Celebrate Hudson!

Issue #3: January 20, 2026

Celebrate Hudson! is a monthly email newsletter produced as a community service by Hudson Community Foundation and Destination Hudson (both local independent non-profit organizations).

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This eNewsletter showcases some of the incredible community events hosted by an array of non-profit organizations in Hudson. Scroll through the many events below so you can enjoy all that Hudson has to offer.

Once you have subscribed, this is a free newsletter with issues that will come monthly to your email address. Share this newsletter with your friends so they can sign up, too. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your name or email will not be shared with any third party. 

Hudson Trivia Question #2:

How many students were in the very first graduating class from Hudson High School?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Upcoming Events: Learning and Education

Hudson Community First Programs

Hudson Community First’s Community of Care series continues with two sessions focused on building key developmental assets such as: Family Support & Positive Communication, Other Adult Relationships, Caring, Integrity, and Interpersonal Competence. These events are free and open to the public but registration is requested.

Monday, January 26, 2026

7pm

Hudson Middle School Auditorium, 83 North Oviatt St., Hudson

TEDx and international motivational speaker Tanner Clark inspires and encourages parents to better connect with their children by finding their “One Second of Strength” to help overcome distractions and pursue what matters most. Register at: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/tannerclark

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

7pm

Hudson Middle School Auditorium, 83 North Oviatt Street, Hudson

The Hudson Police Department informs and educates parents on how to help children navigate and respond to the challenges and threats in the ever-changing world around them. Register at: api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/hpd

Hudson Heritage Association Speaker:

Native Americans in the Cuyahoga Valley

Thursday, February12, 2026

7pm

Barlow Community Center, 41 S Oviatt Street, Hudson

Program will be broadcast live on HCTV

Hudson Heritage Association hosts a presentation on the book, Native Americans of the Cuyahoga Valley by Linda Whitman, MS, and Peg Bobel, MS. It will cover aspects of the complex history of Native peoples of the region. The book includes essays on archaeology, history, and contemporary issues in today’s Native American communities – bringing readers full circle to the present to explore the complexity of Indigenous history and culture. The narratives compel readers to look beyond myths, legends, and misconceptions to consider the contributions of Native Americans in the Cuyahoga Valley and northeastern Ohio, which continue to the present day.

Hudson Heritage Association meetings are free and open to the public. Visit www.hudsonheritage.org to learn more, join HHA or subscribe to its email list.

Hudson Trivia Question #3

The building that now is home to the Noble House restaurant at 60 W. Streetsboro Rd. (Ohio Rt. 303) was once an auto dealership. What brand of cars were sold there?

(scroll to the end of this email to see how you can win a prize by guessing at the answer to this question)

Hudson Community First’s Toast to Hudson

Friday, February 27, 2026

6:30pm

Lake Forest Country Club, 100 Lake Forest Drive, Hudson

Toast to Hudson is Hudson Community First’s annual gala fundraiser. Enjoy fine food and drink, amazing auction items, jewelry raffles, wine pull, a portraitist and live music! Proceeds support programming that promotes positive youth development at all schools in Hudson. Tickets begin at $130 and are available at www.hudsoncommunityfirst.com.

Upcoming Events: Arts & Culture

Peg’s Foundation Gallery – Iterations Rhythm & Reason

Now Through January 31, 2026

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11am to 4pm

Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am to 7pm

Closed Sundays & Holidays

53 First Street, Hudson

Peg’s Gallery presents ITERATIONS: Rhythm & Reason, a thought-provoking showcase of contemporary weaving, ceramic, and sculpture by professional artists Peter Christian Johnson, Janice Lessman-Moss and Brinsley Tyrrell. Their work highlights repetition, labor, and change, uncovering the subtle rhythms that shape both material and meaning. Admission to the gallery is free and open to the public. Peg’s Gallery, intertwined with the mission of Peg’s Foundation, is dedicated to cultural enrichment and community engagement. From its inception, the gallery has been a crucial part of this vision, evolving alongside the foundation to better serve our community.

Hudson Society of Artists

Meetings on Monday, February 2, February 16, March 2 and March 16, 2026

7pm

Barlow Community Center, 41 South Oviatt St., Hudson

The Hudson Society of Artists is an organization of individuals interested in furthering artistic endeavors in northeast Ohio. Membership is open to artists of all ages and abilities, from professionals to beginners, as well as those interested in the arts but not necessarily artists themselves.

Four meetings, all free and open to the public, are scheduled for the months of February and March. Presenters are:

• February 2 - Gary Maher of the Hudson Players, Art in Theater.
• February 16 - Member Elias Traboulsi, Postage Stamp Art
• March 2 - Noted local artist C. Arthur Croyle, art he has named “Beneath It All”
• March 16 - Tara Deetscreek, techniques in creating bas relief pieces.

