Historical Museum

***Join us on this hike along rolling hills and historic towers that won the vote for “East-Germany’s Best Hiking Trail in 2021”: Spectacular view.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS TRIP?** Click on link below to get complete info and to sign up for this event by getting your ticket. [https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/four-towers-14may2026](https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/four-towers-14may2026) **SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW USERS** * 10% New User Discount using promo code: **MEETUP10** * Valid for this trip or any other trips available on our website. **WHY GO?** Everything around Berlin seems as flat as a pancake. With one exception: The glacial hill landscape along the Oder riverscape. On our hike along “Gipfelstürmer” we explore this enchanting region in a unique way. **WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?** The trail won the award for “East-Germany’s Best Hiking Trail” in 2021 – for good reasons: With 17.5 km of ups and downs this summit tour is a great challenge and offers numerous highlights along the way: * **Watzmann & Gloomy Gorge:** This tiny mountain that takes its name from its big brother in the alps offers a large summit cross and a good place for a seated break. Afterwards, we will climb down the scenic “Düstere Klamm” gorge. * **Observation towers:** Four historic observation towers, each with a unique architecture, line our way. They can be climbed and offer spectacular views across the Oder valley all the way to Poland. * **Teufelssee:** The dark forest lake has a magical atmosphere and is the perfect place for a picnic. To relax from climbing, jump in the lake or take a cold foot bath in the nearby stream. From the lake, a delightful loop leads to the edge of the forest and back through lofty heights. * **Thuringia View:** This hill offers a fantastic view into the open landscape, including the two ship lifts that you can see on the horizon. With its seating and the pavilion, the square offers a nice place to picnic and relax. **TRIP DETAILS** **Meeting Location and Time:** * **Option A – Joining from Berlin:** Meet in Berlin Central Train Station (Berlin Hbf) at 9:00 am. **Note:** Exact platform to be advised the day before event in the WhatsApp group for this trip. Please advise if you do not have WhatsApp and can make alternate arrangement to keep you in the loop. * **Option B – Joining at Falkenberg:** Meet outside Falkenberg (Mark) Train Station at 10:25 am. **Finishing Location and Time:** * **Option A** **– Finishing in** Berlin Central Train Station (Berlin Hbf) at 7:30pm. * **Option B – Finishing in** Bad Freienwalde Train Station at 6:00 pm. **Hiking Distance:** 17.5 km walking, elevation gain/loss of 800 m (incl. climbing the towers, i.e. you can take a break & skip one of the towers if 900m is too much for you). **Hiking Difficulty:** Intermediate – Hiking at a moderate pace on well-marked but sometimes steep paths, significant overall distance, sure-footedness & good fitness required. **What is Included?** * Community Leader & Guide for the entire duration. **Note:** English is the main language spoken on this trip. * All public transportation for the entire trip starting from the meeting location to the finishing location (based on your ticket selection). * Access to Google photos album dedicated for this event. * Access to WhatsApp group dedicated for this event where you can chat with other participants. * **Note:** Email us immediately if you do not have WhatsApp & we can make alternate arrangements from our end to ensure you do not miss out on any communication. **Other Things of Note & Items to pack:** Weather is temperament and can vary between raining & sunny weather. Would recommend the following at a minimum: * Packed lunch for break during hike * Suitable footwear for hike (hiking shoes if possible, else any other good shoes) * Rain jackets * Rain trousers * Hiking Shoes * Suitable day pack * Sun protection **WHAT IS THE PLAN?** **9:00 am:** Meet in Berlin Central Train Station. **9:15 am:** Catch train for Falkenberg, starting with RE 3 heading towards Stralsund (get off at Eberswalde Hbf). **10:25 am:** Arrive in Falkenberg (Mark) Train Station & start hiking. **1:00 pm:** Take a break for lunch. **4:30 pm:** Finish hike & arrive in Bad Freienwalde (Oder) town and head to a place to eat. **6:00 pm:** Arrive in Bad Freienwalde (Oder) Train Station. **6:18 pm:** Catch train for Berlin, starting with RB60 to Eberswalde Hbf (get off at Eberswalde as well). **7:30 pm:** Arrive in Berlin Hbf. **FOR FUTURE TRIP UPDATES:** Please do join our WhatsApp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [WhatsApp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

