Cultural Heritage

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **This is the last tour of 2025! Let's ring in the New Year and celebrate our amazing city and country.** The only authorized cemeteries within York were Anglican or Roman Catholic. Citizens who did not belong to either church had no choice but to find burial arrangements outside York. The General Burying Ground received Royal Assent in 1826 and land that came to be known as Potters Field was acquired and started operation soon afterwards. Over time, additional cemetery lands were added and in 1873, a new cemetery available to all citizens was established. The new cemetery was situated on the farm land of the Cawthra family near Yonge Street. This walk is for all fitness levels. Please dress for the weather. This walk will begin and end outside the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church at 1585 Yonge Street just north of Heath Street. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! This tour has space for **11** explorers, so if you do plan on attending please secure your tickets early. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Come join La Dolce Vita Group (LDVG) for our 2nd Annual New Year's Eve Gala at La Primavera Event Space. Last year proved to be an amazing night. The entertainment & DJ was amazing! It will be a spectacular evening you don't want to miss!! **Early Bird Special: $175.00 per person till November 15, 20025** **Regular Price: $185.00 per person** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **MENU IS AS FOLLOWS:** **ANTIPASTO BAR** Oyster Bar Charcuterie Boards & Cheese Station Char Grilled Veggies & Olives Assorted Gourmet Salad Station Gourmet Assorted Pizza & Foccacia Station Mediterranean Dip Station Fish Station: Mussels, Fried Calamari, Shrimp Cocktail **FIRST COURSE** Short Rib Raviolo with Pomodoro Basilico **SECOND COURSE** New York Strip Accompanied with Broccolini, Peppers, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Romaine & Radicchio Salad Centre Tables **DESSERT** Strawberries & Cream Trifle, Pannetone & Clementine Centre Table **LATE NIGHT STATIONS** Pasta Aglio e Olio, Fruit Platter, Truffle Fries, Mini Donut Station, Porchetta & Sides & 2025 Shaped Cake. **DELUXE OPEN BAR** **WINE ON TABLES** Click on link below: https://www.laprimavera.ca **SIGN-UP PROCESS** **STEPS:** How Our New Process Works: **MAXIMUM 35 GUESTS FOR THIS EVENT - reserve your spot ASAP!** 1. **RSVP to Join Waitlist**
 When you RSVP, you'll be added to our waitlist, which is your way of expressing interest in joining us. 2. **Secure Your Spot**
 E-transfer the full amount to: [mirellaardizzi@hotmail.com](http://mirellaardizzi@hotmail.com)
. Include the event name in your message. If your email name differs from your Meetup profile, please let me know. 3. **Confirmation**
 Once payment is received, I'll move you from the waitlist to "going" - spots are secured in order of payment received. 4. **Event Capacity**
 When maximum capacity is reached, RSVPs will close. Please stay on the waitlist as spots may open due to cancellations. 5. **Manage Your RSVP** If plans change, please remove yourself from the waitlist to allow others the opportunity to join. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Looking forward to meeting you soon! Here are the details for the e-transfer - email: mirellaardizzi@hotmail.com

