photo | Monk Botanical Gardens
Spring in Central Wisconsin: at a distance
We’ve enjoyed months of playing in the sun and snow of another beautiful Winter season, now it’s time to celebrate the much-anticipated longer and warmer days of Spring in Central Wisconsin (from a distance) - let’s do this!
written by Wendy Furrer - owner Host: Central Wisconsin
BIRDWATCHING
The robins are chirping and the colorful cardinals and bossy bluejays are especially busy this time of year - everyone is awake! Spring is the perfect time to start learning more about the birds in your own backyard. Wild Birds Unlimited offers books, food and feeders, and more. Stop in or call to arrange curbside pickup or delivery and “take a breather & enjoy the birds”!
PLAN ON GETTING DIRTY
Now is the perfect time to plan your summer garden or landscaping projects. You’ll find many resources online with green thumb expertise (*hint: we are planting zone 4b) Or, now is the time to become your own expert in the garden as a local Master Gardener Volunteer! Watch for updates at Rib Mountain Greenhouse The Window Box LandArt Majestic Farms to plan your spring planting.
GET CREATIVE
Chalk + sidewalk brings out the kid in anyone. Create art, share an inspiriting quote, or a game of hopscotch. Need chalk or more creative fun? Shop local by calling or stopping by Wisconsin’s oldest bookstore, Janke Bookstore, and find many creative ways to play outdoors this Spring!
COFFEE AL FRESCO
Our days of working (and learning) remotely may make our normal rush to get out the door in the morning a little less hectic, for now. Take advantage! Grab a sweater and a cup of coffee or tea and breathe in a beautiful Spring morning on the patio - or maybe grab your laptop and head to one of our #shoplocal coffee and tea vendors: Ugly Mug White Water Music Hall Condor Coffee Weston Five Star Coffee Shop Patina Coffeehouse Vino Latte Wausau Vino Latte Weston LaPrima Deli
FOLLOW THAT TRUCK!
The Food Truck scene in Central Wisconsin heats up and “gets busy” as the weather warms up! Track your favorite food truck at the Central Wisconsin Food Truck Finder facebook page.
RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR AND SAFE INDOOR OPTIONS
Through their website, the Greater Wausau Chamber provides a full listing of your local favorites: https://web.wausauchamber.com/Restaurants-Bars . A complete list by category is also available at GreaterWausau.org dining page.
ENJOY AN OUTDOOR SHOW
Grab a blanket or some chairs and head outside to watch a movie or broadway show. There are many new performances, as well as old favorites, now streaming online and perfect for a date night or family movie night. Make sure to follow Wausau’s historic Grand Theater to register for ,and support, their fantastic online streaming offerings. Get that popcorn popping!
Also keep your eyes on Out of the Woods Theatre Central WI Children’s Theatre and Central Wisconsin School of Ballet for Spring shows.
THE GALLERIES ARE OPEN!
Our area art museums and galleries are happy to welcome visitors and have provided opportunities for you to safely view their fabulous artwork and enjoy classes. Find out more at Center for the Visual Arts Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
CHECK OUT THE NIGHT SKY
Don’t miss the largest pink supermoon of 2021 on April 27th. A short drive just to the edge of town is where the twinkle of the city lights transforms into beautiful views of the night skies on any Spring Central Wisconsin evening.
April 27 - Full Moon, Supermoon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the Sun and its face will be will be fully illuminated. This phase occurs at 03:33 UTC. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. This moon has also been known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon, and the Egg Moon. Many coastal tribes called it the Fish Moon because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn. This is also the first of three supermoons for 2021. The Moon will be near its closest approach to the Earth and may look slightly larger and brighter than usual.
HIKE AND BIKE
Central Wisconsin has miles - and miles! - of (dog friendly) State and County parks and trails. We love our four seasons and taking time to enjoy Central Wisconsin natural resources as new green sprouts begin to appear, days warm, and snow melts, is truly a gift to enjoy.
ADVENTURE IN THE GARDENS (pictured)
Spring is the perfect time to adventure through the beautiful Monk Botanical Gardens and see what’s (coming) up!
Located at 1800 N. First Ave. on Wausau’s west side, on 30 acres, 21 acres generously donated by the Robert W. Monk family, the Gardens have become an urban sanctuary for education, appreciation of our environment, relaxation and recreation.
You may follow them on facebook at: Monk Gardens
WINTER + SPRING MARKETS
Wausau’s Winter Market, is held indoors on Saturdays through April. The promise of warmer weather in May will welcome outdoor markets throughout the region. For current information and how to place orders with vendors for pickup, check out these pages: Wausau Winter Market Facebook Page, Farmers Market of Wausau, Weston Farmers Market
ZOOM OUTSIDE
Whether an online classroom, virtual cocktails with friends, or game night with the extended family, Central Wisconsin is, and always will be, about people and making connections and enjoying the outdoors. Social chat opportunities on Zoom, Skype, or Facebook group chat are great ways to help us to keep connected, even when there’s distance.
VOLUNTEER
The feel of a close community with the benefits of living in a larger city makes Central Wisconsin incredibly unique. We live, work, and play - together - as a community. We also find ways to lift one another up. There are a great variety of not-for-profit organizations in the community that may interest you. A helpful way to connect with volunteer needs is through United Way’s Community Response Opportunities.
For up-to-date information on Central Wisconsin Events, this Spring and throughout the year, refer to City Pages, Wausau Events, VisitWausau.com, and GreaterWausau.org .
Wendy Furrer, is owner of host: central wisconsin consulting group and enjoys promoting and working with Central Wisconsin employers to recruit, relocate, and retain talent by “selling” life #inthecw.
You may connect with her at:
https://www.hostcentralwisconsin.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schneck-furrer-3a117495/