Historical Museum

Join us at Preston Library and boost your public speaking skills! ## Speak with Confidence at Northern Exposure Toastmasters Join us in person at Preston Library for a fun and friendly Toastmasters meeting! Whether you're looking to sharpen your public speaking skills or just want to meet like-minded folks, this is the place to be. Share your stories, get useful feedback, and boost your confidence in a supportive atmosphere. ### **Set Your 2026 Challenge** Maybe this is the year you want to: * Improve your public speaking and presentation skills * Build confidence in meetings or high-pressure situations * Become a more influential leader * Sharpen your thinking on your feet * Strengthen your communication for career advancement * Expand your personal and professional network Whatever your 2026 challenge looks like, Toastmasters meets you where you are, and helps you grow from there. There is so much to learn from presenting speeches to become a Leader in the Club. * 1\. Personal & professional development * 2\. Improved communication & listening skills * 3\. Increased confidence * 4\. Develop & enhance leadership skills * 5\. Affiliation with an internationally renowned organisation Don't miss out on this chance to speak up and stand out!

Hi Radiant Ladies, Portarlington is a lovely seaside town with fresh ocean air, beautiful coastal views, and a relaxed vibe. The ferry trip from Melbourne to Portarlington takes about 70 minutes, depending on conditions. Hopefully we get a nice sunny day. Plan for the day: • Walk along the pier • Lunch at a local café on Pier Street • Visit the Portarlington Mill • Stroll along Portarlington Beach Please purchase your return ferry tickets online: http://portphillipferries.com.au Simple, easy, and a lovely day out. Lyn ☕️💕

Ever had an idea? Do you look at things and say "I can do that better"? If this is you then you will find our monthly inventor's meetings a great place to visit. For just $20 payable at the door you can attend a meeting from 7:15pm to 9:30pm at Mount Waverley Youth Centre, 45 Miller Crescent, Mount Waverley. See someone present their invention and learn how they did it, listen to an interesting guest speaker and pick up tips for your own inventions. Join 35+ other inventors for an interesting and informative meeting. Ends with great finger food and coffee. Members enjoy other services including invention evaluation, mentoring, Free patent searching tool, YouTube video of their product, product showcase webpage, "Inventor" name badge, inventing guide and more. Cost of membership is $200 with renewal each year of $80 and meeting evening cost of $5. Discount for country and tertiary student members. Need patenting information? Before each meeting there is a patent attorney answering questions from 6.30pm to 7.20pm (pay your visitor fee at the door first) who will help you understand patenting and other intellectual property options. Ask any question, learn about patenting costs, pitfalls, advantages. This also covers registered designs.

Players of all skill levels are welcome to join us at Marché Board Games Cafe in the CBD for a casual night of mahjong - Right in the CBD. We'll start around 6:00pm till we all need to go home :) Our typical session concludes usually around 10:00pm. Please change your RSVP to not going if you're no longer able to attend, 24 hours prior the event. For those that have a record of non attendance without communicating, you will be moved to the waiting list for future events and be contacted directly to confirm that you indeed intend to turn up, at which you will be allotted a spot subject to availability. For more details on the rules of the game, please refer to: http://mahjongtime.com/hong-kong-mahjong-rules.html Marche has been kind enough to offer us a deal to play in their cafe. **⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Cost ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆** Attendees who have registered for the event on Meetup can play at discounted rates, with the following payments to be made: * **$6 in total per session” to cover cafe costs. Payment of $6 should be made to Marche at the front counter upon notification to the staff member that you are here for the scheduled meetup. There is now no minimum spend on items at the cafe as there were before. The cafes menu can be found here https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf .

Want to be able to articulate your thoughts with clarity and precision? Want to overcome your public speaking anxiety and become a confident presenter? Want to develop leadership skills and become a better communicator? Join Chadstone Oaks ToastMasters Club! Toastermasters is a not-for-profit organisation that is run by volunteers. We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth. We have meetings regularly, each meeting has a range of activities for you to participate in, such as impromptu speaking, prepared speech, etc. You will also receive constructive feedback which helps you improve your performance. Guests are welcome! We offer three meetings for free to our guests before joining as a member, so you can get a taste of how ToastMasters works and decide if it's right for you. When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 7.30pm-9.30pm Where: 22 Rob Roy Rd, Malvern East, VIC 3145 Visit our website to find out more: https://chadstoneoaks.org.au/ Send us a contact form through our website to reserve your spot if you'd like to attend our meeting as a guest.