For more information, visit www.hudsonsocietyofartists.com

Hudson Music Association: An Evening of Jazz

Friday, February 6, 2026

7pm

Hudson Middle School, 83 North Oviatt St., Hudson

The Jazz Bands from Hudson City Schools present their annual fundraising concert. Come support our talented student musicians while enjoying an evening of fantastic music! Hudson High School Jazz I and Jazz II will be featured, along with our Hudson Middle School Jazz Band. There will be a dessert buffet plus a variety of raffle and silent auction items, including a week-long stay on Hilton Head Island, Guardians tickets with club access, 2-night stay at Ravenswood Castle, loge seats to The Outsiders at Playhouse Square, and much more! Proceeds will directly benefit the Hudson jazz program. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students – available online at Evening of Jazz | hudson Box Office

Hudson Trivia Question #4:

What Hudsonite is largely credited with providing the inspiration that led to formation of the National Weather Service?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Valentine’s Afternoon Jazz Concert

Saturday, February 14

2pm

Hudson Library & Historical Society, 96 Library St., Hudson

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a live performance at the Hudson Library by award-winning jazz vocalist and recording artist Olivia Van Goor, who grew up in Hudson and is a 2015 graduate of Hudson High School. Now a major figure in the Detroit jazz scene, Van Goor will present A Lifetime of Love, a musical program featuring romantic classics and timeless favorites from the Great American Songbook. Known for her warm, expressive style and elegant interpretations of jazz standards, Van Goor blends classic repertoire with fresh arrangements, offering an intimate and heartfelt musical experience. It’s a perfect afternoon for couples, families and music lovers of all ages. 

Register online in the Events section of www.hudsonlibrary.org or call 330/653-6658. This is one of many events, lectures and programs scheduled for adults and children at the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Find out more at www.hudsonlibrary.org.

Music from The Western Reserve: Duo Recital

Sunday, February 22, 2026

5pm (with a pre-concert talk at 4:30pm)

Christ Church Episcopal, 21 Aurora St., Hudson

Cellist Brendon Phelps and pianist Alexandre Marr come together for a powerful and emotionally rich duo recital. Known for their intense musicality and deep collaborative chemistry, Phelps and Marr will present a program centered around Sergei Rachmaninoff’s virtuosic Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 19. This cornerstone of the cello repertoire showcases the expressive range of both instruments and offers a thrilling dialogue between cello and piano. With their combined artistry and sensitivity, the duo promises an unforgettable performance that highlights the sonata’s sweeping lyricism, dramatic intensity, and intimate lyricism. All attendees are invited to come early for a pre-concert talk and stay for a post-concert reception to meet the artists and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine.

General admission tickets are available for $30 at www.musicwr.org. All students with a valid student ID receive free concert admission.

Now in its 43^rd season, Hudson-based Music from The Western Reserve features first-class musical performances. It began as the brainchild of John E. Perry, manager of the National Public Radio affiliate WKSU-FM. From 1983 to 2002, performances were held at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. The concerts then were moved to the chapel at Western Reserve Academy in Hudson. Beginning with its 2010-11 season, Music from The Western Reserve added Christ Church Episcopal as its performance venue. The first concert at Christ Church Episcopal was held in September 2010.

Door2 Art Studio – Open Studio

Every Wednesday through March 2026 

4pm to 8pm

5374 Darrow Rd, Hudson

Door 2 is a multi-faceted art studio in Hudson with professional artists on staff. Door 2 hosts community events, Open Studio, an Artist Speaker Series, Art Classes, Artist Forum and more.   

Several offerings:

• Open Studio every Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm. It is free and open to everyone ages 14+. We offer free materials and instruction in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, and more. Adults, college and high school artists are welcome.
• Artist Forums from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Wednesdays January 28, February 25 and March 25. Ccome to share your current project, past work or even just a project concert for feedback and critique from fellow artists.
• At Artist Features once each month, hear from a local artist or creative professional about his/her background and work. At 6:30pm on Wednesday, February 11, the featured artist is Courtney Cable. At 6:30pm on March 11, it’s Ron White.
•  Door 2 offers Studio Classes once each month from 5pm to 8pm on selected Wednesdays (doors open at 4pm). On January 21, 2026, it’s Jewelry with Ron White. On February 18, 2026, it’s Pinch Pots with Kyle Bee. On March 18, it’s Collage with Karen Koch. All classes are free. No registration is required and all materials will be provided.
• Master Classes at Door 2 include Art and Theology with Adriana Caso from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and Winter Photography Walk with Mike Seng from 6:30pm to 7:30pm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

For more information, visit www.door2art.com

Hudson Trivia Question #5:

How large is the Hudson Library & Historical Society’s total collection of books, videos, music, magazines and a range of devices and educational materials?