🍸 PISCO NIGHTS IN BERGMANNKIEZ 🍸 14 & 15 MAY — Kreuzberg, Berlin -> RedRum Art Bar - Suspiria Bar For two intoxicating nights, the spirit of Chile arrives in the hidden bars and candlelit corners of Bergmannkiez. Join us for a special celebration dedicated to discovering — and rediscovering — Pisco: the legendary South American spirit with a history as rich, mysterious, and seductive as Berlin nightlife itself. Taking place across the atmospheric venues RedRum Art Bar and Suspiria Bar, this two-day event invites cocktail lovers, curious explorers, night creatures, artists, and bon vivants to dive into a world of extraordinary flavors, music, culture, and late-night encounters. Created in collaboration with the Chilean Embassy, the event showcases specially crafted Pisco cocktails inspired by both classic South American traditions and Berlin’s underground cocktail culture. ✨ Expect: * Special signature Pisco cocktails * Reduced cocktail prices throughout the event * Hidden bar atmospheres & immersive interiors * Art, music, mysticism & Kreuzberg nightlife energy * A journey through one of South America’s most iconic spirits At RedRum Art Bar, discover an intimate artistic hideaway known for live music, exhibitions, and creative gatherings. Descend into Suspiria Bar for a darker and cinematic experience — a witchy underground cocktail sanctuary inspired by occult aesthetics, cult cinema, tarot, and Berlin’s nocturnal rituals. Whether you already love Pisco or have never tasted it before, these nights are designed as an invitation to explore something unexpected: herbal, velvety, bright, dangerous, and unforgettable... Come bar-hop through Bergmannkiez. Meet fellow cocktail lovers. Sip rare creations. Lose yourself between candlelight, mirrors, music, and Chilean spirits. 🌙 15 & 16 May 📍 Kreuzberg, Berlin 🍸 Reduced-price Pisco specials all night In collaboration with the Chilean Embassy Dress dramatic if you wish. The night appreciates ceremony.

1 EURO DONATION FEE PER PERSON IS REQUIRED (on site, in cash), to pay back the Meetup subscription fees and support my Events. READ THE DESCRIPTION WITH THE INFO (IMPORTANT). We take a walk in Berlin to meet new people or people we already know 😁 It's a way to spend a few hours together on a public holiday afternoon. **How it works?** The concept is very simple: * We meet at Sonnenallee Station at 14,15 o'clock (we use the Whatsapp Chat to find each other: I will post there my exact location outside the station) * I wait for people for 10 minutes, till 14,25, then we start to walk direction Treptower Park, crossing the park 🌳🌳🌳 and going along the Spree river, to then go further * We go on along the Landwehrkanal, exploring Kreuzberg 🏠 * The total length of the walk is about 8kms * We land finally here to take coffee, a drink, or some food, and spend more time together ([https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsUCxwDKK6yVtiF48](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RsUCxwDKK6yVtiF48)) I consider that the event will last in overall around 4 hours (2 hours of walk 🚶🚶‍♀️ and 2 hours at the Cafe/Restaurant), but people are free to stay together longer, if they want 🙂 What I provide is leading the walk and the people at the Cafe, but I do not force anyone to stay shorter or longer. I do not provide a "personal support" for people who arrive after 14,25 (do not write to me expecting "private support"). You are responsible to check for the weather and decide if come or not. Thanks for understanding. If you have to contact me, make it via Whatsapp, not here on Meetup. WHATSAPP GROUP 💬 to find each other (join it, we use this group to find and synchronize us) [https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/](https://docs.google.com/document/d/157uLVXObKt1a4NqqvPa09NJW-050YBwHLW-7DbOD8R8/)

