President's Message

Barbara Berman

president@ocsj.org

Happy New Year! We certainly started this year off with a bang – cold and a little snowy. I hope you are ready to participate in our winter activities. With the new year, comes a new Board of Directors making behind-the-scenes decisions to help make your experiences even better than what they already are.  The Board meets once a month, always the second Thursday of every month, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Zoom. Of course, meeting on Zoom came as a result of the pandemic because we couldn’t meet in person. We are planning to meet 3 times this year in person, and that will be posted if you are interested in joining us. However, if you don’t want to attend our meetings for whatever reason, our minutes are posted on the website. Please feel free to click on the link so you can see what we are doing - Meeting Minutes. In addition to our meeting minutes, our newsletter is sent out monthly. I hope this helps you stay connected.

Vice President's Message

Mark Silverstein

Having participated in multiple Board meetings I have a greater appreciation for the time and effort Board members give up to make the club function well.  The idea of an orientation for new members is long overdue.  I remember when I joined decades ago my "orientation" was asking questions on a Friday night hike.  The more transparency the club provides only makes the club better for all of us. We have a very large Board much to my surprise which can be problematic.  I know a committee is looking into changing the bylaws etc.  It will be important to ensure those involved in leading activities on the Board continue to have a voice but anyone who is a voting Board member should also be selected by the membership at large.  This only serves to encourage more members wanting to possibly serve on the Board as voting members.  We have a large club with over 1000 members which contains a great deal of talent.  The club is lucky to avail itself of that talent.  Happy New Year.

Mark J. Silverstein, MBA, Ed.D.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE NEWS

Trail Maintenance Representative

Ro Mason

Trailmaintenance@ocsj.org

The OCSJ trail crew schedule was affected by rain, firearms week and snow in December but we managed to get out on the trails.  On December4th, we added a 20 ft handrail on the Drunken Hobbit Bridge 2 on the Batona Trail in the Franklin Parker Preserve section. Thank you, Vince, for heading up this project. The lumber used for the handrail was once part of a footbridge in Belleplain State Forest.

On December 16, we trudged through 6 inches of snow to clear off the swamp planks on the Batona in Brendan T Bryne SF. We needed to check the planks for loose nails and boards for the Holiday Hikes that were held on the 20th.

Thank you to everyone on the trail crew for coming out every Tuesday and keeping our hiking trails open and safe for our members and the general public. 

Ro Mason

Pictured - Vince, Vicky and Paul

ACTIVITY CHAIR

Frank Pearce

How to Stop Getting Automatic Notices from a Meetup  Group.

You can still  look at  the   meetups.

To stop receiving notices from Meetup, follow these steps:

1. Go to MeetUp.com and click the down arrow next to your profile picture on the upper right of your screen.

2. Select Settings and a list of all your groups will appear.

3. Click Email and notifications in the left-hand menu.

4. Go to the group whose settings you want to change and select Email and Notification Settings.

5. Go through and uncheck the boxes for any things you don't want to be notified of and change the frequency of emails if desired, then click Save Settings.

6. Scroll down to Other MeetUp Emails and uncheck any general emails that you don't want to receive.

7. Select who can contact you via MeetUp, then click SAVE. 

   
   
   By following these steps, you can customize your notification preferences and reduce the number of emails you receive from Meetup.

HIKING NEWS

Hiking Chair

Becky Strickland

Someone recently asked me if OCSJ hikes in winter. Actually they assumed we don't.  In fact January & February are busy months for us, busier than July & August. Wool socks and hats, layers top & bottom keep us warm. Moisture wicking fabrics are best as it's possible to work up a sweat hiking in cold weather. A note about keeping warm: to do that, don't get too hot - you don't want to sweat in the cold.

I'm always cold at the trailhead but within 10-15 minutes I'm pulling off my hat and scarf. We warm up when we're moving.

I've heard conflicting advice about using cleats while hiking. A few of our members have slipped on ice and fractured a bone, or bones.  Others have pointed out cleats can cause a slip on concrete or rock. Some icy surfaces don't look slippery. 