(scroll to the end of this email for the answer)

Save the Date: Hudson Preschool Parents Children's Fair

Saturday, April 11, 2006

(Time and Location to be announced)

Hudson Preschool Parents will hold its 39^th annual Children's Fair on Saturday, April 11, 2026. This lively event for our youngest Hudsonites and their families include activities, exhibits, food/beverages and great raffles. More information on this year's event will be coming soon. 



Hudson Preschool Parents is a very active non-profit group founded in 1973 to promote an understanding of the young child's personality and development. For information on the organization and membership, visit www.hudsonpreschoolparents.org

Save the Date: Hudson Home & Garden Tour 2026

Friday, June 12, 2026, and Saturday, June 13, 2026

Around Hudson (locations to be announced)

The Hudson Home and Garden Tour, presented annually by Hudson Garden Club, is one of our community’s biggest and most popular events.

The 78^th annual Hudson Home and Garden Tour is Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, 2026. This year's Tour will feature four distinctive homes, four beautiful gardens and one specially designed outdoor living and entertaining space.

Online ticket sales will open on May 1. For those who prefer to purchase tickets in person, sales begin on June 1. Presale tickets are available for $35, while tickets purchased on the day of the Tour will be $45.

A bit of history … In 1947, Hudson Garden Club sought a way to raise funds to replace the many trees lost to Dutch elm disease and decided to conduct the first tour, which was gardens only, with a charge of 50 cents per person. It raised $24.50! Over the years the club expanded the tour to include both homes and gardens.  

Looking Back: Hudson Comes Together To Conclude 2025!

The crowd was all smiles at Hudson’s annual Holiday Walk at First & Main on December 7 for a variety of activities, including collecting toys for local military families.

Adults and Children alike – nearly 1,500 strong – gathered in downtown Hudson on the crisp morning of December 24 for the 12^th annual Frosty 5 and Mistletoe Mile walk/run. The ultimate winner was a community coming together to enjoy some good exercise and holiday spirit. 

At the Hudson Library & Historical Society at 12noon on December 31, children of all ages enjoyed the ball drop during the annual Noon Year's Eve Celebration. The event also featured New Year’s traditions from all around the world. 

Trivia Question Answers

#1: Author Ian Frazier wrote about his life in Hudson in his 1994 book, Family. In an article he wrote later for The New Yorker, Frazier said, “…I remember how growing up in Hudson could be completely, even unfairly, sweet.”

#2: Four students graduated in the first formal commencement at Hudson High School in 1886. In those days, high school classes were conducted at the Union School at Division and Oviatt Streets.

#3: To guess at this answer, email us at celebratehudson@myhcf.org. A fabulous prize will be awarded to one randomly selected person who submits the correct answer.



#4: Elias Loomis, professor of math and natural sciences at Western Reserve College in Hudson from 1836 to 1844, made detailed studies of weather patterns and groundbreaking discoveries in meteorology. A Congressional bill to take weather measurements that led to creation of the National Weather Service was introduced in 1869 by U.S. Rep. Halbert E. Paine of Minnesota, who studied under Professor Loomis and graduated Western Reserve College in 1845.

#5: In all, the Hudson Library & Historical Society has more than 350,000 items available to registered borrowers. 

The answer from last month’s trivia contest (from our December 16, 2025, issue):



In the December issue of our Celebrate Hudson! newsletter (issued on December 16), we asked readers to submit guesses to answer Hudson Trivia Question #4:

How many currently valid U.S. passports have been issued to individuals with addresses in zip code 44236?

The guess that was closest to the actual number was submitted by Randy Bisbee of Hudson. Randy’s guess was 15,700.

According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Department of State, 17,101 current U.S. passports booklets and 1,618 passport cards (for a total of 18,719 current U.S. passports) are issued to individuals with addresses in the 44236 zip code.

This is a remarkable testament to the interest in international travel and insight by residents in Hudson. That said, this was a bit of a trick question. Passports issued by the U.S. government are valid for 10 years. Thus, an uncertain number of people who hold passports with an address in 44236 have moved out of Hudson or are now deceased. Conversely, there are an uncertain number of current Hudsonites who hold passports with a previous address in another place.

To reflect our community’s interest in things beyond our borders, Randy’s prize for his winning guess included two items from downtown Hudson businesses:



• A copy of A Taste of the World: Celebrating Global Flavors, available at The Learned Owl, 204 North Main Street.
• A collection of international spices from the Spice & Tea Exchange, 94 First Street.

Email us at celebratehudson@myhcf.org with comments, questions or to add your Hudson non-profit organization’s event to future issues of Celebrate Hudson!

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