**Melbourne’s midweek hangout!** Free board games, great company, and zero pressure, just roll in and play. Whether you’re a Settlers of Catan strategist, an Uno wildcard, or just keen for a drink and a laugh, your Wednesday night plans are sorted. No cover charge, no excuses. 🃏 **Every Wednesday Night** 🕕 6 PM - 10 PM 📍 Fortress Melbourne, Caledonian Lane 💚 Rock up solo, bring the crew, or team up on the night, it’s up to you. ♟️ **Games are free. Drinks are flowing. Good times guaranteed.** **TERMS & CONDITIONS** * *Fortress is a licensed venue, and as such, a valid ID is required and checked upon entrance to the premises.* * *Tickets for this event are non-refundable.* * *Unaccompanied minors are not permitted in the venue at any time. Please make sure any guests under 18 are accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.* * *Minors are not allowed in the venue past 8:00 pm* * *No outside food or drinks.* *Our Cosplay policy can be found here: [https://fortress.games/cosplay-guidelines](https://fortress.games/cosplay-guidelines)* *More information on valid forms of identification and Fortress' minors policy can be found here: [www.fortress.games/minors/](https://www.fortress.games/minors/)*

Take a guided walking tour through this wonderful Edwardian park. Hear a unique story of community advocacy to save open space and create the park. Listen to stories of Curator Dave Mathews, the phantom call, events, the memorial garden and its personal history. Learn about its unique botanic flora. You will be guided through a rare Edwardian Park created in 1911 through the efforts of the Local Community to save open space in the past and present. You hear the story of the Curator Dave Matthews to build the park, involvement of the Footscray scouts, students of Footscray Technical College (Victorian University) and unemployed 1930 depression workers. Hear the story of the Phantom call, the remarkable story of the Memorial Garden plaques and the victory statue, a sad personal story of loss, the visit of Charles and Dianna and the Henry Lawson society’s involvement. You will walk its bluestone terraces, see statues, the platypus fountain and wisteria pergola. See its rare botanic plants. Enjoy its views over the Maribyrnong River, over open spaces and relax on its lawns and perhaps have a picnic.

We're back! At the North Melbourne Library on Errol St. We'll aim to have 30 minutes of introduction and tutorial, with a 6pm start to our first game, so please be ON TIME. **What to Expect:** Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game requiring a storyteller to take a roughly a dozen people through a series of "days and nights" where townspeople try to identify and hunt down a *demon* before they become the hunted. **Beginners welcome!** You don't need to know how to play **AT ALL**, so please invite a friend, we will run a tutorial for those who need it. **NOTE** BOTC requires fluent English, the crux of this game is communication and deception. **2 Strike Policy** Late-leavers: attendees who cancel within 24 hours of the event. No-shows: attendees who mark themselves as “going” but don’t turn up. Someone who does either of these once will be forgiven but flagged. On a second offence, they will be removed. Long-time regulars will be afforded some leniency. Legitimate reasons will be considered for leniency.

Join me for a relaxed Friday night visit to Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks for Planetarium Nights. We’ll be attending the 7:30pm astronomy-focused session: The Dark Matter Mystery (38 min) + What’s in the Sky Tonight (WITST). This should be a nice, low-pressure evening for anyone curious about space, astronomy, and big mystery-of-the-universe questions. The show explores what dark matter might be, why scientists think it exists, and why it remains one of the biggest unsolved puzzles in astrophysics. The session also includes What’s in the Sky Tonight, a presenter-led tour through the night sky. I’ll be there from 7:10pm so we can meet, say hello, and head in before the session starts at 7:30pm. This is an adults-only 18+ event. **Links** Meetup start point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/TMuQ48UYpYFe9wgEA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TMuQ48UYpYFe9wgEA) Event / tickets: [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/planetarium-nights/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/planetarium-nights/) Trailer: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO3ycbR1H9Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO3ycbR1H9Y) **Rough timeline** * 7:10pm – Meet at Melbourne Planetarium / Scienceworks * 7:10pm–7:25pm – Quick hello and get ready to head in * 7:30pm – The Dark Matter Mystery + What’s in the Sky Tonight starts * Around 8:30pm – Meetup ends **Tickets** * You’ll need to purchase your own ticket separately if you’d like to join. * I’ve already bought my own ticket for $25. * Please book the 7:30pm Planetarium Nights session for Friday, 8 May 2026. **What to bring** * Your own ticket * Something warm for travelling home afterwards * Curiosity about space, astronomy, and dark matter **What to expect** * Vibe: Low-pressure, friendly, and welcoming to solo attendees * Activity style: Sitting together for the planetarium session, with a short casual hello beforehand **Important notes** * This event is 18+ only. * Please arrive on time so we can head in before the session starts. * Ticket availability may change, so it’s best to book before RSVPing. * You’re welcome to leave straight after the session ends. **Other info** This is a simple Friday night event for anyone who likes astronomy, science, space documentaries, planetarium shows, or just wants to do something a bit different after work.

