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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out hot springs events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the hot springs events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find hot springs events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Hot Springs Events Today
Join in-person Hot Springs events happening right now
Introductory meeting again, for Through Our Lens - photography group!
Because of request from members who were **not able to take part in the last session,** we decided to have another introduction session **again**.
Warm welcome to our new photography group introduction session!
IMPORTANT: Spots are limited to ensure a comfortable group size, make sure to reserve yours!
Through Our Lens is a community-focused photography series combining empowerment photography, identity exploration, and creative storytelling. Using only everyday mobile phones, participants learn to notice, capture, and express their personal experiences through images.
The project aims to:
* Create meaningful social connections.
* Strengthen cross-cultural understanding
* Support integration through shared creative expression
* Empower migrants and refugees to tell their own stories
* Build community through participatory arts practices
Grounded in the principles of empowerment photography, the project centres participants as authors of their own narratives.
Through workshops, storytelling exercises, and a community exhibition, participants reflect on their daily life, belonging, hopes, roots, identities, and experiences of belonging.
Finally, with the help of reflective sharing circles, and a small exhibition, participants share these themes with other participants and to the public.
WHEN:
The group will begin with two introductory meetings on 27th of January and 3rd of February, and continue until mid-March. In between the meetings, there will be individual work based on the prompts presented during the groups. Registration is mandatory for all the events.
WHERE:
Tallipääty, MIITTI office
Lapinlahden Lähde
Lapinlahdenpolku 8
00180 Helsinki
(How to find us: When entering through the gates of the courtyard of the yellow main building, the door to MIITTI's office is the first one on your left-hand side.)
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
IG: instagram.com/miitti1
Facebook: facebook.com/miitti1
Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHhI0e3d8NmFca7kUBAFd9PUP6MdZ7AumWmL2yGzH_AVqec6SiRsQ__bgi9VG_aem_2jRCWxk-Ojz9kLnu83nexQ)
Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
Sahaja Yoga meditation course in English
Welcome to join our Sahaja Yoga meditation meetings in English! The meetings are free of charge and you can just show up. The group consists of people of different ages and nationalities who have been meditating different periods of time. Newcomers are welcome at any time. We normally sit on chairs or on pillows on the floor, so there is no need to bring a mat and you can wear normal clothes.
Meditation means mental silence or thoughtless awareness. You are present here and now, but your mind is not bombarded by thoughts from the past or the future. In this state, you feel peace and joy, which are the essential elements of the present moment. With regular practice of meditation, it is possible to establish this state within us.
The group is lead by volunteers who are experienced and can offer guidance to get you started. We give a short introduction to the meditation and after that we do meditation exercises. We also give tips on how to meditate at home. After the meditation class, we have a cup of tea and there is time for questions.
Welcome! We hope to see you in our meditation meetings!
This video helps you to find the Kamppi Sahaja Yoga center:
https://vimeo.com/199566137
More information about Sahaja Yoga meditation:
www.discoversahajayoga.org (in English)
www.jooga.org (in Finnish)
www.sahajayoga.ru (in Russian)
www.sahajayoga.es (in Spanish)
Guided online meditations to support your meditation practice at home:
www.wemeditate.com
Finnish Language Café
Learning Finnish in Finland can be difficult because Finns tend to switch to English. That is one of the reasons people like our Finnish language café: you get to practice Finnish with Finns :)
The events are completely free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. The coffee is good too ☕😋🇦🇹
Tervetuloa!
When? ⏰
Usually Tuesday to Friday from 15:00 - 16:00
Where? 📍
In a cozy Viennese coffee house: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
The Good Coffee Company
A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹
Eerikinkatu 33, 00180 Helsinki
Please visit our Facebook page for updates and changes:
https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events
Stammtisch / Kielikahvila saksaksi / German Language Café
Here's an opportunity to practice German over a good cup of coffee in a cozy Viennese coffee house 🍷☕️🍻🍾🎡 🇦🇹
The events are free and there is always a native speaker to facilitate the conversation and to help find the right words. You can also enjoy specialties from Vienna ☕️🇦🇹🥰
When? ⏰
Usually Tuesdays from 16:00 - 17:00
Where? 📍
In a cozy Viennese Café & Restaurant: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
Herzlich willkommen!
