Outdoor Club of South Jersey Newsletter
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OCSJ Spotlight on: Gerald Martina
By Vera C. Stek
There’s a cliche that goes “when the going gets tough, the tough get going,” and that certainly describes the life of veteran Gerald (better known as Jerry) Martina of Cherry Hill. Although he was always interested in the outdoors and pursued fishing and shooting activities, it wasn’t until his wife died that he joined the Outdoor Club.
Beginning to hike and bike were the best things he could have done, Jerry maintains. He became an avid biker and was encouraged to use his enthusiasm to help other newer and more sedate bikers by becoming a leader, which he soon did.
As so many people are discovering, in giving to others you reap many rewards and that has been true for Jerry. Here’s his story:
Q. Tell us about yourself.
JERRY: My name is Gerald (Jerry) Martina and I currently live in Cherry Hill. I'm originally from Southwest Pennsylvania and spent four years in the U.S Navy from 1966-1970. I moved to N.J. in 1970. I retired in 2013 after spending 38 years in sales of solid waste and recycling equipment.
Q. When and why did you join the Outdoor Club? What benefits do you get from belonging?
JERRY: A good friend who was also a member of the OCSJ encouraged me to join after my wife passed away in 2015. She knew I enjoyed being in the outdoors and it was the best decision I ever made.
I am spending more time in the outdoors, meeting interesting people and making new friends. Since I never hiked or biked before this was a new adventure for me. I remember my first day hike was with Faye Bray in the Brendan Byrne State Forest.
Q. Have you always been interested in and active outdoors? What activities do you enjoy?
JERRY: I've always been an outdoor person. When my childhood friends were playing sports, I was always either fishing, hunting or spending time in the woodlands and forests of Southwest PA.
Q. What made you become a bike leader? Where do you mostly bike when you are leading a group? Do you go in any and all weather?
JERRY: I bought my first bike in 2017 and started out doing some D rides with Neil K. He encouraged me to consider leading some social D rides since there was a need for rides for beginners. Most of my rides are out of Laurel Acres Park, Brendan Byrne State Park and the bike ways. Weather permitting, I usually bike year round. I do road biking starting in the spring through the summer, then switch to mountain biking in the fall and winter.
Q. Favorite places to hike and bike? Have you taken hiking/biking vacations?
JERRY: Favorite places to bike include the Columbia Trail, Brendan Byrne State Forest, Rails to Trails Circuit and the Delaware/Raritan Canal bike path. Last year in September we spent a week in the Laurel Highlands in Southwest Pa., hiking and biking the National Trail that runs along the Youghiogheny River in Ohiopyle State Park.
Q. Any places on your bucket list?
JERRY: I’m planning on a land and cruise tour of Alaska including Denali National Park sometime in 2020.
Q. What piece of hiking/biking equipment could you not do without?
JERRY: I always carry plenty of water, a first aid kit and tire repair kit.
Q. Have you had any safety issues or injuries to deal with? What advice would you give a newer biker?
JERRY: I haven't had any injuries or safety issues while hiking or biking.Advice to the newer biker: Don't do too much too soon and build up your cycling gradually. I usually try to keep their first ride short and at 10-12 mph.
Q. What other interests do you have?
JERRY: I’ve been an avid flyfisherman for 50 years. I spend a good bit of my time fly fishing the cold water streams in Pa. and NJ for trout. I also tie my own flies and instruct beginners on fly fishing and fly tying. I'm also into the shooting sports and do a lot of clay target shooting.
Q. Anything else you want to say about anything?
JERRY: I am an advocate for cold water conservation.
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BOB HODGES MEMORIAL
Our much beloved OCSJ hike leader, Robert Hodges, died suddenly on June 1.
He was an active member of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey for many years and leader of the Friday night hikes for over 18 years.
In his honor, his friends are planning to place a Memorial Plaque and Bench in the Brendan Byrne State Forest. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please send a check marked "Bob Hodges Memorial Fund"
to
OCSJ, PO Box 46, Atco, NJ 08004
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OCSJ Elections
OCSJ officer elections will be held at the October Board Meeting, Thursday October 10
th
. Treasurer and Recording Secretary will be elected for one year, and this is the year when President and Vice President will be elected for a two year term.
After serving as President for 4 years it is time for me to step down and make room for new blood and new ideas. We need somebody else to run for President. This is critical! If you love our Club and want to insure its strong leadership into the future, please seriously consider running for President or Vice President.
If you are willing to run for any of the elected offices contact me or one of the other Board members.
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OCSJ Website
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The OCSJ board is working on a new website. We are still at the same address
WWW.OCSJ.ORG
. We have rebuilt the front page, added a better transition to our membership function and reworked many of our Activities section.
Take a few minutes and review the Policy/Forms section. We have consolidated the OCSJ Constitution and By-Laws, club policies and forms into this section.
