushes.
Sunshine Park turned out to be a very nice, quiet, wooded area of Mays Landing, alongside the sparkling clean, unpolluted Egg Harbor River, in a glorious “movie scene” setting, with friendly families, and people of all ages, relaxing and enjoying themselves in the brilliant sunshine. With my mission accomplished, speaking with sun worshippers of all ages, I returned to the office, and bid farewell to all, and headed for home. Enroute, I passed a public park, where a number of families were enjoying a picnic. Somehow, it all looked quite strange and out-of-place to me. You see, everyone was wearing clothes!
(Editor’s Note: Sunshine Park is no longer in operation.)
*
The year 1941 certainly stands out in my mind, not only for the attack at Pearl Harbor, but for the popular music at that time. As a guy who collected 78 rpm records, I recall many of the best-selling recordings that were played via our local radio stations. Talk radio was unheard of, and most stations used the music format.
1941 was the height of the Big Band Era. The bobby-soxers may have swooned over Frank Sinatra, but it was Tommy Dorsey’s name on the record. Ditto Bob Eberle whose silky smooth vocals with Helen O’Connell sold many a record — for Jimmy Dorsey. The musicians’ union strike was only a year away, but for 1941 the dance halls ruled, ballroom tickets were affordable, the great Depression was quickly becoming a memory, and the war was something the Europeans would have to figure out.
Sinatra was Tommy Dorsey’s lead vocalist, backed by the Pied Pipers on at least 10 of his chart hits. The Pied Pipers were a quartet of three men and one woman, who happened to be Jo Stafford. Stafford’s first hit came in 1941, a song called “Yes Indeed” that she sang solo, along with an assist by Sy Oliver. Tommy Dorsey allegedly fired one of the Pied Pipers in 1942, which led to the departure of the whole group in a show of team unity.
With the eventual departure of Sinatra in 1942, Tommy turned to Dick Haymes for vocal leadership. A bit of trivia: a certain trumpet player joined Dorsey after his discharge following World War II. The kid was raw, but Dorsey saw something he liked. That trumpeter was Carl “Doc” Severinson.
Jimmy Dorsey ran something of a smoother ship in the early 1940s. He owned the #1 spot for 19 weeks out of 52 in 1941, a record that wouldn’t stand long—-Glenn Miller eclipsed it in just a year later. But don’t let that minimize Jimmy’s achievement in 1941; each of the five most popular songs spent at least a week on top of the charts. “Amapola” spent 10 weeks at number one, and is therefore one of the all-time “monster” chart toppers. It would have topped Artie Shaw’s “Frenesi” on this list but for the fact that Shaw’s number already had a few weeks at number one in December of 1940.
Jimmy Dorsey’s hits featured a unique 3-part format. The “A-B-C” arrangement saw Bob Eberly lead the first third, the band-led by Jimmy’s sax took the second part, and Helen O’Connell would finish it out with a flourish. As the average playing time of a commercial 78 rpm record was 3 minutes, each “section” lasted about one minute. It was an unstoppable formula in 1941.
One of the few vocalists not tied to a Big Band in 1941 was Dinah Shore. Although Jo Stafford had a solo hit, and Billie Holiday was regarded as a solo act, both toured as part of larger orchestras. Considering that the Andrews Sisters were a group, it is generally believed, although not easy to verify, that Dinah Shore was the first female, pop star to “call her own shots” if you will. Although later stars like Doris Day and Patti Page would eclipse Dinah on the charts, none would eclipse her ability to perfectly hit each note.
One of the solo artists listed on the charts is Ernest Tubb, with one of the few times that a country song is found on a PopularSong.org annual chart. Another solo name listed is Vaughn Monroe, but he was very much a bandleader in 1941 — still playing the trumpet as more than just an occasional diversion. “Racing With the Moon” would go on to become known as “Vaughn’s Theme” over the ensuing years.
The Dorseys would continue as a major draw for the next dozen or so years, although the size and scope of their various orchestras would swell and shrink. After Tommy succumbed to cancer in 1953, Jimmy combined the show and held on for a couple more years. Jimmy’s last big hit, “So Rare,” was recorded just prior to his death, although it is generally believed that he did not perform on the recording. But as of 1941, The Fabulous Dorsey Brothers were on top of the world of American pop music.
*
Looking Back appears each month. Do you have a memory you’d like to share? Drop a line to: Jack Lebo, Looking Back, 37 Locust Lane, Levittown, PA 19054, or call (215) 943-8870, email: [email protected].