President's Message

Barbara Berman

president@ocsj.org

Whatever holiday you celebrate (or not), I want to wish you all a very healthy and peaceful New Year. Along with our outdoor activities, our Volunteer Committee is looking forward to planning some other types of events. Look for them in the coming months. I know I joined the club right before the pandemic, and it has made a big difference and impact in my life. My hope is the same holds true for you. Here’s a big thank you to the board who keeps things going behind the scenes, the activity chairs and leaders who keep the club engaged in many fun outdoor activities, and the members who enjoy participating in all our events. OCSJ is not just a club of Meetup events. We are also a community. 

Vice President's Message

Mark Silverstein

The Thanksgiving season of course makes us thankful for friends and family.  As an Outdoor Club member we all have an appreciation of the great outdoors.  This can be whether we hike, kayak, backpack, bike or ski in it.  In New  Jersey we have an abundance of state parks, forests , rivers, or slopes you name it.  Many dedicated individuals work to keep these areas available for all of us to enjoy.  Show your appreciation and thanks by enjoying the fruits of their labor.  I also would like  to thank our Board of Directors  for their support during our October meeting.  Having just been elected VP a few weeks prior I needed to run the meeting and could not have navigated that alone. As a club be thankful we have dedicated members willing to give up time  and make our club continue to serve all our many members.

Mark J. Silverstein, MBA, Ed.D.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE NEWS

Trail Maintenance Representative

Ro Mason

Give Thanks and Give Back Trail Work Day

Members of the OCSJ partnered with the Wharton State Forest trail stewards and members of the public to trim up the Mullica River Trail. We enjoyed lunch on the porch of the Atsion Mansion and were treated to a private tour of the mansion by the historian, Nick. Thank You to everyone who came out to Give  Back to our trails! 

The OCSJ trail crew finished the Parvin Bridge dismantle ( 2 days / 14 hrs ) and repurposed the lumber to install 60 ft of footbridges on the Red Trail in the Franklin Parker Preserve along the Hanging Bridge canal.  We also clipped a section in another area of this beautiful trail. ( thank you clip team!)  The OCSJ trail crew  has adopted the Red Trail aka Sam Lambert Trail in the FPP.

Some of the crew members have walked and assessed the entire Batona Trail of 52 miles for future work which has been started. 

We started clipping and refreshing the pink blazes from the northern terminus at the Ongs Hat trailhead in Brendan T Bryne SF and will flip to the southern trailhead in Bass River SF on November 25.

Thank You to the crew and all our club members for supporting our efforts to keep our hiking trails clear.

Give Thanks and Give Back Hike

11/22

Thank you to the OCSJ members who generously donated  75 food items for a local food pantry.

ACTIVITY CHAIR

Frank Pearce

MEETUP ISSUES

OCSJ pays to use Meetup but we have no control over the software.  In general, it works best if you use one device: phone or laptop or tablet or desktop. If you switch around, it may lock you out. In that case you should sign out of Meetup and sign back in.  If that doesn't work, get in touch with me and I will cancel your Meetup profile.

You will need  to reapply since that specific action will remove your name for any future events you've signed up for, so better to prevent the problem up front than to fix it after the fact.

Meetup seems annoying, but many of us remember OCSJ before Meetup: fewer members and event options. Hikes, paddles, bike rides having to be scheduled months in advance to be published in a brochure (4 X/year), no way to schedule last minute events, no way to notify members if an event had to be canceled at the last minute. Leaders had to drive to the event place and wait for members to show up, to tell them the event was canceled.  No one involved in running the club wants to go back to those days.

If you need to change your E-mail address, here is how. 

Bring up   your meetup listing   for the particular meetup group. 

Click   your   Picture    or   graphic   in the upper right-hand side. 

Click Settings from the drop-down menu.

Pick Account management   and change   your password.

Don’t forget to save change.