Tässä mahdollisuus harjoitella saksaa hyvän kahvin äärellä viihtyisässä wienilaisessa kahvilassa 🍷☕️🍻🍾🎡 🇦🇹
Tapahtumat ovat ilmaisia ja mukana on aina saksaa äidinkielenään puhuva henkilö. Saat myös kokeilla erikoisuuksia Wienistä. ☕️🇦🇹🥰
Milloin? ⏰
Yleensä tiistaina klo 16.00-17.00
Missä? 📍
Viihtyisässä wieniläisessä kahvilassa ja ravintolassa: The Good Coffee Company, Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
Herzlich willkommen!
The Good Coffee Company
Eerikinkatu 33, Helsinki
www.thegoodcoffee.co
A Taste of Vienna 🇦🇹
PS: Please visit our Facebook Page for updates and changes:
https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodCoffeeCompany/events
Hot Springs Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Meditaatiokurssi Helsingin Kampissa
Perjantaisin 16.1.2026 alkaen klo 18 meditoidaan suomeksi Helsingissä, uudistetussa Sahaja Yoga -keskuksessa Kampissa. Tule kokeilemaan meditaatiota ja löytämään ajatukseton tietoisuus.
Meditaatiokursseilla harjoitellaan löytämään meditaation tila, opitaan tuntemaan itseämme sekä sisältämme löytyvää rauhaa ja hiljaisuutta. Kurssi sopii sekä uusille että aiemmin osallistuneille. Mukaan voi tulla millä tahansa kurssikerralla.
Miksi osallistua Sahaja Yogan meditaatiokurssille?
• Löydät rauhaa, joka ei riipu olosuhteista
• Meditaatio auttaa rentoutumaan ja vapautumaan stressistä
• Opit käytännön harjoituksia, joita voit jatkaa kotona
• Sahaja Yogan opetus on aina maksutonta
• Ei vaadi kokemusta, sopii ensikertalaisille
Vapaa pääsy, tervetuloa mukaan!
**Aika:** perjantaisin klo 18.00 – 19.30
**Paikka:** Helsingin Sahaja Yoga -keskus, Kamppi, Salomonkatu 19
www.jooga.org
Run to Sauna
All are welcome!
We meet at Lapinlahti’s sauna, and the run begins promptly at 6:00 PM. **Please arrive early to get ready.**
• There is a changing room, a few lockers, and a bathroom available.
• We will run from the sauna to the Sibelius Monument and back — a total distance of 6–6.5 km.
• The sauna house will be locked while we are out running. After the run, we will swim, hang out, and enjoy the sauna until 8:00 PM.
* We kindly ask everyone to leave by 8:00 PM.
* **To enable fair participation, if you are no longer able to join, please cancel 3 hours in advance so individuals on the waitlist may attend.**
**Hosted by: Nia & Olli**
Contact: Nia – +358 408223934
**HOW TO FIND US:**
When arriving at the main gates of Lapinlahden Lähde, turn right and head towards the water. Lapinlahti's sauna is located halfway between the yellow main building and the red Venetsia building
We want everyone to feel welcome and safe. **By participating, you agree to:**
• Respect others – Be mindful of personal boundaries, privacy, and consent.
• Listen actively – Give space for all voices and avoid dominating conversations.
• Use inclusive language – Avoid offensive, discriminatory, or exclusionary remarks.
• Be considerate in the sauna – Some people may prefer quiet or need space.
• Address issues kindly – If a problem arises, bring it up respectfully or with the hosts.
Tervetuloa Run to Saunaan!
Tapaamme Lapinlahden saunalla ja lähdemme juoksemaan noin kello 18.00. Tulethan ajoissa!
• Käytössä on pukuhuone, lokeroita ja vessat.
• Juoksemme saunalta Sibelius-monumentille ja takaisin. Kokonaismatka on noin 6-6,5 km.