\*\*\*DEUTSCHE VERSION UNTEN STEHEND\*\*\* 🌟 Calling all Soulful and Energetic Voices that wanna tell stories! 🌟 Hey there, vibrant souls! 🎤 Are you ready to ignite the stage with your youthful energy and passion for music? Join our electrifying urban pop & musical ensemble, where voices come together in a celebration of song and joy! 🎶 Picture this: a dynamic fusion of historic and contemporary pop, musical hits, and soulful melodies, all brought to life by voices bursting with youthful exuberance! 🎵If you're between 15 and 45 and crave the thrill of harmonizing with fellow music lovers, this is your golden ticket! 🌈 Rehearse with us every Thursday from 7:30-10 pm in the heart of Kreuzberg, and experience the sheer exhilaration of making music with kindred spirits! 💃🕺 So, what are you waiting for? We're on the lookout for singers who bring their prior solo and ensemble experience to the mix – voices that stand out and harmonize seamlessly with the sound of the ensemble. 🌟 Are you ready to add your voice to our chorus of excitement? Send us a private message expressing your interest, vocal range, and any singing experience you bring to the table. Let's turn up the volume on fun and create memorable musical moments together! 🎉 🎶 **Day doesn't fit, too little singing experience, or not in the required age group? No problem!** I conduct several choirs with different profiles: **Shabach! *– the choir not only for shy people*** (https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/shabach-berlin-the-choir-not-only-for-shy-people/) **DEUTSCHE VERISON:** Liebe Nachbarn, wir haben 2023 das neue urbane Pop- & Musical-Ensemble "SHOWTIME!" in Kreuzberg 61 ins Leben gerufen, Altersspanne ca. 15-45 Jahre, in englischer und deutscher Sprache. Wir singen Popsongs, Musicals, und Filmmusik. Das Level ist für Fortgeschrittene und die Sänger\*innen sollten über eine gewisse Gesangserfahrung verfügen. Der Chor probt **jeden Donnerstag von 19:30-22:00 Uhr im Gewölbekeller der Kapelle-am-Urban, Grimmstr. 10, Berlin-Kreuzberg.** Falls es Dich interessiert mitzumachen: Schreib mir bitte vorab Dein Interesse und Deine Stimmgruppe / Erfahrung kurz per Privatnachricht. Danke. **Keine Zeit an dem Tag, zu wenig Gesangserfahrung oder außerhalb der Altersgruppe? Kein Problem!** Ich leite Chöre mit verschiedenen Profilen: **Shabach! *– der Chor nicht nur für Schüchterne*** (https://www.meetup.com/de-DE/shabach-berlin-the-choir-not-only-for-shy-people/)

Hello fellow readers! This event takes place in **Kreuzberg**. Meet us at 7:00 pm at the Another Country Bookshop in Riemannstraße 7. **Agenda:** 19:00-19:15 - *Arrival, greetings, warming up* 19:15-20:05 - *Quiet reading* 20:05-21:00 - *Chatting and sharing thoughts about our books* Can't wait to read with you guys! L&F

Thursday Game Night in Friedrichshain at RuDi´s. The biggest, oldest and longest running Berlin Board gaming weekly meetup. Please join us for an evening of gaming. Everyone is welcome and everyone can find a table for themselves. There is plenty of tables for core gamers, and as many tables with welcoming games. And also tables with party games and social deduction. *** **🎲 Games & Food 🍪** We'll have around 50ish games ([Check out our collection!](https://boardgamegeek.com/collection/user/RuDi_Library?objecttype=thing&ff=1&subtype=boardgame&own=1)), but please feel free to bring your favorite games with you. We have some snacks and beverages, but you can also bring your own food & drinks. **💰 Entrance is 2 € 💰** Please pay the entrance fee in the kitchen on the ground floor. You can pay when you arrive or before you leave, but don't forget! **📍 How to get there 📍** We're located right between S/U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße and S-Bahn station Ostkreuz. Consult [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQn6hnKu3Tpy9gG48) or [Open Street Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?from=&to=52.502457%2C13.457166) to find the exact way from your place to the meetup. If you get lost, call us (see "how to contact us?" in this event description below). **👥 Discord server 👥** Try our Berlin Board Gamers Discord server to chat and find other players. You can use it to prearrange games for the Thursday meetup, find players for gaming sessions you want to host at home on other days, and even buy and sell used board games. Join us now: [https://discord.gg/6Wsncta](https://discord.gg/6Wsncta) **🤗 How should I behave? 🌈** We value diversity, inclusion, and respect in our community. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable at our events, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. To ensure a positive and safe environment for everyone, we ask all participants to **follow our [Code of Conduct](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pn_TLJyPx4HDjrQPbwjQkoF7EbLmqVNRY2CT_zq2qEk/edit?usp=sharing)**. **❓ FAQ ❓** "Is it a problem if I only speak English?" * No problem, all games are played in English. "Is it okay if I come later?" * Sure, you might have to wait a little until a new game is started though. "It's my first time and I'm unsure what to do / everyone seems to be playing already..." * Seek us out (ask somebody to help you find an organizer or ask by name for Andi, Hannes, Elli, Angelika, Sanja, Malte, Aaron, or Will and we'll give you a little introductory tour. :) "Is it okay if i bring my dog?" * No, the community center won't allow it. "I'm using a wheelchair. Can I attend the meetup?" * Yes! The venue has a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a wheelchair lift in the back of the building. It would be great if you could contact us beforehand, so we can make sure that the lift will be operational on the specific day. "Can I donate a game to the meetup?" * It depends. We have limited storage space and can only accept donations of popular games that will be played often. Please contact us for more details. **📞 How to contact us? ✉️** * In case of an **emergency** or a time-sensitive question (e.g. you got lost on your way to the meetup), call: 0179 9309 418 * For all other matters, write in the #rudi-friedrichshain channel on our Discord server (you'll find a join link in this event description) or leave a comment here on meetup.com * For sensitive matters, write a DM to Angelika Cathor on Discord or here on meetup.com

