News, Notes, Reminders

When Are the Dog Days of Summer?

According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the Dog Days span July 3 to August 11—40 days following the summer solstice.These are traditionally the hottest and most humid weeks of the year. 

On July 24, 2002, Lebanon State Forest was officially renamed Brendan T. Byrne State Forest  

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

Club Patches

 President's Message

Barbara Berman

president@ocsj.org

The summer is finally underway, and as usual, OCSJ has lots of activities to offer. I hope you are able to take advantage of these activities and events. As you know, we are always looking for more leaders. The more leaders we have, the more activities and events we can offer. If you would like to become an activity leader, please contact the chairperson of that activity.

We are also looking for someone to join our board as Vice-President. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who would like to be part of the club’s decision-making process. If you have been a member for at least 6 months and have participated in a variety of activities, are well-organized, have good written and oral communication skills, have shown an interest in the club in other ways, and are somewhat computer literate, we would love you to consider joining the board. 

The responsibilities of the Vice-President are listed on our website.

Please contact me at president@ocsj.org if you are interested. Thank you very much.

TRAIL MAINTENANCE NEWS

Trail Crew Leader

Ro Mason

Trailmaintenance@ocsj.org

The OCSJ Trail Crew is on summer hiatus so I am honoring them and their work by posting trail work photos for the June - September newsletters. Some of the photos are from 10 years ago. Thank you to everyone who has been keeping our hiking trails cleared for over a decade!

ACTIVITY CHAIR

Frank Pearce

hornet71@verizon.net

Summer is here and so is the height of sunburn season

Make sunscreen a part of your outdoor activity.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays, offering comprehensive defense. 

Sunscreen significantly reduces the risk of skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Regular daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen can lower the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by about 40% and melanoma by 50% when applied correctly Be wary of high SPF numbers. SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays. SPF 100 blocks are just 1% more.

Please click link below. on how to apply.

https://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Sunscreen

Look for a water-resistant sunscreen and check the expiration date.

Even with water-resistant sunscreen, reapply every 40-80 minutes or as directed on the label The FDA requires sunscreen to retain its protective power for at least three years from the date of manufacture. 

UVB rays primarily cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer, while UVA rays  penetrate deeper, causing long-term damage.

MAJOR UPDATE:

In major win for U.S. consumers, FDA on June 9, 2026 approved the first new sunscreen ingredient in 25 years. Approval of bemotrizinol triggers 18 months’ exclusive marketing rights in the U.S. of Parsol Shield, a proprietary bemotrizinol formulation. 

After that period, other manufacturers may use it in their formulations, driving broader availability and more competitive pricing.

It is not yet sold as a finished consumer product in U.S. retail channels.

Bemotrizinol offers stronger UVA protection, closing decades-old protection gap with sunscreens sold abroad..  Bemotrizinol has been used safely in sunscreens across Europe and Asia since 1999 under brand names including Tinosorb® S by BASF and Parsol® Shield by DSM

The chemical, bemotrizinol, also known as BEMT, will give American consumers access to a level of ultraviolet A protection that has until now been unavailable on U.S. store shelves.Bemotrizinol offers a stable  non-mineral option  that doesn’t break down in the sun, unlike one of two previously approved UVA filters, avobenzone.  Mineral-based sunscreens often leave a white cast on the skin.

Traditional U.S. sunscreens excel at blocking the radiation that causes visible sunburns, ultraviolet B rays. But they routinely fail to shield against deep-penetrating UVA rays, which drive premature aging, suppress the immune system and are the primary contributor to skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Ps

Do not forget a hat, protective clothing, and look for shade.

HIKING NEWS

Hiking Chair

Becky Strickland

becky.ocsjhike@gmail.com

OCSJ and the ethics of outdoor life both have a strong 'leave no trace policy'. Exactly what does that mean? In the simplest terms - take nothing, leave nothing 

'Leave nothing' is easy to understand. Pack out your trash, including that apple core that seems so harmless, pick up after your dog. LEAVE NOTHING. Also, stay on the trail and off fragile areas.

 'Take nothing' is a little harder to understand. Those pine cones that are already on the ground, a little greenery to decorate your door, that pretty stone.  Does it really matter if you take just one or 2 items? The problem is when multiple people come through and pick up 'just one or two' of a desirable item. It adds up.

When we are outdoors, in the woods, a park, on a beach, we are in the creatures' homes and should show respect.

