Beach Bum Women Bare All

CAPE MAY — They were topless on the beach, topless in Acme’s eggs and bacon section and cooking in kitchens all over town wearing only a red hat and a smile.
These uninhibited, Cape May babes are at it again and they want you to see what they are doing. They call themselves the Beach Bums and they appearing on the cover and on each page of “A Wunderful Cookbook for Beach Bums,” a project to raise funds for local resident Robbie Wunder who became a paraplegic following a swimming pool accident.
At this time, Wunder, 18, has only the use of his forearms. A graduate of Lower Cape May Regional High School, he is now studying architecture at Temple University.
His family is experiencing difficulties with insurance coverage and Robbie’s father gave up his job to assist his son full time.
Wonder’s grandmother appears on page 11 of the cookbook.
The Beach Bums are shameless, unrepentant and over the age of 50. They’ve done this sort of thing before.
In 2005, they appeared even more naked on a calendar, which sold 1,658 copies, raising $14,920 for Tee Up for Down syndrome, Juvenile Diabetes Association, United Cerebral Palsy and Association for Retarded Citizens.
In 2006, they once again shed their clothes and inhibitions for a calendar that sold 433 copies and raised $3,900 for the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Holy Redeemer Visiting Nurse Association and National Kidney Foundation in memory of the Beach Bum’s 14 deceased husbands.
The naked calendar concept arose from discussion of children and grandchildren with afflictions at a summer party. While many of the “bums” are members of the Red Hat Society, the cookbook and calendars are a separate project.
The calendar project drew nationwide attention including a segment on Good Morning America.
Leigh Ann Austin, who appears on page 19, came up with the cookbook concept.
Judy Lord added the naked aspect and shot the photos inspired by a movie about a similar project in England. She said it was decided to produce a cookbook this year rather than a calendar, which is outdated in one year.
“Sex sells,” said Austin.
The motto of the cookbook is “heat up your kitchen, spice up your life.”
The darkest secret about the photo shoots involves duct tape. Austin remembered a trick from her modeling days to create more cleavage using the multipurpose tape.
For those who get past the photos, the book actually contains recipes from the ladies that will “allow you more time on the beach.”
The cookbooks may be ordered by mail by sending $11 payable to Beach Bum Cookbook, P.O. Box 495,Cape May, N.J. 08204.
The books are also available at Love the Cook and The Whale’s Tale on the Washington Street Mall, The Nature Center of Cape May, Swains Hardware, By the Sea, next to the Beach Theatre, Sunset Beach Gift Shop, Cape May Winery on Townbank Road, Love the Cook, Stone Harbor and Dock Mike’s at the South Jersey Marina.
When shooting photos for the 2005 calendar, Lower Township police were summoned on a call of three naked women and a dog wearing sunglasses sitting in a convertible. The situation was resolved when the patrolman saw the women were wearing bathing suits.
The Beach Bums are appearing clothed, in the movie Standing Ovation, which is filming in Wildwood and Cape May. (See related story)
Contact Fichter at (609) 886-8600 Ext 30 or at: jfichter@cmcherald.com