**📢 Wichtiges Update für unser Sprachcafé in Manifesto!** 📢 Wir dürfen ab sofort den ruhigen Bereich im Obergeschoss nutzen. – **Voraussetzung**: Es ist für jeden zwingend, **ein Getränk oder Snack bei der Soot Bar** (unten bei den WCs) zu kaufen, damit wir dort bleiben dürfen. Danke fürs Mitmachen! 😊

***Sketch Berlin’s iconic Museum Island with fellow artists while learning composition, linework & proportion in a relaxed outdoor session.*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS EVENT?** Click on link below to get complete info and to sign up for this event by getting your ticket. [https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/museum-island-sketching-16may2026](https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/museum-island-sketching-16may2026) **SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW USERS** * 10% New User Discount using promo code: **MEETUP10** * Valid for this trip or any other trips available on our website. **WHY GO?** * Join us, the afternoon of ***Saturday, May 16th at 13:00*** on Museum Island for an afternoon of sketching. We will meet in front of Humboldt Forum along Karl-Liebknecht Strasse to begin a day of deep seeing while improving our sketching skills. We’ll be meeting up with fellow ***Sketchers & Artists*** to practice our ***sketching skills while enjoying iconic historical architecture.*** We’ll be walking around to three separate sites on Museum Island where we will do guided warmups where we practice ***drawing composure, line weight, and proportion***. These practice warmups will come with an ***accompanying set of worksheets to help you get started on your sketching journey*** no matter if you are a beginner or a professional. You will receive feedback while you sketch by the instructor, and will have time to practice what you’ve learned before moving on to the next subject. Museum Island is a place rich in details for drawing. There is no shortage of subjects to spend your time studying, admiring, and drawing. * If this is your first time sketching or 100th time sketching, you can find subjects that are right for you. ***You don’t need to be a professional at all!*** You should just want to practice your sketching skills while meeting new people, and hopefully sketching a bit better than you did the day before. * If this is your first time to Museum Island, ***please be aware that this is a tourist destination***, and there will be tourists walking around in the area. * We will be stopping to do at least ***3 30 min sketches with the goal of improving our foundational drawing skills***. ***Composition, line weight and proportion are foundational skills that every artist needs to develop*** in order to simplify a scene while communicating the necessary details for a viewer to see and feel a scene or detail. These are sketching skills that can be applied across artistic mediums. * Bring your preferred drawing medium for 30 min ***sketches***, and meet up with fellow Berlin sketchers. There are benches in the area, but you may wish to bring a small chair or cushion to make things more comfortable. Many find that if this is their first time drawing, a simple B4 or B6 pencil, and plain white paper is best to learn on. Others who enjoy ink will benefit equally from instruction. * The drawings are purely for fun, and to get to know other artists and hobbyists in the area! * (This meet-up does *not* include entry to any of the museums on museum island) * Join us at 13:00 at the Humboldt Forum with our host - Elizabeth, we’ll get to know one another and then set out as a group to sketch around the island. We will sketch from 13:00-15:30, before going our separate ways. ### 📲 Stay Connected Please do join our **WhatsApp / Telegram channels** for: * Event updates * Future trips & meetups * Early-bird discounts * Contests & giveaways 1. [WhatsApp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)

