All along the Great Miami Riverway, our park district partners are hosting a series of guided winter hiking events that stretch from now through March. You can learn about winter hiking, meet other hikers, and start the new year fresh with getting outdoors. Much research has shown that spending time outdoors can improve physical and mental wellbeing. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), spending at least 2 hours per week in nature can achieve these benefits. Even a 5-minute walk is shown to improve mood.
Here are some programs to get you started:
- Miami County Parks District has several hiking events throughout the rest of winter, like their Date Night Hike Series, Sip & Strolls, Winter Bird Walks, and more.
- Five Rivers MetroParks has a ‘Try Winter Hiking’ series. Plus, their annual trail challenge kicks off on February 1.
- MetroParks of Butler County has a weekly winter hiking event, exploring a different park each week. Warm beverages and soup provided.
- Great Parks has their annual Winter hike Series, featuring challenging and educational hikes ranging from four to 5.5 miles.
If guided hikes or social groups aren’t your thing, you can use our interactive map to explore all the parks available on the Great Miami Riverway from Sidney to Hamilton, Ohio.
To stay comfortable on a cold-weather hike, it’s critical to wear the right clothing and carry the right gear.
Wear layers: Layering is a three-part system that includes a base layer that wicks perspiration away from your skin, a mid layer that insulates you from the cold and a shell (or jacket) that keeps wind and moisture out. The goal with layering is to add and remove layers throughout your hike so you can stay warm and comfortable without overheating and getting sweaty. It can feel like a chore to stop and change clothes, but it’s really important to stay dry. Getting wet on a cold day can possibly lead to hypothermia.
Say no to cotton: When cotton gets wet, it takes a very long time to dry, which can leave you feeling damp, cold and miserable. Synthetic and wool layers dry much faster and will move perspiration away from your skin.
Cover your skin: Any skin that is exposed to freezing temperatures and cold wind is prone to frostbite. Take special care of your nose, cheeks, ears, fingers and toes.
- For your hands, try wearing lightweight or midweight fleece gloves under waterproof shell mittens or shell gloves. It’s also a good idea to bring an extra pair of fleece gloves that you keep stowed in your pack in case the ones you’re wearing get wet.
- For your feet, wear synthetic or wool socks that fit well. Thicker socks provide more insulation, but make sure they don’t cause your boots to fit too tight, which can cut off circulation. It’s also important to keep your feet dry, so carrying an extra pair of socks to change into is a good idea. Wear waterproof boots if you’ll be trekking through snow, and if you’ll be in very cold temperatures you might require boots with built-in insulation.
- For your nose and cheeks, try a neck gaiter for face mask.
- For your ears, a winter hat or headband can do the trick. A neck gaiter or face mask may also provide coverage for your ears.
Avoid tight clothing: Wristwatch bands, cuffs of gloves, gaiters and boots that are too tight can cause poor circulation, which can increase your chance of getting frostbite. Make sure your clothing and gear fit properly.
Add heat: Hand warmer and toe warmer packets are a great way to warm up your digits, especially if you’re prone to cold fingers and toes.
Wear a hat: You can lose heat through the top of your head, so pull a winter hat on if you’re feeling chilly.
Bring goggles or sunglasses: Always protect your eyes from the sun and wind. Many goggles and some sunglasses allow you to swap lenses in and out so you can select the right lens tint for the weather.
Apply sunscreen: Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you stop worrying about sunburn. In fact, if there’s snow on the ground, the sun’s rays can reflect back up at you, so you need to be diligent about applying sunscreen on the underside of your nose and chin and around your neck.
With almost 700 seats sold for the annual ‘Show Must Go On‘ at the historic Arcade, the RubiGirls again proved they are a force for good in the Dayton area. This year, the ‘Girls’ were deep into their ‘Best Season Ever‘ which was, in reality, their 41st year raising fun and funds. Within their 41st season, The Girls were able to benefit 110 local non-profits and charities, and provide scholarships to five graduating high school students in the area. It was, at the very least, a breakthrough year in terms of funds raised. ‘What we experienced was not what many non-profits felt this year. Our donations were sound and solid, and our shows were full at every turn. It is interesting to note that we have been able to find a path through tougher times. It seems that entertainment is truly craved in the area, and we do it with humor and parody. The laughs led to donations. Donations lead to helping as many as we can in the region.’ Says the ‘Mother Rubi’ herself, Dana Sintell. Along with Fonda Peters, the two have been here for every single season. ‘We have seen it all over the years. Right now, we are seeing a big increase in concern for charitable organizations! Being a pass-through organization, we have the ability to take those donations and easily disperse them to multiple organizations. People like knowing that a donation to us helps many!’ said Sintell.
‘Oh, we got that figured out! Next season is ‘Better Than The Best Season Ever!‘ Sintell quipped. ‘Listen, we have people out there who really are in need. We have to keep elevating what we bring to the city we love!!’
The energy picks up in the theatre when David Josefberg‘s take on Doc Brown, hits the stage. Throughout the show, he makes his moments, HIS MOMENTS! Also of note, Cartreze Tucker belting ‘Gotta Start Somewhere’ and the devilish performance by Nathaniel Hackmann as Biff. And yes, the car. The CAR! I didn’t want to like it…almost was dead-set on not liking it…just to be contrary. But the truth is, it’s pretty astounding to watch. Blended with backgrounds that look alive and real (the high school gym scene is a mind-trip!)…the car is, in its own way, another star of the show!
Advice…go into the theatre looking to have a good time. A fun, funny, fantastic frolic awaits….
Press. Wholly Grounds. MidDay. Dayton has some amazing coffee shops. Among them has been the beloved ‘Ghostlight’ in South Park Historic District. Facing challenges, the owner faced a tough decision: how to move on. With that, 2 of Ghostlight’s biggest fans, Tim Farquhar and Joshua Stucky heard the news and immediately reacted! ‘No way are we letting this place go. It is a Dayton Landmark. We have to find a way to keep the ‘light’ on.’ Within less than 2 weeks, a deal was struck to save the iconic shop. ‘We are thrilled…and a bit overwhelmed!’ says Farquhar.
Ghostlight is well-known for its diverse customer base, and the new owners love it! ‘Oh my goodness. In our first week, it was so cool to meet so many people from so many walks of life. They are definitely a family here…it’s apparent!’ The new owners are taking over the entire first floor of the building in hopes of creating more space for small meetings, acoustic music, events, and more. ‘The potential here is limitless,’ says Farquhar.
