By Meghan Streit
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Winter is finally loosening her icy grip on Chicagoland— and not a moment too soon! After several long months inside, we could all use some fresh air and sunshine.

One place to find the first signs of spring is Sedgebrook, in Lincolnshire. The community blossoms with activity both inside and out.

Room to grow
Sedgebrook’s manicured grounds are home to dozens of varieties of trees and flowers, which all begin to bloom in spring.

Then there are the garden patches, where green-thumbed residents plant their favorite flowers and grow bounties of vegetables. Gardeners grow more than enough fresh tomatoes, zucchini, radishes, and peppers to share with their neighbors.

Garden club cochair Bill Leroy says the club has teamed up with resident woodworkers to build benches and raised gardens, which allow people to tend to flowers and vegetables without aggravating muscles and joints.

“We still have plenty of spaces left, so we have room for anybody who wants to get involved,” Leroy says.

Take it outside
While there is plenty to do indoors at Sedgebrook, the warmer spring weather creates even more leisure opportunities for people who live there. Resident Life Director Frank Lamberti says they can move many of their usual activities outdoors, and many enjoy walking or biking on the community’s landscaped trails.

“The grounds are beautiful, and the trees are just gorgeous,” says resident Don Hahn. “I enjoy walking the area and the landscape because it’s really wonderful.”

Fitness Specialist Katie Snezhkova says the wellness department will begin offering a water aerobics class this spring that will help novices get comfortable with exercising in the water.

Snezhkova says the class will teach participants “all the great benefits of water walking and some exercises they can do in the pool.”

Something for everyone
For residents whose interests veer more toward arts, culture, and nature, the spring season offers plenty of outdoor recreation.