I'm a horror movie fan and wouldn't mind seeing this one... Thinking about Village Century City (Glen Waverley) at 7pm. Anyone interested? RACV members get tickets for $17.70. Best to park in the upper levels of the multi storey carpark (5 hour parking I believe). [Tickets](https://villagecinemas.com.au/order/seats?cinemaId=311&sessionId=468401) **Some doors are meant to stay locked.** When novelist Ohm Bauman retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind. Soon, disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance draw Ohm into a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past.

We will get-together at the KereKere cafe - at the community table just inside the cafe entrance. *This is a group for people with intermediate and advanced level French who are able to engage in a conversation en français. It is not suitable for beginners.* The cafe is close to the corner of Wellington Parade and Lansdowne St, East Melbourne in the Fitzroy Gardens. It takes about 5 minutes on Tram 75 from Flinders St Station, or 15 minute walk. Car parking around Fitzroy Gardens on Sundays now is $2 per hour with a 4 hour limit, Some parking is limited to 1 hour even on Sunday. And occasionally, if there is a game at the MCG for example there might not be much parking at all. Price: The event fee is $4.00 - cash necessary! . and please be sure you are a member of MyFrenchLife.org before attending reunion - merci https://www.MyFrenchLife.org. The event fees are transferred to MyFrenchLife contributing to the meetup platform - thank you. À bientôt ! Veronica and Daniel Réunion Hosts MyFrenchLife.org

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. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

**Hike Slate Run Metro Park and visit the Living Historical Farm. We will aim for 3.5 to 4 miles of hiking and then do a quick pass through the Living Historical Farm. From there those who are interested can join for lunch at Brewdog, 96 Gender Way, Canal Winchester, just 11 minutes away.** **If you’d like to spend more time at the Farm plan on arriving early (they open at 9).** **Living Historical Farm: Time has been turned back to the 1880s at Slate Run Living Historical Farm. Experience first-hand what life was like on a 19th-century Ohio farm. As you stroll through the gardens, barns and farmhouse, you will see the farm’s costumed staff and volunteers going about their daily chores. Pigs, geese, turkeys, Percheron horses and other heirloom animals can be seen.** **The gothic revival farmhouse was built in 1856 and restored by Metro Parks for authenticity. Visitors can tour the living room, parlor and kitchen and watch the farm ladies prepare meals on a woodburning stove and tend the house. The multi-bay barn was built by Samuel Oman, the fourth owner of Slate Run Farm, and restored by Amish carpenters.** **Allow at least three hours and maybe more if you're joining for lunch.** **Pace is 17-18 minute miles with no one left behind. Faster walkers are free to lead - I'll have the route well defined - and we can meet up at the farm.** **This is the fourth of the metro parks.**

Let’s meet, wander the exhibits and open galleries, and enjoy an evening out in the Franklinton Arts District. (Nearby pay parking is available in the garage on McDowell, right around the corner from One Line Coffee, and, past it along the curb as McDowell dead ends.)

Join us for 2 loops of the 1.1 mile trail surrounding Civic Park In Reynoldsburg this Thursday (5/7) at 6:30 pm. This is a fully paved trail so no worries about mud after a rainy week. Just come and get some exercise while connecting with others.