For the week of August 20 - 26, 2003

Stripping for history

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

In a resort area such as the Wood River Valley, hard bodies are the norm. But, hey, aging is a process no one can avoid. Meantime, it’s all about maintenance and preservation. And with that thought in mind, Millie Wiggins, owner of the Ketchum store Avventura, decided to encourage the old and young to strip for preservation by posing for a calendar called Sun Valley Exposed.

Proceeds from the project will go to the Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society, a philanthropic organization formed in 1985 to identify and preserve history and cultural heritage in the valley.

So, are valley-ites really going to bare it all?

Just consider that in tiny Rylstone, England, the Women’s Institute made a 2000 calendar of tactful nude photographs in which the ladies posed in various wifely activities. Remarkably, even to them, they raised more than $750,000 for leukemia research. And so the trend began.

In Vermont, the 2002 Men of Maple Corner raised more than $500,000, and in New Hampshire the 2002 Women of Tamworth calendar raised more than $75,000 for local organizations. The 2003 sequel, Tamworth Men in Hats, features men fishing, playing the banjo, hunting and in other activities wearing nothing but hats. In Aiken, S.C., the Still Magnolias calendar raised nearly $180,000 for the Aiken Area Council on Aging. The calendar features photos of women of a certain age golfing, knitting, playing the piano.

Granted, these new calendars often show more wrinkles than curves but that’s part of the appeal. The Sun Valley Exposed calendar will do just a little of both, Wiggins said.

"We want to show a broad spectrum of people of all ages, except under 18, who live and work in the Wood River Valley."

Though the calendar will not come out until 2005, most of the photos are already planned. Months will feature group shots rather than singles. For instance, the calendar committee—Audrie Cudahy, Anita McCann, Betty Murphy, Peter Ripson and Wiggins—say though "it’s not set in stone," photos may feature, firefighters, mountain bikers, female realtors, hot young skiers, women chefs, snowboarders, yoga postures and an "icon shot at the Pioneer Saloon," Wiggins said.

Photographers are donating their time and services. They include Edie Baskin, Tim Brown, Tina Barney, Thia Konig, Andy Kent, Jan Cox and Lynn Campion Waddell, among others.

There are sponsorships available for $1,200 each. Sponsors will benefit from nationwide exposure—that word again—in addition to helping preserve the atmosphere of old Ketchum. Sponsors already include Esta’s restaurant, McCann, Deach, Fenton Realtors, ReMax of Sun Valley and Iconoclast Books.

Since there are only so many months to go around, model wannabes might offer their physiques to the Big Nude photo, which will comprise at least 100 people, if not more. Wiggins said there will be an open casting notice later this year. Or call 726-6612 to add you name to the list.

Wiggins, always a trend setter in the area, calls the whole concept "stripping for preservation. It seemed like a good name for the project."

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.