Some Butler County residents may not turn to nature for recreation, but many others find ways to use the fresh air to their advantage.

Jonnie “Sandy” Ferrainola, 60, of Harmony said she finds the outdoors helps her balance physical, mental and social fitness, and she does so through the Venture Outdoors club of Pittsburgh.

“Age is not a bearing,” Ferrainola said. “Some people with physical problems can still venture outdoors.” She said the pun was intended.

After Ferrainola’s husband, James, died, she focused on raising her two sons, but after they became adults, she needed some place to turn for comfort.

“Most people are widowers in their 70s, not their 40s,” she said.

Ferrainola enjoyed certain outdoor activities, like biking and hiking, even before joining the club, but the club also opened up new opportunities for experimentation and socialization.

Within the past year, Ferrainola has tried different water activities, like kayaking. She said she felt nervous at first, especially since she struggles with swimming.

She found safety in numbers and in the confidence of the guides.

“It introduces you to what’s going on,” Ferrainola said. “It makes it more comfortable.”

She feels more comfortable with the less stressful activities and enjoys them more than such bucket-list adventures as skydiving.

“It’s not like jumping out of a plane,” she said. “These activities are a little less risky.

Ferrainola said the activities also allow her to meet like-minded individuals.

“You get to meet people who are in the same part of life as you are,” she said.

Ferrainola said these bonds and friendships provide motivation to attend events. Having to register for events also makes them a priority.

Ferrainola said she will be trying a few winter activities with the club this year. She had signed up for snowshoeing, but feared that Punxsutawney Phil’s early-spring prediction may curtail some happenings.

Ferrainola said trying new activities is important to her at this stage of life. In 2007, Ferrainola lost her job, which she described as a risky blessing.

“Now, striking out on my own is more difficult,” she said. “(But) it also gave me a chance to be creative with my life.”

Ferrainola has since expanded her horizons, turning to Butler County Community College, where she structured her own major. She enjoys writing, and she has published some of her work in magazines. She also likes to write opinion pieces on personal interests and reviews of popular media.

Ferrainola makes her living as a Realtor, but she wants to break into a new field, where she can shine independently with her writing talent. Next semester she will lead a class on creative nonfiction writing, and she has plans to develop her own creativity workshop.

But Ferrainola will not let her other interests keep her from her outdoor activities. She said she sees the importance of staying fit as she ages.

“I try to stay active and stay fit because of health issues that creep up on you,” she said. “As long as I can, I’m going to have some form of exercise.”

Ferrainola said bicycling is probably her favorite activity, and she knows age is not a barrier.

“My dad rode a bicycle in his 80s,” she said.

Ferrainola said through the club, she is able to achieve her goals and at a suitable pace.

“Everyone has their own level of need in order to stay healthy,” she said.