News, Notes, Reminders

REMINDER

We are now in Eastern Standard Time. Daylight saving time ended on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. Hopefully everyone pushed their clocks back.

November 3rd is Election Day 

Make plans to Vote

The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is happy to announce the availability of

Club Patches

 President's Message

Barbara Berman

president@ocsj.org

As the holiday season starts to approach, I find this is a time of reflection. November is the time for me, and I hope others, to really think about what we are thankful for. Of course, we should think about what we are thankful for every single day, but perhaps this month is more so than other months. We sometimes get caught up in our day-to-day activities to really think about this.

I am very thankful for my health. To me, this is the most important thing in life. Being healthy allows me to participate in the many wonderful activities the club has to offer. If you wanted, you could probably be busy every day doing something you enjoy outdoors.

I am very thankful for my friends. I have met some wonderful people through OCSJ, and because of the bonds we’ve created, we see each other on activities that the club has to offer in addition to getting together outside of the club.

I am very thankful for our Board of Directors. We have accomplished great things in the past year, and we will continue to move the club forward in the coming year. We work well together, and we respect each other’s points of view. I am looking forward to seeing what productive things we are going to accomplish in the next year.

Lastly, I am very thankful for the way our Social Committee has evolved. We surveyed our members and heard what things they’d like to see happen with the club. We have Outreach meetings for our new members, and we’ve come up with some very interesting events that transcend our hiking, biking, backpacking, paddling, and skiing groups.

What are you thankful for?

Vice President

Laura Kober

vp@ocsj.org

Meet Your New Vice President

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve as vice president, become more involved, and give back to our club. I retired a little less than a year ago. Before retiring, I held a government leadership position where I developed strong communication, organizational, and computer skills. I look forward to applying those skills as I learn and grow in this role.

I have been a club member for more than 10 years. I joined as I approached the empty-nest stage of life, hoping to continue enjoying the outdoor activities I love without doing them alone. Through club activities, I have met wonderful people, made new friends, and discovered nearby places I might never have explored on my own. Every club activity teaches me something new about our area.

I decided to step forward and get more involved and join the social committee as a new retiree since I would now have the time to give back to the club and help plan some fun activities. As part of the social committee, I helped plan and co-lead several events including a schooner ride and a corn maze challenge. I am truly in awe of all the time and hard work that goes into our many fun club activities behind the scenes to make them happen. This is all done by our members every one of which are volunteers!

As I settled into retirement a little more comfortably, I decided to get even more involved and step up and into a new role on the board as your vice president. I’m looking forward to this new opportunity to give back to the club as it has given me so many positive and fun experiences over the years.

Thank you so much for your trust and support.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE NEWS

Trail Crew Leader

Ro Mason

Trailmaintenance@ocsj.org

The OCSJ Trail Crew is back!

Oct 6 - We trimmed a section of the Batona Trail from Quakerbridge Rd to the Lower Forge campground turnoff.

Oct 13 - We trimmed the 1808 and SAW trails in Batsto and added a 24ft puncheon over a section that had a lot of roots.

Oct 20 - We trimmed over a mile on the Sam Lambert ( Red) Trail in the Franklin Parker Preserve.  The section thru the blueberry field is now clear and wide. We added 27 feet of puncheon where the beavers flooded the section to the hanging bridge. Several decking boards were replaced on the bridge off the Green Trail / Red Trail road.  A plank was placed on the back of the beaver lodge that is blocking the trail so everyone can safely walk around the lodge. 
Several sign posts were reseated in the ground.

Coming up - Saturday, November 28. Give Thanks/ Give Back Trail Work Day at Whispering Pines. This will be a joint work day with the Wharton State Forest staff.  This event is posted on the meetup hiking page. 

Thank you to our great club for your support of the OCSJ Trail Crew!

ACTIVITY CHAIR

Frank Pearce

hornet71@verizon.net

With the steps below you can easily recover your Meetup account if you forgot your password:

Open the Meetup app on your device and tap on login, enter your email and click on forgot password. Meetup will send you a verification code Open the link and click on reset password. Type in your new password and reenter your password to continue.

