2008 Eastern Naturist Gathering, Lenox, Massachusetts

[usuallylurk]

The 2008 Eastern Naturist Gathering returns to the Eastover Resort, Lenox, Massachusetts, June 23-29, 2008.

A variety of accommodations and meals plans are available -- camping is also available.

Events, dances, food, etc. The facility is "bring your own bottle" but soft drinks and coffee are provided and are free.

Information can be found at =

http://www.naturistsociety.com/events/ENG2008.html

So... for those of you saying "there's nothing in Massachusetts"... here's just ONE of the events, and it is the biggest one of the year in this corner of the country.

[Kenv]

What is that this event like? I mean, being a nudist in a non nude resort???
I was at Eastover once, and it is not nudist. So is it weird doing everything naked amongst non nudist resort workers?
I wondered that about the nude crusies also.
Any comments/experiences?

[Croydon]

What is that this event like? I mean, being a nudist in a non nude resort???
I was at Eastover once, and it is not nudist. So is it weird doing everything naked amongst non nudist resort workers?
I wondered that about the nude crusies also.
Any comments/experiences?

I used to go yearly. I went for 4yrs and I haven't attended in the last 4 years. The first time I went, it was great as I never experienced something like that.

Eastover is not a nudist resort but it rents out the resort for work conventions, family reunions, corporate retreats...one week is dedicated to TNS. Everyone is nude with the exception of the employees. Majority of the employees are young Canadian students and they are great. They aren't bothered by the nudity and are quite open. They treat everyone like any other visitor. In fact, one year I went, some of the employees got nude after their shift.

The gathering is just that, a gathering. Nudists from the northeast meet new and old friends. There are scheduled events as well. I must admit that this is where the gathering lose points. A lot of the scheduled events are boring. There are a lot of these touchy/feely meetings: how to tell others you are nudist, how to give massage, how to BBQ, how to take picture, how to write to your congressman....There are also physical activities, albeit not enough. Do note, if there is something you would like to do, you can put it as one of the activities.

In the evening are talent shows and dances.

For me, I stopped going because my friend and I realized that every year was the same as the previous year..nothing new. In addition, it seems the price of the event goes up every year yet the service provided by Eastover doesn't measure up. The food has especially taken a dive.

I haven't been in quite some time but perhaps things are different now.

[usuallylurk]

The food did take a dive for a few years, but it's bounced back. There was a bit of a disappointment over the Saturday night meal last year, hopefully they'll correct that.

The schedule of events (tentative, there will almost certainly be more added) is available at the website.

Some go back BECAUSE it's the same thing year after year -- I believe this is the 11th year they've gone to Eastover.

To answer your question, no , it's not weird, because even at most nudist parks, the staff members, more often than not, are clothed.

[Kenv]

Thanks for the comments.

I guess I wondered about the atmosphere, because at the nudist resorts we go to, the staff is used to the nude environment.

[usuallylurk]

OK, first of all, the Naturist Society has been going to Eastover for 10+ years, I believe this will be the 11th or 12th year in a row that the Eastern Gathering has been there.

The resort is family-owned and operated. And 51 of the 52 weeks of the year, it is a regular, clothed, textile facility.

The ownership and their family certainly have no problem working around, and servicing, and mingling with nude people.

Most of the staff have no problem with it, either. The staff and management actually tell us, that we are one of the better, if not the best group they host all year. There are very few incidents where security has to get involved, fewer than for other groups that go there, and they're generally minor.

There aren't any fights. No one is verbally abusive to staff. They don't have to lock everything down because Naturists don't rip other people off. Example = there's a Civil War memorabilia exhibit/museum there. They leave it open. When other groups are there, they lock it down.

Any new hires are informed that there will be a naturist / clothing-optional gathering in June. If a staff member is reluctant to work or to be around nude people, arrangements are made for them to work in the mansion. The first floor of the mansion is a "no nudity" zone. If you go in there, you must wrap yourself in a towel, or put on a pair of shorts.

Beyond that, there's no problem. By the way, many nudist resorts and parks and clubs hire non-nudists. Many social "non-landed" clubs hold their events at rented facilities where the management and workers are textile.

It's not unusual.

Oh, and to answer a frequent question from those who have never been inside a nudist facility -- NO, we do not get dressed before we sit down for dinner.

