As of right now, you’ve acquired one month of spring left earlier than summer time formally begins.

How will you spend it?

Here, just a few staffers at LNP | LancasterOnline share some concepts for taking advantage of the season earlier than June 21.

Have different options? Email them to jjanci@lnpnews.com, they usually could also be featured within the paper.

Eat an ice cream cone at a picnic desk at Mulberry Thrill in Marietta.

OK, this entry might fairly simply be titled “Eat something cold somewhere warm.” I get that. Lancaster County is house to many, many fantastic ice creameries, however one thing about strolling the spacious, normally quiet streets of Marietta and turning the nook to Mulberry Thrill is such a selected heat climate deal with. And it’s not simply that the vibes are unmatched in Mulberry Thrill’s little nook — the ice cream is incredible, too. Hand-dipped cones, milkshakes — there are even vegan variations for all my egg-and-milk-less buddies. I don’t reside in Marietta, however relaxation assured I will likely be getting myself over there one brilliant day very quickly.

— Kevin Stairiker

Visit a brand new park.

With the nice and cozy climate right here once more, it’s the right time to discover parks in and round Lancaster County. I really like discovering new parks to go for a hike or to simply sit outdoors with a guide and a espresso. Whether you need to leap in a automotive for a brief drive or keep round Lancaster County, there are just a few methods to discover a park to discover.

— You can try Discover Lancaster’s device for locating Lancaster County parks at lanc.information/discoverlancparks.

— Those keen to journey can discover the National Park websites and trails within the state at lanc.information/npspa.

— And, certainly one of my favourite choices: If you might be on the lookout for a climbing path close to you, you may obtain the AllTrails app at alltrails.com.

— Ann Rejrat

Enjoy the birds.

While the temperatures are delicate fairly than sizzling, it’s a good time to stroll by means of native parks and alongside county trails and look and pay attention for birds. Around lakes and ponds, spring brings the sight of mama geese and geese with their fuzzy infants strolling single file behind them.

You don’t want fancy instruments to be taught in regards to the feathered buddies you’re seeing this spring. You should purchase a primary pair of binoculars for lower than $20 if you wish to get a more in-depth look. And it’s free to obtain the Merlin app, developed by the Cornell University ornithology division. Press the “sound ID” button and also you’ll get a listing of all of the birds your cellphone “hears.” The app can even ID a hen by means of a collection of questions in regards to the measurement and coloration of the hen and the situation and date it was seen.

Walking on the paths by means of Overlook Park in Manheim Township within the early night of Sunday, May 14, I used to be handled to a plethora of hen sounds, and flashes of coloration that turned out to be a Baltimore oriole, an Eastern bluebird, numerous robins, cardinals and red-winged blackbirds and presumably a inexperienced heron. Merlin picked up a symphony of those different hen sounds throughout my half-hour stroll: home finch, mourning dove, Carolina and home wrens, widespread grackle, red-bellied woodpecker, Canada goose, Eastern kingbird, cedar waxwing, Northern rough-winged swallow, grey catbird, brown-headed cowbird, yellow and Tennessee warblers, hermit thrush, home wren, American goldfinch and home, track and chipping sparrows.

If you’re impressed to seek out out extra about what birds are hanging out in our space within the spring, each the Pennsylvania Game Commission, pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/Birding, and the Lancaster County Bird membership, lancasterbirdclub.org, have sources.

— Mary Ellen Wright

Go to a Long’s Park live performance, and get there early.

Yes, it’s known as the “Long’s Park Summer Music Series.” But, it technically kicks off within the spring — and with a hearty lineup of free, various performances, you’d be remiss to overlook one. For the complete expertise, plan to get there an hour or two early on a Sunday. You’ll get your finest choose of the place to park your tenting chair or blanket, plus the satisfaction of watching the park fill as showtime nears. Pack dinner, deliver a guide (or a newspaper, wink wink) and relish in not speeding for as soon as. When the music begins, you’ll be settled in and prepared for the sounds of summer time — er, spring.

The Long’s Park Summer Music Series kicks off June 4 with a efficiency by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason’s Swingology. Find the complete lineup at lanc.information/LP2023.

See you on the park!

— Jenelle Janci

See the petroglyphs.

During a latest dialog with journalist and writer Neil King Jr. about his go to to Lancaster County — and his wonderful guide “American Ramble”(which I like to recommend if studying extra is in your spring bucket record) — we briefly mentioned the Native American petroglyphs on the Susquehanna River. Every time the topic comes up in dialog — which has occurred sufficient for me to jot down this now — I hear the awe and amazement in peoples’ voices and discover myself questioning why I’ve by no means taken the time to see these traditionally important carvings myself.

One cause is as a result of seeing them isn’t as simple as merely strolling alongside a path. There will probably be two automobiles concerned in any go to to the petroglyphs (until you reside inside strolling distance to the Susquehanna River, particularly the Safe Harbor space) and certainly one of them will likely be a ship or kayak. (I don’t personal both.) Planning can be key, since the very best occasions to see the carving are in the course of the morning or night. One different minor issue for me is I don’t know precisely the place they’re. On the Susquehanna River, close to the Safe Harbor Dam — on some rocks. So, like most individuals, I’d want a information.

Luckily, there are alternatives to lease kayaks and take a guided paddle tour to see these historic carvings, which have been made someplace round 500-1,000 years in the past.