I'm writing this on December 14, our first snow of the season: 3-7 inches, depending on where you live. We had 5 hikes scheduled and all were canceled due to the weather. Sometimes the concern is more the drive to the trail, than the trail conditions, but better to be safe, to hike another day.

See you on the trail!

This is the third time I've posted this picture of a timber rattler. It's time to credit avid hiker and photographer  

Shauna Ward who took the picture.  Thank you Shauna!!

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

bikechair@ocsj.org

New Year to all the bike rider members of the Outdoor Club, both present and future. This is the time of year that many people think about resolutions they intend to make to both better their lives and by which they intend to live in the coming year. Why not this year, if you are not already a bike leader, “resolve” to apply to become a leader? The club cannot continue to provide consistent and quality rides without new qualified bike leaders. For those of you who have been members for awhile, you may have noticed that after some difficult times a couple of years ago, the bike group has grown and we are offering almost as many rides now that we did then. This year we are on track to have hosted over 280 bike rides. We have grown from 660 bike members to over 722 members signed up on Meetup, which is a greater than 10% growth. But unfortunately all of those rides and all of those riders are led by the same dedicated and hard working group of just 32 qualified leaders. We certainly can’t grow our rides if we constantly rely only on the same dedicated and hard working leaders that we currently have. We need new leaders to help out and to begin to replace some of the leaders who may not be able to lead as many rides as they once did. The process to become a leader really isn’t very difficult. There is no requirement that you lead a specific number of rides a year. As an added inducement, if you lead at least 6 rides a year your club dues are covered for the following year, and you are invited to attend the Leadership Lunch held in March. But really, I don’t know even 1 leader who became a leader to save $20 and get a free lunch. Our members become leaders so they can give back to the club they want to see succeed and that they enjoy being a part of. Our members become leaders because they love to ride their bikes and share fun times with likeminded people. Our members become leaders because they realize that if they don’t the activity they love to participate in may not be available in the future. Why not start the New Year off right and e-mail me to let me know you are interested in becoming a bike leader? I would love to hear from you

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING NEWS

Cross Country Ski Chair

Barbara Brandt

Still Time To Sign Up for One of Our XC-Ski/Snowshoe Trips

We feature 3 great locations for enjoying snowy nature. 

• North Conway, NH:  January 19-25

• Stowe, VT:  January 25-30

• Boonville, NY:  February 21-25

At present there is skiable snow and open groomed trails in all three locations, with no thawing, warm spells in sight.   Click this link to see trip details and sign up:  https://ocsj.org/X/C-SKIING-SCHEDULE

If you are already signed up you might want to prepare for the trip with some xc- ski or snowshoe online tutorials.  Great for beginners or finding new ways to improve your technique if you are experienced.  Google and UTube are helping in locating them.  

If you want to get in better shape for the trails try googling cross country ski exercises.  Probably the most important ones for short term impact are balance exercises that can get you beyond shuffling along to kicking and gliding with all your weight on one ski at a time.  Squats and lunges strengthen your thighs and glutes which give power to your stride.  Any cardio and core strengthening exercises are helpful as well.

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

LEE ANN FOLK

by Vera Stek

By Vera Stek

Lee Ann Folk spent years taking care of her family, and other people as well, as a mother and occupational therapist. Now that she’s retired, she’s spending a lot of her time enjoying the great outdoors. 

A long-time member of the Outdoor Club, she is very glad to be a part of an organization that allows her to explore place she might not otherwise have discovered, talk to interesting, like-minded people and get a good workout while appreciating nature. Perhaps the best benefit of all she gained by joining the club: she met her partner Dennis on her very first hike.

Here’s her story:

Q. Tell us about yourself.

LEE ANN: I grew up in a family of five and lived in a suburb of NYC on Long Island.  After high school I went to college and graduate school at SUNY Albany where I met my husband. My first career was in computer services as a sales representative.

