HiGHLiGHTS

Monk Gardens COURTESY OF MONK GARDENS FACEBOOK/PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KOHLI

HIGH LIGHTS arts & entertainment

compiled by Kayla Zastrow

With public and private gatherings limited to 10 people in a single room or confined space (some businesses and stores are exempt), it’s safe to assume most all events and A&E venues we typically list in the Big Guide are canceled through April 6, possibly later. Here are things you can still do while practicing social distancing to curtail the COVID-19 pandemic.

▲ GET OUTSIDE While programs and classes have been canceled even at many outdoor locations, those places like Monk Botanical Gardens and UWSP’s Schmeeckle Reserve are still open for public use. At both these park-like areas you’ll find trails to walk, ponds to linger near, and even outdoor artful attractions. As of Wednesday, March 18, Granite Peak Ski Area announced is remains open for skiing through April 12 (conditions and COVID-19 operations permitting), with large outdoor patios to relax on. Going outside is a great way to stay healthy with some fresh air, sunshine, exercise, while still maintaining social distance. Monk Gardens is located on the north end of First Avenue in Wausau. monkgardens.org, 715-261-6309. Schmeeckle Reserve is located on Northpoint Drive in Stevens Point. See uwsp. edu, 715-346-4992. Find even more to see less than two miles away, at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park, within Zenoff Park. Granite Peak Ski Area is open during the day only thru April 12. The chalets are closed for food and beverage sales (open for bathroom access only). Night time skiing has been discontinued and will be closing at 5 pm daily. Details at skigranitepeak.com.

READ FREE E-BOOKS VIA LIBRARY SERVICE Marathon County Public Library branches may be closed, but patrons can access thousands of free e-books and audiobooks using the Overdrive and Libby apps. These free apps work on most PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets and e-readers. All you need is a current Marathon Co. Public Library card to get started. Find more information at mcpl.us.

WORKOUT You can still get a good workout in without ever leaving the comfort of your house and you don’t even need a treadmill or weights. You can find many fun workout videos online—Blogilates and POPSUGAR fitness are my favorites, find them on YouTube. Even a local fitness/yoga studio, Croi Croga in Wausau, will attempt to stream one to two fitness classes daily, starting Sunday, March 22. Like them on Facebook to join them for a free online, live class.

VISIT A VIRTUAL MUSEUM Many famous museums like the Guggenheim in New York, Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and more can be toured virtually from the comfort of your couch. Head to artsandculture.google.com to step inside these must-see museums around the world.

FYI: MANY STORES AND RESTAURANTS REMAIN OPEN ON LIMITED BASIS Though all Wisconsin bars and restaurants are closed for in-house dining, many are still offering takeout service. And the state ban on confined-space gatherings has several exemptions for places like grocery stores, clinics, governmental buildings, etc. On the retail side, the mandate and coronavirus caution has affected places differently. Locally in the Wausau area, large retailers remain open as of this writing, some with limited hours such as Home Depot, Target, Kohl’s, Target and Best Buy. But shopping centers such as Wausau Center Mall and Third Street Lifestyle Center in downtown Wausau are closed. Meanwhile, many small locally owned retailers remain open, presumably because they can manage social distancing and customer traffic. For example, as of Wednesday, March 18, Janke Book Store in downtown Wausau, and Jim Kryshak Jewelers in Rib Mountain remain open, but The Local has temporarily closed its downtown and Weston stores. Note: Public health experts advise everyone to limit visits to any public places and to exercise social distancing.