HIKING NEWS

Hiking Chair

Becky Strickland

  I posted this picture in the November newsletter. My 11 year old great niece informed me the timber rattler is venomous, not poisonous as I reported. :-}  They are not aggressive but still, a good reason to stay on the trails and not wander into the bushes.

This is a great time of year to hike. We have less rain and the weather is usually moderate.

Ticks are less active in cold temperatures, but they are still around, looking for a meal. We are the meal. It's important to use insect repellent and carry water.  Use sunblock also. To my surprise I got a sunburned nose in Iceland. Yes, it was May, but northern Iceland touches the Arctic Circle! 

Re: hunters in the woods: I'm still confused by the myriad of regulations in NJ.  It appears all types of firearms are legal to use on coyotes and foxes into March.  https://huntwise.com/field-guide/state-hunting-guide/new-jersey-hunting-seasons  (scroll down). Hunting is allowed in some county parks and in wildlife management areas.

Although most hunters hunt at sunrise and sunset when animals are active and when we seldom hike, I"ve talked to some who are out in the middle of the day. Best to be safe - wear blaze orange, and/or stick to beaches, municipal parks, city/town walks.  

If anyone is able to interpret these maps and regulations, I'd welcome the help, now and for next year !

Becky Strickland, Chair

OCSJ Backpacking Chair      

It has been a fun filled and eventful year for the backpacking/camping group. We’ve had some excellent trips, added a new hike leader, and dealt with some interesting situations. While we have had to cancel a few trips due to weather or lack of water on the trail, overall it was a good year. We are winding down now and the winter will be spent preparing for 2026. Plans include a potential camping/backpacking day of classes on top of a gear sale, many weekend trips, and at least one weeklong trip on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.

Be on the lookout in the new year!

By the time you read this, one of our Backpacking leaders, Tom Kerbaugh, will be in North Carolina on the Appalachian Trail, southbound to Springer Mountain. He will be racing to complete his thru hike this year. Send him your thoughts and prayers, and be ready with questions for him in 2026 when he is back.

 Kevin

CYCLING NEWS

Cycling Chair 

Larry Caniglia

This time of year when we think of the people and things we are thankful for, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of the bike leaders who have stepped up this year to lead rides. As of October 31st we had over 250 rides for the year which would not have been possible without the constant dedication and service our great bike leaders have demonstrated throughout the year. I also want to thank the scores of members who take part in our rides and help maintain them in a safe and fun environment for all to enjoy.

December’s Safety Issue. This is the second in a continuing but not necessarily monthly section on safety tips and issues around bike riding. On the Tour de Pines last month I saw the usual unsafe practices by a few people who didn’t seem to understand some pretty basic rules of the road that are designed to keep us out of harm’s way. But one in particular seemed so incredible to me that I felt the need to write about it here.

While I was riding along there was a rider slightly ahead of me and while moving at a pretty good clip started taking selfies. This of course diverted her eyesight and her attention away from the road and the other riders close to her. Fortunately that stretch of road was not heavily traveled but there were several riders around her including myself who all instinctively tried to move away from her so as not to cause an accident. The point here is that anything we do while on a group bike ride can and will affect others on the ride. If we do something that is unsafe, like taking selfies, it can and will cause a safety issue for others on the ride. Please don’t do it!

