It's apparent on most hikes of the Outdoor Club that the predominant age of members is golden. Perhaps it's because older people have more time for things like hiking, or because they've discovered how important it is to remain active as you age.
Both of these reasons are why Dennis DeVries, 75, of Riverton joined the club at the beginning of the year. At first he had a modest goal of completing 500 miles in 2018 and joined the 500-Mile ( Plus) Club.
But Dennis enjoyed his time outdoors so much that he quickly became an over-achiever and is set to hit 1,000 miles by year end, twice what he thought he was capable of. Here is his story:
Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
Dennis: I moved from Illinois to Riverton in 1973. I have lived in several parts of the country, but consider the Delaware Valley to be my home--one of the better places to live. My wife, Jan, and I have four adult children and four grandchildren. All, except one in California, live within a couple of hours. I made the transition from manufacturing to real estate in 1987; sold my real estate company in 2009 and retired in 2010. I turned 75 in October.
Q. When and why did you join the Outdoor Club? Do you mainly do hiking or do you participate in other activities?
Dennis: We were on vacation in Maine in 2017 and I started hiking around the Blue Hill region. I wanted to continue hiking at home and a friend suggested that I join OCSJ to find interesting places to hike, so I joined in January 2018.
Q. When and why did you get interested in hiking and keeping active outdoors?
Dennis: Getting old is tedious. I've been active all of my life and wanted to do something that would be interesting and help maintain my health.
In 2013, I volunteered as farm handyman on an organic dairy farm-Cherry Grove Farm-in Lawrenceville. I had a great time working with dedicated and interesting people. My job was all-around handyman, repairing and operating equipment, tending the herd of cows, etc. One of the summer interns said that she was going to walk the Pacific Crest Trail in 2017 and that was the trigger for me to start hiking. (Not that I will ever do anything close to the PCT or the AT...just to start hiking.) She, by the way, started April 21, 2017 and finished Sept. 7. Her next adventure is to bike around Iceland!
Q. Do you have favorite places to hike? Favorite distance? Do you also backpack?
Dennis: My favorite short hikes - 3 to 6 miles: Rancocas Park, Crystal Lake Park, Palmyra Cove. Longer hikes: Sourland Mountain Preserve. Preferred distance: 3-5 miles. I'm trying to get to 10-20 miles and all day hikes in 2019.
Q. Do you have any goals? Do you travel to other states to hike?
Dennis: I started 2018 thinking maybe I could do 500 miles in a year. As of October 1st, I was at 784 miles and on track to make a 1,000 miles for the year. In 2019 I want to try Northern Virginia, Harper's Ferry, and do at least one section of the AT.
Q. What do you get out of belonging to OCSJ? Do you belong to any other such organizations?
Dennis: OCSJ has introduced me to people who are fun, kind and helpful. They've give me inspiration to do more. They've suggested many places to try and said that I had to see the Eagles of Conowingo Dam! Also the Vultures of Conowingo that pull the rubber molding off of your car while you are watching the eagles. What a hoot! (See YouTube.) We actually went to Conowingo in February but plan to go again in this November-the peak time.
Q. Have you had any injuries you've had to deal with? Do you hike year-round? Favorite time of year for hiking?
Dennis: I haven't had any real injuries. I got "attacked" by three geese and one scored a hit on my forearm. I try to hike all year round. In late summer heat I resorted to "mall walking." Yuck! I love the fall, winter and spring.
Q. What's something about yourself that might surprise others to know?
Dennis: I'm shy. Cannot write!
Q. What other interests do you have?
Dennis: Other interests: travel, movies, working on home and garden, collecting old tools.
Q. Anything else you'd like to say about anything?
Dennis: Life is Good.
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OCSJ Club News
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OCSJ Leader's Appreciation Banquet
We recognize that activity leaders are the backbone of OCSJ. Leaders are the ones who create the fun experiences for our members, and once again we want to thank you for your service.
2018 Activity Leaders and one guest, are invited to attend our annual "thank you" banquet free of charge at Ramblewood Country Club, Mt. Laurel, NJ.
The final headcount is due to Ramblewood the week of March 6 so please be mindful that once we submit the number of attendees, OCSJ is obligated to pay for that number of guests.
