We are making it through another Minnesota winter — the snow piles are shrinking and the water is dripping. Soon we will hear the robins chirping and see the daffodils smiling at us! Then it’s April … hopefully it will be April showers and not snow showers like last spring!

Have you thought about those April showers? I always look forward to them! The April showers bring a cleansing after our Minnesota winter. As the rain falls — you can see all the residual grime float away. Leaving a clean environment. Not to mention the “fresh” smell of the spring rains. Then the thawing of the earth with each drop. Aww… spring.

Spring is also a time for us to have a cleansing rain. Let spring rain wash away the cabin fever — and reenergize us. Let spring bring a renewed or even new interest in an adventure that lies wait. Perhaps spring is a time to let go of something old and move forward to a fresh adventure! Spring is a time to stop and appreciate the changes around you. Like the smell of the rain, the bright yellow burst of the first daffodil or the chirping song of the first robin.

So take a moment to enjoy spring and all its beauty. Smell the freshness of the rain or the thawing of the earth. Spot the first robin or bright yellow daffodil. Ask yourself: what new adventure should I enjoy this year? Take a look at some of our adventurous offerings!

Top activities at Marshall Adult Community Center in April:

• Thursdays in April: SMSU Indian Uprising Gold College Class. Join us as we venture over to SMSU to learn about the Dakota War of 1862. It has been over 150 years since the U.S. Dakota Indian uprising. The class will explore the causes, events and aftermath of the fighting that broke out between Minnesota’s white European settlers and the native people of the state. The war had major impact in shaping Minnesota as we know it today. Instructor is Gary Grabau. Cost to attend all sessions is $30. Transportation will be provided to/from the Adult Community Center.

• April 5, 8 a.m.-noon, 4-hour Driver Safety Class

• April 6, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Mah Jongg Madness Tournament: Join players from around the area for a day of mah jongg at the Marshall Adult Community Center. We will play three sets of four games in the morning and two sets of four games after lunch. Players will change tables after each set. Cash prizes awarded to 1st-4th places. Doors will open at 8 a.m., and play will begin at 9 a.m.

• April 8, 5-7 p.m. Taste the Culture Take 2: Come explore cultural via tasting beer and what better way than to taste as we celebrate National Beer Tasting Day. This event will cost $15 and will be held at Tall Grass Liquor Tasting Rooms. RSVP required with space limited.

• April 9 at 1:30 p.m. MASC Monthly Meeting with Guest speaker: Pride in the Tigers Foundation presented by Janel Wartner.

• April 10 3-5 p.m. It’s Essential Oils That Is! Spring Make & Take Come and Go Event! Join us for only $20 the details: You will take home a seasonal roll-on, citrus fresh lip balm, bug repellant and after sun spray.

• April 23 at 10 a.m. AFS students will be talking about what they experienced during their stay in Marshall this past year. They will highlight what they found similar to their home and what they found different. This is a great way to learn about different countries from a student’s first hand perspective.

• April 23 at 3-5 p.m. Mock Supreme Court Trial. Have you ever wondered what it was like to attend a Supreme Court Hearing? Join us as SMSU students present a controversial topic in a way that would be similar to the process of an actual supreme court hearing. You are not going to want to miss this one-of-a-kind events happening at the Marshall Adult Community Center. 

• April 25 at 10 a.m. Conversations with Cops: Coffee with a Cop brings police officers and the community members they serve together — over coffee — to discuss issues and learn more about each  other. This month Jim Marshall will visit with us about Emergency Preparedness: Flooding/Tornadoes.