The In-between

How to “Winter-to-Spring” in Central Wisconsin

 As Central Wisconsin residents try to sneak in the last of our favorite winter activities, we know that soon the days will get longer; ice rinks will melt, trails will muddy, and all of that snow will transform to big spring puddles…and that’s ok, too.  

So what do we do in the “In-between”? That time when the snowmaking stops, and yet it’s not quite time to float the kayaks and coolers out on the lake; this is the “in-between”.

There is PLENTY to enjoy – here are just some ideas to get you started:

Create

Register for a class or just stop in:

Center for the Visual Arts https://www.cvawausau.org

Clay House https://clayhouseonline.com/index.html

Clay Corner https://www.facebook.com/claycornerstudio/

Black Purl, llc https://www.facebook.com/Black-Purlllc-53520246878/

Rise Up https://riseupart.org/index.html

Volunteer – YOU are needed! 

Truthfully, there are too many volunteer options to list – the “in-between” is a great time to research where you may best contribute: 

Adopt a Highway! It’s cleanup time – learn more at:  https://www.co.marathon.wi.us/Portals/0/Departments/HWY/Documents/P_AdoptAHighwayPermitApplication.pdf

Work at one of many pet shelters http://catsndogs.org

Wausau Area Mobile Meals http://www.wamobilemeals.com

United Way has a list of volunteer of local volunteer opportunities at: https://www.unitedwaymc.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Habitat for Humanity https://habitatwausau.org

Good News Project https://www.goodnewswi.com/

Indoor Sports

Stay active inside, and out. These indoor venues offer some great options:

4 Seasons Golf https://www.4seasonsgolfofwausau.com

Blades & Boards https://bladesandboardsllc.com

Sawmill Adventure Park - VR arena and trampoline park https://www.sawmilladventurepark.com

Zingers & Flingers http://www.zingersandflingers.com

Wausau Tennis Center http://www.wausautennis.com

Greenheck Ice Rink https://www.dce.k12.wi.us/domain/184

Greenheck Pickle Ball  lessons and leagues begin in April learn more here

Granite Peak even as the snow melts, Granite Peak continues to entertain – find out more about March 26 and 27 Spring Fling Days at  https://www.skigranitepeak.com/event/spring-fling-day-2-the-cardboard-cup/?fbclid=IwAR2fbmDqBejNU64fq7MGIcInbGznX56FAskmK98k7DuggWwiupmug8bKdY0

Celebrate St. Pat’s

Who ISN’T Irish on March 17th?  The Wausau area celebrates St. Patty’s Day as big as it gets this side of the green Chicago River.  Try some of these Irish, and Irish-at-heart, options:

Malarky’s Pub & Townie’s Grill https://www.malarkeyspub.com

Bull Falls a German brewery celebrating St. Patrick with live music - https://bullfallsbrewery.com/Events/Event-Management/EventId/1221/e/rich-pinski-17-mar-2022

Limericks http://www.limerickswausau.com

Intermission with bragging rights for selling more Jameson than any other bar in Wisconsin <facts> don’t miss celebrating St. Pat’s with Jameson - on tap - at Intermission http://www.intermissionbar.com

The Grand –enjoy an Irish dinner from the Mint and live show (Celtic Angels) at The Grand on March 19  https://tickets.grandtheater.org/3041/3046

Wisconsin Fish Fry …obviously

While church fish fries have been “put on the back fryer” for a bit – there are still plenty of some favorite (in no particular order) area fish fries include:

The Loading Zone https://www.theloadingzone.biz

Trails End follow them on Facebook at Trails End Lodge

Hiawatha @hiawatharestaurantandlounge

Carmelo’s Italian Restaurant https://www.carmeloswausau.com

VanAcre https://www.vanacre.com

The Mint https://www.mintcafewausau.com/home

Fry on the fly? Culvers! https://www.culvers.com/restaurants/wausau-bridge

Richards has smelt! check it out at Richards Supper Club

There are SO many good options – which is your favorite?  You may just find an Old Fashioned cocktail on the menu, also… 

Catch a “Show”!

For those of us with cabin fever - it’s time to get out and discover all of “the shows” that come to our area this time of year: *

March Into Spring Craft & Vendor Show – March 12th Cedar Creek Mall

The Crooked Queen Market May 5-7 more information on Facebook at The Crooked Queen

The Wausau Card Show 318 S. 3rd Ave  April 16th  9am to 3pm

Barn Bazaar 2022 Tansy Hill Farm May 21st 9am to 4pm @TansyHillFarmWausau

Bull Falls Harley Davidson Events https://www.bullfallshd.com

48th Annual Children’s Festival Marathon Park March 26 10am to 3pm https://wausaumama.com/event/48th-annual-childrens-festival/

Central Wisconsin RV & Camping Show March 11 – 13 Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center Rothschild https://www.visitwausau.com/eventdetail/1026/12th-annual-central-wisconsin-rv-camping-show

