The last half of the 19th Century witnessed rapid change in the Frontier West. The pony express, stage coach, transcontinental railroad and telegraph enabled settlers in Oregon and the California mining camps to be connected to the East. As the buffalo slowly disappeared from the Great Plains this 'Great American Desert' was quickly filled with cattle ranchers and homesteaders that were looking for new opportunities. The nomadic life of the Native Americans was curtailed as Geronimo, Sitting Bull, and Chief Joseph were inspirational leaders at the end of this age. The new cities of Denver, Seattle, Cheyenne and others grew out of the frontier wilderness.

Brent and Amy Anslinger set out in 2003 to hike around Ohio on the Buckeye Trail to celebrate Ohio’s bicentennial. From the rolling hills of southern Ohio to the urban landscape of larger cities and the quaint small towns in between, the Buckeye Trail connects Ohio in a way that few experiences can. Learn about the history of the Buckeye Trail and its connection to Ohio’s most famous hiker, Emma “Grandma” Gatewood while you become familiar with its route through the Dayton area and hear stories of one of the first thru-hikes of Ohio’s state trail.

Together, participants will explore the many ways films can entertain, inform, and enrich our understanding of the world. Through discussion and reflection, the seminar examines how each of these eight acclaimed films offers its own insights into storytelling, culture, and the human experience. Featured films include Modern Times, Laura, Kind Hearts and Coronets, Singin’ in the Rain, Ikiru, The Court Jester, 12 Angry Men, and The Milagro Beanfield War.

We are a long standing guitar class that would like to invite other stringed instruments to join us. ACOUSTIC only please, our walls are thin! Do you play ukulele, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle? If you have a harmonica bring it along. We play campfire style, going around the circle choosing tunes that everyone then plays. No one is singled out and all playing levels are welcome. We will be playing from the songbook listed below which you will need to have.

REQUIRED TEXT: Strum Together: Americana Classics by Marty Gross (Hal Leonard)

The purpose of this seminar is to gain and share a basic understanding and appreciation of the treasure that exists in our Miami Valley wetlands with particular emphasis on those around the Beaver Creek. We will start by describing what wetlands are and their basic classifications. We will discuss how they are formed and their critical value. We will move on to discuss our local wetland reserves and how they are managed through the Beavercreek Wetlands Association. One of the greatest values of wetlands is the preservation of species, so we will attempt to understand what this means locally with unique examples, and we will discuss some of the evolving citizen science tools available to understand components of our wetland ecosystem. Along the way, we will attempt to highlight the wonder and beauty of our wetlands. Time and weather permitting, our last class will involve a wetland walk.

Unlock timeless wisdom with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations! In this three-day seminar, you'll explore powerful lessons on resilience, focus, and purpose that still inspire leaders today. Walk away with practical tools to strengthen your mindset, manage stress, and live with clarity and confidence. The book is studied not just as ancient philosophy, but as a manual for modern life and leadership.