To Change Email Address: Open the Meetup app on your device and login to your account Click on your picture in the upper right, or spot where the picture would go. A dropdown menu will appear Click on Settings Under Settings, click on Account Management Under Account Management You will see your current Email address Delete your old email address and type in a new email address Click Save Changes.

You also have option to change your password.

HIKING NEWS

Hiking Chair

Becky Strickland

becky.ocsjhike@gmail.com

Several members have suggested the club put out more specific information about hunting. Here is the information the state of NJ provides -https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/deer-seasons-and-regulations/ and  https://dep.nj.gov/njfw/hunting/where-to-go/. I find it confusing and welcome any help!  The State of NJ has numerous hunting areas, parks and Wildlife Management Areas where deer, bears, coyotes, game birds etc can be hunted. The areas designated for hunting are not near hiking trails and hunters use bow & arrows. Still, wear blaze orange!.... 

The week of 12/6 is shotgun week - stay out of the woods - it's just one week.

A few members have already provided info on specific parks and WMAs - very helpful and I welcome that!

Thanksgiving is this month. I'm grateful for numerous things and people in my life - many of them are related to OCSJ.

I"m grateful for all of our volunteer leaders who plan and lead a variety of activities that are the backbone of our club, I'm grateful for my fellow board members who are constantly looking for ways to improve our club, and for our enthusiastic members who make our activities more fun. I'm grateful for the chance to make friends, be active, and have a safe way to go into the woods...  Thanks everybody!! 

Kevin is off this month.

CYCLING NEWS

Cycling Chair 

Larry Caniglia

bikechair@ocsj.org

This year’s Tour de Pines held on October 1-4, was a huge success for the Pinelands Alliance and our riders who enjoyed 4 days of riding around the Pinelands. Thanks to our club’s sponsorship of the event, 25 members were able to snag the $20 discount offered as a member only benefit for belonging to the Outdoor Club.  

The ride organizers reported that ridership was up over 15% this year as this event continues to grow and draw participants from far and wide.  In addition to our club’s riders I had an opportunity to meet riders from as far away as Rochester, NY and as far west as Western PA.  There were also riders from New England and some of the closer southern states.  

I continually heard from several of these riders how surprised they were to find such a beautiful and peaceful place as the NJ Pinelands.  I am pretty sure I speak for most of us who love our state, that it is a little tiring of always hearing jokes about New Jersey. But then it is so satisfying to hear comments from out of staters when they express their awe and love for one of our most important and beautiful natural resources, the New Jersey Pinelands Preserve.

I hope those of you who attended enjoyed the weekend and are looking forward to next year when the event will be held from September 30th through October 3rd.  Mark your calendars now for a great weekend next year. 

I also want to a shout out and thanks to the many club volunteers who showed up and helped out with the event.  Among them are Rosemarie Mason, Markie Kaczorowski, Vicky Gordon, Frances Drake, Susan Maguire, Jay Stephens, Sue Sosebe, Jeff Fields, Jim Mullen, and Gayle Stulb. 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING NEWS

Cross Country Ski Chair

Barbara Brandt

bbrandt46@gmail.com

Winter Fun!

Our cross country skiing trips are the perfect way to enjoy fabulous scenery, great exercise, and fun camaraderie. We have 3 ski trips planned for the 2023 ski season: North Conway NH, Stowe VT, and Boonville NY. Click this link Skiing Schedule, to see general descriptions and dates for the trips.

Oct. 25th was the annual Ski Preview party. Past skiers and prospective skiers got together to learn about the upcoming season and reminisce about our winter adventures. The comaraderie, enthusiasm, and fun stories of past skiers was contagious.

If you haven’t skied on our trips before or are interested in trying out xc skiing for the first time we hope you will consider joining us. All levels of skiers (including newbies) are welcome.