Recently, we changed our payments provider from Paypal to Affiniypay. We realize that their are still a few glitches. At the moment, we are working on the addition of a link to the Newsletter and the addition of a donation page for contributions to our funds
As part of this effort, we plan to use Survey Monkey to solicit ideas from our members. Please take a moment and give us your comments.
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OCSJ Social Events
Wednesday August 28: Waterpark Wednesday
We are going to splish and splash at Morey’s Pier’s Raging Waters and Ocean Oasis water parks (voted by Trip Advisor as being in the top ten water parks in the country). Admission includes both parks. Look on their web page for possible discounts...
www.moreyspiers.com
Ticket Prices:
Seniors (65 and older with valid ID): $20
Over 48” tall: $45
Under 48” tall: $37
You may bring in food from outside, but no glass bottles or alcohol. Food can also be purchased at the parks or on the boardwalk. Parking available nearby $$. Lockers available for a fee. Bad weather cancels.
Saturday November 15: Fall Dinner & Dance
We will meet at the Ramblewood Country Club for a Fall Dinner with music and dancing and Photo Contest display. This event is open to OCSJ members. Reservations are required. The cost per person is $40 which must be paid with your reservation.
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2019 Photo Contest
The 2019 OCSJ photo contest has begun. Hang on to your best pictures from any OCSJ outing taken between September 1, 2018 until September 30, 2019. Your photo could be selected to appear on the pages of our 2020 OCSJ calendar. The best overall picture selected by our panel of judges will appear on the cover. You must be a paid member of our club to enter and it must be an OCSJ event. Submission of all photos will be from September 1, to September 30, 2019.
Mike Engel
volunteered to Chair the 2019 Photo Contest. If you are interested in photography and would like to help Mike, please contact him at
[email protected]
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MEETUP
This is just a reminder that members should use the Meetup comments ONLY for getting more information about a particular event, such as distance, pace, meeting place, etc.
If you are planning to attend an event, do not forget to RSVP. This is important information for the leader. And of course, if your plans change, please cancel your RSVP. Meetup will automatically send you an email if the activity is
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The new printed Trekker is available at OCSJ board meetings and from Board Members and Leaders.
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OCSJ Participation Policy
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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.
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Membership information is now available with the following links:
- WWW.OCSJ.ORG click on the Join OCSJ button and enter your email address and password.
- Wild Apricot app - on you phone
OCSJ's mailing address is:
OCSJ, PO Box 46, Atco, NJ 08004
Our annual membership rates are:
Individual - $20 or Family - $25
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
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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. If you are an OCSJ member, just contact any of the contacts below and join Us.
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Like us on Facebook
Outdoor Club of South Jersey
We are approaching 2000 Likes!
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The next club meeting is on September 12th, 7:30 pm at the Cherry Hill Library. All members and prospective members are welcome.
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.
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essage from the cycling chair:
Matt Edwards and Mike Danlag creating some friendly competition on the evening rides!
OCSJ cycling has never been better! Our members are certainly not opposed to traveling to exciting new starting spots in New Jersey. Check out our calendar and you will see that we have been cycling from various locations: Stockton, Pittsgrove, Mullica Hill, Pitman, The Atlantic County Bikeway, the Atlantic City Boardwalk and of course our usual spots in Burlington County.
We have had rides in August from entry level D rides all the way up to fast B+/A rides and everything in between. Take a look at all the smiles on our cyclists’ faces on the above picture. That certainly tells the story! I invite everyone to check out our pictures on Meetup from our rides and you will see all of our adventures.
Thank you to all of our leaders for doing an awesome job planning routes, maintaining the advertised pace, seeking out unique and delicious places to eat and keeping us safe on the roads.
*We are a volunteer club and we want to always have the calendar filled with a variety of rides. if there is a ride of a certain distance and pace that you do not see, then volunteer to put one in!!
IT COULD NOT BE ANY EASIER!!!
***We have over 350 routes listed on our Ride With GPS Club Account from 15 miles to 150 miles in length. It couldn’t be any simpler! Download to your mobile device or gps and all you have to do is follow the cues. If you are old school then print out the cuesheet!
More leaders = more rides! If you are interested in leading, email Neil Kornhauser
[email protected]
to get started!
Monthly DIY Tip
Everyone will eventually have the experience of riding in wet conditions on the road. Slivers of glass, stones and road debris will stick to your tires longer and the incidence of flats is much greater in wet conditions. I make it a point to take both tires off after every wet ride and check for imbedded objects. I almost always remove some slivers. This may seem extreme but it is better to be safe than sorry!
Thank you and see you on the roads and trails!
Neil Kornhauser (cycling chairman)
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OCSJ TRAIL MAINTENANCE LEADER REPORT
For Summer 2019
This year the club trail maintenance crew had their biggest season ever! We were honored at the NJ State Division of Parks and Forestry Volunteer Appreciation Day at Batsto. We had over 800 hours of trail work.