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING NEWS

Cross Country Ski Chair

Barbara Brandt

Join the Winter Fun! Scenery, Exercise, Camaraderie

There is something for every outdoor enthusiast. All three of our scheduled trips are great both for newbies and more experienced skiers. Check out the trip details here: .https://www.ocsj.org/X/C-SKIING-SCHEDULE. Equipment rentals and lessons are available. Want to try out xc skiing near home before committing to a trip? Renting xc equipment in NJ is not easy due to the lack of snow. Big Bear Gear in Lambertville www.bigbeargearnj.com is the only one I found and it is pricy. Another possibility is Buckman’s Ski Shops with many locations in nearby PA. https://buckmans.com/ It is cheaper and perhaps as convenient depending on where you live and where you want to ski. Another excellent option is Thompson Park in Monmouth County. They have both free groomed trails and ski rentals. Beware, however, that rental lines are VERY LONG on a snowy weekend. They ran out of rental equipment the day I was there. Suggest arriving very early and on a weekday if possible. Yet another option is High Point Cross Country Ski Center in the northern tip of NJ. They have ski and snowshoe rentals and crosscountry ski lessons. Check out details and trail fees on their website here: https://www.xcskihighpoint.com/directions. Email me if you have any questions about our trips or xc skiing in general. 

Time to plan for winter fun.  This year we have scheduled 3 xc ski/snowshoe trips with something for everybody.  The first two are in North Conway, NH and Stowe, VT, - New England towns well known for their charm and winter sports.  The third is in Boonville, NY, -a less well known area of NY State which has the advantage of being closer and near guaranteed snow.  Check out the details and sign up for a trip here: https://ocsj.org/X/C-SKIING-SCHEDULE.   Newbies are welcome.  Rentals and instruction available on all trips.

1. White Mountains of New Hampshire.  January 19-25

2. Stowe Vermont.  January 25-30

3. Boonville New York.  February 21-25

Unfortunately, it is impossible to schedule closer trips due to the fickle snowfall in NJ. We will try to post last minute, nearby “pop up” trips if snow strikes. If you are looking for people to ski with you might want to organize a pop up trip when snow does hit.  If so, you must contact me ahead of time so I can make you an xc leader with permission to post on MeetUp.  This is not a commitment to lead a trip,- just making it possible if you decide to at the last  minute. 

KAYAKING/CANOEING NEWS

Kayaking/Canoeing Chair

Frank Pearce

A reminder that  all paddle mileage counts.

Any canoe/kayak trip counts with any group or individual.

The miles are sent in the first week of January 2026, but the last trip is December 31,2025. The paddlers who do not do 300,400 or 500 miles but turn in miles will get honorable mention on the website.

For details contact Frank Pearce

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

STEVE SINNWELL

by Vera Stek

OCSJ Spotlight on Steve Sinnwell

Dec. 2025

By Vera Stek

Born into a farming family in Iowa, Steve Sinnwell has spent a lifetime in the great outdoors. It was in the 1980s when Steve first became a member of the Outdoor Club and got interested in hiking, signing up for the club’s backpacking survival course. It became a fortuitous choice since he ended up marrying one of the instructors and raising two children with her.

Many years and experiences later, as well as lessons learned, he’s back hiking with the club and enjoying discovering some of the little known spots in New Jersey for immersing oneself in the outdoors. His most recent adventure was a hike on the Appalachian Trail, for which he trained on shorter hikes with the club.

Here’s his story:

Q. Tell us about yourself. 

STEVE: I was born in Iowa; my parents were dairy farmers. Late 1960s circumstances brought me to NJ. After high school I went from working as a pipe fitter to horse stable owner to environmental service manager. Now I’m a retired widower. 

Q. When and why did you join the Outdoor Club? What benefits do you feel you’ve gained by belonging?  

STEVE: I did a lot of backpacking when young. I took the backpacking and survival course offer by the OCSJ in early 1980s, married one of the instructors and then joined in helping with the course until our children tied up my time. I rejoined the club this year to enjoy nature and learn more about areas of NJ I haven’t even been aware of, as well as to keep in shape.

Q. Do you participate in other club activities besides hiking? 

STEVE: I have also kayaked with the club.

Q. Do you hike year around? What weather do you think is best for hiking? What about ticks, chiggers, etc.?

STEVE: I will be hiking year round. Spring is my favorite time. I have battled with ticks and chiggers. I have alpha-gal from a tick bite which has made my diet healthier. (See author’s note at the end of this column.)