• Sauna on lukossa juoksun ajan. Juoksun jälkeen saunomme, uimme ja vietämme aikaa yhdessä kello 20.00 saakka. Kello 20.00 jälkeen meidän täytyy poistua.
Tapahtuman järjestävät: Nia ja Olli
Voit soittaa Nialle: +358 408223934
MITEN MEIDÄT LÖYTÄÄ:
Kun saavut Lapinlahden Lähteen pääporteille, käänny oikealle kohti merta. Lapinlahden sauna on keltaisen päärakennuksen ja punaisen Venetsia-rakennuksen puolivälissä.
Haluamme, että kaikilla on turvallinen olo. Run to Sauna -tapahtumissa noudatamme seuraavia periaatteita:
• Kunnioitamme toistemme rajoja ja yksityisyyttä.
• Annamme kaikille tilaa osallistua keskusteluun.
• Puhumme kaikista ihmisistä ja ihmisryhmistä kunnioittavasti.
• Olemme ystävällisiä toisillemme.
• Ongelmatapauksissa voit kääntyä ohjaajien puoleen.
**MIITTI’s Principles for safer space:**
MIITTI wants to nourish a safe and pleasant environment for everyone, where everyone can feel safe as themselves. By joining as a volunteer, employee or participant of the event or activity, you agree to follow the guidelines below
*Non-discrimination*
I do not make assumptions about people based on their external characteristics or names. I treat all participants with respect, and I don’t use language or take actions that discriminate based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, age, religion, or any other characteristic. I respect pronouns and names.
*Boundaries*
I respect others' personal space and boundaries, both physical and mental. I acknowledge that I cannot know someone else's boundaries without asking first. I ask before touching. I listen to others and adapt my behavior if someone indicates that my behavior makes them feel uncomfortable.
*Creating Safe Environment*
Everyone is responsible for contributing to a safe and respectful environment. If I witness harassment, I do my part to support those who experience inappropriate or offensive treatment.
*Zero Tolerance for Harassment*
Our space upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment. Harassment, whether verbal, physical, or online, will not be tolerated.
If you experience or witness inappropriate behavior or harassment at our events, please report it to the MIITTI or Lapinlahden Lähde staff.
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1)
Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1)
Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti)
Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
Ren Xue Yuan Gong
Welcome to join our Ren Xue Yuan Gong practice throughout the summer at Lapinlahden Lähde!
The practice is simple but yet practical and powerful.
It is easy to learn and will help you:
-gain energy, feel less tired and stressed
-more mental clarity, easier to concentrate
-boost your immune system
Time:
Sundays 15:30 - 17:00
WHERE:
Tallipääty, MIITTI office
Lapinlahden Lähde
Lapinlahdenpolku 8
00180 Helsinki
About REN XUE
Ren Xue is a comprehensive system for uplifting human life. It includes a unique form of Qigong (Yuan Qigong); three foundational theories (Theory of Qi, Theory of Consciousness, Theory of Totality) and a large body of teachings.
It was created by world-renowned teacher and healer Yuan Tze who continues to offer online and in-person events worldwide.
Ren Xue combines ancient Chinese wisdom traditions with modern insights into health and well-being.
The goal of Ren Xue is to help individuals improve their physical, emotional, and mental health through a holistic approach that emphasizes the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.
REN XUE FINLAND
Ren Xue Finland (RXF) is the Finnish branch of the global movement, an organization dedicated to the promotion and teaching of Ren Xue and its associated practices, including Yuan Gong and Yuan Ming Medicine.
It provides easy entry into the Ren Xue system through local in-person sessions, online courses and workshops/retreats.