**Note**: Members can use the Comments to arrange getting together at a location, as I will be in Curacao and unable to host. On **Wednesday December 31st/ Wednesday January 1st**, **check out a variety of New Year's Eve events in downtown Toronto.** Here are options you can enjoy! Bundle up and perhaps take some hot chocolate with you, or avail of the onsite food/drink. Also, take advantage of free TTC/ GO from Dec 31st @ 7p, until Jan 1st end of day for the TTC, and 8am for GO. ‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **Harbourfront Centre Fireworks and Celebrations**, **Dec 31st,** **10pm - 12:10am, Free, 235 Queens Quay West.** Enjoy live entertainment at Harbourfront Centre Stage, a spectacular 10-minute midnight fireworks display lighting up the city skyline and visible from anywhere with a view of Toronto’s inner harbour or can be watched live on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@Culture_TO). Take advantage of other Fireworks & Fun [activities](https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/new-years-eve/) in other areas of Toronto's harbourfront. **The Distillery Winter Village Bash, Dec 31st,** 1**0pm - midnight, $35 tickets required after 4pm, 55 Mill St.** Celebrate the arrival of 2026 at one of Canada’s most iconic destinations! Dance under a canopy of lights with a live DJ, and enjoy an unforgettable fireworks display at midnight.[ ](https://www.thedistillerywintervillage.com/buy?id=eb198f07-147f-490c-b393-280a0723b556&tic=GA&ts=10PM-12)**[Purchase](https://www.thedistillerywintervillage.com/buy?id=eb198f07-147f-490c-b393-280a0723b556&tic=GA&ts=10PM-12) Tickets.** **Toronto's Best Singles NYE Party – An Elegant Affair, Dec 31st,** **9pm - 2am, $50, Kelly's Landing, 123 Front St. W.** Celebrate 2026 in style with Toronto’s most eligible singles at Single in the City’s 20th Annual New Year’s Party. [Kelly’s Landing](https://www.thelandinggroup.ca/en/locations/on/toronto/123-front-st.-w), conveniently across from Union Station, provides the perfect setting to mingle, dance, and flirt your way into the new year. **[Purchase](https://singleinthecity.ca/events/toronto-singles-new-years-party/) tickets**. **Dinner + House Party at The Drake Hotel, Dec 31st,** **5pm - 3am** **Dinner + House Party reservations 5 - 8:30pm then stay for the party, $129/ person (plus tax + gratuity)** **A decadent dinner party with live music and vibrant sounds awaits.** Savour a 4-course prix fixe dinner before seamlessly transitioning into their three-level NYE House Party. Enjoy DJs and dance floors, tarot readings, games night, and flowing cocktails — all in West Queen West’s most iconic venue, shaped by its energy, art, and design.[ ](https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/thedrakehotel/new-years-eve--8451708168)**[Make reservation.](https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/thedrakehotel/new-years-eve--8451708168)** **House Party Only, 9pm - 3am, $50 early bird, $60, purchase [ticket](https://www.sevenrooms.com/events/ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlchwLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgIC0ja-DgAoM?event_id=ahNzfnNldmVucm9vbXMtc2VjdXJlcjkLEg9uaWdodGxvb3BfVmVudWUYgIC0ja-DgAoMCxIQc3JfR2VuVmVudWVFdmVudBiAgK2Rw7igCAw).** **ROM for the Holidays, Dec 31st/ Jan 1st, 10am - 5:30pm, $26 + taxes, Queens Park and Bloor Streets** This is a holiday tradition you won't want to miss with enhanced programming, live performances, hands-on experiences, four special exhibitions and re-imagined dinosaur galleries, Bring your curiosity and enjoy a stress-free day with family and friends. **[Purchase](https://www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/special-programs/rom-holidays) tickets**. **Bravissimo! New Year’s Eve at the Canadian Opera Company returns to Roy Thomson Hall, Dec 31, 7pm, $90-$289, 60 Simcoe St.** This New Year's Eve, the romance, drama, and grandeur of opera's greatest hits returns to Roy Thomson Hall for a one-of-a-kind concert event. Backed by the power of the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra, four international stars perform genre-defining selections from the greatest operas ever written during this glamourous New Year's Eve experience. End your year on a high note at Bravissimo! New Year's at the Opera. **[Purchase](https://roythomsonhall.mhrth.com/tickets/bravissimo/) tickets**. **Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert, Jan 1st, 2:30pm, $94 - 210, Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St.** Celebrating 30 years in North America, Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert returns to Toronto for a dazzling anniversary season. This beloved annual tradition is an unmissable addition to every music-lover's holiday wish list. **[Purchase](https://roythomsonhall.mhrth.com/tickets/salute-to-vienna-new-years-concert-2026/) tickets**. **\-\-\-\-‐\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-** **COST:** Free or cost stated under each option ‐‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **SIGNING-UP:** * **RSVP Yes** * RSVPs close same day ‐‐----‐----‐‐-------------‐----------- **MEETUP TIME:** **Meet members at whatever location and time you arrange via the Comments** Length: leave whenever you like Enjoy and please post your Comments in the event after

