Friday, July 9, 2004

Sun Valley centerfolds celebrate

‘Sun Valley Exposed’ calendar released

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By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer

"Hey, calendar girl."

"There’s the centerfold guy."

No, it’s not a Hustler convention, but the latest Wood River Valley banter over the release of the "Sun Valley Exposed" calendar.

A launch party officially kicked off the valley’s latest calendar for 2005, featuring an array of valley residents in their birthday suits. The tastefully done calendar benefits the Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society. The proceeds will help the society to preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Wood River Valley.

"It was such a rush," remarked Millie Wiggins, creative director of the "Sun Valley Exposed" project.

The excitement continued at the party. Models, photographers and supporters of the calendar gathered to share their experiences at Tapestry Gallery and Wine in Ketchum.

"As I was driving up to the shoot I thought to myself, I’ve been here 33 years, and I’ve never done anything like this before," Sherry Daech, Ms. July laughed.

The calendar is like nothing done in the valley before.

Wiggins headed the efforts supported by committee members Peter Ripsom, Betty Murphy, Margaret Walker, Audrey Cudahy and Anita McCann. The team worked over the last year to produce the valley’s first calendar of nudes.

"I wanted to involve the community as much as possible," Wiggins explained.

That’s the true beauty of the calendar. Each month captures a different segment of the Wood River Valley.

"It wasn’t a criteria to look good or not," Walker joked.

Luckily, the gallery of 75 valley residents--from architects to mountain bikers--fabulously adorn the months of 2005. The months also vary with ages and mixed gender shots.

"As word of mouth spread, people wanted to be involved," Ripsom recalled.

Those involved all have a story to share.

At the launch party, the High Country Riders joked about mounting their horses in the buff in windy 52-degree weather.

A snowshoe model, Rebecca Fuller recalled the unexpected caravan of construction trucks who drove by her shoot.

Or there was the mountain biking shot. The naked bikers startled an unexpected rider, who fell off his bike in surprise.

Then there was the weather to contend with. The ski shot was shot over two days because photographer Hillary Maybery desired a blue-sky backdrop.

As the stories were exchanged, models identified themselves by their respective calendar month scribbled to a nametag.

Throughout the evening, the models mingled and exchanged autographs. "I’m trying to get everybody’s signature," remarked a November model

Even the professional photographers had their mug shots taken nude. The photographers all donated their time and skills to the project.

The 12- by 20-inch wall calendar sells for $15. Proceeds from sales of the calendar will go to the Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society.

The calendar is on sale at numerous retail outlets in the Wood River Valley, Twin Falls and Boise. It can also be purchased online at www.sunvalleyexposed.org.

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.