[comicsfan2001]

As Usuallylurk has indicated, the management and staff treat us as they would treat textile guests, and appear to be very comfortable with our nudity. It is really not an issue for them. I believe that last year, for the first time, they even allowed nudity in the mansion everywhere except in the dining area, near the kitchen. Perhaps they moved the few workers who had problems with nudity to the kitchen area.

This did not impact us except when it rained and we needed to use the indoor area as most of the time dining was done outside at the picnic area or at poolside.

This dining area did get the best wireless internet signal on the grounds so every day, a number of us would wrap a towel around our waists and use the area to check our email. Several women chose to exercise top free equal rights and just wrapped towels around their waists as the men did. I don't know if the management or the staff noticed or complained because while I was there I never saw any of the women asked to cover up or leave.

My wife and I plan to attend , once again, this year.

Comicsfan

[usuallylurk]

Hope to see you there. We will likely be attending Wednesday morning through Sunday.

Yes, there's free Wi-Fi but I believe you have to go to the mansion to get it. I carry my laptop up there, and check my mail.

One of the major advantages to Eastover -- really is a big one -- if it rains, they can and do move most activities indoors and just keep on going.

Some have complained about Eastover -- distance to travel (not a problem for us, 150 miles) , expense, the same-old same-old, but there isn't any place in the northeast that could easily host such a gathering with the same variety of accomodations, etc. that Eastover has.

Several years ago, there was discussion and subsequent rumors that "The Eastern Gathering might be moved" -- but that was not from TNS, but from other individuals who were stumping to get it moved. The only disclaimer = "Oh, but the event would have to be scaled back." The perennial "our city can host the Olympics, but they will have to be made smaller." Yeah, right.

WHY? It's arguably one of the biggest naturist events going, they sell out every room and dorm space, and people reserve their rooms a year in advance. It's not growing, but it's not SHRINKING, either.

We still go. It's four days, it's not all that cheap, as we take a room for two with a private bath and the meals plan, but we still find it worth the money.

A FINAL SHOUTOUT .....

There are a large number of individuals who, for one reason or another, love to talk about going to a nude recreation venue, but have never been. Several in the central Mass / western Massachusetts area have been on this board lamenting that "there are no activities in this part of the world." THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

Want to see what nude recreation is REALLY like? Come to Eastover for a couple of days.

[I am Dorothy From Oz]

This is a great event and we attend with friends every year traveling from NJ. Hope to see you there ...

Dorothy

[usuallylurk]

You definitely will see us there -- I even bought a couple of wines for the wine and cheese get-together that some mutual friends from Pennsylvania usually have....

And for those of you in Massachusetts who are dreaming "oh, gee willies, I'd like to go to an event like that"... well, my advice is, make it a point to get to Eastover.

[I am Dorothy From Oz]

and I do believe we have the same mutual friends

I might even attend the ham radio group this year as I now have my very own call sign

we look forward to this event every year!

Dorothy

[usuallylurk]

Good! See you there! This is going to be GREAT!

[natravellers]

You definitely will see us there -- I even bought a couple of wines for the wine and cheese get-together that some mutual friends from Pennsylvania usually have....

We will be there for the first time and I think we also have the same friends you have.
We are very good friends with the couple you mentioned and are camping near them.
We are arriving on Thursday.

Joe

[usuallylurk]

Like I tell folks, there are a lot of people at naturist gatherings who ARE your friends -- you may just not have met them yet!

I look forward to meeting everyone -- either for the first time, or again!

[Procrastinator]

Gee, my ears were burning - now I know why.:)

Mr. Lurk, you've got great taste in wine. I eagerly anticipate sampling them. Wine selection is not something the Mrs. or I have much knowledge about. Truth be known, we pick ours up at the Price Chopper in Lee, just before we arrive. The wine and cheese get-together is Thursday evening, as usual.

Hi Dorothy! I hope your open house was a smashing success. If I recall, the weather was good that day. Rita and I are still savoring the memories of that wonderful Labor Day weekend with you and B. Hey, the Fab Faux are coming back to the State, Saturday, July 19. Let me know if you're interested. I think there's still time to avoid the nose bleed seats. Oh, and John Fogerty is playing at Musikfest August 10. I've always wanted to see him.