\#\# Dress in Yunnan Ethnic Glam · Feast on the Peacock Banquet · Battle in the Guandan Showdown \*\*\* \#\# ✨ All\-Night NYE Entertainment Ka \#\# Dress in Yunnan Ethnic Glam · Feast on the Peacock Banquet · Battle in the Guandan Showdown \*\*\* \#\# ✨ All\-Night NYE Entertainment * 🎤 **Karaoke Party** — Sing from Jay Chou classics to holiday hits * 🃏 **Guandan Tournament** — Challenge friends & claim the crown * 🎲 **Board Game Mayhem** — Play your way into the new year * 🍾 **Midnight Champagne Toast** — Celebrate as the clock strikes 12 * 🎁 **Mystery Grand Prizes** — Lucky draws throughout the night \*\*\* \#\# 📆 Date & Time **December 31st \| 5:00 PM – 12:12 AM** \#\# 📍 Location 3550 Victoria Park Ave unit 100, North York, ON M2H 2E1 · Toronto, ON North York *(RSVP via WeChat: **meetint0 or What's app 6478483328** )* \*\*\* \#\# 🎫 Tickets 👑 **Member Price:** $50 🐦 **Early Bird (20 spots):** $59.99 🎯 **General Admission:** $69.99

Bagua is a style of Kung Fu that uses circular movements and evasive stepping to overcome force with smoothness. It is similar to Tai Chi, but faster and more dynamic. We will meet at 3 pm on the grass near the front gate of Alexander Muir Memorial Garden near the corner of Yonge and Lawrence. Our focus will be on strong kung fu basics, developing body and mind and self defense. Class is $20, wear seasonable and comfortable clothing.

THE START OF THE NEW YEAR IS HERE YAY! HAPPY 2026. After the language event ends, we will play a board game to celebrate the New Years for fun. I will bring 2-3 games to share with everybody. If interested, please dm in the event attending page. Thank you! ^^ This is a paid event so please everybody please be responsible and pay $5 in cash in person when you see me. Welcome to our 🍁Toronto & Japan Cultural Club 🍙 \| Language Exchange event\! Thank you for joining and attending our event\.'' Please spread the word to your friends if they are interested to join\, it will really help if Japanese people also joined\! We need more people in order for this work\! ✨ **We’re currently looking for Japanese and English enthusiasts who want to help bridge the cultures of Japan and Canada while sharing amazing language and cultural experiences together!** We can’t wait to meet you! ^>^ \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **\~ Before Joining: Event Instructions \~** **🌟 Criteria #01: English Learners** Everyone is welcome—complete beginners to advanced learners! Bring your notes, apps, journals, or anything that helps you study. The more the merrier! **🌸 Criteria #02: Native Japanese Speakers & Japanese Learners** Learning English? New to Canada? Come join us! We just ask that you can **chat comfortably in English** so you can help our English learners during conversations. If you can **read and write in Japanese**, that’s an awesome bonus and super helpful for those practicing Japanese! **🌸 We will provide Japanese study work sheets and learn to navigate the difficulty of learning how to speak and write! The worksheets will be for beginner, Intermediate, and advance level. Japanese native speakers are going to help us and achieve that goal!** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **🌸 Please arrive on time—Tristan will have signs and seating ready so you can team up in comfy groups of 2–4 people.** Your support helps our club grow! All contributions go toward the organizer so we can keep hosting **fun, creative events**—and as our community gets bigger, we’ll add even more activities like **karaoke, group dinners, seasonal parties, and gaming nights** 🎉 **🌸**This is **a paid event** to help support the organizer and the club to keep going. **🌸Please Pay $5 in person to Tristan. Once payment is recieved in person, you will be seated with Japanese - English exchange partners. In groups of 2-4 people.** **🌸 No refunds on the day of the event is held and if you are on the wait list, you will be moved to the going list! Please inform us by dm incase you are late on your first day!** Language event rule: This is a place where we practice both speaking Japanese and English speaking. No food is allowed even though it is a food court, you are allowed to buy drinks for yourself, but please respect the members and respect their space! We don't want to make them feel uncomfortable. We want to make this event a fun and safe place. Thank you!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Seaton Village is named after the First Baron Seaton or John Colborne who was the Governor of Upper Canada from 1828 to 1836. The village was established by David Shank and Samuel Smith, and is closely linked to the history of the Annex district to the east. But the history of Christie Pits to the west truly begins with the rise of the Nazis in Germany in 1933. The worst riots in Toronto history occurred during the summer of 1933, and has remained an important event in Toronto's history ever since. Seaton Village is a walkable district with plenty of history to explore. We even have a woman, and her family who came up on the underground railway from the southern U.S. This walking tour begins outside the Christie Subway Station. The tour ends at the Bathurst Subway Station. This walking tour is for all walking levels, and hope to see you there. This walk has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