There are several articles that you may find useful on the OCSJ.org website where you will find a drop-down menu for xc skiing. When you click on it you will see 4 links:

1. Schedule lists the upcoming trips with links to their MeetUp descriptions and how to sign up.

2. Guidelines are a general overview of how our trips are run and what to expect if you sign up.

3. New Skiers gives basic information regarding equipment and clothing recommendations.

4. Ski Equipment is a lengthy and very thorough description of xc ski equipment that may help you decide which type of ski equipment is best for you.

Feel free to contact me.

PADDLING NEWS

Paddling Chair

Frank Pearce

For most paddlers, it is time to think about putting your canoes/kayaks away for the Winter.

Here are some guidelines.

Where to store your hard shell kayak: keeping it indoors offers the best protection, but that's not always practical. Outdoors is suitable, so long as the boat is protected from sun and weather.

Indoor Storage
Store your kayak indoors on a rack or hoist to prevent deformation; never hang it by the grab loops. Clean it before storage to avoid mold and mildew.

Outdoor Storage
Find a Covered Area: If indoor storage isn't possible, store your kayak outdoors in a shaded area, such as under a deck or eaves, to protect it from the elements. If shade is limited or not available, use a weather-resistant tarp that will cover the entire hull at all times of day. Suspend the tarp above the hull rather than simply wrapping the tarp around the boat, direct contact with the hull can promote mold or fungal growth in wet environments. 

A Cover is a good investment to shield it from rain, snow, and UV rays. Ensure the cover is breathable to prevent moisture buildup inside. Make sure rain and snow can't collect in or on the boat. If you're suspending a tarp above the boat, be sure the tarp won't fill up and press down on the hull, which can deform the boat. 

Secure the Kayak: Use straps or locks to secure your kayak to prevent theft. Make sure it is stable and won't tip over in windy conditions. Don’t strap it down tightly like you would when transporting it on your car. Long-term pressure from straps can deform the body of the kayak. Store the kayak upside down or on its side to avoid pressure on the hull. Avoid storing it flat for long periods, as this can cause warping. Inspect Regularly: Check your kayak periodically for any signs of damage or wear, especially if stored outdoors. 

Remove Accessories: Take off any accessories, such as paddles or life jackets, and store them separately to keep everything organized.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Charlie Keyes

by Vera Stek

verastek@verizon.net

About this time of year, many members who enjoy water sports are thinking about taking their last paddles for the season and stowing away their boats for the winter. But not Charlie Keyes. He will paddle no matter the season, if conditions are safe.

Charlie joined the Outdoor Club after he retired and was looking for someone to share his passion for the outdoors and for being on the water. Eventually he became a leader for the club and enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with other paddlers.

Q. Tell us about yourself.

CHARLIE: I was born in Atlantic City, in a time before casinos. We ran all over the island, and mostly knew everyone in the neighborhood. 

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

CHARLIE: I joined about 10 years ago now and I was so nervous the first trip I went on. I had retired from The Press of Atlantic City and had a lot of time on my hands. I loved to fish and paddle, but had no one to do it with. The first trip, my (then) teenage son went with me. I met Vicki, who was a longtime paddling leader, and she really took me under her wing. Eventually I became a leader.

Q. Do you participate in other club activities besides hiking and kayaking/canoeing? Do you have favorite places to paddle/hike? 

CHARLIE: Paddling and camping are my primary activities. I’m not much of a hiker. But I enjoy friendships with so many people who bike, paddle, do trail maintenance, etc. My favorite places to paddle are the Wading River, the Great Egg Harbor River, the Delaware, the Oswego when there’s water. I love the Batsto and the Mullica for their winding, shady spots.

Q. Do you hike/paddle year around? What are some of the problems you encounter like ticks, blow-downs, etc.? 

CHARLIE: I paddle year round, though there are restrictions on water sports by the club later into the year. But if the conditions are right, I will lead a trip any time of the year. Some of the biggest struggles on the river are downed trees that create strainers. They can suck even an experienced paddler into the water, and that can be scary and dangerous. Knowing how to read the water, and where to steer your boat is important.

