Sticking around town? Here are a few ideas for FUN!
BY: RACHEL WUMKES
Spring break means so many different things to various people. Students are likely bouncing off the walls with excitement knowing they have an entire week free from the confines of books and homework. And while the teachers may not be bouncing off the walls on the outside, per se, their insides are definitely a flutter of excitement knowing they are SO close to a week filled with restful, quiet bliss.
I got to thinking a bit this morning about spring break itself. Where did it come from? How did it start?
While some studies link the roots of spring break all the way back to the ancient Greeks, the spring break we know today actually began in the mid-1930s. A swim instructor from upstate New York wanted his team to get a jump on training, so he took them to Ft. Lauderdale to work out in a new Olympic sized pool. The concept caught on, and soon swim teams from across the country began to follow suit.
Obviously, as they didn’t train 24/7 while they were in sunny Florida, the students found opportunities to blow off steam in the ways college kids do: partying. Word began to spread that spending the week during break (which was usually because of the Easter holiday) in the warm sunshine, partying it up with other college coeds was way better than staying home in the cold.
Thus, the birth of “spring break.”
MTV caught wind of this party phenomenon and created their first special broadcast in 1986. Throughout the 1990s, the party scene ravaged the Florida coastline before spreading to other warm destinations like Texas and even Mexico.
Now that you’ve had a bit of a history lesson on how spring break came about, we’re all dying to know… what are your plans??
While some people in the area opt for travel to warmer climes, a large number of the population stick around town. Still, if you have young children at home, that poses a challenge of planning activities and outings for the week. The spring fever seed has been planted as the days become longer and the temperatures tease us by lingering just on the cusp of “satisfactory” to be outdoors. That seed needs to grow!
Thankfully, you’re not on your own.
FOR THE KIDS:
Lake Theatre is currently showing “The Batman” (PG-13). Show times are Monday/Thursday/Friday at 7:00PM and Saturday/Sunday at 1:00, 4:00 and 7:00PM. Get your tix here: http://bitly/2mF6vuL
The Clear Lake Library has bunches of fun activities for kiddos of various ages. For example, the Wednesday Story Time for age 0-5 at 10:30am. There will be a Grab & Go activity for kids in grades K-5 available starting Monday while supplies last. A scavenger hunt is also on the docket for inside the children’s department next week that, when completed, will earn children a drawing ticket for a free book. And if you’ve got the super little kiddos (age 0-24 months) there’s Growing Readers Baby Time each Friday at 10:30AM. This is a one-on-one program with bouncing rhymes, books, bubbles, music, and group play.
The Clear Lake Arts Center is hosting their first Mini Art Camp! Grades 1st-5th are invited on March 15-17 from 10am-3pm each day. Students will get to explore various art forms in the literary, performing, and visual arts. Registration DUE by MARCH 10th at 7pm.
Click HERE for more information and to register.
Get some buddies together and have an epic laser tag battle at Battlefield Midwest. Check out their website for open times and availabilities – or to book an appointment! www.battlefieldmidwest.com
The Boyer Pool at TimberCrest at Glen Oaks will have Open Swim next week. Hours are 6a – 2p M-F and 1p-5p on Saturday. Only $5.00 per guest if you don’t have a membership. Memberships also available.
Spring is also a GREAT time to get your fitness on. Kids – and adults – can burn off some energy at the Clear Lake Wellness & Recreation Center, NIP Fitness Center, Lake Fit and Cutting Edge Fitness, as well as the YMCA in Mason City.
FOR THE ADULTS:
There will be BINGO at the VFW on March 14th at 6:30PM (must be 21 and older to attend).
Sunset Sharky’s is hosting a St. Patty’s Day soiree on March 17th with LIVE music from 6-9pm by Stubble Trouble (Spenser Rahm & Ben Jennings).
March 17th is also Trivia Thursday at Lake Time Brewery from 7-9PM.
Don’t miss out on the ultimate 80s rock and roll show by Hairball at the Surf Ballroom on Saturday, March 19th. Get tickets at www.surfballroom.com
The Knights of Columbus will have Irish Stew and homemade pie at St. Patrick’s Church on March 20th from 11am – 3pm.
I hope each of you has an amazing Spring Break week and you all head back to real life refreshed and ready to sail on into summer.
It’s going to be a great one, as always, at the Lake!