A Look back in time ...

1967 – 1994

Written by Edie in 1988 and 1994

To carry on where Rachel left off, I’ll go back a little.  In the late 50’s – early 60’s, while Leonard of Ann was treasurer, he used to check all the number plates on the cars to make sure all had registered in his office.  Another thing that happened in those days was people used to cover their number plates so no one knew where they were from.  In those days nudism was hush hush!

While Al Jones was still in charge of this camp, everyone adults and children – had to be in their tents or cabins by 11 p.m. with curtains drawn.  He also would not allow anyone to have a clothesline, and he would not permit the wild cutting down of trees.

 As Rachel mentioned about the two barrels on the roof of the Canteen for use, there was a hose that came from the roof that the water ran through into a lattice-work shower stall with two nozzles, barely big enough for two people to stand in.  It was located near where the children’s Jungle gym is today.  Then a few years later the showers were installed in the building with the sauna in back of the Canteen.

 One couple who were not mentioned earlier, but joined in 1955, were Dave and Mary and their 3 little blonde daughters.  The girls grew up here in the summers and now in ’87 have come back with their children to visit.  Mary and Dave are the couple who have been members of the camp the longest.  Herbie is next.  He joined in 1952.  From there on people began coming and joining more and more. 

Preacher Bill (Chaplain), who also joined in 1954, held Sunday services in the hand-built chapel for those who wished to attend.  It was nondenominational.  Preacher Bill also had a comical side to him and during the late 60’s – 70’s he’d do a skit in our talent shows of a “Lady Taking a Bath.”  It was hilarious. 

In the 50’s, when the pond was drained, all the trees and roots in it were dragged out by a “human chain” of men. 

In 1956 the lagoon was drained and Herbie and Al Jones and other members put rocks along the sides to keep the banks from washing away, and a plank was put across smaller banks towards our waterfall to help control the depth of the water in the pond. 

Between the ‘50’s – 60’s “before civilization grew” at Solair, nature was a sight to behold.  We all saw animals of many varieties.  Raccoons roaming freely at night for food (still do) and tipping over garbage cans.  Deer drinking from the pond by moonlight, wildcats screeching in the woods, red and silver foxes (barking like dogs, only not as loud) at night, as well as an old all-white skunk and a Johnny skunk leaving their perfume around camp, reminding us we were invading their territory.

 One experience some of us will remember about a raccoon was the time Carroll S. found a coon that had been injured.  Carroll made a cage for it and nursed it back to health and then let it go.  The raccoon had only one eye. 

As we have been growing, people have come and gone.  Mostly they came and stayed for quite a few years.  Then because of job changes or family problems some leave.

We have made many changes – improvements in the camp over the years. In 1960 the teen club was formed.  They called themselves “Neetagers,” using the letters in teenagers.  Edie became the Teen Advisor from 1960 – 1975.  During that time there were 20 teens.  One rule out of 15 they kept was no one under 12-3/4 years of age could enter the teen pavilion.  That was strictly for teens.  They had earned enough money to build the pavilion by having cake sales, game day with a kissing booth, and they sure enjoyed it.  One of the initiation things the new teen members had to do on one Sunday every summer was take part in the Teen Service.  The Chapel was always overflowing on that Sunday.  They also had their own dances, games, and even served afternoon tea to their parents.  That was the only time parents were allowed in their club house other than Edie and Art, and once in a while Captain Ed of Doris.  He was the one who would take them water skiing at Webster Lake.  Half went on a Saturday afternoon, the other half on Sunday, with a couple of parents going along.  The teens helped to do things about the camp when asked.  They also went once a year to dinner and miniature golf – using their own money.  They earned enough money so that they had $500 in their camp bank account by 1974. – The older group went by themselves to the Woodstock Fair each year, and the younger ones went with whomever had a couple of station wagons for them to pile into.

One of the Church Services they did, Edie had the 5-12 year old youngsters take part.  They learned “Jesus Loves Me,” and after everyone was seated, they marched in singing it.  All they wore around their shoulders was a medium size white towel with a navy blue bow.  It was very impressive and adorable.  One of the Sermons the teens did, Preacher Bill taped and used it at the school where he taught.