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

CHARLIE: In terms of safety, I always tell people that life jackets are as much for the rescuer as they are for the person being rescued. If someone goes into the water with a life jacket on, it not only keeps their head above water (if worn correctly), but it makes them visible in the water and provides a strap on the back typically to grab them and hoist them with. So life jackets are essential, even on water that you can stand in. 

In terms of the outdoors and enjoying nature, it is a really an instant mood lifter. I always come away from a paddle in better spirits then I started in. There is just something about being outdoors, usually with other people, that just puts everything else in perspective. Even when the weather isn’t perfect, it still beats sitting inside.

Q. What are some of the volunteer activities you are involved in? What made you step up to do these things?

CHARLIE: In addition to leading for Outdoor Club, I am also involved in Mohawk Canoe Club. When I’m not paddling, I spend a lot of time caring for my grandson and granddaughter, who are 4 and 2 respectively. I came from a legacy of people who were involved – coached football, were part of Kiwanis, etc. So I believe that being involved and being part of something makes my life more interesting and improves the community.  

Quite frankly, I don’t think of leading trips as giving back. I think of it as organizing people hang out together, mostly by setting up a shuttle, making sure there’s a lead and sweep, and then giving a reason to go down the river.  We never are on the same river twice, honestly.  So many of the people who I paddle with are friends.

Q. Do you take active vacations? Any places on your bucket list?

CHARLIE: I came to life late as a traveler and flyer. I only flew for the first time in the last 10 years. But now I love it, and I have been to Ireland, Puerto Rico, across the US. For our 30th wedding anniversary, my wife is taking me to Europe, but she won’t tell me where. It’s still a surprise.

Q. What are some of your other interests?

CHARLIE: I’m a huge baseball fan, and I while I watch the Phillies regularly, I really love the Kansas City Royals. I am an avid downhill skier, and of course, camping is something I have enjoyed for many years. I’m looking forward to both my grandchildren skiing this year, and we mostly go into the Poconos mountains, with occasional trips to New England and sometimes even the Maryland border.

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

CHARLIE: Most years I run a trip on Aug. 30, which is my Special Day. It’s really my second birthday; it is my sobriety day. So, I have been sober for 50 years this year.  Many people know about that, but I’m always happy to recognize it and celebrate it with a paddle. 

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

CHARLIE: I have met so many incredible people in the Outdoor Club, many of whom I consider my closest friends. These are people that I would never have gotten to know otherwise, they would have been out in the world and I would have been out in the world, and I would never have crossed their paths or heard their stories if it wasn’t for the shared love of paddling. 

And I try to paddle three or four times a week if I can. I tell people if you aren’t sure, if you don’t know, just come out one time and try it. Maybe there is someone on the trip who is your next friend or maybe there are people that aren’t your cup of tea. Each trip offers 10-12 different chances to get to know someone and hear about their journey.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE

Joanne McNally

gmgrjoanne@gmail.com

Your social committee continues to search for and execute new and exciting events for your enjoyment. We met on October 21 and welcomed two new members, who contributed some great ideas.

Recent events included a walk across the Ben Franklin Bridge, ending in a visit to the federal reserve exhibit, Money in Motion, a corn maze challenge followed by a stroll through a field of beautiful sunflowers and another naturalist-led walk at Smithville, which was a repeat of a past event that was very popular.

The Dragon Boat experience on September 30 had to be canceled due to weather. We will try to reschedule next year.

We also have some interesting events in various stages of planning:

• Tour of the Amazon fulfillment center in Robbinsville

• Ice-skating in Philadelphia

• Walk at the Grounds for Sculpture

• Tour of the Hindu Temple in Robbinsville

• Volunteer trash collection in one of the parks 

• Fairmount Water Works and Mussel Hatchery visit

As always, we welcome new members to our Committee. The next meeting will be held via Zoom on December 17 @ 7PM, and thereafter on the third Thursday of each month at 7 PM.

New Member Outreach events will now be held quarterly. Look for the next date to be scheduled on Meetup.