Shank’s Mare Outfitters — the Wrightsville-based outside journey retailer — rents out kayaks for guided excursions. They have three excursions scheduled for this summer time, however if you happen to’d prefer to get on the water sooner fairly than later, additionally they provide personal guided excursions on request. Call 717-252-1616 or go to shanksmare.com for more information and to see tour dates.

If you’d prefer to be taught extra in regards to the petroglyphs earlier than you go, Adam Zurn of Uncharted Lancaster will ship a presentation on the topic throughout a Millersville Area Historical Society assembly on the Millersville Borough Office, 100 Municipal Drive, Millersville, at 9 a.m. June 10.The presentation is free and open to the general public.

— Mike Andrelczyk

Revamp your area.

It’s simpler than ever earlier than to get your own home adorned the best way you need it, even with out a massive price range. There’s no scarcity of vendor markets, antiques shops or thrift shops in Lancaster County, particularly within the springtime.

My accomplice and I are, piece by piece, attempting to determine what in our house works for us and what doesn’t. We’ve written down wishlist objects that we hope to get within the close to future. I’ve a thrifty coronary heart, nonetheless, so I don’t make massive adjustments with out ensuring I’m getting the very best deal. That means swapping out pots and pans with new ones from TJ Maxx, discovering new functions for previous objects and thrifting wherever attainable.

Sometimes the very best offers come from our neighborhood Facebook group, the place folks submit issues they’ve placed on their sidewalk for first dibs on free objects. We’ve gotten some actually cool finds that means, like a cookie jar formed like a bulldog; a really snug, sturdy and clear sofa; classic Christmas stockings; craft provides; vegetation; books and extra. There are additionally quite a lot of neat “Buy Nothing” teams for the county on Facebook; remember to examine in case your space has one.

And whenever you discover one thing in your house that doesn’t serve you anymore, put it out for another person to take pleasure in or record it on Facebook Marketplace. Slowly, however certainly, you’ll curate a set of things in your house that you simply’ll treasure ceaselessly. Or, till it now not makes your coronary heart comfortable. In that case, cross it alongside.

— Mickayla Miller

Explore the candy treats of Ephrata.

It’s going to be a reasonably candy spring in Ephrata. The reopening of Laura the Cookie Lady’s retailer means you may deal with your self with cookies, crepes, cupcakes, macarons, pastries and extra. The goodies are so shut, flip this right into a strolling tour. The finest time to go is when you’re hungry and Wednesday by means of Saturday, when all of those companies are open.

Start your trek at Griddle & Grind Cafe (20 W. Main St.) the place you would get a crepe and perhaps gas up with the brand new iced espresso flights. Each 12-ounce espresso is paired with a home made deal with. The May flight has coconut mocha iced espresso with a darkish chocolate coconut sweet, honey bee iced espresso (vanilla, honey, cinnamon) with a vanilla cream Danish and caramel toffee iced espresso paired with a chocolate toffee pretzel.

Further down the block, choose up a cupcake at Scratch Bakes (3 W. Main St.). In addition to the year-round flavors are weekly specialty cupcakes. Spring brings fruity flavors like orange dreamsicle, raspberry lemonade and lemon blueberry. Most of the treats are for people however there are additionally pup cups for canine.

Take a detour just a few blocks north to discover a macaron at Colorful Macarons (244 N. State St.). Macarons are French however right here, there’s a variety of flavors. There’s additionally a brand new month-to-month give attention to totally different nations, beginning with May’s flavors of Mexico together with horchata, churro dulce de leche and mangonada. If you need to choose from the complete menu, don’t wait till Saturday afternoon. Crystal Arvelo’s treats are so standard, she usually sells out of sure flavors by the weekend. If you’ve completed your espresso by now, choose up a boba tea.

Head again to Main Street and stroll off a few of your treats on the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail. Gnome Village in Akron is an effective marker for an out-and-back stroll. You’ll discover loads of excuses there to take a break, together with a brand new upcycled UFO and a brand new gnome restaurant. After you’re again in Ephrata, choose up a cookie at Laura the Cookie Lady (30 E. Main St.). Laura Merkel, who received an episode of Food Network’s “Christmas Cookie Challenge,” reopened the retail facet of her enterprise Saturday. In addition to her adorned sugar cookies and drop cookies is a brand new sweet line plus different candies. Hours are set for afternoons and evenings.

Finally, calm down with a fruity frozen deal with at Casa Heurta (1 S. State St.). The Mexican grocery retailer opened originally of the yr and in addition has recent pan dulce from Wenger’s Bakery in Reading, plus home made tres leches cake and flan.

— Erin Negley

Create your personal ‘Murals of Lancaster city’ strolling tour.

As I’ve been engaged on a challenge to replace a web-based map of the town’s murals (initially created in 2016 by former LNP | LancasterOnline staffer Tim Buckwalter), I’ve been frequently struck by the sheer breadth of expertise on show with every passing metropolis block. In our day-to-day lives, shifting quick as we are able to, it’s really easy to simply zoom previous a colourful show and never make any effort to grasp it on a deeper stage. Murals are an extension of the artists themselves, and identical to you, these artists are our neighbors, spending just a few days sweating or freezing outdoors so as to add a shot of coloration to the drab bricks we’re all used to.

— Kevin Stairiker