 When Edie retired as Teen Advisor, after 15 years, they surprised her with a party.  They had for her a large cake with a little rocking chair on it, and a beautiful plaque which says on-it:

EDITH – TEEN MOTHER – 1960 – 1975

TO ONE WHO GAVE SO MUCH AND ASKED SO LITTLE

OUR LOVE AND RESPECT

TEENS OF SOLAIR

This is something I will always cherish. The teens dwindled down after that with parents moving away, just leaving camp, or the teens not wanting to come any more. We’ve had different advisors since then doing a good job with the teens.  We have about 6 or 7 teens now, but with the growth of family into the camp again the younger generations of children should bring – the number of teens up once more in the next few years. The teens, mostly the boys, nude, used to go up to the sand pit, and jump from the top of it, where Dan and Isabel’s trailer is, down into the rough sand and roll the rest of the way down.  Great Fun!

 Another thing that happened many years in a row – once every summer – at a back edge of camp (Laurel Ridge, Inc. property) the Enduro motorcycle race went through.  Well, some of the teens and some adults would go and rearrange the trail, then they’d hide in the trees or bushes and when the cyclist would see the nude bodies jump out at them they’d wipe out.  No one was ever hurt, but a photographer for a motorcycle magazine caught one picture and it was printed in the magazine.  You could pick out 2 or 3 of our teens and a couple of the adults.  Needless to say, the following year there were a lot more bike riders in the race. 

In the early 60’s there were wooden flat wide benches built for people to sun themselves on.  Then we all gave $5.00 per person and bought some nice sand for the beach.

 As the camp grew, it was great to see the change from one light in the small canteen and a few kerosene lanterns along the main road to electricity all over the camp, plus pumping water from the well by the canteen.  When you became a member after that and received your camp site, you had to buy an electric light pole at $45 (now it’s over $300), so you’d have electric power on your site.

From the 60’s on there were many bonfires, cook-outs, sing-a-long and marshmallow roasts on the left side of the beach, near where the jungle gym now stands.  We also had many pot luck suppers.

 Carroll S. used to paint cute animals on the tiny tots’ backs with washable paints.  They would then parade around afterwards and each child received a prize of a tootsie pop or candy bar.

 Then there were the mud baths, the children, mostly teens, would cover themselves with the mud clay from the bottom of the pond.  They would let it dry on them and parade around like zombies.

 From the 60’s – 80’s we had snoopers at different times.  They’d be sitting on top of our big rock, or sneaking in by the road.  A bunch of teen snoopers were caught and the directors threatened to undress them all and make them stay.  They were really scared and swore they’d never come back and they didn’t.  Others were seen on the rock and someone yelled “Snoopers on the rock!.”  Our gun club responded and one shot was fired into the sky.  Needless to say the snoopers never came back.

 There is a small airport nearby and every so often we’d have a plane fly low over camp, so low you could see the people in it, so we just waved and it went away. 

We have had many delicious dinners over the years put on by our different members.  They all have been great and the entertainment very interesting.  This is what makes our camp, all the volunteer help and ideas.  It’s great. 

One of those impressive dinners was Len and Jan’s Hawaiian Luau with the catamaran coming across the lake in the dark with its Tiki lamps lit on it as well as the Hawaiian music, and dry ice making the fog coming across.  The men in their Hawaiian shirts and the ladies in grass skirts and leis running to the shore to help them bring the food onto the beach which was in coolers on the catamaran.  A real good time was had by all.

 During the 70’s we started having Talent Shows every year, as well as the skit Carroll nd Margie used to do called “Mabel and Harry’s first day at a nudist camp.”  They were Great.Margie S. emceed the talent shows for about 6 years, then when Margie stopped coming to camp, Edie did them for 10 years.  They lasted about 1-1/2 hours.  They were a lot of work, but so much fun for everyone in and out of them. 

Margie was also a comedian, a song writer, and played the accordion fantastically.  Bob Supernon and son Bobby had a bank and played some of the music for the shows, as well as for dances held in the canteen.As time went on, many beautiful cabins have been built in camp.  The oldest one is Frank and Fuzy’s (now owned by Hug).  It’s by the parking lot, near the tennis court.  It has the colored lights on it at night.Back to nature again, around the camp you can see many wild flowers, lady slippers, and plenty of Laurel, as well as blueberry bushes and raspberry bushes, plus all the beautiful trees and shrubs and birds. 