Q. What are some safety tips you can pass on? What do you feel are the benefits of outdoor activities and enjoying nature? 

STEVE: I hang my clothes outside and spray with a tick deterrent so as not to get more tick bites. This has worked well. Good hiking boots with ankle support and walking sticks are important for rough trails and elevation,  as well as taking in electrolytes.

Q. Do you take active vacations?

STEVE: I have vacationed in a lot of states from Hawaii to California to Alaska, Arizona and many more. I’m more interested in this area of the USA now and did 33miles on Appalachian Trail a few weeks ago around High Point, NJ.

7. Do you have goals, such as hiking a certain number of miles per year?

STEVE: I don’t have a goal for miles in a year. My goal is to hike and discover  so many new trails in New Jersey that living here most my life I never knew about: from the Pinelands to the shore, Central Jersey, Smithville, Washington’s Crossing, Round Valley, the Delaware Water Gap and Appalachian Trail up to High Point, and so much more.  

Q. What are some of your other interests?

STEVE: I think my lifestyle leans towards homesteading, like chopping firewood. I have a small fruit tree orchard, and grow vegetables and berries as well as flowers. I also have a woodworking shop as well as a welding/metalworking shop.

Q. Anything else you’d like to say about anything?   

STEVE: I enjoy family time and sharing my lifestyle.

(NOTE: Alpha gal syndrome (AGS) has recently been in the news as a NJ man was the first in the state to die from it. It’s caused by the bite of a Lone Star Tick and causes mild to severe allergy to meat, especially, and can cause allergies to foods that come from mammals, such as dairy. The only treatment is to avoid the tick bites and unfortunately this particular tick has been found in NJ. Prevention is the best way to avoid a serious or fatal reaction.)

***VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE***

• The Volunteer Committee has been doing work behind the scenes. We sent out a 3- question survey asking the members the following questions: 

• 1.        If you do not currently participate in many (or any) club activities and would like to, why not?
• 2.        We are looking to expand the club’s social activities, either as part of our regular activities or as separate gatherings. What type of activities would be of interest to you - dining out, movies, karaoke, theater, something else? 
• 3.        As we expand our offerings, would you be interested in a leadership role or helping in a non-leadership capacity in either traditional or social activities. 

We were quite happy that 50 members took the time to complete the survey. The responses were very interesting and enlightening. We culled the results and found that many members would be interested in social events (Fall dance, movies, concerts, bowling, etc.) and events paired with our regular outdoor activities (a meal after the activity, speakers, naturalists, etc.). Other than meetings or activities after the event is over, we will always check to make sure the event we are organizing is covered by our insurance. If the event takes place at another site, we will also double-check that that site has insurance. As always, many of the members who responded indicated they would be interested in helping, which is great, but we need leaders who would be interested in organizing events.

We decide to start with making our new members feel more welcome. At our next meeting on Dec 10^th, we will be discussing this with our Activity Chairs. Stay tuned. 

I would like to acknowledge and thank the committee – Karen Byrne, Fran Horn, Joanne McNally, Deb Mento, Vicky Gordon, Laura Kober, Janine Padgett, Jim Robostello, and John Stevens.

MEETUP ISSUES

OCSJ pays to use Meetup but we have no control over the software.  In general, it works best if you use one device: phone or laptop or tablet or desktop. If you switch around, it may lock you out. In that case you should sign out of Meetup and sign back in.  If that doesn't work, get in touch with me and I will cancel your Meetup profile.

You will need  to reapply since that specific action will remove your name for any future events you've signed up for, so better to prevent the problem up front than to fix it after the fact.

Meetup seems annoying, but many of us remember OCSJ before Meetup: fewer members and event options. Hikes, paddles, bike rides having to be scheduled months in advance to be published in a brochure (4 X/year), no way to schedule last minute events, no way to notify members if an event had to be canceled at the last minute. Leaders had to drive to the event place and wait for members to show up, to tell them the event was canceled.  No one involved in running the club wants to go back to those days.