We are s
tarting to work on the trail project list for the upcoming trail maintenance season.
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Saturday August 24: Smithville Hike by David Bicking
SMITHVILLE. 4 miles, easy pace. A leisurely stroll along the Rancocas creek to Smithville lake and around the mansion. Meet at Smith's Wood parking lot along Railroad Avenue. Leader: David Bicking, dbickin @ yahoo.com
After work Cooper River Park
Fun, fast paced 3.7 miles on paved path.
(Typically 3.5 to 3.7 miles per hour.)
BRING WATER.
Every Tuesday, this hike leaves at 6:15pm sharp from Yacht Club parking lot on South Park Drive
Friday Nite Fitness Hike
Brisk Pace, 8-10 miles. The ongoing, every Friday night, all year 'round, Friday nite fitness hike, where we try to work up a sweat exploring the sand roads and trails of Brendan Byrne State Forest. Be prepared to walk at an average of 3.25 mph, with few breaks. Bring water and wear well broken in boots, sneakers, or shoes (sneakers are adequate for dry conditions). Socks are also important foot gear; synthetics and wool being better at preventing blisters (avoid cotton socks).
If you would like to volunteer to lead a new hike, please contact David at
[email protected]
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Backpacking/Camping Trips
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Beginners' Backpack Trip on the Batona Trail
Join us for a beginners’ backpack trip on the Batona Trail, camping on the Mullica River. The Batona Trail is noted for its beautiful flora and fauna. We may spot orchids, deer and hawks. We will meet at Batsto, then hike the Batona trail to the Green connector trail, to the Mullica River trail, and camp at the Mullica River Wilderness campground. There is a pump for water and a privy. In total, this is about 12 miles (8 miles the 1st day and 4 miles the 2nd day).
To join this trip, sign up through Meetup, and then contact Ann via email at annwolf103 at gmail.com with your email address and cell phone number. The exact time and place to meet will be shared via email. A small campground fee is required (about $10). You must be a paid up OCSJ member to participate in this trip.
Hike the Appalachian Trail in Northern Massachusetts/Southern VT: Come hike the Appalachian Trail as we cross from Mass into Vermont. Very Strenuous hike, total of 19.3 miles - not for beginners (there will be a beginner's hike in October)...
If you would like to organize a trip or for backpacking information, contact Kevin at
[email protected]
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essage from the kayaking chair:
Warmer weather brings out more paddlers. It doesn’t eliminate safety concerns. Guidelines for Paddlers are listed on the ocsj.org website under policies and forms. While it may say guidelines, some items are strictly enforced.
- Everyone must sign the sign-in sheets.
- PFD’s must be worn when on the water.
- Footwear must be closed toe-no flip-flops.
Rules for minors on the OCSJ website.
Leaders have final say on participation based on safety concerns. Examples would be bringing small children or pets. Some will ask about limits on trip size. This might be set by safety concerns or limited parking. If you have a question, please contact the leader first.
Enjoy the season but stay safe.
Happy Paddling
Frank Pearce, Kayaking Chairman
Skill Building Trip on the Historic Great Egg Harbor River
Build your kayaking skills with this trip down the Egg! Starting point is Weymouth Furnace, down the historic Great Egg Harbor River, across Lake Lenape to the boating landing. This is a good trip for intermediate paddlers, not recommended for new folks due to debris, hazards and water height. Guests are welcome! This is typically a 3 hour trip, approximately 7 miles, including a 2 mile paddle across Lake Lenape. The river is winding but clear and running high. There is usually beautiful flora and fauna along the way and historic sites to be seen. We will be stopping along to way for lunch.
Be sure to bring the required items:
-a PFD (life jacket) -- mandatory
-sunscreen
-hydration
Leader: Charles Keyes (6 0 9) 742-7932 (call or text)
If you would like to organize a trip, contact Frank at
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Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trips
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The Winter Schedule
The Cross Country ski and Snowshoe trips will be listed on the OCSJ Website and Meetup. For more information, please contact our Cross Country Ski-chair Eileen Greve (
[email protected]
) 609-204-6451.
Please note:
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.
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TRAIL MAINTENANCE -
Ro Mason is our Trail Representative. Every Tuesday, she will be organizing work days for the BATONA Trail. To volunteer, please contact Ro at
[email protected]
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The club is actively looking for members to become more involved with the operation. We have a new Volunteer Coordinator, Barbara Berman. If you would like to volunteer or desire more information, please contact Barbara at
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
Publicity - We would like to have the OCSJ name appear in more places both in print and online. Contact Fran at
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
Website/Computer - We could use some help from people with computer or website experience. Contact the OCSJ President at
[email protected]
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