Spring Means Sounds of the Birds, Cleaning Closets, Activities Opening

Spring is here.

Spring officially arrived at 11:33 a.m. Sunday.

And what a welcome season it is at our house.

While we enjoy every season — including winter and our brief opportunity to sled at Forest Park due to very little snow this year — we are glad spring is here.

The days are longer. The weather is warmer. Trees and flowers are in bloom.

I love the fresh air. The sounds of the birds.

I just love spring.

Spring also brings a list of chores. Like washing windows. Cleaning out closets. Painting exterior house trim. And having garage sales.

I remember when I was young, growing up in the countryside, and hanging up the freshly washed laundry to dry on the backyard clothesline.

While cutting the lawn isn’t my favorite after several weeks of the task in the summer, the first few weeks of spring mowing are most enjoyable.

Bird walks have already begun at Hague Road Nature Haven in Noblesville.

Forest Park and Fox Prairie golf courses opened for the season a week ago today.

Noblesville Schools’ last day before spring break is this Friday.

Conner Prairie opens for the 2022 outdoor season on March 29.

Noblesville Parks shelters — at Dillon Park, Forest Park and Finch Creek Park — open for the season on April 1.

The Carousel in Forest Park — which also opens on April 1 — will celebrate its 100th birthday that day with a special deal — buy one ride, get the second ride for 25 cents.

Forest Park’s Miniature Golf opens on April 1.

Also, in the spring, there are lots of Easter egg hunts for kids, including the Noblesville Parks Easter egg hunt, this year set for the morning of April 9 at Forest Park, and the Hamilton County Junior Leader Easter Egg Hunt at 6 p.m. April 13 at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville.

Spring also means Tri Kappa is making and selling their peanut butter-filled chocolate Easter eggs, and although they usually make about 1,500 eggs, they usually sell out before Easter, which this year is April 17. (By the way, sales of the eggs started Monday, for $6 each (peanut butter, vanilla creme, maple creme and cherry creme flavors, plus chocolate-dipped pretzel rods are $2, from any Tri Kappa, also available at Discount Copies in Noblesville.)

I also enjoy strolling or riding my bicycle on the Riverwalk along White River in downtown Noblesville. And I look forward to seeing what’s expected to be a beautiful Bridge of Flowers on the Logan Street Bridge this season.

Walking trails is another enjoyment. Blatchley Nature Study Club will celebrate 100 years during a Spring Wildflower Walk and Centennial Celebration the afternoons of April 16 and 30 at 125 Boulder Drive in Noblesville near Potter’s Bridge. (I mention the address so it’s easier to find.)

Spring also means Fairyville April 19-23 at Nickel Plate Arts and Hamilton County Artists’ Association Birdie Gallery in downtown Noblesville.

Plus this spring, for the first time, Hamilton County Parks will have its inaugural Spring Sensation fundraiser on April 20 at Coxhall Mansion in Carmel with professional decorators, florists and others who design and display spectacular tablescapes and décor that will provide inspiration when playing host to your own spring and summer events.

Saturday morning Bird Migration Hikes begin April 20 and run through May at Cool Creek Park’s north parking lot in Westfield, plus a wildflower hike will be led on April 23.

Spring means annual neighborhood garage sales. South Harbour garage sales, for instance, are April 21-23, although the Thursday is usually just for residents. Look for announcements and signage of other neighborhood sales.

Spring means cleaning up our yards, raking leaves that are still remaining from the winter and getting the flower and vegetable gardens ready for planting.

We always know there will be thousands of plants each spring at the Hamilton County Master Gardener Plant Sale, in its 23rd year, on May 21 at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. But I encourage shoppers to make their lists ahead of time, take their own wagon and get there early for the best selections.

Spring also means tree trimming and doing house maintenance, like replacing a roof, jobs that most people might hire out.

Also, spring is a time to clean out your old paperwork, box it up and take it to the free Community Shred Days, April 9 at Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center in Noblesville, and April 23 at The Farmers Bank in Noblesville and May 21 at the bank in Fishers.

Spring also means it’s almost time for the local farmers markets to open in May.

And, don’t forget to put on your calendar Wayne-Fall Lions Club’s annual Palm Sunday All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast, April 10, for a goodwill donation, at the Wayne-Fall Lions Club on East 191st Street in Noblesville.

Not enough to do this spring? I beg to differ.

– Contact Betsy Reason at betsy@thetimes24-7.com.