**🧡 Hello Dear Chess Enthusiasts!** **☕ Participation fee** **You must buy a drink or food before sitting.** (**We were warned that** **you cannot sit without buying a drink.** This is a private café. Outside food or drinks are not allowed.) **📢 Chess Board** Please bring it if you have one. Otherwise, you may need to wait to play. **🕥 Please arrive on time** If you are more than 30 minutes late, there might be no table. The venue is reserved until 1:00 pm, so we should prepare to leave by that time. **📌 Location** The Bode Museum Café is on the first floor. Walk up the stairs. No ticket needed; just tell the staff you’re going to the café. **✨ Chess for fun** This meetup is organized by beginners for beginners and enthusiasts who are eager to practice, improve, and enjoy chess in a friendly and supportive environment. **📖 Basic knowledge is good to have.** ( [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rules_of_chess) ) **📷 Instagram** [https://www.instagram.com/berlin_chess_club/](https://www.instagram.com/berlin_chess_club/) **💬 WhatsApp Group** This group is only for event participants. To get access, please ask the host during the event. 🚩**We have no tolerance for discriminatory(sexist, racist, and other) jokes or comments.** **🌸 Thank you & See you** *Photos and videos may be taken for social media and memories. Let an organizer know if you prefer not to be filmed.*

Join us for a curated afternoon walk through some of Berlin’s most exciting gallery spaces in the heart of Mitte — followed by coffee and conversation at a cosy spot nearby. We’ll visit a carefully selected route of 4 galleries, each offering a different perspective on contemporary art. I’ll be there to guide the experience, share context and stories, and make sure we leave with a lot to talk about over coffee. The full gallery route will be shared with everyone on the day when we meet. The café will be announced to all participants one day before the event — a little something to look forward to! ☕ 📋 Agenda 🖼️ Gallery walk through 4 curated spaces in Mitte ☕ Café to finish — share impressions, connect, unwind 📅 Date & Time: Saturday, 16.05 · 12:00 📍 Meeting Point: Sprüth Magers, Oranienburger Str. 18, Berlin Mitte 💶 Participation Fee: 10 EUR 📌 RSVP required — intimate group, spots are limited ✅ Event Info & FAQ 🕐 How long will it last? The full experience runs approximately 3-4 hours including the café. 💶 Payment — How do I pay? Payment is made on the day — cash or PayPal. Please bring 10 EUR. If your plans change, please update your status to “Not Going” so someone on the waiting list can take your spot. 🙏 🥐 Can I join only for the café or only for the galleries? No — it’s one full shared experience. ❗ What if I show up without signing up? Unfortunately a spot can’t be guaranteed. Only confirmed RSVPs are accepted. ✨ The walk is curated and guided by Yuliya, founder of Berlin Ladies Art Culture — a growing community of over 2,000 women passionate about art, culture, and meaningful connection. With a background bridging hospitality, real estate, and creative studies, Yuliya has lived in Ukraine, France, China, and now Berlin — and most recently completed studies at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. She curates experiences that blend art history, conversation, and exploration — always with the goal of making culture feel alive, shared, and inspiring.

**WICHTIG: Die Anmeldung über Meet-up allein ist nicht ausreichend. Bitte zahle spätestens 1 Tag vor der Veranstaltung im Kultur- und Freizeitbüro des Goethe-Instituts (Neue Schönhauser Straße 20, 10178 Berlin, 2. Hinterhof) in bar, um deine Anmeldung abzuschließen. Wir können leider keine anderen Zahlungsmethoden annehmen. Zusätzlich benötigst du einen gültigen Fahrausweis (ABC-Ticket oder Deutschlandticket), den du vorab selbst organisieren musst.** Begleite uns auf einer Zeitreise, die dich vom Glamour der Villenkolonie Griebnitzsee bis zur Weltpolitik im Schloss Cecilienhof führt. Nach einem Mittagessen im Café Wartmann spazieren wir über die legendäre Glienicker Brücke und durch den Neuen Garten. Den krönenden Abschluss bildet ein erfrischendes Getränk in der Brauerei Meierei, die direkt am Jungfernsee liegt. Erlebe einen Tag voller Kontraste zwischen preußischer Pracht und bewegter Zeitgeschichte!

