Beat the winter blues with these fun activities
COSHOCTON – Winter in Ohio tends to bring cold temperatures and a large amount of snow falling from the sky, and this year has been no exception. But after the festive Christmas season passes, many people seem to fall into a winter rut. Here are a few events and activities going on that can boost you out of your winter depression.
Many people know that the Pomerene Center for the Arts hosts the Chocolate Extravaganza at the Coshocton County Career Center each year, but did you know the Pomerene has many more activities for the community? Every Thursday evening from 6 – 9 p.m., test your chess skills by attending Chess Night at the Pomerene Center. This evening of friendly competition could help further your chess game and you may even make a new friend. There is a suggested donation of $5.
If drawing is your passion, you’ll want to attend the open drawing night each Tuesday night from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Pomerene Center. This is an opportunity to learn from other artists in the area and also features occasional workshops with guest artists. Bring your sketch book and drawing tools to create with other talented artists. Suggested donation is $2.
The Pomerene Center will host its next rent party on Friday, Feb. 2 with Maxine Metheney. Metheney performs country classics, Broadway hits, and modern music. The show will be from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. and cost is $10. Please RSVP to this event by calling 740-622-0326 or email pomerenearts@gmail.com.
The 26th annual Chocolate Extravaganza will be Saturday, Feb. 10 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Coshocton County Career Center. However, on Thursday, Feb. 8, gear up for the annual chocolate event by attending the Beer and Baking for the Arts at Hannah Marie’s Bakery, 139 S. 3rd St. from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. This program is being held in conjunction with the Pomerene Center and Wooly Pig Brewery. The class will focus on how to bake Hannah Marie’s Mocha Mousse brownies, but instead of coffee, the brownies will be made with Schwarzbier. Bring a mixing bowl and a hand-held mixer to create some delicious brownies. Registration is $25.
Burn off all those brownie calories at the Coshocton Community Center, 201 Browns Lane, with their wide variety of exercise programs. They offer all levels yoga each Monday from 6 – 7 p.m. and pound fit each Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., Friday from 5:30 – 6:15 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 – 11 a.m. They also offer cardio drumming on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. – noon. Pop Pilates is also offered on Wednesdays from 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. and strength training is on Thursdays from 5:15 – 6 p.m. Participants must register with Erin for strength training at 740-868-3370. Fit camp is also held each Saturday from 9 – 10 a.m.
If you enjoy exercising, but not quite as strenuous, consider joining a ballroom dance group. Every Thursday, there is a beginner and intermediate ballroom dance group that meets at the Roscoe United Methodist Church from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Each session lasts about 45 minutes.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Dave Custer, one of the instructors. “We enjoy it and it’s something fun to do in the winter.”
Anywhere between 20 to 40 dancers come each week to learn the foxtrot, waltz, rumba, East Coast swing, and the cha-cha. Custer is also thinking about starting to teach salsa.
“It’s like a date night for most people,” said Custer. “It’s also something you can do the rest of your life. I’ve seen 80 and 90 year olds out there having a good old time.”
Classes will be held until March 22. They are free to attend.
“If you can walk, you can dance,” said Custer. “One of our requirements is you must have fun.”
If you’re looking for other things to do with your significant other, the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is having a Couples Clay Date on Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Each couple will be given a slab of clay to form a vase of your own design. Rachel Hall of Hillbippie Clay will lead you through the process. Cost is $55 per couple. Register through Hall’s Facebook page: facebook.com/events/200619167181264.
If you like creating art with your little one, the Family Art Class will be Feb. 11 from 4 – 6 p.m. Both parent and child will work on their own canvas. Cost is $16 for one child and one adult and $20 for two children. Payment is due by Feb. 6.
Don’t miss other children’s artworks during the “A Playground of Color” exhibit which will be Feb. 4 through March 25. Works are from local elementary school children and there will be an opening reception on Feb. 4 from 1 – 3 p.m.
The museum also offers Sunday Family Funtime. The last Sunday will be Jan. 28 from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. It’s a great way to get out of the house, play a game, and make a craft with your children or grandchildren. Cost is general admission.
The libraries in Coshocton and West Lafayette also have a wide variety of fun activities you can do with your children or grandchildren, or something fun for adults as well. Utilize both libraries this winter season, even if it’s just to find a good book to curl up with on a snowy night.
“Literacy is always important regardless of the season,” said Jennifer Austin, director of the Coshocton Public Library. “I encourage people to use the library and the services are very diverse. The library is a warm place where those in need of warmth can come and curl up with a good book. It’s an opportunity to come in and be social and expand their horizon. It’s a chance for people to come in and get out of the house. It’s a nice warm place where people can come in out of the snow and read a good book.”
Category: People & Places
