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Summer’s almost here and the time is right for thinking about things to do with the extra leisure time that often comes with the summer season.

Both the Onalaska and Holmen recreation departments have a ton of activities in the works, including baseball and softball leagues, tennis lessons and leagues, archery, swimming and a whole lot more. Thanks to them, a whole lot of fun can be had without burning a whole lot of gas (or cash).

Here’s a rundown of some of the summer fun opportunities ahead. More information about these and other recreation department offerings can be obtained by stopping by Onalaska City Hall or Holmen Village Hall for a recreation catalog or by logging onto their respective Web sites (look for links in the online version of this story).

DOWN ON THE FARM: Not so many kids these days get a chance to experience growing up on a farm, but Clearwater Farm in Onalaska offers a taste of farm life through a couple programs this summer.

In cooperation with the Onalaska Recreation Department, the farm has three sessions of “Junior Farmer for an Afternoon” planned (June 11, July 9, Aug. 13), during which participants will get a chance to see what goes into taking care of the farm’s animals and garden. Space is limited so early registration is recommended.

The “open barn” programs at Clearwater Farm require no advance registration and offer a less structured chance to check out the farm. Open barn events at the farm, 760 Green Coulee Road, are planned for June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9 and Aug. 23.

The Onalaska Recreation Department also has a special therapy dog session at Clearwater Farm planned for June 21, with a registration deadline of June 16.

HIT THE TRAILS: With Holmen’s Halfway Creek Trail now connecting the Holland Bluff Trail to the Great River State Trail, there are plenty of options for hiking and biking this summer. Bikers should make sure to get a trail pass for the state trail, which are available at area bike shops and at the Onalaska Center for Commerce and Tourism.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS: The La Crosse County Library System’s summer reading program features a lot more than youth reading, with five Wednesday Main Event attractions offering fun and education for all ages. For all the details, log onto www.lacrossecountylibrary.org, where people also can find information on book clubs at the county’s library branches.

TAKE A DIP: It’s been a cool spring so far, but temperatures are bound to climb and when they do the Onalaska and Holmen pools will be there to offer some respite from the heat.

Both pools open June 7 and offer a full slate of swimming lessons. Check our Community Calendar for a rundown of open swim times.

The Onalaska Aquatic Center has three family fun days planned for June 18 (Fiesta Splash), July 16 (Christmas in July) and Aug. 6 (Crazy Day), and two Sunday teen night events (June 29, July 20) featuring a pizza party and no pesky little brothers.

The Holmen Area Aquatic Center also has three special theme days at the pool planned for June 25 (Decades Day), July 15 (La Crosse Loggers Day) and Aug. 6 (Kids Summer Carnival).

SENIOR TOURS: The Onalaska Recreation Department has a couple excursions planned this summer for older adults. A June 19 bus trip will take participants to the Amish area near Lanesboro, Minn. A trip also is planned for Aug. 14 to the Fanny Hill Dinner Theater in Eau Claire to see “Forever Plaid.”

MOVIES IN THE PARK: The sledding hill at Onalaska’s Van Riper Park will be transformed into an outdoor movie theater three nights this summer. On June 14, they’ll show “Field of Dreams.” “Shrek the Third” is the film on July 12. Both these Saturday night events are free, and concessions will be available both nights from the nearby aquatic center concession stand.

A special dinner and movie night is planned for Sunday, Aug. 3. The movie has yet to be determined, but the dinner will be catered by Outback Steakhouse, with a cost of $7 per person or $20 per family.

BE A STAGEHAND: It’s probably too late to get a role in the Holmen Community Theatre production of “The Nerd,” as auditions were held earlier this week, but the HCT can always use some extra help building sets, making costumes and getting director Brad Williams some coffee. Rehearsals begin June 2 and performances are planned for July 18-19 and 25-26. For more information on getting involved in the show, call Curt Tolvstad at 526-9242 or Bill Adams at 534-6294.

ROLL A LOG: There’s not much call for lumberjack skills these days in a professional sense, but the sport of logrolling is growing in popularity as recreation. Both Holmen and Onalaska recreation departments will offer logrolling classes this summer.

Holmen will offer three two-week sessions of logrolling classes at the Holmen Area Aquatic Center starting June 23 for ages 7 and older.

Onalaska also is planning three two-week sessions, with the first one starting June 9. The Onalaska logrolling classes will be held at the city park on the Black River waterfront at the foot of Irvin Street. An amateur logrolling competition also is planned at the waterfront for Aug. 16.

HOLD A RUMMAGE SALE: City of Onalaska residents can get rid of some trash or acquire some treasure — or both — on Saturday, July 19. That’s the date planned for the city’s third annual citywide rummage sale. A kids-only rummage sale also is planned for Saturday, June 28, at the Onalaska Aquatic Center, with a fee of $5 per table.

LEARN TO KAYAK: This year for the first time the Onalaska Recreation Department will offer youth and adult kayaking classes on the Black River waterfront. Two three-day sessions are planned for youths (June 17-19, July 8-10) and three two-hour classes are planned for adults (June 16, June 17, July 8). Enrollment is limited so early registration is encouraged.

BATTER UP: Both Onalaska and Holmen recreation departments offer plenty of opportunities to get out on the ball diamonds for ages 5 on up.

Youth softball and baseball players who want to hone their batting skills can visit the batting cage near the tennis courts at Holmen’s Deer Wood Park from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost is $1 for a round of 18 pitches, but people serious about their batting can purchase an unlimited hitting card for $10 at Holmen Village Hall.

Onalaska also offers a batting cage Tuesdays and Thursdays June 10 through July 24, this one indoors at the Onalaska OmniCenter. Like Holmen’s, the cost is $1 per round or $10 for a season pass.

CATCH SOME FISH: Lake Onalaska, the Black River and the Onalaska spillway offer fishing opportunities aplenty, and this year the Onalaska Recreation Department also has some organized fishing activities planned.

Youths age 6-8 can take part in Fishing 101 to learn the basics of catching fish in a class offered July 23. Those age 8-12 can get some more advanced instruction at the Fishing Camp session planned for July 30.

A family fishing day also is planned for June 22 at the Black River waterfront with the $3 cost ($12 per family) covering food from the Blue Moon Restaurant.

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