Joe, I'm so exited that you and B are coming. You'll be hooked the first hour. I'm bringing the quoit boards, so limber up that pitching arm.

I meant to reply to this post over a month ago, concerning Croyden's lament that the Gathering is the same thing year after year, but, well, I'm such a procrastinator. Really.

I like the sameness. The Gathering is darn near perfect where it is, as it is. This will be my 15th, consecutive Eastern Gathering and my wife's 14th. The facilities at Eastover are head and shoulders above the other host places I've attended it at. Avalon was a great place, and would be second on the list, but they don't have close to the variety of lodging and recreational facilities available that Eastover has.

Coming back to Eastover is like coming home ... or like coming to a family gathering. Although many people we know at the Gathering we see only once a year, the familiarity makes it seem like we're together more often than just once a year.

One slight downer is that Stan Little, half of the Friday and Saturday night back-in-the-stalls entertainment duo Stan & Lou won't be there this year. Lou said that he'll be there with another guitarist, but it won't be the same. I wonder if the replacement will know about Lucile B.S.W. written on the horse collar above the stalls.

As I mentioned, our wine and cheese get-together is Thursday evening. All reading this are welcome. We'll be at the Tan canopy (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/261163756_f66a1a84d4_b.jpg) by the shooting range. Naturist Society members can see us on page 42 of N, issue 27.2.

If you're hesitant or on the fence about trying social naturism, there's no better place to take the plunge than the Eastern Gathering. Do it!

Joe

[WriteNaked]

The gathering has begun, hasn't it.

I remember attending a gathering a few years ago. It was a blast, from the time I got out of the car and out of my clothes until I had to put the clothes on again -- a few miles down the pike :) .

My summers tend to fill up with lots of stuff, and not always fun things that I really want to do -- like getting naked for a few days with friends. So this is another summer I won't make it to the gathering.

But to everyone who does, I wish the best of times, the balmiest of breezes, all the sun and shade you want and need, and many good hours together -- naturally!

WN

[usuallylurk]

Back from the ENG ...

A great time...

We booked our room for 2009 ....

We saw some folks from in here, there (Procrastinator, Dorothy from Oz) and probably others. I hope we see some more folks in '09!

[Procrastinator]

Yes, it was a great time, despite the weather. On a positive note, at least the weather was better than it was last year. During those few breaks of sun, it wasn't at all unusual to see a couple frolicking naked (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/2623856180_b6d76e4875_o.jpg)!

Joe

[usuallylurk]

Yes, I've seen that couple somewhere <g>!!!

Still unpacking, still winding down.

The red wine I had was good, going to buy a couple of bottles this weekend. Gotta let it breathe and sit -- and only be cool, not chilled.

The white from that vineyard... uh.... nah....

I did drink a lot of it, and then later on, some lady came along at the Tally-Ho with a bottle of Jagermeister. She put it on the table and said , "ENJOY!"

I did, and I paid the price the next morning....

[natravellers]

We (couple next door to Procrastinator) also had a great time and enjoyed meeting everyone. Hey Usuallylurk, could you send me the name of that NH red? I know you told me, but I forgot. Deb (our friend camped next to us) has a friend up that way who could pick some up.

Joe

[usuallylurk]

It was at the Zorvino vineyards and I think it was carmelere or something like that. The vineyards are in Sandown, New Hampshire. They ship.

http://www.zorvino.com/scripts/winepg.cfm?wn=17

I'm going by that way to pick up a couple more bottles, should be good stuff.

Gotta let it breathe a couple of minutes. The first hit from a newly opened bottle isn't that good. But it will go GREAT with a nice prime short cut or filet mignon .. with a little green peppercorn sauce on the steak....

[I am Dorothy From Oz]

another great time had by all :)
booked our room at Eastover for 2009 already as well
my tie dyed t-shirt came out GREAT!

[usuallylurk]

We booked ours as well. Good to see you again!

[comicsfan2001]

We booked our reservations for next year, as well. This year a couple who just joined the non landed club we belong to attended the Gathering for the first time and had a blast! The gathering has something for everyone. If you are into the workshops, as I am, or into participating in silly fun activities, or into just sunning by the pool, as my wife is, you will find your niche at the gathering. I thought the workshops were particularly good this year.

Comicsfan