Spring is near, but not to fear

With spring being less than a month away, the groundhog can't tell us to wait any longer. Everyone is preparing to put away the Uggs and pull out the flip-flops and the Prospectus has come up with a couple of activities that can help kick off the warm weather season.Sleepy Creek Vineyard - Located just off of I-74 in Fairmount, Sleepy Creek Vineyard is a winery that offers people a chance to taste fine wines and enjoy beautiful scenery. Sleepy Creek offers a great chance to enjoy the day by taking a walk with that special someone, and can be a good time for friends to catch up and relax for the day. For more information visit http://www.sleepycreekvineyards.com/

Fishing - While most people don't enjoy bundling up and braving the ice for ice fishing, the warm weather draws out bait retailers and the fish are live and well, so it's the perfect time to think about going to buy some bait, dusting off the fishing poles and going out for a great day of fishing. If you're up for a road trip, Kickapoo State Park is a great place with plenty of spots to fish and they even have a chance for fishers to rent regular boats and paddle boats so you can hit the water. If you are looking for something closer to town, try Kaufman Lake off of Springfield Ave.

Picnic - An all time classic, what better way than to enjoy the warm weather than with a picnic. If the ground is too soft for a blanket, just find a park with a picnic table. Pack some sandwiches and chips and enjoy the day. Going to the park for a picnic can give everyone the chance to spend quality time together and tap into your inner kid by playing on the swings.

Allerton Park - Allerton Park is a beautiful park near Monticello with flower gardens and historic structures. With beautiful hiking paths and gorgeous scenery, it is the perfect way to kick off the spring season and enjoy the great outdoors.

Catch - A great father-son, brother, sister, or friend-to-friend activity. Break out the old baseball glove and toss around a ball for old times sake and enjoy the refreshing spring air, while getting some light exercise.

Bike rides - There is no greater feeling than dusting off your bicycle and taking it out for the first ride of the spring. Some great bike paths run along Windsor Ave. and for a more scenic route, you can ride on paths near Fox Dr. or even Meadowbrook Park. Some might even enjoy rides around campus, and if you happen to get tired, the MTD has your back.

Make Art - Head over to a park and bring along your easel or camera and capture some fine images. Let your mind wander and think of things from a different point of view to make your work more original. Afterwords, frame your work and gift it to friends and family for a cheap and thoughtful present.

Go outside! - Get off your butt, stop playing video games, take a break from studying, step outside for a few minutes and enjoy the fresh air! It will help relax the mind and soul and refresh you for your next five-hour gaming or studying session.

Whatever you end up doing, just make sure to enjoy the warm weather, the fresh air, and the sunny days ahead of us. You won't regret it!