|
|
At 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, Rappahannock County Deputy Sheriff Robbie Fincham was dispatched to Grand View Avenue to investigate a noise complaint.
Fincham quickly found the source for the call, a Harley-Davidson roaring up and down the rural back road in Tiger Valley, a few miles south of Little Washington.
The motorcycle didn't shock the rookie officer, who had started work only the day before. But the man operating the bike did.
Fifty-four-year-old Peter Kreyling, a county building contractor, was buck naked--except for his shoes.
Fincham stopped the motorcyclist, took a moment to size up the situation, and then calmly asked Kreyling, "Where's your helmet?"
What Fincham would soon find out was that Kreyling was involved in a photo shoot for a calendar being put together to raise money for a new track at Rappahannock County High School.
The calendar, scheduled to go on sale later this week, is now the hottest topic in this rural and picturesque county. From Chester Gap to Harris Hollow to the F.T. Valley, folks are waiting to see more than a dozen local men--some as old as 80--parading around--tastefully, of course--in their birthday suits.
Cathy Kreyling, Peter's wife, spearheaded the calendar project and hopes to make enough for a down payment on a $250,000 track. The problem is, the Rappahannock County School Board wants no part of the fund-raiser.
In a letter to the "Friends of the Track," Superintendent Bob Chappell made it clear that "the names RCHS Track, RCHS Athletics, the Rappahannock County Public Schools or any indirect reference to our schools or school facilities" could not be used on the calendar.
While stopping short of saying that it would not accept any money raised, the board did threaten legal action if its wishes are violated.
Cathy Kreyling says nothing related to either Rappahannock schools or the much-needed track will appear on the calendar.
"I am hoping we can still eventually use this money to help build the track," she says.
Kreyling said she got the idea from a similar calendar featuring Vermont men that her sister sent her some time ago. She decided it would be a fun way to raise money to help build a track.
"Our daughter, Anna, has been on the track team for three years--only the school has no track," she says. "The kids practice in the parking lot and still win."
So, with the help of her friend Camille Racer, Kreyling started recruiting likely candidates for this "pinup" calendar.
She selected the young and the not so young, the good-looking and the well, a couple of guys who admit they are past their prime. The models were photographed in natural surroundings, engaged in familiar activities.
Besides the naked motorcyclist, there are nude apple pickers, a daring beekeeper and a 70-year-old blacksmith presenting the bare facts.
Among those photographed (in black and white) by retired New York advertising photographer John Bechtold were Laurel Mills resident Billy Fannon (age 72) on a polo pony and Chris Moyles, a local artist in his late 20s.
Former "Dukes of Hazzard" star and ex-U.S. Rep. Ben "Cooter" Jones is the most famous of the calendar models. The Rappahannock resident has no regrets or apologies.
"The idea is to make money for the track," he says. "It was harmless fun. You see more skin on a soap opera."
The School Board still isn't laughing.
Chairman Wes Mills hopes the matter will not get out of hand. He said that some people "are really put off by it," while others "think people are prudes."
Meanwhile, Kreyling is hoping for brisk sales when the calendars--with an initial order of 5,000--finally hit the stores. They will sell for $15 each. Orders are already being accepted online at tmorc.com.
Kreyling hopes the school board will "loosen up" once the product is on the market. "These guys haven't even seen the calendar yet," she says.
Jones also thinks the board will eventually come around. Meanwhile, he believes the calendars may serve a higher purpose.
"This is the best argument for clothes there ever was," he jokes. "It gives nudity a bad name."
To reach DONNIE JOHNSTON: DJohn40330@aol.com