Although the year didn't start out the greatest, with the passing of Horst on January 3rd 2024. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and memories shared; they have brought comfort and healing during this time. We know that Horst is at peace with Gigi and all those that have crossed his path. 

A TRIBUTE TO HORST ENGELBERT KRAUS

The Shangri La family lost it’s most precious member on January 3rd, 2024. Most of you knew him, but the family has been kind enough to tell us a bit more about him, his life, and his legacy—this wonderful place we all call home.

Horst was born on August 12, 1930 in Frankfurt Germany, the son of Margaret Diehl and Wilhem Kraus. He had a sister, Edith Glug, now deceased, and a brother Bernd who now resides in Tucson.  At the age of 23, on 9-19-53, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gisela Dietz (Gigi), who was the only true love of his life.  They had a daughter Elvira and then in March of 1960 with another child on the way (Patty), they immigrated to the USA, with the help of his best friend, Eric Piee who sponsored him.

Horst grew up in his father’s plumbing business, and learning from an early age not only how to do the work, but how to bid the jobs.  He brought these valuable skills with him to the Chicago area, ultimately starting his own very successful plumbing business. His knowledge of plumbing estimating became the gold standard to obtain a bond in the Chicago area.  If he was bidding a government job, other companies wouldn’t even bother to submit a bid because they knew he was going to be awarded the job.

While Horst continued to dominate the plumbing industry in Chicago, he and Gigi raised their 3 children Elvira, Patty, and Autumn  (born in 1962). They were all involved in their community, and Horst became known for his kindness and compassion to all who knew him.  One of his daughters believes that was his greatest gift to her.

In 1980,  he and Gigi retired, sold or stored everything and became full time RVers! After being Florida snowbirds for several winters they began looking for a resort to buy.  Gigi’s health prevented them from staying in Florida, so they began looking in the Southwest.  In 1996 they headed to Arizona, and stopped at Shangri La Ranch for the 4th of July weekend.  They had already spoken to several other people about available resorts for sale. While having dinner with the owners of SLR, Horst wrote an offer to purchase price on a napkin and slid it across the table to the (then) owner, who promptly said “SOLD”!  Horst replied, “I should have offered less!”

Prior to completing the purchase of the Ranch in January of 1997, he invited Patty & Don to move from Illinois and join he & Gigi in this venture which they did that following November, Alfie joined the business in July of 2003. At that time of purchase, the Ranch consisted of about 60 sites, and Horst’s vision included more capacity for Rv’s and permanent structures.  Now, there are 160 sites!  Initially, the purchase included 38 acres.  Now it consists of 48 acres with additional adjoining lots for the “buffer”. Horst’s dedication to improving Shangri La is evident everywhere you look, including the volleyball pool, Millenium Hall, and the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Horst grew up during World War II, when everything, including food was in short supply, or highly rationed. Horst knew first hand what it was like to “do without”. He saved everything!  His philosophy was “never throw anything away, you never know when you might need it.” His community involvement and connection was crucial for success, and he became very active in the legislative district, local politics, Kiwanis, and the Republican party.  All the while, he continued to promote Youth Activities and the family atmosphere here at Shangri La.  He was determined that Shangri La remain a place where parents could raise their children in a safe and wholesome environment.

He was also very involved with AANR (Previously ASA), and served as Regional Director and Membership & Marketing committee member.  He passed this passion onto Patty, and then to Cyndi who both continue to work tirelessly to promote the nudist and family oriented values every day.

Horst wanted to be remembered as living!  He wanted everyone to remember him with a Hershey bar, ice cream on a stick, Coca-Cola, and beer! He didn’t drink water because he always said “Water makes your intestines blue and there is plenty of water in beer.” Let’s all honor him by continuing to promote the family atmosphere he treasured, appreciating all that he provided for us, and enjoying a beer, a coke or a Hershey bar!

Kudos Korner

We’d like to honor those in our community who make a difference to one or all.  Please submit a nomination to honor someone who has done something especially nice, or gone our of their way to lend a hand. 

KUDOS to Steve G for stepping in and helping with electrical work that is beyond our staff knowledge or availability.

Ranch Reminders

It’s a privilege to live in our great, family oriented resort.  Let’s all remember to thank those who make it possible every single day. Patty, Don, Cyndi, Danielle, Christopher, Andy, Lisa, and all of our wonderful DJ’s—Tom, Gary, Andrea, and Lori ALL make tremendous sacrifices for each of us every day to provide the safe environment and fun entertainment we all enjoy.  Give them a special thanks the next time you see them.

-Gentle reminder that there is a 5MPH speed limit throughout the resort.  Let’s all make a special effort to adhere to that as management will be enforcing that speed limit for all residents.  There are NO exceptions, unless you own the place!

-Who doesn’t love an adorable dog? We are very dog friendly here at SLR, and we want to keep it that way!  But you must clean up after your dog!  It’s not only very rude, but completely unacceptable to allow your dog to do their business and not clean it up.  Regardless of where you walk your dog, please immediately clean up after them! And remember not everyone enjoys the sound of your furry friends barking. Let’s be considerate of others and keep that noise down to a minimum.

-February 15th there will be transformer replaced in the T-Lot area this will cause a 2-3 hour power outage around that area.

-The new washers are $2.00 a load, DO NOT place pillows, heavy blankets, comforters, or dog beds in it.

HEART SHAPED PIZZA FOR TWO (OR ONE!)

You will need:

1 pound store-bought pizza dough

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing 

16 slices pepperoni

All-purpose flour, for dusting 

1/2 cup prepared pizza sauce 

1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella

1. Put the pizza dough in a medium bowl and coat well with the olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, put a large inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. 
3. Fold a pepperoni slice in half and use a pair of kitchen shears to trim the edges into the shape of half of a heart. (When you unfold the pepperoni slice, it will be a whole heart.) Repeat this process with the remaining pepperoni, then set aside. 
4. Divide the pizza dough into 2 balls. On a lightly floured surface, stretch 1 ball of dough into a 10-inch round. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment paper, then slide the parchment and dough onto a second inverted baking sheet. Use a pair of kitchen shears or a paring knife to cut the pizza dough into the shape of a large heart, discarding the dough scraps. 
5. Spread half of the sauce on the dough in a thin layer and scatter half of the mozzarella on top. Top with half of the pepperoni slices. Use a pastry brush to brush the exposed edges of the dough with olive oil. Carefully slide the parchment onto the preheated baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool 1 to 2 minutes before slicing. Repeat to make a second pizza.