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OCSJ Photo Contest
This is the 2nd Outdoor Club of South Jersey Photo Contest.
This year, we tried a simpler and more user friendly contest.
All photos that were entered will be incorporated into a 2019 OCSJ calendar. The calendar will be available on the OCSJ website and with the following link: Click here to download the 2019 OCSJ Calendar
For more information, please contact Doug Hillebrecht at LOGHOMERNJ@GMAIL.COM
The new printed Trekker is available at OCSJ board meetings and from Board Members and Leaders.
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OCSJ Participation Policy
1. OCSJ is a member organization. Membership funds pay for insurance and other Club overhead. However, prospective members and guests of OCSJ members may try one regular activity from each of our activity sections without joining. Thereafter they must join to be eligible for the hundreds of activities and events available every year.
2. Participants on trips which charge money must be members of OCSJ, except where the trip is a joint trip with another club and the participant is a member of that club. Members of OCSJ may bring guests on a day trip charging money. Participants on overnight trips charging money must always be an OCSJ member.
Any comments please Contact Barbara Brandt (president@ocsj.org)
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Membership
Membership information is now available on Wild Apricot with the following links:
https://ocsj.wildapricot.org with your email address and password.
Or http://www.ocsj.org/membership.html
OCSJ's mailing address is:
OCSJ, PO Box 46, Atco, NJ 08004
Our annual membership rates are:
Individual - $20 or Family - $25
Membership Questions: contact Regina Coeby at membership@ocsj.org
To receive up to date club information, we encourage everyone to go to our website and to join our Meetup groups.
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THE MILE CLUBS
Miles to Go Before We Rest
It takes an enormous amount of dedication and determination to commit to the OCSJ Mileage Clubs, but if
you are a person who welcomes a challenge, enjoys group activities, and/or simply likes the outdoors, you should really consider joining one of our mileage clubs.
Grand Mile Club - Bill Poulson (
wpoul42@gmail.com)
Kayak Mile Club - Erika Blank (
powerofpink58@verizon.net)
Bicycle Mile Club - Neil Kornhauser (
nkornhauser@gmail.com)
OCSJ Hiking Mileage Clubs
2018 turned out to be a very successful year for the even dozen who set the goal of hiking/walking 500 to 999 miles and put their commitment to the test by joining the OCSJ 500+ Club.
Despite some rainy, snowy, hot and humid (not to mention buggy) weather during the year, all of those who stayed in the "club" completed at least the 500 miles, and some completed many more.
Several of the participants also attended the Grand Mile (1,000 miles) Club luncheon on Jan. 11, where successful 1,000-milers and 500+-milers received a sticker as a reward for their efforts.
The participants and their miles included:
Paul Baumhauer, 526.5; David Bicking, 605; Frederika Blatz, 705; Valerie Danzey, 649.9;
Claire Farnum, 567; Jane Paone, 555.3; Mary Serdiuk, 562; Frann Stafford, 855.6;
Toni Stransky, 582; Amy Trust, 646.45; Noel Wirth, 689.5 and Dennis DeVries, 1,075.2.
Besides the presentation of the stickers, the new thing this year is that Bill Schaefer stepped down from compiling the 500+ Mile Club statistics, which he has been doing for about 5 years. Valerie Danzey is taking over as of the report for the January miles. Anyone who wants to make a commitment to hike 500-999 miles in 2019 should contact Valerie and let her know. She is at vdanzey1@verizon.net. She will fill you in on the rules of the "club."
Happy hiking to all!
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Outdoor Club of South Jersey
We are approaching 2000 Likes!
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The next club meeting is on March 10th, 7:30 pm at the Cherry Hill Library. All members and prospective members are welcome. The February meeting is cancelled.
The club is actively looking for members to become more involved with the operation of the club.
The club needs people to serve on the board and aid in the processes that keep the club in operation. If you have interest, join us at a board meeting. See how the board and the club operates and see if you are suited for some position or if you would just like to help out from time to time.
Cold temps and snow did not deter the trail maintenance crew from making their rounds. We completed installing the North/South directional signs on the Batona Trail along with trimming brush in Brendan T Byrne State Forest. The crew also installed signs in Wharton SF near Batsto at mile markers 13 thru 18 on January 29.