LEAVE NO TRACE

For more information -  https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

This seems like a good time for the usual summer reminder --  use insect repellent for ticks and chiggers and to the best of your ability, avoid areas that they like- grassy areas for example. I always spray my feet and footwear, but only that. Recently I was on the Cranberry Trail at Pakim Pond and was careful to not brush up against any vegetation.  We sat at the picnic table near the far end of the trail and a few minutes later I found a tick crawling on my pants. My first thought was 'THIS is why we should wear light colored clothes!' My second was 'Where did it come from?!'  My fellow hikers said it was probably on the table. Thanks to Elaine S for taking care of it for me! 

Be careful out there!

Several good backpacking trips have happened this year, but as the weather heats up, the number of events gets scaled back, especially in the pine barrens.

Right now we have a one-day trip in New Hampshire in mid-July where folks can experience the AMC huts. They’re pretty cool, and you get a bunk to sleep in, dinner and breakfast the next day.

The other trip on the calendar is in September, a 5-day trip in Virginia.

Be on the lookout, as the leaders are planning a few more. See you on the trail!

CYCLING NEWS

Cycling Chair 

Larry Caniglia

bikechair@ocsj.org

The Outdoor Club bike group held its first “Learn to Mountain Bike with Confidence” clinic at the Galloway Nature Preserve on Saturday June 13th. Seven interested bike group members participated in the small group class which allowed our instructors Kevin Ackeret and Stephanie Beritsky to give a great deal of one on one instructions and pointers to all the attendees. They covered everything from the basic fundamentals of proper bike settings, proper body positioning for riding and coasting, braking safely and quickly, and how to keep our bodies over the center of gravity while on the bike.  

We then learned the correct ways to corner, confront obstacles in the path and jumping and climbing over obstacles without stopping.  The clinic ended with an actual ride around the preserve where we spent a couple of hours practicing everything we had learned in the morning session.  

It was interesting to hear from some of our member attendees who have been mountain bike riding for years, on how much they learned and what they had been doing wrong with effective ways to correct their mistakes and become better riders.  

A special thanks goes out to Kevin and Stephanie for donating their time to the clinic. In lieu of payment we were able to make a $450 donation to JORBA (the Jersey Off Road Bike Association) for their efforts in maintaining the bike trails throughout the Atlantic County area, and of which Kevin is chief steward.     

In other news, the NJ E-bike law is set to go into effect on July 19th.  The NJ Bike and Walk Coalition has been working tirelessly to make changes to the law with regard to Class 1, pedal assisted e-bikes that do not exceed 20mph.  There is still time to make our voices heard to the legislature, members of which have been meeting with the bike coalition on the requested changes.  Follow the link here to learn more and to easily reach out to your local legislators to make your voice heard:  NJ Bike and Walk Coalition Update 

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING NEWS

Cross Country Ski Chair

Barbara Brandt

bbrandt46@gmail.com

Cross Country Ski Exercises

(…which also happen to be excellent exercises for a long and active life)

Our trips for next winter are being finalized and will be posted on MeetUp soon. Keep watch for the postings.

Meanwhile, you might want to get start getting in shape for a successful first season or to up your current game a notch or two. Cross country skiing requires some measure of stamina, strength (particularly lower body and core) and balance. While you don’t need massive amounts of each to get out on the beautiful snowy trails, the more you have the easier and more fun it will be. You use lower body and core strength to power yourself across the snow. You use balance for stability and to get beyond shuffling to gliding forward on one ski at a time. You use stamina to keep up the kicking and gliding with as little effort as possible. Any exercise addressing these 3 things will benefit your xc experience.

The best exercise to address and improve all 3 of these attributes is the bodyweight squat (often called the “king of exercises” and the most important exercise for healthy aging). Try Googling “benefits of the squat” for a long list of its benefits. Squats are especially good for increasing the strength and endurance of the big muscles that power the xc kick (quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings). Proper technique is essential to prevent injury. Be sure to learn it from the internet or a trainer. These 2 articles from the Cleveland Clinic and WebMD have a lot of information on proper technique.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/proper-squat-form,

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/health-benefits-of-squats, If you need to build up to a basic squat you can start with mini squats, wall sits, or assisted squats lightly holding on to the kitchen counter or sturdy chair back. If a basic squat is easy you can add weights and/or reps. Better yet, work on one leg sit-to-stands and one leg squats for additional balance benefits. FYI: squats actually improve arthritic knees and hip joints if done correctly.

