In November, Charlie Wise faced an uncertain winter without a roof over him.

The longtime unofficial mayor of the clothing-optional beach near Mazomanie had come to the end of his belt. Normally, he would spend a typical winter in his van parked down by the Wisconsin River. But this past fall the former lawyer turned dropout was broke, in poor health, depressed and his van wasn't running very well, either. He didn't think he could survive another cold winter in his van.

His condition was revealed in a newspaper article Nov. 14, after he trimmed his beard, put on his only suit and came to Madison to discuss his alternatives.

Wise had driven to Mazomanie in 1996 after his second marriage fell apart and left him in a deep depression. He discovered the nude beach and never left, becoming a de facto caretaker during the laid-back attraction's glory years.

He was looking for help but wasn't able to clarify exactly what sort of help he needed, though shelter and financial advice were the top categories. He also informally joined a church, the New Heights Lutheran Parish, and went with a church group to Mississippi on a hurricane mission.

Last week, Wise spoke via cell phone at his temporary residence, an apartment in Black Earth. He said a landlord had read his story and contacted him, offering a free, unfurnished apartment.

"I got this place for the winter," said a grateful Wise. "I furnished it with stuff I have gathered, and somebody dropped off a bed for me. I feel like a king here."

He is still driving the van, but not very far as gets about 10 miles per gallon and the heater is broken.

He has taken some steps to put his legal affairs in order, something that ate up most of his disability payments, he said. Of his $866 monthly payment, he was getting $299.60 because of a confusing backlog of child support situations in Minnesota.

He has also made some inroads on health problems, notably on his long-neglected teeth and gums, he said.

"I was in blinding pain," he said, but a local dental clinic stepped forward with emergency aid and with a plan for longer-term repairs.

He is still connected with the local church, where he is always welcome, said the Rev. Rob Nelson.

He has not been back to the Mazomanie nude beach area along the Wisconsin River this winter, though he does "visit" it by looking at aerial views on the Internet. He also spends quite a bit of time in the library.

Last week in his temporary living space, he said the heat was turned on.

"I am living well. This is wonderful," he said, but could not say what his plans for the spring might bring.

-- George Hesselberg

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