Our big trail project in January was on the Franklin Parker Preserve section of the Batona Trail.
We coordinated with Russell Juelg, the director of the FPP, with replacing a footbridge that was becoming unsafe to use due to flooding of the stream it crossed. (darn beavers!)
involved several club trail crew members with first prepping the site on December 18 and January 2 then returning on January 23 to replace the footbridge. (34 degree weather and 7 hours)
The following people were instrumental in replacing the footbridge :
Paul Baumhauer,
Dave Bicking.
Pat Burton,
Kevin Carlin,
Dan Gallagher,
Henry Hillenbrand,
Kevin Hustarelli,
Marilyn Keating,
Charles Lawless,
Diane Mason
The OCSJ trail crew is a dedicated, tight knit and fun group who rose to the challenge of working in a cold, wet environment to replace a footbridge on the Batona Trail that our hiking members will utilize for years to come. Diane Mason will create a wooden sign dedicated to the OCSJ with providing the footbridge.
February projects : continuing with installing the North/South signs and trimming brush and repairing the sinkholes on the Batona near Evans Bridge.
Rosemarie Mason
PS - Diane and Ro Mason are presenting at the Pinelands Short Course on March 9. We will again promote our club and hand out club applications as we did last year.
There's so much to do and help is needed. Besides trimming and re blazing, we have a sign project for the Batona and a footbridge to replace in the Franklin Parker section. Check meetup weekly for our meeting place and project. Like last season, hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Leaders: Rosemarie and Diane Mason and Pat Burton aka CamperPat@aol.com. romason@comcast.net
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Ro at romason@comcast.net,
5 miles of magnificant hilly terrain in this beautiful monmouth county park. Trails are mostly wide hardpacked clay with some sand and roots. Hiking boots or sneakers work fine. Expect to encounter mountain bikes runners and dog walkers here. Bring water and snacks. Hike leader...Don Beckley...609-977-6262
Blueberry Hill
Moderate pace hike of 4 miles through woods at Blueberry Hill mostly paved paths with some packed earth. We will Meet at the parking lot next to the old Paint Works in 74 Lakeview Ave, Gibbsboro. Leader Joanne McNally
PENN STATE FOREST HIKE
9 miles. Moderate pace (2.5/3mph). View lake, sandy roads, dwarf pines, a hill (?), and of course, the landing gear of the F105 jet that crashed in 1971. Meet at Oswego Lake. Bring lunch and wet weather gear. Heavy rain/snow cancels. Leaders, Joe Hummel (8 5 6) 235-8817 and Bill Poulson (8 5 6) 983-7609.
If you would like to volunteer to lead a new hike, please contact David at
The backpacking season is pretty much over for the year. We had some excellent trips this year in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Virginia and
Massachusetts. My thanks to the other trip organizers (Tom and Ann) for their efforts this year to spread the amount of trips out and involve even more people. We had well over 100 miles of trips this year, and next year looks like it will offer more opportunities. My current plans call for a beginner trip in NJ in April, and trips in Massachusetts in May and a week long trip in Vermont in June. Looking forward to seeing folks in the new year!
Kevin Drevik
If you would like to organize a trip or for backpacking information, contact Kevin at KDREVIK@AOL.COM
COLD WATER NOTICE: OCSJ policy for paddling in cooler weather requires wet suits and/or dry suits worn.
A dry set of fleece clothing, including socks, and rain gear should be carried in a dry bag as part of your precautionary measures. Waterproof footwear, appropriate for paddling use, should be worn. As always, life vests required to be worn.
As always, check out meetup site for winter trip information.
Frank Pearce
HORNET71@VERIZON.NET
If you would like to organize a trip, contact Frank at
January was a very cold month so road riding was scarce however trail riding has taken center stage. Our members are having a blast in the woods on their mountain bikes even though temperatures have only been in the 30's. Being on the trails in the woods is a great way to stay in shape over the winter months.
Many people head indoors to their smart bike trainer connected to Wi-Fi with cartoon figures... All I can say is "how unexciting!".... Get outside, get with friends, get your adrenalin pumping.... get close to nature.... get a real workout!.... laugh, giggle and scream in the woods! For my friends that train indoors, when was the last time you laughed and screamed out loud?
