Hello Valley Neighbors!

This Saturday is National Trails Day. Since 1993, the first Saturday in June has been dedicated to celebrating the trails that connect us to the outdoors. 🥾

Whether it's a quick walk through the Nature Realm or a longer adventure in the CVNP, there's no shortage of places to explore around here. A few ideas and local stories await below.

Let's get to it!

Akron's First Ever Blimp Day

Look up this Saturday. ☝️

Akron is celebrating its first official Blimp Day on June 6, with both Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two scheduled to fly over all 24 Akron neighborhoods between 9 a.m. and noon. The event honors the city's long connection to the Goodyear Blimp, which first took flight from Akron more than a century ago.

The blimps will follow a neighborhood-by-neighborhood route across the city, making loops through every section of Akron before finishing downtown. If you're planning to watch, we've included the official flight map and approximate schedule below. It should be one of the more uniquely Akron sights you'll see this summer! 🎈

Your Metro Parks Photo Could End Up on a Deck of Cards

If you've snapped a great photo while exploring Summit Metro Parks, now might be the time to dig through your camera roll.

The Summit Metro Parks Foundation has launched its first Scenic Summit Metro Parks Photo Contest. Entries are free and open to nature focused photos taken anywhere within Summit Metro Parks. Landscapes, wildlife, wildflowers, rivers, and scenic park views are all fair game. Each photographer may submit up to three photos.

The winning image will be featured on a limited edition deck of playing cards sold at Maple Leaf Gifts inside the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm. Voting is open through July 31, and anyone can vote with a $1 donation that supports the Summit Metro Parks Foundation.

Whether you're a serious photographer or just happened to catch the perfect sunrise on the Towpath, it's a fun way to share your view of the parks. 📸

Today we meet Mica, owner of Hudson General in downtown Hudson, a thoughtfully curated shop that blends timeless style, American made goods, and a strong sense of community.

What made you want to open Hudson General?

We moved here a few years ago. I grew up in Kent, but spent most of my adult life outside of Ohio. I had always dreamed of opening a shop like this in one of the charming spaces along historic Main Street. When a space became available that felt like the right size and fit, I jumped on the opportunity.

How do you decide what brands or products to carry?

Deciding what to carry is a really big deal to me, and not just because I was looking for a certain level of quality or a timeless style. We only carry American made products, which helps reduce the pollution and waste that comes with overseas shipping. I also look for designers and makers who are as sustainable and eco friendly as possible through small batch production, natural materials, and clean ingredients.

Another thing that is very important to me is that the brands we carry pay fair wages and work with factories that take care of their employees. I want to support designers and makers who share those values.

Are there any local makers or small brands featured in the shop?

Yes. We feature a few local artists, as well as an excellent local card designer.

What are some customer favorites lately?

Since opening, our cocktail mixers have been a big hit, especially the Glitter Mimosa and Sangria mixers. Our clean ingredient candles are also very popular, along with both men's and women's skincare products.

Each of our clothing brands has developed a loyal following, and I hope that continues to grow.

What’s the vibe you were trying to create here?

I chose the name Hudson General because general stores used to be more than just places to buy goods. They were community gathering spaces.

I wanted the shop to feel welcoming to everyone who walks through the door. The products are highly curated and hand selected, and my hope is that every visit feels a little special. I want people to discover something unique each time they stop in.

What is one item in the store you think perfectly represents Hudson General?

That's a difficult question because everything in the shop was chosen specifically for this space. If I had to choose, it would probably be the custom tote bags featuring a map of downtown Hudson.

They were designed by a small company based in Brooklyn, New York. I was living in New York when the brand first launched, and I worked for a small publication that wrote about them and partnered with them on a few projects. It was fun to rediscover their work and bring it to Hudson, my new hometown.

To me, those tote bags perfectly represent what I hope Hudson General can be: a place where small businesses from around the country feel right at home in the Northeast Ohio community!

Hudson General is located at 136 N Main St, Hudson and is open daily. It's clear that a lot of thought goes into every product at Hudson General. From small makers to sustainable materials, nearly everything in the shop has a story behind it.  A little local, a little unexpected, and thoughtfully put together. If you're wandering downtown Hudson, Hudson General is worth stepping inside. ✨

FA Seiberling Nature Realm (Akron)

Kid Friendly: ✅

Difficulty: Low to moderate

F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm offers several distinct trail options packed into a relatively small footprint. The highlight is the 1.6 mile Seneca Trail, a wooded loop that climbs through ravines and rolling terrain before passing overlooks and mature forest. With its hills and elevation changes, it's the most challenging trail in the park and feels surprisingly removed from the city. For a shorter walk, the Fernwood Trail and Cherry Lane Trail provide easier routes through woodlands and gardens, while boardwalk sections near the wetlands offer good opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.

The Nature Realm's visitor center adds another layer to the experience. Inside are wildlife exhibits, educational displays, and large windows overlooking bird feeders that stay active year round. Just outside, the wetland observation deck and boardwalks provide some of the best views in the park. Whether you're looking for a quick nature break, a family friendly walk, or a trail with a bit more elevation than most people expect in Akron, the Nature Realm is one of the area's most versatile outdoor destinations.

Lastly, the unofficial mascot of the park may be the chipmunk. They're everywhere along the trails. 🌰