OFFICIAL OCSJ LOGO TSHIRTS

The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is happy to announce the availability of club T-Shirts through Print Shop Shirts. Ordering will be ongoing, submitted regularly when there is a quantity sufficient to place the order.

We have 13 different styles to choose from ranging from simple ring spun cotton shirts, moisture management/antimicrobial performance fabric, to moisture wicking to UPF sun protection. Short sleeve and long sleeve with many different colors to choose from. Choose from full back printing only, or front left breast printing only, or both front & back printing.

The ordering process from Print Shop Shirts is simple:

Go to printshopshirts.com

Click on "go to stores"

Click on the OCSJ logo

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Maura Mawn

ANNUAL MILEAGE CLUBS

For members who like to set goals and keep track of activity, join a Mileage Club and get a token of your achievement at the end of the year.

A new year means setting new goals- how about hiking 1000 miles in 2026?

The Grand Mile Club is for folks who love a challenge! The rules are simple but it takes grit and determination to finish. Each outing, be it walking, running, hiking, or treadmill, must be a minimum of 2 miles. To reach the lofty 1000 miles in a year, you will need to be logging 84 miles per month. There is a little more to it, so if you are interested in joining the elite GMC, contact Jenny Buffington for more details. Registration closes at the end of January. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Do you want to go that extra mile? Then join the 500/750 mile club!

It's easy! and it's not a race or contest.  Contact Ann Palaitis - with your name and 2025 miles goal.

Then record the total miles you hiked each month and email Ann who will keep track of your miles.

Kayaking Mileage Club - Kayakers report their miles annually to Frank Pearce. 

"THE OCSJ MARKET PLACE"

the place to BUY-SELL-GIVE-BORROW

https://ocsj.org/ITEMS-FOR-SALE 

Rules for  posting items for  sale

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

A  Description of item for sale  (Outdoor  related)

B  Asking price

C  1 or 2 pictures of items

D  Contact information- seller's name, phone# and/or email

Barely used FANTASTIC XC skis for short person (I am 5 feet). Fischer Nordic Cruising. Size XS 164/N36. Ski travel bag included. Also, Swix All Touring Poles 125 cm. Asking $300 for all. I’m selling because I am no longer able to ski.

Jo Anne Kettler (609) 408-0018

Contact jailjester115@gmail.com 

From your Membership Secretary ….

OCSJ memberships are good for one year. When its time to renew you will receive three email notices to the email address you provided to the club when you joined. The renewal notices will be sent to you : 30 days before you are due to renew, 15 days before and the day your membership renewal is due. If you do not renew on your anniversary date, Wild Apricot, our membership account database server, will automatically “Lapse and Archive” you and you will be removed from the club’s meetup pages soon after.

Don’t miss out on our great club activities! Please be prompt to renew.

Please check your spam/junk folders as sometimes your renewal notices will go to those folders.

If you change your account information especially your email address, log into your personal Wild Apricot account and make any necessary changes. You can also email me with changes or questions at membership@ocsj.org

To renew by check :

Checks are to be made out to Outdoor Club of South Jersey

Mail your check to:

OCSJ Membership Secretary

PO Box 74

Oceanville, NJ 08231

Checks may take two weeks to receive and be deposited so online renewals are much faster.

Thank you for renewing your memberships promptly and staying connected to a wonderful group of outdoor minded people like you!

Rosemarie (Ro) Mason

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Your club is made up entirely of volunteers. You will get more out of it, if you put more into it! There are many opportunities to help behind the scenes and on activities. Ask your leader about it on your next event. Let them know if you have any time or talents you would like to share with the club.

Board of Trustees - The OCSJ Board meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 pm. Currently, our meetings are on ZOOM. To a

ttend the meetings, contact the OCSJ President Barbara Berman, at 

president@ocsj.org

OCSJ MEMBERSHIP