Another all around exercise that addresses the same muscle groups is the lunge. IMHO this is a bit harder, but also a bit more beneficial for xc skiing. It requires strength and balance from one leg at a time, which is the same for the xc kick and glide. It has a larger balance benefit. Beginners can start with shallower lunges and/or put one hand lightly on a kitchen counter or sturdy chair back to help balance. Again, proper form is essential to prevent joint injury. 

Here are a few photos from last winter to get you in the mood.

KAYAKING/CANOEING NEWS

Kayaking/Canoeing Chair

Frank Pearce

KEEPING IT DRY

The key items that paddlers often try to protect are:

§  Cell Phone

§  Wallet

§  TP

§  Food

§  Clothes

§  First Aid kit

§  Gear

The best way to keep something dry is to leave it at home.

Some things to consider if you want to keep things  dry.

What items will you need to access while on the water, and can you do so without ruining them? 

How much room do you have in or on your canoe/kayak?

Your budget and the item’s value.

Zip lock bags for non-critical items. They are inexpensive, easy to find, and sometimes work to keep water off of your items. I might trust my wallet to a zip lock, but not anything that MUST stay dry.

Pelican Case or Dry bag

Protecting Your Cameras: Pelican Cases vs Dry Bags

Using Drybag correctly

4 Mistakes when using a Dry Bag

Cell Phone protection.

Protect, Use, and it floats

Top 5 Best Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch

Purpose built electronics bags. I use a clear rubber/plastic bag for my Phone. It has a sealing mechanism that clamps together to seal out water, and a lanyard. I don’t trust this bag with my phone by itself, but it allows me to pull the phone out of the dry box if I need to answer a call while on the water. Seriously, redundancy is important for items that MUST stay dry.

Cheaper alternatives to Dry Bags and Boxes for some items.

A paint bucket is a great way to keep items dry in a canoe. However, it is not recommended to use it for keeping items dry that are sensitive to moisture.

Some final do's and don’ts

Check out your dry bag, pelican box, or lidded bucket before you use it.

Don’t forget to secure your bag, box, or lidded  bucket. You don’t want to see your items floating away.

Don’t rely on your hatch to keep items dry.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Luanne Brogna

by Vera Stek

verastek@verizon.net

If all goes well and the weather cooperates, Luanne Brogna (trail name Lulu) should be about 5 or 6 weeks from reaching Mount Katahdin when you are reading this. A retired nurse who joined the Outdoor Club in January 2025, she started in West Virginia on May 15 and hopes to complete the Appalachian Trail by mid-August.

A life-long hiker, Luanne has already been to many of the most well-known trails that many of us aspire to, including the Camino. All it takes, according to her, is “positive energy.” Here’s her story:

Q. Tell us about yourself.

LUANNE: I was born on Staten Island, NY, in 1957,  and lived there until I went to Hunter College-Bellevue School of Nursing in NYC. As an RN, I landed my first position at Mount Sinai Medical Center, working on a GI surgical floor. After several years of experience, I became board certified in wound ostomy continence nursing, working at several medical centers. I retired in 2023 at the age of 65 so I could begin to travel more. 

I lived in Paramus for 38 years where I raised my 2 children, Michael (33) and Carolyn (30). 

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

LUANNE: I joined OCSJ in January 2025. After selling my home in Paramus, I moved to my family shore home in Lavallette. Having never lived there before in the winter time, I needed to make some connections and make new friends as the barrier island is so desolate. Since I enjoy hiking, OCSJ was a good choice. I have made some acquaintances and learned about areas in which I can get out into nature. 

At my age, I prefer to hike with others. My daughter actually made me promise that I would never hike alone. With the support of trekking poles I am much more steady but with rocks, roots mud, leaves and rain it is easy to take a spill. I do have osteoporosis and have had fractures in the past so having company around is a big comfort. 

Q. Do you hike year around? Where are some of your favorite places to hike?  What equipment do you feel is absolutely essential for a safe and successful hike?

LUANNE: I do hike year round although I am not a big fan of cold weather. I was very active hiking in NY and NJ when I lived in North Jersey, where I enjoyed hiking in Sterling Forest, Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park and Minnewaska State Park. 

Locally, my favorite hikes are anything with hike leader Al D., as he posts hikes near me with the speed and distance I prefer. 

Essential equipment includes: plenty of water, a healthy snack, sunscreen, a hat or sunglasses, first aid kit, bug/tick repellent, appropriate footwear and positive energy. 