Other learning methods can be found here: Ren Xue TV, a YouTube channel and Learn Ren Xue website. More about Ren Xue: [https://www.renxueinternational.org](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.renxueinternational.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR06uJQRSC7BE3zhPePQ7X_KO7WXa60cr7NK25KdOqfbSIHpYqBLO3dYgVM_aem_alDR7a6KhbNhG3u9NhCUVA&h=AT18asmYaRkvHCJemaC7rr9GVu579uflDCg7T6mLNodWdtMVhuxwFhIyz0p5ONeJbm3WQ3ZGIwONIa0_pDvih4t9BCCJUBkjhK4BdIMEl4aQ_qPzR5ykW-aiOndhYDPeAW9_2_eWZaMsv889HKbp8_c&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT35KTjVjr2kCnYHrXXjXPxEGFK-RFbZnFVdDmWrTe5WwbSZZ5ulNxFEjPPhejS8Pf4xetwkU1hhM1P2K_ABugpnXL6w-CKE25ARXwtLSexv-4fPJ4s2_Kcqgj3g2XWjCVkPPgcjwrPoNWOvdKa2f1VqyVa-2kcTojodTS3wn9zrnRjZLcG7)/
Creative Sundays for Wellbeing - Nature As Nurture
A creative exploration, using a mix of artistic materials to express emotions freely- perfect for everyone craving a slower Sunday.
IMPORTANT: Registration is necessary and done through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creative-sunday-for-wellbeing-nature-as-nurture-tickets-1982164401082?aff=oddtdtcreator
Finding your Flow is the third workshop of the series Creative Sunday for Wellbeing.
In this third Creative Sunday for Wellbeing workshop, we explore observation and mindfulness through a gentle walk in the nearby park. Nature becomes our teacher and our muse- shapes, textures, rhythms, and cycles transforming into metaphors for life.
Through guided reflection and creative expression, we will stimulate imagination, deepen presence, and reconnect with ourselves using the natural world as inspiration.
No artistic experience needed- just curiosity and an open mind.
Come and be nurtured by nature.
Through simple exercises, creative prompts inspired by theater games, and the use of a wide range of artistic materials, participants are invited to explore creativity in an open and supportive space. This is not art therapy and not an art class- there is no pressure to perform, produce, or “be good” at anything. Instead, the focus is on experimentation, imagination, and personal exploration.
While the sessions are not therapeutic, they might offer moments of reflection, renewed energy, and a fresh perspective on wellbeing through creative practices.
The topics of the workshops are the following:
25.1.2026 The Art of Slowing Down
1.2.2026 Finding your Flow
8.2.2026 Nature as Nurture
15.2.2026 Words for Wellbeing
22.2.2026 Colors, Emotions and Creative Visioning
WHEN & WHERE:
8th of February at 15.30-17.30
Valo tila, Lapinlahden Lähde
Lapinlahdenpolku 8
00180 Helsinki
(How to find us: When entering through the café to the gallery hallway, turn left and head up the stairs. Valo tila is through the first door on the right hand side.)
Meet Giulia Lepori
Giulia Lepori is an Italian sociologist whose work lives in the intersection of mental health, art, and creative exploration. During her university years in Turin, she co-founded an artistic laboratory that became a living space for experimentation, dialogue, and collective creation. Over seven years, she worked across multiple artistic languages, curating workshops, exhibitions, courses, and public events. Her path led her to one-year art therapy training grounded in psychodynamic approach, deepening her interest in creativity as a tool for care, expression, and transformation. Giulia has facilitated creative workshops with adults, adolescents, children, and people with disabilities, shaping spaces where art becomes a shared process rather than a finished product. In 2024, she brought her practice to Helsinki, organizing her first creative workshop in collaboration with MIELI Without Borders during Mental Health Art Week.
The workshop is a collaboration between @mieliwithoutborders and @miitti1
Kielenvaihtokulma suomi/arabia
Opitaan suomea ja arabiaa sekä kohdataan kahvikupposen äärellä!
Kielenvaihtokulmassa opit tandem-menetelmällä arabiaa sitä äidinkielenään puhuvalta ja itse opetat samalla suomea, molemmat opettavat toisilleen.
Tule kielenvaihtokulmaan jakamaan osaamistasi!
Location:
Maunula talo
Metsäpurontie 4
00630 Helsinki
Tervetuloa mukaan silloin kun sinulle sopii!
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
IG: instagram.com/miitti1
Facebook: facebook.com/miitti1
Web: lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti
Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
Guided Meditations - Empty Moments
Join us on **Fridays, 18:00 - 19:30** at **Lapinlahden Lähde** for a free session where we’ll explore the topic of the week - **Presence**. After 19:30, you're welcome to hang out with us. Depending on what the group decides, we sometimes:
\- stay in\, enjoy tea and cookies and play board games
\- go out for dinner
✅ Your **RSVP counts as your registration**, we expect you to **honour it**.