ONLINE EVENT TBA! Join us for a educational meetup of cultural celebration of the European Canadian Identity. We will explore, affirm and define the European Canadian identity as well as a discussion on the human right to affirm your European identity. This event aims to promote cultural awareness, understanding, and solidarity within our community. Who we are: Are you a Canadian student of European Canadian background in the GTA or elsewhere in Ontario who wants to affirm and celebrate your heritage? We are forming a European Canadian student group, dedicated to: • Advocating for and affirming the identity of old stock Canadians — those whose ancestry and heritage come from Europe’s nations • Celebrating European history, culture, and achievements as the foundation of Canada • Building a community for students of European background to connect, exchange ideas, and organize cultural and academic initiatives

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) Well it's New Year's once again, 2026, and it's time to party. Let's restart the process and head into the sun. It will be a great year I'm sure. Well in theory anyway. Let's make 2026 shine. Over the years, Toronto has played host to some of the most famous nightclubs in the world. Nightclubs that not only invited the world's celebrities to party, but also created an exciting city that loved to boogie into the early morning. These nightclubs and dance halls turned the city of the Sunday Blue Laws into one of the world's party towns. And historically some of them are still around, but in a very different setting. Come along on a voyage of discovery as we look back at thirty of the iconic nightclubs in the downtown core. And take a trip down memory lane to the spots we all know and love. I remember two clubs from my youth, one was the iconic RPM on the lakeshore and Sparkles at the CN Tower. Do I have stories to tell about these two? Oh yeah, do I! Just don't hold it against me! Hope to see you on this walk, and Happy New Year, 2026. This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. This walking tour begins at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge Street just north of Bloor Street. We end at the King Edward Hotel on King Street East! And hope to see you there! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/)

Join us at the North York Language Exchange for a fun and interactive cultural exchange event! This is a great opportunity to meet new people, practice different languages, and learn about various cultures from around the world. Whether you are a language enthusiast, a culture lover, or simply looking to socialize, this event is perfect for you. Connect with like-minded individuals, make new friends, and engage in stimulating conversations in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Expand your horizons by sharing your language skills and cultural background while also learning from others. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to network, socialize, and immerse yourself in a diverse and inclusive community at our upcoming Culture and Language Social Networking Event.

Join us for an engaging evening of cultural exchange and networking at our North York Language Exchange event. Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about languages and learning about different cultures. Whether you are a language enthusiast, a world traveler, or simply someone who enjoys meeting new people, this event is the perfect opportunity to expand your horizons. Immerse yourself in lively conversations, games, and activities designed to facilitate language practice and cultural understanding. Whether you want to practice a new language, share stories from your travels, or simply make new friends, our Cultural Exchange Networking Event promises to be a fun and enriching experience. Don't miss out on this chance to connect with a diverse and welcoming community right here in North York!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Art Deco is all around us. Streamlined Modern or Art Modern are two other fascinating ways to say the same thing. Whichever way you plan on saying it, Art Deco buildings tell a rich story of optimism and positivity during one of the most darkest decades in history, the great depression of the 1930s! This walking tour explores our built environment of our downtown core. Toronto Stock Exchange built in 1937, along with the Royal York Hotel and the Canada Permanent Trust Company are prime examples. But others line Spadina Avenue during the challenging years of the depression, but also during the tensions which were bubbling in the Garment Industry. Art Deco buildings were centre stage! These buildings tell a story that goes beyond style into the heart of the Toronto story itself! Built at the height of the roaring 1920s and 1930s, the bubble was about to burst however, and the depression was just settling in. But a new style would set the tone, and it was called Art Deco! Toronto built some of its most enduring buildings, and left a built legacy of Art Deco during the 1930s which should be treasured and protected. Losing any of these treasures would surly be a loss to the community. They tell a rich and inviting story about the growth of Canada, and Toronto! This walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. Please meet under the **clock tower** of the Queens Quay Terminal at 207 Queens Quay West on the south side just west of York Street! We end on Spadina and Richmond Street! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Come and join our lively Japanese language meetup, where Japanese language learners and native speakers come together to learn, play, and connect. We’ll practice through fun games and interactive conversation in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you’re just starting out, more advanced, or a native speaker who enjoys helping others, everyone is encouraged to join and participate. After the library we'll take a leisurely walk together to get food/drinks. There are many options around including North Market Bridge Park. It's a perfect opportunity to continue our conversations and enjoy each other's company over a meal.