MEETUP TIPS

Diane Mason

meetuphelp@ocsj.org

OCSJ members may only have one profile in an OCSJ Meetup activity group. Your profile is the face of your Meetup account. It is what you and other users see when you sign up for an event. If you mistakenly create a second Meetup account and profile, the OCSJ Meetup Organizer will ask which profile you want to use and will remove the other from our groups. Here are some ideas to avoid creating duplicate profiles:

-If you cannot remember your Meetup password, do not create another Meetup account. Request a password change.

-If you cannot remember what email address you used to create your Meetup account, you can do two things:

1. If you are logged-in to Meetup, go to “view profile”. Your email address is posted under your photo.
   
2. Ask the OCSJ Meetup Organizer to send you a message. Although the Organizer cannot see your email address, they can still send you a message. The message will appear in the inbox of the email address associated with your Meetup account.
   

-If you are asked to “join” an OCSJ Meetup group you already belong to, do not join again.  Instead, make sure you are logged into Meetup using the account and email address you used to join the group.

-If you must create a new Meetup account, reach out to the OCSJ Meetup Organizer at meetuphelp@ocsj.org.  Your old profile can be removed from our activity groups leaving just the new one.

OFFICIAL OCSJ LOGO

T-SHIRTS and PATCHES

The Outdoor Club of South Jersey is happy to announce the availability of club T-Shirts and Patches 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:

Club T-Shirts

and for club patches. 

Club Patches

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY

Maura Mawn

mmawn@comcast.net

If you know of an OCSJ member who would benefit from receiving a card of congratulations for a milestone birthday, life event or a note of condolence, contact the Corresponding Secretary and a card will be sent on behalf of the club.

Want to submit a "Shout Out"? Have you experienced a leader on an event that exceeded your expectations? Has a particular person gone above and beyond in their capacity as a leader or a participating member of OCSJ and you want to let everyone know? Email the Corresponding Secretary about your experience and it will be published in our next Newsletter.

ANNUAL MILEAGE CLUBS

A new year means setting new goals. How about hiking 1,000 miles?

The Grand Mile Club (GMC) is for members 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 1,000 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 at jbuffington924@gmail.com for more details. Registration closes at the end of January. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

500/750 Club 

If you are not quite up to 1,000 miles, then consider aiming for 500/750 miles.  The rules are the same as the 1,000 club, except there is a minimum of 1 mile per outing.  At the end of each month, I'll email a reminder to send in your miles and then update and send you a spreadsheet showing each member’s total to date.  If interested in joining, contact Ann Palaitis at palaitis@verizon.net for more details.

Paddling

The OCSJ Canoe/Kayak Mileage Club is for paddlers who like to set personal goals. Any canoe/kayak trip counts with any group or individual. For details go to Paddling Mileage Club. Contact Frank Pearce, Paddle Chair, at hornet71@verizon.net for more details.

"THE OCSJ MARKET PLACE"

the place to BUY-SELL-GIVE-BORROW

The OCSJ Market Place

   Rules for posting items for sale

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Description of item for sale  (Outdoor related)
  
• Asking price
  
• 1 or 2 pictures of items
• Contact information: seller's name, phone number, and/or email
• Email this information to marketplace@ocsj.org 

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 second Thursday of each month at 7 pm via Zoom . To attend the meeting, contact the OCSJ President Barbara Berman, at president@ocsj.org.

OCSJ MEMBERSHIP

CALLING ALL CLUB MEMBERS!!

Do you have a favorite place that you have hiked, but maybe it isn’t in New Jersey?  Or maybe you have taken a bike ride holiday at some distant locale that you were in awe of because of its beauty or serenity.  Perhaps an amazing kayaking adventure, backpack trip or cross country skiing trip is something you have been lucky enough to partake in.  If so, the Club newsletter is looking for short articles from our members to share their experiences with our readers. 

If you would like to share some of your experiences, just send a short article to our newsletter editor, Markie Kaczorowski by email to newsletter@ocsj.org, preferably no more than 250 words explaining the “what, where, and when” the trip took place and what made it special.  

You can also send me any interesting photos from events in the area.

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter.

newsletter@ocsj.org