If I had a dime for every time I heard, “there is nothing to do…” I would be a millionaire. If I had to give a dime away when I said it myself, I would probably be flat broke. Often, I find out after the “what to do” is over… you too? In some cases, it may be due to poor marketing by the host organization(s). In the same way, maybe I did not look in the right place to put the “what to do” on my “to do” list. That list is becoming a way of life for me; with good results I might add. Fact is, there are plenty of opportunities for things to do, especially outdoors. Here are a few upcoming “to do’s” in the area. “Winter Wonderland” will be held on Sunday, February 7, 2021 from 11am until 3pm at the Hastings Public House/Hastings Golf Club (former Hastings Country Club) with proceeds to benefit the Hastings YMCA. There will be snowshoeing, a “Snowasis” with fun activities, boot skating, sledding and more. There will be beverages for all ages to stay warm, as well as food and vendors selling crafts and other items. Nicole Mariska Sindelar, owner of the Hastings Public House and YMCA board member explained, “we were discussing that funds are tight with the shutdowns and regulations. We just were brainstorming on ways to generate funding.” The Public House has been offering a “Winter Pass” to their grounds for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hiking and sledding this year. “From what we are doing at our business, discussion led to creating an event as a fundraiser.” The cost for the event is $35 for an adult or $100 for a family. Here is the link: https:// www.ymcanorth.org/blog/2021/01/13/3140819/winter_ wonderland_event. For those interested in the “Winter Pass,” the cost is $15, $40 for a family pass and $5 for a day pass. The Hastings Parks and Recreation Department is hosting “Ice Fishing on Lake Rebecca” on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 9am until noon. Space is limited and registration is required to participate in the free event. Bait, tackle and poles are provided with pre-drilled and marked holes ready for fishing. Staff and volunteers will be onsite to help instruct inexperienced ice anglers. A fishing license is not required to attend. “Catch and Release” is required under the City of Hastings DNR waiver. All you need to bring is you (dress warm) and a portable chair or bucket to sit on. This is a great way to introduce someone to the sport. To register for a timeslot, contact the Hastings Parks and Rec department at 651-480-6182 or email Paige Marschall Bigler at [email protected]

Are you a former “rink rat” who spent hours and hours on the outdoor rinks as a kid? Maybe you still hit the outdoor rinks. If you are like me, you should stay as far away from ice skates as humanly possible due to AKD. While ice conditions in the area vary, the following ice rinks are officially open for skating in Hastings; Pioneer Park, Wallin Park, Lions Park, Lake Isabel Park and the outdoor rink at the Civic Arena. The warming houses will be opening soon as staffing is finalized, as things were delayed with various restrictions due to the pandemic.

The City of Cottage Grove has a plethora of outdoor skating opportunities with 13 different rinks (7 hockey rinks and 6 recreational rinks) located at 8 different locations including Highland, Armstrong Elementary, Peter Thompson, Old Cottage Grove, Pine Tree Valley and Hearthside. The rinks at all locations have lights that are on until 9pm and every location except Armstrong Elementary have warming houses. According to Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Director Zac Dockter, “the use at the outdoor rinks is definitely up this season.”

The outdoor rink in Prescott has been having issues this winter and currently is not in skating condition. Located on a one-acre lot at the corner of Linn and St. Croix Streets, when operational, there is a warming house on site. I would be willing to bet that the Hastings and Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation staff would be just fine if anyone from the Pierce County side of the river wanted to come over to skate. Wearing Packers gear is discouraged, but understandable if you do as our team… well, you know. For those wondering what AKD is… Awkward and Klutziness Disease.

Remember those info commercials… “but wait, there’s more!” If you are a cross country skier or snowshoeing enthusiast, Dockter explained that Cottage Grove trails are groomed and available for such activities. The Ravine Park and other areas around the community are designated for other outdoor activities like hiking, ice fishing and more. “We will be having our outdoor ‘winter day’ event in February,” Dockter said, encouraging anyone interested to check things out at www.cottagegrovemn.gov. “Just head to the Parks and Recreation page for more information or give us a call. There are lots of things to do in Cottage Grove,” he added.

Two more opportunities to get out snowshoeing are available in Hastings on Sunday, February 14 and Saturday, February 27 at Jaycee Park in Hastings, compliments of Hastings Parks and Recreation. The event on Sunday the 14th will run from 2pm – 3:30pm. The event on Saturday the 27th will begin at 9am and go until 10:30am. Like the Lake Rebecca Ice Fishing event on February 13, pre-registration is required and can be completed by calling 651-480-6182 or emailing Paige, the City of Hastings Recreation Programming Specialist at [email protected] gov. For all the “what to do’s” that are available in Hastings, go to www.hastingsmn.gov and go to the Parks and Recreation department page. Like Cottage Grove, there is plenty to do in Hastings.

There is still plenty to do in the Prescott area even with the ice rink being a bit “under the weather” right now. Freedom Park is a great place to hangout Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. Exploration of the Great Rivers Confluence, a place where two National Parks and two great rivers meet, provides adventures, photo and site-seeing opportunities unlike any other place in the United States. Go to www.greatriversconfluence.org and I guarantee you will find several “what to do’s” in and around the Prescott, River Falls, Afton and Hastings area. The Carpenter Nature Center also has a variety of “what to do’s” if you are still searching for ideas. Their website is www.carpenternaturecenter. org and you might be surprised at how many things there are to do there… year-round!

This is just the “tip of the iceberg” which according to the Cambridge Dictionary is a “small and known part of something much larger and unknown.” I suppose if I took the time, I could research every opportunity there is in our area of Minnesconsin to formulate a list of all the things there are to do around here. If I did that though, I would not be able to get out and do a lot of these things myself. The next time your spouse, significant other, your kids, grandkids or anyone says, “there is nothing to do,” you now have an arsenal of all sorts of “what to do’s” at your disposal. If it is you saying it, go to the closest mirror and remind yourself that there are plenty of things to do. Ice skating or slapping the puck around, snowshoeing, hiking, sledding, ice fishing… and I have not even touched on downhill skiing, snowmobiling or one of my childhood favorites, building a snow fort. Don’t worry friends, those columns are coming soon. Hope to see you out Enjoying the Great Outdoors!!