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Darien Street – Columnist and Lifestyle Advocate E-Mail Darien at darien_street@att.net At an early age I discovered that not only could I express myself better through writing, but that I enjoyed it as well. However, I did not put this to use until later in life when I began writing for magazines and E-zines in the adult entertainment industry and Lifestyle community. Considered by some as a Lifestyle Advocate, I actually think of myself as an advocate for life. I believe in the power of networking and despise hypocrisy. I am passionate and often shoot from both the hip and the heart. It is not a fault, just my nature. The journey I have taken has been down a path full of twists and turns. I have learned much from those I have met and value their enlightenment. To not share what they have bestowed would be a dishonor |
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Pleasure Grove Resort: Crossing Over Crossroads
On a spring day in 2002 Jim found himself sitting in his office, staring at a photograph that camps out on a corner of his desk. The picture is of Jim, his wife and another couple, all of who seem to be enjoying themselves at some sort of festivity. However, the photograph of the happy foursome does not quite evoke the smile that it once did, for he has found himself standing at a crossroads of sort. Jim, the managing partner of Mountain Creek Grove Resort, is not facing a mid-life crisis, but rather a business decision. If it were a football game, he would tell you it was fourth down and goal to go. To understand his predicament, you’d need to turn the hands of time back a little. After taking an early retirement from a Fortune 500 company in December 2000, Jim bought into the struggling little nudist resort the following year and immediately took over as its managing partner. Within the first twelve months Jim made long overdue improvements to its grounds; $50,000 in paved roads, a $70,000 pool and hot tub complete with waterfall and thousands of dollars in new accommodations. Established in 1993, Mountain Creek Grove, then a 100% AANR Charter Member, had remained rather stagnant during its first eight years of operations. It was Jim’s responsibility to remedy that. However, the improvements did little to boost his numbers. Fast forward to the summer of 2002. By now Jim Baker had made up his mind and like a bulldog, once he sinks his teeth into something he isn’t letting go. Knowing it was a roll of the dice, Jim decided to take a chance and do something few other nudist resorts had done before, if any. With no warning to the American Association for Nude Recreation, Jim when public by advertising that the resort welcomed those in the Lifestyle community. Within a month he began to see his numbers increase as the word got out to more and more swingers. However, it didn’t take long for the word to reach the Executive Director of AANR either and Eric Schuttauf was the first to call Jim and remind him that the association would take whatever actions it found necessary to make its member clubs meet AANR requirements and offer what it saw as "wholesome, family-oriented nude recreation." Baker, then an AANR East Board Member, let Schuttauf know he was not about to balk. It is suspected that the trouble actually began with the creation of the resort’s additional website PleasureGroveResort.com. The new site announced that the establishment was "Lifestyle friendly". Baker advised that the purpose of the additional site was to separate the two markets, nudists and swingers, out of respect not deceit The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) states that nudists and naturalists see nude recreation as a form of self-expression and a means in which they can experience nature in the most natural way possible. AANR's website states, "People who enjoy nude recreation distinguish between nudity and sex and keep the two in their proper perspective." Those in the Lifestyle community view nude recreation a little differently. According to the North American Swing Club Association (NASCA), swinging is social and sexual intercourse with someone other than your mate, boyfriend or girlfriend, excepting the traditional one-on-one dating. It has also been defined as recreational sex. According to Jim Baker, "We still felt it was important to be discreet and maintained the rules we had. Sexual activity in the common areas is strictly prohibited. We have lodging for that." When asked why the change in marketing strategy Baker replied, "It was a business decision. There are people in the lifestyle at every nudist resort that I am familiar with. It's a tremendous market." He also stated, "We just came out as management friendly." Baker stated that once AANR learned of his intentions and could not persuade him otherwise, his duties as an AANR East board member were temporarily suspended and he received an official notice in the mail that the resort's charter was under suspension until further notice. The hypocrisy was more than he could stomach and the suspension only served to reinforce his decision. Before the AANR witch-hunt could hand down a verdict and burn him at the stake, Baker submitted a letter of resignation regarding the resort’s charter and joined NASCA. Baker, "I definitely felt that there was a double standard there. The only thing different that we had done from other AANR resorts was to openly welcome business from the Lifestyle community." Baker would eventually make The Grove an “adults only” resort as well. Today, when Jim Baker does have the time to sit at his desk, he’s smiling. “To say this past summer was successful would be the biggest understatement ever made. It was beyond our greatest dreams. We averaged overall 600% growth compared to the same period last year. We were booked solid 9 of the last 12 weekends of the season, including Labor Day.” Baker continued, “Yet, for me the greatest thing to happen was the chance to work with my son Scott for the first time. He has certainly earned the title of General Manager.” The younger Baker was quick to point out that the end of summer did not mean the end of fun at The Grove. According to the General Manager, “We are not only encouraged by the turnout from the Lifestyle community, but from other communities as well.” When asked to explain, Scott advised that the resort had hosted its very first erotic art festival in September and the response from that community was overwhelming. “This will definitely be an annual event.” The Grove has also played host for Tantra workshops and relationship enhancement mini-clinics. “We’re not just about swinging or getting naked anymore,” added Scott. “The Grove is a tranquil, yet breath-taking place. You can’t explain it, you have to experience it.” The Grove, as it is affectionately referred to, is located on 40+ secluded acres in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia. It features bungalows, cabins, a shaded RV park, primitive campsites and a clubhouse with a restaurant and dance floor. There are recreational areas on the grounds and many local points-of-interest for guests to visit year round. For more information on The Grove call 1-800-863-6833 or visit their site at www.PleasureGroveResort.com. |
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