There is always an election time in September each year with healthy competition for different directors and plenty of rumors pro and con, but after the election is over everyone accepts the outcome and everyone settles down and the camp works together again.  We also have camp managers as well as the seven directors.  We have many committees.  There is the Finance Committee, the Recreation Committee, the Membership Committee, the Tennis Club, the Beautification Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee, the Construction and Maintenance Committee, and maybe a few more I can’t think of.  We also have a gun club. 

The Lodge, in which Hazel and Alfred lived before moving to California, was struck by lightning in 1977 and burnt to the ground.  It also used to house the little camp library in the back, and it was run by Ann of Preacher Bill.  The Lodge stood just about where the new round building is today.  The chapel was situated – further back. 

In the 70’s the tots’ building was built.  For the conventions it was turned into a refreshment stand for the camp, then in the late 80’s it was turned back to the tots.  It’s located near the tennis court.

In 1979 we had the ESA Convention and in 1982 the ASA Convention.  We had about 1,000 people attend these, and both conventions were handled very well.  The members worked very hard before, during, and after the conventions.  Cooperation was great.  Again thanks to all who pitched in and helped so much.

 One entertainment was nude sky divers floating down and landing on our raft.  There were both men and women.  A helicopter landed on the water near Dave and Mary’s.  Another was John of Pauline firing his small cannon on the beach.In the late 70’s a solarium was built on the beach mostly for winter sunny days.  Also, in the winter they used to plow the snow off the ice with a piece of plywood attached to an Austin Mini Minor Car.  Leicester of Nancy and others used to use the sauna – then break the ice in the pond and jump in.  BRR! 

Another thing Leicester would do was wake up in the morning and give a couple of good Tarzan yells and wake up the late sleepers.Frank of Fuzy had a Tarzan call, train whistle, siren, and a voga horn on their car, so everyone knew when they arrived or left camp. Blueberries were a delicacy in those days.  The children would pick enough, take them to Doris of Red, who would bake blueberry muffins for the children.  These beat Betty Crocker by a long shot.

 Red of Doris gave all the children on the beach Saturday and Sunday a tootsie pop.  He’d come to the beach with a big bucket full of pops.  In no time he looked like the pied piper walking around.Adults used to row across the lake and look for blueberries.  They’d stand in the boating holding onto a branch while balancing themselves and while trying to pick the berries would get a good sunburn.

 As time has gone by, more cabins have been built.  More roads made.  We first had the lower road called Fox Hollow Drive.  We now have the lower, lower road called Pine Needle Creek Road, as well as Beaver Lane, where most of the large trailers are.  These were mostly all updated in 1987-88, so now it’s called “Beaver Estates.”

 In 1984 the pond was drained once again and a new culvert was put in under the supervision of Norman of Flo. 

The biggest project that was started in 1985 has been the round building, the Arent Pavilion.  It is beautiful with its new coat of juniper blue paint and white trim (1988) and it has in it on the first floor, bathrooms, showers, electric sauna, dressing room, and hot tub.  Upstairs there is a large recreation hall and more bathrooms.  It has added a lot to our camp.  Milan of Erna was the “Super in charge” while the building was being built.  The building was Milan’s idea. They have had many functions upstairs in the building such as game nights and dances, and socials.  Square dancing was part of our fun way back when Bob Shield’s Dad was the caller.  Now we have it again with Barbara and Howard doing the calling.

 In 1987 lawn mowing races began with Ed of Billie in charge.  They have many different style mowers to use.  Some real old.During the early pioneering days we had an embarrassing incident which can now be told since so much time has passed.We had been challenged by a large nudist lawn mowing racing club and in our enthusiasm forgot to pick up gas for our racing mower.  We found an old mower in what we thought was a trash pile, and it had plenty of gas, so we “borrowed” some.  To our surprise – that mower was their racer, and we had to tell them we had depleted their tank.  To keep from being arrested – thrown out, etc., we had to agree to cleaning up and tuning their mower before the race.  Although their racer was now in excellent shape, their team wasn’t and we easily defeated them.We have never been defeated.  We are the undisputed champions and because of our sparkling performance, have been unchallenged for the last two years.  We enjoy racing among ourselves and keep in tip-top condition. 

