In Memory Of
This website is dedicated to my dear friend Gina Purdy.
Gina was the original webmaster for the OSF. She succumed to cancer on March 8, 2007 and left us at the tender age of
47. Gina is and always will be missed by those of us who knew and loved her. She lives on in her friends
and family.
Pam
Additional
Information on the Begining of OSF:
Thought you might like to know how OSF FIRST came
about: In 1990 a group of widows (myself included) and widowers started an organization called Mix and Mingle. The ad went
in all the newspapers as an organization for single people over the age of 45. After a years time, myself and a few others
from this group wanted to expand our activities to include outside adventures. Our
President of Mix and Mingle at that time was not receptive to the idea seeing as though we did not have any existing insurance
(and she was definitely not an outside gal). Along came Kay Money to speak to M&M members at one of our meetings (at that
time Kay was also involved with travel adventures). A few of us approached Kay and discussed the topic of starting another
organization that would include outside activities. Kay was enthusiastic about the idea. At that time she was also employed
at Hudson Guild Farm, and she thought we could use an existing building for our monthly meetings. And so our very first meeting
took place at "The Farm" and Kay very kindly became our first President. The release form used from that time on
was composed by my brother, a lawyer in Buffalo, New York. (And no we still did not have insurance). His advice to me - seeing
as though officers did not have insurance, was to volunteer in a different capacity other than an officer, in the group. Our
hikes at that time were always held on the farm, but food and social conversation was the main theme (at that time). I have
many memories of "the ladies" going on hikes (slow walks) wearing little flats as footwear and some wearing WHITE
sneakers. But eventually all learned to wear the proper foot gear. And so because of people like Kay and you and others, this
organization has continued on with great success!! MaryAnn
Fischle
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Outdoor Single Friends History
As recalled by:
Charter President Kay Money
June 2005
(President's
list is updated yearly) About fourteen years
ago I found myself at a singles' function. I had learned about the group from a friend and had driven about an hour
to be there. The agenda included the usual welcome and mention of upcoming activities along with the pre-requisite "social
time". So, there I was again, standing in a lack-luster room, balancing a cup of coffee (that I didn't really want)
and a rather dry looking doughnut, hoping that I didn't look as awkward as I felt. Remind me again...Why was I there?
Several acquaintances drifted into my circle of discomfort and the conversation turned to the lack of opportunities
to meet people who enjoyed the kind of activites that we enjoyed such as hiking, canoeing and other outdoor stuff. Before
the end of the evening, we had decided to follow up on some of our ideas and set a date to get together.
At
the time, I was the Activities Director at Hudson Guild Farm in Andover - several hundred acres of woodlands and ponds with
a sprinkling of rustic cottages and an impressive turn-of-the-century (albeit shabby-chic) mansion. Our first formative
meeting took place in this tranquil, natural setting and Outdoor Single Friends was born.
The preliminary criteria
for membership included an age range guide of 40 plus (OK ,so we were all over forty) and a clear definition of
the term "single" (widowed, divorced, separated or never married). A Nominating Committee was established:
Ruth Furnell, Ehtlyn Wein, Peggy Joplin, Susan Michaels, Nancy Dreschler and myself and the first slate of officers was
put into place: 1st Vice President Susan Michaels;2nd Vice President Bill Mormon; Corresponding Secretary Judith Harsell;
Recording Secretary Betty Hankowich; Treasurer Ruth Furnell and Kay Money (me) as President.
We all agreed that
we needed a "home base" and The Farm was, of course, our choice. The combination of regularly scheduled meetings
(the first Sunday of the month) usually under a rose arbor in the warm months and in a cozy living room in the winter with
access to miles of hiking trails that wandered over acres of woodlands and lakes, had to spell success! In April of
1991, the first order of business was the adoption of the By-Laws. Shortly after that, we incorporated with a non-profit
designation.
Over the years we have weathered several "home base" changes and we are now very fortunate
to be meeting at Camp Jefferson, located in the Lake Hopatcong area of Jefferson Township in Morris County. The activities
and events that we have enjoyed during our eighteen successful years have included canoeing the Delaware River and the
Pine Barrens, golf outings, bowling, picnics, swim parties, brunches, dinners, concerts, doo wops, holiday events and weekend
trips. Today our membership is 160+.
Our past presidents, Ruth Furnell, Sandy Fisher, Anne Byrnes, Mike Alpern,
Kathy Crotty, Pam Michaluk, George Fenn, Janice Goffreda, Dick Kohn and Sharon Mahedy along with the dedicated former board
members, advisor's and committee volunteers continue to be an integral part of a support system for our current (2009 - 2011)
President Dick Kohn.
A future of continued success and growth is assured. Our organization's diverse
calendar of activities and events will always attract stimulating and dynamic guys and gals.
Our Club Officers
President: Carol Glucksman 1st Vice President:
Joan Behonick 2nd Vice President: Lew Lowry Recording
Secretary: Maryanne Zaccagnini Corresponding Secretary: Sharon Mahedy Treasurer: Joan Moir Membership: Dick Kohn
Public
Relations: Emily Mee Newlsetter Editor: Debbie Brereton
Hikes:
Jim Schlegel
Welcome: Marilyn Eckstein/Maryellen Scerbo Advisors
(2 yr):Rosalie Schmidberger/Joyce Apinelli/Patty Gorman Advisors (1 yr):
Annette Austin/Brace Huron/Gloria Scarmazzo Webmaster: Pam Michaluk
Some Friends get together!
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