Spring isn't officially here, but previews have sprung up at various home and garden shows throughout the state. A close-by place is the greenhouse near the edge of the parking lot at Akron's Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. If you want to wander farther afield, Kingwood Center in Mansfield has greenery and some blooming plants in its greenhouse. Spring flowers are forced and exotic blooms displayed.
Hikers know that the winter landscape has a different beauty when cloaked in snow.
There is a pond that is kept open throughout the winter. Aerators keep the water from freezing over. Ducks, black swans and other fowl are seen at all seasons. Peacocks roam around, too. Kingwood is free.