🤝 All conversations are confidential. What’s shared, stays in the group.
🌿 Small group, big heart: Everyone gets a chance to share.
🧘♀️ Come comfy, come curious.
💧 Bring water. Skip heavy meals & caffeine.
📍 **Tallipääty, Lapinlahdenpolku 8, Helsinki**
(Through the gate, first door on the left!)
**Kind reminder:** Last-minute cancellations or no-shows mean others miss out. To keep it fair, repeated cases may result in losing the spot in future sessions.
If you want to be part of the MIITTI community, follow us on our other platforms:
IG: [instagram.com/miitti1](http://instagram.com/miitti1)
Facebook: [facebook.com/miitti1](http://facebook.com/miitti1)
Web: [lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti](http://lapinlahdenlahde.fi/projekti/miitti)
Whatsapp: Join our Whatsapp community network to join your favourite group and stay connected with the other members! When you participate in one of our groups or events, just ask the group facilitator to add you to the community!
TOIVO facilitator training - February 2026
**Hello and welcome to join the training to become a TOIVO facilitator! We are excited to grow our community!**
**IMPORTANT:** Registration is necessary and is done through this form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=fFa_vgaJZUa6jSMe-t2DcoYNf__ba_JIocm2rheQWPlUNTlGQ1RFUTFKVUhMS0E2SzkzNTVIRFIxRC4u
Please note that participation on both course dates is required in order to receive the facilitator certificate!
**1\. What is TOIVO?**
TOIVO peer group model was developed with the thought of “act-feel-apprehend”. This means, that TOIVO groups plan activities related to well-being and discuss how the activities impact their lives and mental well-being together. TOIVO groups are designed to enable groups to make small changes in their daily lives that would affect their mental health positively.
After this training, you will be able to form your own TOIVO group with a co-facilitator where MIITTI and MIELI Without Borders will fund your group activities.
**2\. TOIVO groups**
* Groups meet between 8-10 times
* Every meeting will cover a different well-being theme (i.e. healthy food, physical exercise, sleep, relationships, stress, emotions, etc.)
* TOIVO groups are closed groups which means once the group is formed, no new members are added to the group.
**3\. Training program schedule**
9-hour training
* Day 1 - Friday, February 6, 2026: 17:30 - 20:30
* Day 2 - Saturday, February 7, 2026: 10:00 -16:00 (1 hour break for lunch)
**4\. Location**
* Lapinlahde lähde (Lapinlahden polku 8) - Taallipääty
* Link to maps --> [https://maps.app.goo.gl/dKtTwzXWnwMZ19hv5](https://maps.app.goo.gl/dKtTwzXWnwMZ19hv5)
If you have any questions, you may contact your trainers via email:
Hope Makara - [hope.makara@mieliwithoutborders.fi](mailto:hope.makara@mieliwithoutborders.fi)
Nadia El-Radhi - [nadia.el-radhi@lapinlahdenlahde.fi](mailto:nadia.el-radhi@lapinlahdenlahde.fi)
Hot Springs Events Near You
Connect with your local Hot Springs community
Trails & Valentines! Quarry Trails Metro Park / Johnnie's Tavern
***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails**
[Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space.
In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration.
The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours.
Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks.
Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city.
***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day**
The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD.
The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era.
Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection.
***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park**
Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg).
***(She loves me not.)* Summary**
For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way.
***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet**
Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event.
Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't.
We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going.
***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains**
There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails.
***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike**
Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.
Almost Springtime Bonfire & Snacks- Queer Nature Hangout
Join us for a nice warm bonfire and hot drinks this February at Highbanks Metropark. Folks who'd like to can walk around the meadows. This gathering and area of the park is doggo and kiddo-friendly, and is accessible to mobility aids.
Soul Soothing Sound Bath
Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation.
This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter.
Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.
