*facebook is a great resource for events happening throughout the area 

Cedar Creek Cinema – ok we know Netflix is a thing, but it’s time to put on some pants and get off of that couch - catch a new flick at one of Cedar Creek cinema’s BIG screens https://www.marcustheatres.com/theatre-locations/cedar-creek-cinema-rothschild

Visit a Yoga Studio or New Exercise Class

5 Koshas https://www.5koshasyoga.com

YMCA https://www.woodsonymca.com

S A L T https://www.saltwausau.com

Burn Boot Camp https://burnbootcamp.com

Work It Out

Be Massage Therapy & Bodywork http://www.bebodywork.com

Essential Massage & Wellness Center, LLC https://wausaumassage.com

Bennett Massage Therapy, LLC https://bennett-massage-therapy.massagetherapy.com

Serenity Now Massage & Bodywork, LLC http://serenitynowbodywork.com

These Hands Massage https://thesehandsmassage.com

Go on a Treasure Hunt

Habitat for Humanity Retail Store the secret is out (dang!) – treasure (and seekers) abound on Saturday mornings at the Wausau Habitat for Humanity store at 1810 Schofield Ave.  You may not always find what you’re looking for – but for sure will find something you didn’t know you were looking for!  https://habitatwausau.org

Rice’s Antiques and Architectural Salvage 201 Forest Street Wausau more information on Facebook at Rice’s Antiques

CVA Art Seek and Find May 21st  Scavenger Hunt – team sign up available April 1st at https://www.cvawausau.org

Wausau Rocks #inthecw we sure do love our art - it’s everywhere! Did you know there are painted rocks hidden all over the area? Follow this fun Facebook group – you may choose to find and keep / find and hide / or create and hide – all are fun ways to explore. 

Brunch It

There is no reason to get up and out the door early on the weekends in the “in-between”. Some of our favorite places will have brunch waiting for you and your brunch crew:

Malarky’s https://www.malarkeyspub.com

Tine & Cellar – you had me at warm donuts https://www.tineandcellar.com/welcome

The Filling Station catch the Sunday brunch BUFFET!  https://sixthstreetcafe.com

Wausau Winter Market Saturdays 8am to 12 at Whitewater Music Hall. Follow them at Wausau Winter Market

Plan to Plant

UW Extension Marathon County https://marathon.extension.wisc.edu

Our UW Extension office has a great variety of resources for Central Wisconsin residents to plan Spring planting.

Hands-on Plants March 15 7:30pm Monk Botanical Gardens https://allevents.in/wausau/hands-on-plants/200022053400418?ref=footer-up-ep-old

SAVE THE DATE: Summer 2022

Use this “in-between” time to plan your summer – refer to the following sites to get all of the fun Central Wisconsin parties and festivals on your calendar:

Wausau River District http://www.wausauriverdistrict.org

City Pages (watch for their Summer Fun Book) https://www.thecitypages.com

Wausau Convention and Visitors Bureau https://www.visitwausau.com

Wausau Events https://www.wausauevents.org

GreaterWausau.org https://www.greaterwausau.org

Central Wisconsin Fun and Adventure Club a great Facebook group organizing group adventures and outings year-round – a fun and welcoming club to be a part of. 

Food Trucks

As the Central Wisconsin air warms up, so do our fantastic food trucks!  Find out where your favorite food truck will be parked, at the Facebook page Central Wisconsin Food Truck Finder

*Do you have a food truck? Be sure to post updates on this page so that we don’t have to chase you down! 

Live Music 

So. Much. Live. Music. Follow these pages for schedules:

Bull Falls you can catch Mia and Jordan on Friday, March 11 https://bullfallsbrewery.com

Whitewater Music Hall https://www.whitewatermusichall.com

Malarky’s https://www.malarkeyspub.com

Intermission http://www.intermissionbar.com

Limricks http://www.limerickswausau.com

Performing and Visual Arts 

Enjoy these beautiful galleries or get tickets to a live show – the arts are alive and thriving in Central Wisconsin.

Center for the Visual Arts https://www.cvawausau.org

Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art (re-opening April 1st) https://riseupart.org/index.html

Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum https://www.lywam.org

The Grand https://www.grandtheater.org

Keeping History Alive

Our Woodson History Center offers tours and events throughout March and April.

Special March events include A Vintage Springtime Tea and Family Tea on March 24 and 26

Call 715 842 5750 before March 21

Learn more at https://www.marathoncountyhistory.org/facilities/woodson-history-center

So whether you like to winter hibernate or the challenge of extreme sports – enjoy the “in between” now - because before we know it, the days will get longer; the ice will melt, the trails will muddy, and that snow will transform to big spring puddles…and that’s ok, too.  

We don’t want to miss anyone! Do you have an “in between” event to share with the community?  Join the “When in Wausau” Facebook page and message us the details! 

Wendy Furrer, is owner of host: central wisconsin concierge 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:  

wsfurrer@gmail.com 

https://www.hostcentralwisconsin.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-schneck-furrer-3a117495/