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

**History** [Blacklick Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blacklick-woods/), established in 1949, holds the distinction of being the first Columbus Metro Park. Its creation stemmed from a post-World War II push to preserve natural areas amid rapid suburban growth. The land, originally farmland and woodlots along Blacklick Creek, was acquired by the Columbus Metropolitan Park Board through donations and purchases. Early efforts focused on basic trail development and reforestation to combat erosion. The park's name derives from the creek, which early settlers called "Black Lick" due to its dark, mineral-rich waters. By the 1950s, it served as a model for the expanding Metro Parks system. In the 1960s, Blacklick Woods expanded significantly with additional land acquisitions, reaching over 600 acres. A golf course was added in 1964, one of the first public courses in the region, designed to generate revenue for park maintenance. Native American artifacts, including arrowheads from the Adena culture, were discovered during construction, highlighting the area's prehistoric use as hunting grounds. The park introduced interpretive programs to educate visitors on local ecology and history. Flood control measures along the creek became a priority after heavy rains caused damage. These developments solidified its role as a recreational hub. The 1970s and 1980s brought environmental awareness, leading to habitat restoration projects at Blacklick Woods. Invasive species were removed, and native wildflowers were planted in the meadows. A nature center opened in 1976, featuring exhibits on wetlands and forests. The park's slate-covered bridge, a remnant of 19th-century infrastructure, was preserved as a historic feature. Birdwatching gained popularity with the addition of observation decks. Community volunteers played a key role in trail maintenance and cleanups. During the 1990s, Blacklick Woods underwent major upgrades, including paved multi-use trails for biking and hiking. The Walter A. Tucker Nature Preserve, a 53-acre old-growth forest within the park, was dedicated in 1995 to protect rare beech-maple woodlands. Educational partnerships with local schools introduced field trips on topics like stream ecology. The golf course was renovated to improve playability while minimizing environmental impact. Annual events, such as the fall festival, drew thousands to celebrate the park's natural beauty. These enhancements balanced recreation with conservation. In the 21st century, Blacklick Woods has adapted to increasing visitation with sustainable practices. Solar panels were installed at facilities in the 2010s to reduce energy costs. The park now spans 643 acres, offering diverse habitats from wetlands to uplands. Recent initiatives include pollinator gardens and prescribed burns to maintain prairie areas. It remains a flagship for the Metro Parks, inspiring similar preservations system-wide. Ongoing archaeological surveys continue to uncover traces of early inhabitants. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Blacklick Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BLK-map-May-2025-with-extended-greenway_1980px.jpg). **Summary** For this event, we will hike about 4.5 miles by doing a couple loops of the Buttonbush, Tucker, Maple Loop, and Beech trails. Blacklick Woods is a very nice park, but it is generally flat and not strenuous, so this will be one of the easier hikes that we do. **Where We'll Meet** Drive all the way to the back of the park to the parking lot that is nearest the Nature Center. There are restrooms here next to the Canopy Walk. We'll meet near these restrooms. Speaking of the [Canopy Walk](https://www.metroparks.net/blog/canopy-walk-is-your-gateway-to-the-sky/), it's not officially part of the event this time. However, if interested people want to freelance and check it out after the hike (before heading to the brewery), that's okay. **After the Hike** After we're done with the trails, we'll head to [Prost Beer & Wine Café](https://prostcafe.com/) for drinks and [food](https://prostcafe.com/reynoldsburg-prost-beer-and-wine-cafe-food-menu). The actual address of the brewery is [7354 E Main St, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068](https://www.google.com/maps/place/7354+E+Main+St,+Reynoldsburg,+OH+43068/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8838648cfb8d2dbb:0x545274bab130e9bb?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111), and we should be there by 5:00 if you just want to do that and skip the hike.

Start the new year with your local IxDA pals. Join members of the Central Ohio UX and design community for our monthly breakfast.

**Caller: Gaye Fifer** **Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!