It’s a time to sit in a circle of friends and sing mantras from the heart. Let these sounds soothe both the mind and the heart. During this evening, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sounds of yoga and discover a sense of inner peace. Our session offers a gentle chance to slow down, find harmony, and reconnect with the depths of your heart🧡 Live music will make the evening even more enchanting. 🎵We’ll use acoustic instruments that help you relax and fill the space with a peaceful, nurturing atmosphere. As the session unfolds, we’ll naturally flow into a soft kirtan meditation — the beautiful culmination of this shared journey. To end the evening with care, we’ll offer warm tea and a sweet treat☕️ You are warmly welcome! Don’t hesitate — join us for this unique inner journey ✨ 📆 When: Every Friday 🕗 Time: 8:00 PM 📍 Location: Rigaer Str. 25, Berlin (Yogicescape)

After a lovely first Poetry in the Park gathering in Bürgerpark Pankow, we’re bringing the idea into a second round — this time with a photographic twist. Join us for a spring afternoon around Schloss Charlottenburg where photography and poetry meet. Bring a poem you love — or one you wrote — and we’ll begin by reading a few poems together. Then we’ll set out for a gentle 30 minute photo walk through the park, capturing details that catch our attention: blossoms, reflections, statues, hidden corners, fleeting scenes. Using the images we gather as inspiration, we’ll meet again on picnic blankets to write short poems from guided prompts and share them in an informal circle. No photography skills needed. No poetry experience required. Just curiosity, observation, and a bit of spring magic. Bring: * A poem to share (optional) * A journal + pen * Your phone or camera * A picnic blanket Duration: approx. 2 hours. This meetup is donation based. Your contribution helps keep this community alive and is highly appreciated. You can either contribute in cash or via Buy me a Coffee: [https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar](https://buymeacoffee.com/butterflyradar) Questions? Check our Meetup-FAQs: [https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/](https://socialbutterfly.berlin/meetup-faq/) Meet your host I’m Julia — a Berlin local who loves bringing people together. My path went from growing up in a dance school to studying philosophy to working in IT support, and somehow all of that led me here: hosting meetups and creating spaces where people can show up, relax, and connect. Insta [https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/](https://www.instagram.com/juwaberlin/) LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-waehnert/) About The Social Butterfly Club 🦋 is a Berlin-based community that has been bringing people together for over three years. Each gathering is part of a larger framework designed to help friendships grow through shared experiences in the city — with a long-term vision of turning Berlin itself into a shared, playful experience. Love the vibe? There’s a whole community waiting for you. 🦋 Join the Social Butterfly Club and experience Berlin together: [https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/](https://socialbutterflyradar.substack.com/)

Registration available also on Luma : https://luma.com/jjg884su (Only sign up once please) Silent Book Club is a group of book lovers who enjoy reading together in public. All books and all readers are welcome. (Kindly RSVP 'yes' only if you can make it, so we can save a seat for you and our fellow readers on the waitlist!) This page-turning party will unfold in the Café (1st floor) at the Bode Museum. There's no entrance fee, but please order at least one item from the cafe and don't bring any outside drinks :) No quizzes, no pressure, no assigned books - just a group of book-loving souls basking in the beauty of silent reading. **Our thrilling agenda:** 10:30 am - 11:00 am - Arrivals, ordering drinks/food (social time) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - The Great Quiet Reading Hour (where silence is the star) 12:00 pm - 13:00 pm - Optional socializing, share your reading adventures or just keep exploring the pages Stay for lunch, and who knows? You might just find your next favorite book over a pizza. NB: If you plan to go for lunch, please consider bringing cash, as some restaurants only accept card payments after a certain amount.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

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."

**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.

PO Box 21. Is a speakeasy in the basement of Highbanks Distillery in Westerville. Check out the menu: https://www.poboxtwentyone.com/home