Trail riding is way different and uses more muscle groups than road riding in that you are constantly pedaling, shifting your weight fore/aft, left/right, using your upper/ lower body and core for balance. One more factor to consider is what "line" do you take on the trail? Decisions have to be made more quickly; do I steer right, left or roll over an obstruction [log, rock, hill...etc...]. We have many more trail rides ahead of us in the coming months so please check out the cycling calendar and get out there and join us and ride. If you want more rides, it's simple...volunteer and lead a ride!
*If you want to see more rides understand that it is up to you to volunteer and make that happen. We would love to add more leaders; more leaders = more rides. Please email Neil Kornhauser nkornhauser@gmail.com if you are interested and we will discuss how you can be mentored.
Monthly Tips:
Many people are using tubeless tires now, both on mountain and road bikes. There is a liquid that "rolls around" the inside of the tire and the general idea is that this liquid gel will seal small punctures made by glass, staples, nails, thorns, sticks, etc.
If the puncture let's say is a gash or hole too large for the sealant to fill, then you will find yourself with a pool of the sealant on the ground and a flat tire. You will not be able to fix this unless you also carry a spare inner tube and tire boot to cover the hole (paper, dollar bill, tape) to fix your flat. Also remember you need to remove the valve so be aware if you need a tool for that.
Please do not ride with the false sense of security because you have tubeless tires you cannot get a flat. Be prepared for the unexpected and have the proper tools, and last but not least...know how to use them!
To confirm your place on the trip, you must contact the leader by phone or email.
All payments are non-refundable without finding a replacement.
Pulaski, NY - Feb. 15-18. Snow is almost guaranteed. This area, called the Tug Hill Plateau, gets dumped from the winds coming off Lake Ontario. We stay 3 nights, from Friday to Monday morning, at the homey 1880 House B&B in Pulaski. Breakfast and hearty soups each day as well as one gala dinner. Tax and tips are included in the cost of $250. No deposit this year. Full cost of $250 is due by Jan. 15. Eileen Greve (egreve212@gmail.com) 301-703-9394.
Booneville, NY - Feb. 18-22. Stay 4 nights at the lovely Victorian B&B, North Country Manor, in the snowy Tug Hill region. A variety of free groomed trails and one ski center are in the area. $100 deposit reserves a space. Total cost is $285 pp, double occupancy. Breakfast included. All payments are non-refundable without finding a replacement. Susan Wills (rishirani@msn.com).
The Cross Country ski and Snowshoe trips are listed on the OCSJ Website and Meetup. For more information, please contact our Acting ski-chair Eileen Greve (egreve212@gmail.com) 609-204-6451. Check the site for more information:
Ro Mason is our Trail Representative. Every Tuesday, she will be organizing work days for the BATONA Trail. To volunteer, please contact Ro at
romason@comcast.net
OCSJ Leader's Appreciation Banquet
Our Annual Leader's Event will be celebrated at the Ramblewood Country Club. For more information, please contact Barbara (
president@OCSJ.org) or Neil (
NKornhauser@gmail.com)
OCSJ Annual Picnic
This year, our Picnic will be held at Pakim Pond on May 4, 2019. Volunteers are needed. Please call Kevin Carlin at 856-832-7764 or birdstoseekc@gmail.com
The club is actively looking for members to become more involved with the operation
The club needs people to serve on the board and aid in the processes that keep the club in operation. If you wonder how the club is organized and how it runs, or what leaders do, come on out to a monthly board meeting. (Second Thursday of every month at the Cherry Hill library at 7:30pm). It's your club and we welcome you to get involved.
Board of Trustrees - Interested in joining the OCSJ Board. Come out to a couple of meetings or contact
the OCSJ President at president@ocsj.org
Publicity - We would like to have the OCSJ name appear in more places both in print and online. Contact Fran at
franhorn@aol.com if you have ideas and would like to help.
Party/Picnic Planning Committee - If you would like to help with the 2019 Picnics,
contact
the OCSJ President at
president@ocsj.org
Website/Computer - We could use some help from people with computer or website experience. Contact
the OCSJ President at
president@ocsj.org
Plus) Club.
Message from the cycling chair:
