More memories of Morley
More memories of Morley
Taking time to share stories and memories of Morley Schloss
I feel immensely blessed to have had the opportunity to interview Morley Schloss and share his story so recently before he passed. For me, it really underscores the value of the Naked Age project in preserving these stories before it’s too late. For so many pioneering nudists who are already gone or are suffering from the too-common degenerative ailments that accompany old age, it is already too late. But Morley, even in his last days, was energetic and spirited and very willing to share his stories. And he had many to tell. He was truly an educator.
If you haven’t yet listened to our discussion for Naked Age, I encourage you to watch it on YouTube. The video interview is linked above.
I did not know Morley well. I only spoke with him a few times. And yet, he had a profound impact on me. He impacted many lives, and many knew him much more closely than I did. At this time, people are sharing their stories on social media, but I’d like to offer the comments of this post as one more place to share these memories of Morley. Whether you knew him or not, I invite you to share your stories, your impressions, and your views here. 🪐
Morley changed the lives of so many. Since 2007 Morley and I hung out when I was at his Mid-Winter Festival, camping in the orchard or jungle gardens. He would tell me all about being an anti war activist in his hometown, which was the home of Woodstock. Yes, that Woodstock. And he was among the 400,000 revelers who became family there. He said it changed him forever. I was in awe.
But one of Morley’s gifts was his desire to listen to those he met. He would sit and listen to my military war stories from Vietnam and Korea and all around the globe and we talked about my anguish over how wars always hurt our planet and humanity. We shared the dream of Peace from opposite ends of the life spectrum.
Morley had a passion for life and specifically for inclusivity. He brought people from every stripe together at his camping festivals in his tropical retreat.
Naturism was alive and well under Morley’s baton at Sunsport Gardens because he didn’t run it as a business, IMHO. It was his passion project. He made enough money to keep it alive, but not so much that profiteers were attracted to it.
Morley didn’t make business decisions. He made decisions based on the well being of his flock and Mother Earth.
Some visitors who were used to more upscale surroundings didn’t understand that and Morley didn’t care. He just wanted to be the example for responsible living. This in turn attracted passionate Naturists from around the world.
This passion was on full display when Morley decided that no alcohol would be served at Sunsport. Having a bar would negatively impact the positive human interactions that he wanted to preserve there, in his opinion. He also banned tobacco use in all of the common areas so that everyone could be One With Nature while breathing clean air. This was a major attraction for Naturists pursuing healthy living.
Morley Schloss with a living example of being One With Nature. He will be sorely missed by all who whose hearts he touched and all whose lives were better for it.
Thank you for this essential piece of naturist history. So happy to hear that the future of Sunsport is secure.