On June 18, 1988, a doe – female deer – swam across the pond from the rock, stood by Billy and MaryAnn’s car for a few minutes before she took off.  Then on June 21^st, 1988, a scarlet tanager landed on the beach about two yards from where we were sitting, stayed for a while, then flew off.  About 3 weeks before that, some members saw a wild cat sitting up on the big rock at dusk.  This spring we’ve had 2 sets of Canada Geese.  Each set had 4 goslings.  They stayed until the little ones’ wings were strong enough to fly away.  Once again we are seeing wild life around here.  Now one set of the geese are back.

 Since June we’ve had a barbecue, square dance, pot lucks, Tennis Tournament, Volley Ball, President’s Bavarian dinner with German Band, old camp movies, young kids’ camp-out on beach, parades, Mexican dinner by the teens and their parents, hay ride, Christmas in July, Carribean Festival with a steel band and Hungarian dinner plus Las Vegas Night, New England boiled dinner, prime rib dinner and entertainment, the talent show, and some dances.  We will probably have a few more good dinners by our members.  So you see, everyone has something to do, thanks to our entertainment director and her committee. 

Through the years, Volley Ball was the big thing at Solair, now Tennis is the big thing.  Volley Ball is still played, but not in competition with other camps as yet. Many, many trophies were won by our Solair Volley Ball Travel Team over the years.  Tennis is real great here now and the court is busy most every day. This brings the history of Solair up to date as of the year 1988.

Now to continue our history from 1988 on…

The Saturday night of Labor Day weekend 1988, we had a delicious dinner of Prime Rib and all the fixings, topped off with apple pie ala mode.  Afterwards there was an eight piece band for dancing, then at 11:00 p.m. we had a fireworks spectacular for about 15 minutes.  The dinner and dance were held inside a very large circus tent.  This all was set up and done by Ron and Jackie and their committee.

 On Sunday we had our annual meeting, which only lasted 2 hours.  Real short!!  This was also held inside the tent due to the rain.  After the meeting, Mildred and Walter had their open house in the big tent.An item I came across the other day, which I thought would be of some interest, was while talking to Susan Morissette, she said that the Articles of Incorporation for Solair in 1953 were done by her Uncle, Raymond T. Wheaton, Jr.  Susan has been a full member here for two years.

 One more thing about the bulletin board, I hope you all have noticed the stalls in back of it built as a place where the children can park their bicycles.With Bob Fagerquist as official camp photographer and Edie as camp historian, we have been working together getting pictures and film – the old and the new. 

In October, 1988, Bob put all the cabins, buildings, and trailers in camp on film.  Arthur and I went over them, and wrote down whom each one belonged to.  There are a total of 123 now in the camp in 1988.

On October 8^th, 1988, there was a Halloween party with a DJ held in the Arent Pavilion.  About 40 attended.  On October 22^nd was the annual Thanksgiving dinner.  Both of these programs were enjoyed by all that attended.  This dinner closed the year for dinners. 

We had a moderate growth of membership in 1989.

Roger and Herbie and many other workers put many hours on finishing the new gate during the summer of 1989.The town and state board of health permitted members to install holding tanks and other seasonal septic systems. A glider and some beach chairs were donated by Billy and Maryann. 

We had a volley ball Tournament in September as well as tennis and horse shoes.

 At our annual meeting, Tom Bosselait was elected President.  Bob Browning, our President for the past two years, decided not to run.  Welcome Tom.

 Plans for the expansion of the Canteen are in progress. Solair Associates were offered a winter package for $75.00 per person or couple.  This allowed them to come from October through March 1^st.There were many dinners and entertainment during this summer (1989).  In October we had our annual Thanksgiving dinner by Fred and also the Halloween party.

 This was Rich and Bobbie’s first year as camp managers. The Arent Pavilion was completed in 1989. Charlie F. built a new and beautiful raft for the pond. The camp also purchased a computer for the office, a new truck and sander, and a new well was put in at the new office location. In 1990 things were going good once again.  There were sleep-overs, pot luck dinners, other dinners, dances, auctions, etc.