Twenty-five years ago when my daughter was in elementary school, I returned to college for another college degree in Occupational Therapy. I held various positions in schools, nursing homes, and for the last 14 years for a P.A.C.E. program. Basically I was on a care team providing all-inclusive care for medically compromised people over age 55 so that they could safely age in place in their homes. I retired from that position two and a half years ago. 

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

 LEE ANN: My friend Geraldine invited me to go on a full moon hike in May 2007.   That was my first hike with the club, and that is when I met  my now partner Dennis. It happened to be a blue moon! When I joined the club I was still working full time. Hiking with the club was a great way to get outside and simultaneously get a workout.

Of course, the best part of the club is that while being outside in nature, I get to meet and speak with fellow hikers. We are an interesting and varied group of people.

On the hikes I have had the opportunity to explore many different parks in a number of NJ counties. Club members share their knowledge of the history, vegetation and the occasional animal we encounter along the way.

Q. Do you participate in other club activities besides hiking? Do you have favorite places to hike?   

LEE ANN: I have done some bike rides with the club, the ones on the canal towpaths in Mercer County.  We often participate in the spring weekend at the Chalfonte Hotel in Cape May. We also enjoy the seasonal picnic events at Pakim Pond.

My favorite hike with the club is still the full moon hike at Whitesbog; I try to attend every month.  Another favorite place is Baldpate Mountain in Titusville.  

Q. Do you hike year around? Do you have goals, like hiking a certain number of miles per year?

LEE ANN: The fall and winter are my favorite time of year to hike. When trails are icy I have cleats to attach to my boots.

It is important to be aware to check for ticks after a hike, no matter what time of year. A few years ago I was bitten by a tick during a mild January. Luckily, I have had no chigger bites ever; I hear those are awful. I wear long pants and/or use bug spray.

I usually hike with the club at least once a week during the year, and up to three times a week in the fall. 

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

LEE ANN: I always have a backpack with extra water and a snack, and a small first aid kit.

Hiking year round has given me an appreciation of the changing seasons.  For instance, the seals at Sandy Hook and Tundra Swans in the Pine Barrens are there only for a few months in the fall and winter.  In the spring, we look for spring ephemerals in the woods.

Q. Do you take active vacations?  

LEE ANN: Not really.  My vacations lately are usually to visit friends and relatives up and down the East Coast.  

Q. Any places on your bucket list?  

LEE ANN: On my bucket list is to visit the Hoover Dam as well as the Sphere In Las Vegas. Also, Machu Picchu.

Q. What are some of your other interests?  

LEE ANN: Other interests include going to live music venues and dancing.  Also gardening, cooking, animals, bird watching, art museums, learning local NJ history, local government and  American history.

Q. What’s something about yourself that might surprise others to know? 

LEE ANN: One year, when I was still in my twenties, I put over 34,000 miles on my car.  

***VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE***

Joanne McNally

• 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 are delighted to bring to you the first news of the activities and plans from your Volunteer Committee, which has been guided by your responses to our survey in October.

For the first event, which is for new members (2025),  please access the Meetup to which you belong (Hiking, Biking or Kayaking) and take a look at the January Meeting for New Members on January 15. We heard from several new members that they wanted more information about the club, had questions about Meetup, paying dues, etc. This will be a monthly or quarterly event, depending on the response and need.

We have been working on a purely social event with a winter theme. Look for more in the coming weeks.

Of course, we welcome any and all suggestions, although we received a nice variety on the surveys. Look for opportunities to get involved and assist in the coming months.

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

                                              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

Jo Anne Kettler (609) 408-0018

Barely used FANTASTIC XC skis for short person. Fischer Nordic Cruising, size xs 174/N36. Travel bag included. Binders are for Salomon boots. Salomon boots size 6.5 (ver warm) and boot bag. Also, Swix all touring poles 125cm. Asking $375 for all. I’m selling because I am no longer able to ski.

Bike rack heavy duty. Holds four bikes with a top lock and bottom lock with keys included. Fits inch and a quarter receiver. Located in court house. $25

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