Q. What inspired you to join the Grand Mile Club? What do you feel are the benefits of outdoor activities?

LUANNE: I love to walk and I knew that walking 1000 miles in a year would be doable for me. In general, I do love to participate in challenges. 

Outdoor activities help to clear my mind and boost my spirit. I became more active hiking during COVID as I needed to realize there was more to life than the death and dying I was experiencing on a daily basis. Outdoor activities were recommended with distancing so hiking was a win-win for me. I usually walk on a daily basis. 

Q. Do you take active vacations? If so, where have you been? 

LUANNE: I participate in active vacations on every trip I take. Sitting and relaxing are not my cup of tea.  I’ve been to:

Sept. 2018: backpacked the North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado river. 

Aug. 2019: hiked in the Outback, Australia. 

Oct. 2021: the Berkshires; Mount Greylock. 

Aug. 2022: Colorado National Monument.

Feb. 2024: Patagonia “W” trek. 

April-July 2024: Appalachian Trail. GA to WV. Goal was to complete the trail but family matters got in the way.

March 2025: Big Bend National Park. 

June 2025: Utah Scenic Highway with 5 national parks and monuments

July 2025: Tour du Mont Blanc—France, Italy and Switzerland. 

Sept. 2025: Yosemite, Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, CA

Oct. 2025: the Inca trail, Machu Pichu

Nov. 2025: Lost Dutchman’s State Park, AZ

April 2026: El Camino Portuguese, Portugal/ Spain to Santiago de Compostela. 150-mile walk as a pilgrimage. Great way to immerse yourself in another country’s culture. 10-15 miles per day with hostels along the way. Well supported!

May 2026: back out on the Appalachian Trail to complete WV to ME. 

Q. How is your AT trek coming along?

LUANNE: In 2024, I developed a significant trail family (tramily) with whom I have kept in touch. BillyBob and Knots are 2 of them who had to get off trail for other reasons, so they did not complete the trail either. We 3 gathered in Harper’s Ferry on May 15 and are making good progress. Sometimes we hike and chat, sometimes we leave a little more space between us to be one with nature. Our hiking speeds are very similar and we always stop at intersections to regroup. We do support each other physically, mentally and emotionally.

Foot blisters and proper footwear have been the biggest issues for me. Just got new trail runners and hopefully they will be the charm. All of us had foot issues due to the rocky terrain in MD and Rocksylvania. 

Q. What’s your favorite thru-hike book?

LUANNE: “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk.” My favorite book!  If Grandma could do it, then I could too.!!! I loved a Bill Bryson’s “A Walk in the Woods” too. Funny!

Q. Any places on your bucket list? 

LUANNE: There are many!!!! More national parks, the Dolomites, Costa Rica coast to coast, Scottish Highlands, Galapagos, the Azures, Amalfi Coast plus many more.

Q. What are some of your other interests?

LUANNE: I volunteer at a local soup kitchen, play pickleball whenever I get the opportunity, and enjoy summer sports like swimming, kayaking, biking and bodysurfing. 

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

LUANNE: There was no girls’ swim team when I was in HS. So I became a pool leader to get out of gym and ended up participating in the synchronized swimming club. I was chosen to perform the solo in my senior year!  

In addition, no girls were allowed to be lifeguards on the ocean back in the day so I was a lifeguard at the bay in Silver Beach, NJ, where I reside now. 

Q. Anything else you’d like to say  

LUANNE: “Life is good!”  

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE

Joanne McNally

gmgrjoanne@gmail.com

Joanne is taking this month off.

MEETUP TIPS

Diane Mason

meetuphelp@ocsj.org

When it comes to using computers or your phone there are usually several ways to do anything. This is true with Meetup too. You can sign into Meetup a few ways: 1) Go to Meetup.com, sign in, and click on “Your Groups”, 2) Download and use the Meetup app on your phone, or 3) Go to the club’s web page ocsj.org and scroll down to the links to the hiking, biking, and kayaking schedules. Click on the link to the group you want to explore.

No matter how you get there, always look in the top righthand corner and make sure you are signed in. Our Meetup groups will not recognize you as a member unless you are signed in.

OFFICIAL OCSJ LOGO

T-SHIRTS and PATCHES

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 Club T-Shirts

We now have club patches.

Go to 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# and/or email

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. This month's meeting is in person on July 9th at the Pinelands Alliance. To attend the meetings, 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.

Markie

newsletter@ocsj.org