 The camp was a winter wonderland in January.  February was the Be My Valentine weekend, and in March was a St. Patrick’s party. In April the survey of out boundaries was on its way to being completed.  April is the month we have the beautification weekend.  Everyone that is in camp helps clean it up after the winter months.

 The beach was on its way to becoming a bigger and more beautiful area.

 Some of the activities this year were, kids planting flowers, ice cream eating contest, President and Past President’s dinner, pot luck, bingo on the beach, cribbage tournament, also nude weekend tennis tournament, sand castle building, hayrides and square dancing, kids camping out on the beach, then our annual carnival for everyone.  Paint T-shirts, treasure hunt, many nice dinners, dances, and a wine and cheese party.

 One important item we all were asked to do was as follows:

 Put can and bottles (soda) with 5 cent on them in a container by the canteen.  Put glass jars and bottles (sorted by color) in containers near the dumpster.  Mild and water plastic jugs in another container, cardboard (corrugated only) put into a box in the shed, also newspapers.  Cans have to have labels taken off and be clean with tops removed.

Camp is growing in 1990.  We have 219 full members and 97 associates.

We also have a nice library in back of the office with books for all ages.  It’s an on your honor library.  You take a book and when you are finished, you bring it back.  More books are always welcome.  This library was started by Millie and Roz, and they are the ones who keep it in order.

 In 1991 we started our fund raising for a new canteen and assembly building.  There was an auction to start off the fund raising. 

The gun club is still going strong.  We have had many great dinners with live bands for dancing afterwards.  The season ended with Len and Jan’s Viking dinner.  The sight of the Viking ship coming across the pond with its dragon head throwing out flames was a sight to behold.

 Throughout these years we also have had our annual talent show directed by Edie, with most of our teens and some adults being in it.

 This year Bruce and his daughter Lynn are running the canteen on weekends.  Up until now, for a few years, Dick and Marlene ran it. Another item we always have is food sales. 

The summer of 1991 brought some guidelines for recreational vehicles/golf carts in camp.  Such as Insurance, safety equipment, right to operate, and responsibility. There is also a leash law for dogs in camp that should be observed at all times. Every year the flowers around camp are more beautiful.  Thanks to the floral committee that plants and takes care of them.

 This year has been one of the best years at Solair.  Many new sites have been opened.  There has been plenty of fun and games, dinners and good entertainment.  Our new canteen fund has risen considerably.

Memorial weekend 1992 started off with the Hungarian Goulash by Milan and Erna with a live band and dancing.  Then, Sunday, the kids had T-shirt painting and we had a surprise auction.

Horse shoe tournament, volley ball, and tennis tournaments plus a fishing tournament, a food sale, Mexican dinner by Eric and Megan, picnics on the green, carnival, parade, a BBQ, Monte Carlo night, spaghetti party, Junior Fest, Pig Roast by Jack and Gail and Al and Debbie, craft fair, wine and cheese party, Octoberfest, Bobbie and Rich’s party, Thanksgiving dinner, and Halloween party were all events of this year.

This year Laurel Ridge was granted a $5000 interest free loan by ASA to be used for the construction of the Fox Hollow bathroom block.  This grant is referred to as the Glen Miller Fund (not to be confused with the band leader).

The Master Plan Committee has been working, as usual, to develop a plan for the future growth and expansion of Laurel Ridge.

Emergency Buttons were placed in the following locations.  Above the couch on the first floor in the Arent Pavilion.  Push 3 times.  On the beach – across the road on side of building #112.  If fire department or ambulance is needed the pay phone on the 1^st floor of the pavilion is toll free for 911.  Emergency first aid supplies are available in the dressing room of the pavilion and in the camp office.  Life hook, ring and a torpedo buoy are on a large pine tree on the beach.  Fire extinguishers are in all camp buildings.  Each site owner is required to have a hose attached to the camp water supply located in full view on each site.

For those that don’t know, it is great having our own actors here at camp.  Lolly and Randy.  Randy was in the play “The Foreigner” and was excellent and very funny.

Each year, Caroll  puts on his show which is enjoyed by young and old alike.

Zo and Chris, two of our teens, went to the Superbowl for Volleyball at White Thorn, and enjoyed the friendly camp.

