The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Julie Holperin - Special to the Daily News

OK, it’s a sure bet that I am really excited for spring now. The daffodils are several inches tall at the Post office already. My seed and garden catalogs are marked up with sticky notes and I have started my rounds at the local seed and garden centers. I was just delighted with my dinner plate size dahlias I planted last year and am trying to decide which new varieties I want to plant this year. It’s always a trick to space out my expenditures so my husband can’t accuse me of spending way too much on the garden when we could be doing other projects on the property instead! Check your various newsletters and Web sites and your favorite nurseries and garden centers as they offer invaluable planting information for our own local areas.

Tonight is Family Night at the YMCA. Enjoy open swimming as well as open gym. Cost is free to members and $8 per family for non-members. The new Spring II session begins this week so stop in or call 362-9622 to register or check www.ymcaofthenorthwoods.com for the complete schedule. Also YMCA Summer Day Camp registration starts this week. Sign up soon as space is limited. Children must be age 3 and older to be a camp explorer and there are weekly field trips as well as outdoor swimming games and activities. Call Diane at 362-9622 ext. 109 today for more info.

There will be a Camp Fire USA-sponsored Babysitting course on Saturday at the Rhinelander City Hall Basement. There is a limit of 12 students so call and register today at 362-3513. The class starts at 9 to 4 p.m. and teaches basic babysitting skills. Summer is coming up and babysitting can be a lucrative job for students.

There will be an Indoor Duathlon competition sponsored by the YMCA at the Eagle River High School on Saturday. I am very familiar with the sport because my brother has been an international Duathlon competitor for many years. The event features running and biking and starts at 9 a.m. To register for the Duathlon call our local YMCA at 362-9622 or the YMCA Eagle River office at (715) 479-9500.

Wausau is hosting their 35th annual Children’s Festival on Saturday at Marathon Park. They will have over 20 activities for children age 3 and older. An adult must accompany children. Lunch and refreshments will be available. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is free.

“Take Aim at Cancer” is the theme for the Harshaw Sports Club Benefit Shoot on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Registration starts at 11. Food and refreshments will be available. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

There will be two ATV safety classes in April sponsored by the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department that are intended to teach the DNR certified skills course. There is an age restriction and advance registration is required. Call the sheriff’s department today for more info at 361-5132.

On Monday evening the Rhinelander District Library is hosting local horticulture expert Brett Hanson from Hanson’s Garden Village. Brett will present a program about Bare Root planting and Shrubs for our Northwoods area. The program is free and starts at 6:30 in the Library meeting Room.

By the way, Hanson’s Garden Village is offering herb and moss garden planter classes this month. You can design and create your own beautiful planters with expert guidance and they will keep and care for your planter until mid May. Call Hanson’s at 365-2929 for more info.

On Wednesday, April 15 the Rhinelander District Library is sponsoring the after school movie Waterhorse on the big screen. The movie is free and there is no registration. The movie starts at 3:15 and will be held in the lower level meeting room.

The rummage sale season is starting. When you are cleaning out your garages and closets, just remember that you can drop off your goods at several locations for upcoming sales and swaps. The YMCA is having their Sports Swap on April 19. Gently used sports equipment and sports attire can be dropped off on Friday, April 18 from 3 to 6. Call the Y at 362-9622 for more info. The Oneida Senior Center is having their annual sale on April 18 and 19 and goods can be dropped off now until the date of the sale. Nativity School is having their Trash and Treasure sale on April 26 and you can drop off your goods at the school from now until the date of the sale. Enjoy your spring-cleaning and remember, someone else’s trash is another’s treasure.

Remember Earth Day on April 22. Start thinking of where you would like to plant a tree. A good idea would be to plant a tree in someone’s memory, or plant a tree for your child or grandchild to watch as they grow up. Trees are one of America’s best natural resources and we must continue to plant them. Go to www.earthday.com for more info.

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