For the past two years we have had an annual craft fair.  Everyone who wants a table pays $15.00.  This money goes into the building fund.  Each year the craft fair has grown.  It’s a fun time.

At the annual meeting, it was voted to release new sites for an impact fee of $1000 to offset the future cost of new roads and toilet blocks.  Also at this meeting, members voted to borrow up to $500,000 for 15 years to complete the projects proposed by the Master Plan Committee for a new canteen, swimming pool, tennis courts and volleyball courts.

The year ended with a New Years Eve party and dance by Tom and Judy.

In March of 1993, the Master Plan committee retained the firm of Johnson and Richter (J & R) of Avon, CT.  This firm will help us develop and expedite our plans in the best way possible.  A final plan could be ready for our Memorial Day informational meeting.

Also in March, there was a Nude Swim at the Hartford YMCA and a St. Paddy’s Day celebration.  In April there was the little kids dance and the big kids dance, as well as Easter at Solair, and Bobbie and Rich’s annual open house.

Bruce and Lynn will serve you once again on weekends and holidays starting Saturday April 17^th and will close September 26^th.  Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

As usual, there are many activities planned for the summer.

The Solair lawnmower racing association is still going strong with Ed C. as captain.

Memorial weekend started off with a Gourmet pot luck dinner and dancing to the “Country Ramblers.”

This past winter was a real old fashioned one.  Snow, snow, snow.  Rich and Roger did a great job getting up most of the debris.

During the summer of 1993, the Fox Hollow bathrooms were finished, the new extension of Fox Hollow sites were completed and filled, and work on the sites for overnight campers near the Fox Hollow bathrooms was well underway.  Future plans for the complex has progressed with the help of engineers, etc.

The volleyball tournament had a very good turn out as did the tennis tournament.  On Sports Day, the Solair Teens won over Dyer Woods in volleyball.

We now have horse shoe pits and a badminton court near the Beaver toilets, thanks to Vern and Martha.

We’ve had pot luck dinners and a few others.  Our Bavarian Dinner was a big success.  This dinner was put on by Paul and Linda S.  In July we had the annual kid’s dinner by Marlene and Dick and a ‘50’s dance.  We’ve had a Casino Night, country pig roast by Jack and Gail and Al and Debbie (Luther stayed up all night keeping the fire burning), kids carnival, T-shirt painting and a Halloween party for children and later for adults.

Our annual meeting was held on the first Sunday in September and was preceded on Saturday night by a dinner put on by Erna, Milan, and Fred with a Dixieland band.

Megan of Walter was the aerobic exercise leader for ’93.The auction was a success.  It was chaired by Patty and John with Billie C., Jan B., Dick S., and Bill K. helping to supervise it.  The whole camp seemed to get into the idea of it.  A quilt was put together by Aleta and Edie.  57 families were represented and 99 squares were sewed together to make the quilt.  The high bidder was Gordon of Kathy.

The Talent Show was a huge success.  Christiana did a great job coating the little kids.  Gordon rounded up the adults for it, and Dick of Betty did a fabulous job as M.C. 1994 has begun with different things happening.  Our Master Plan Committee has been busy as can be seen by the changes in the scenery about camp.  Trees gone, rocks split and the site of the pool building started.  The pool building foundation finally was put in in July.  The Road into camp has taken quite a curve with a few detour and safety signs along the way.

The tennis courts have been done over and finished.  The old volleyball courts have had a new pole and a lot of sand added to it as well as the big rocks removed. We had our annual 4^th of July golf cart parade organized by M. J. and Leo.  Each cart was decorated in red, white, and blue.  The parade was led by Caroll S’s real old fire engine sporting cowgirls and clowns.  It was fun and everyone, young and old, had a good time either taking part or just watching the parade.

 The water fall beyond the pavilion is being restored and looks real nice already.  When finished, the water fall project will have a memorial garden for those members who are no longer here and are in the big nudist camp in heaven.  August 3^rd – 7^th is our 60^th anniversary party.  Many interesting things are planned for those days.  Our Solair Sunletter has kept everyone up to date on all the activities.

This winter was one of the heaviest snow falls we have ever had.  The good side was the fun skiing, the Solair Luge, the Bat Sled, skating, etc.  The ones who came into camp during the winter for different functions enjoyed it very much.

See you around the Camp,

 Edie