Fair-weather fun: How to enjoy the warmer spring temps in Wayne & Holmes counties
The trees are budding and temperatures are warming. Spring is in full swing.
This week, the National Weather Service predicts a mostly pleasant and sunny week in Wayne and Holmes counties, with no rain in the forecast until the weekend and temperatures topping out in the 70s.
The warmest days will likely be Thursday and Friday with highs of 79 and 78 degrees, respectively.
From walking through the many area parks to enjoying an ice cream cone, here's how to make the most of this fair weather week.
Get a head start on gardening
With spring comes a new chance to keep all of those indoor and outdoor plants alive for another season. Now is the time to get a head start on gardening.
Wayne and Holmes counties have many greenhouses and stores to buy plants, from the big retailers like Tractor Supply Co. and Lowes to the numerous locally-owned shops. Here's a sampling of where to go.
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Buckwalter Greenhouse at 6554 Back Orrville Road between Orrville and Wooster is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It also doubles as an event venue, according to its website.
The Greenhouse Shoppe at 3649 Cleveland Road in Wooster is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Mt. Eaton Greenhouse sits outside of Apple Creek at 15172 Harrison Road and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.
At 8645 Cutter Road is the Fredericksburg Greenhouse. It's open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Baskets and Blooms in Millersburg at 5482 Township Road 629 is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Gardens at Sheiyah Market at 4755 state Route 39 is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Local parks, trails and playgrounds
Wayne and Holmes counties are home to a slew of parks complete with playgrounds and trails for the casual walker and the serious hiker. Here is a selection of where to enjoy the great outdoors.
Wooster has many parks with hiking trails of varying difficulties found at Walton Woods Park, Spring Run Grosjean Park, Oak Hill Park and Wooster Memorial Park just west of the city.
Some playgrounds are at Jaycee Park, Schellin Park and Christmas Run Park, to name a few.
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Other parks across the county include Barnes Preserve in Wooster, Brown's Lake Bog Preserve in Shreve, Funk Bottoms State Wildlife Area near Jermoesvile, Johnson Woods State Nature Preserve near Marshallville, Killbuck Marsh, Secrest Arboretum and Shreve Lake.
In Orrville is Orr Park, which has roughly 40 acres of sports and swimming facilities and room for picnics.
Rittman is home to a few parks, including the Vincent and Rose Tricomi Memorial Park, Lincoln Park, Central Park and E.J. Young Grand View Park. Just outside of Rittman at 85 Morning Star Dr. is the William J. Robertson Nature Preserve.
Holmes County parks include Bonnet Pond Bog State Nature Preserve, Lower Killbuck Creek State Wildlife Area and Mohler State Wildlife Area.
The Holmes County Trail is also a family-friendly activity, which features 15 miles of paved path from Fredericksburg to Killbuck, and another eight miles from Glenmont to Brinkhaven.
Holmes County Park District Director Jen Halverson expects a lot of people will be taking advantage of the trail this week.
“Whether you’re a visitor to the community or a resident of Holmes County, the trail provides everybody an opportunity to get outside and enjoy this weather,” she said. “People of all ages can enjoy the trail. It’s family-friendly. People are going to love getting out and enjoying the great weather this week.”
Frozen delights
Locally-owned businesses that serve up quick frozen treats are in no short supply. Many have already opened or were open all year.
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Located at 110 N. Mill St. in Fredericksburg is Lem's Pizza. It's open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m.
Guerne Heights Drive-In is located at 3004 Dover Road in Wooster and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
At 546 West Main St. in Apple Creek is the Golden Bear and its hand-made ice cream. It's open every day but Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
Hartzler Dairy in Wooster at 5454 Cleveland Road is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Located at 306 West Liberty St. in Wooster and 736 East Main St. in Smithville is Dari-Land. It's open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday.
Orr Valley Creamery opened last year at 1402 North Main St. in Orrville. It's open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Miller's Creamery in Millersburg is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Main Street Fudge and Popcorn is open every day but Sundays. Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Downtowns and shops
While the weather is good, check out the various small businesses across the region.
For locations within walking distance, almost any of the area downtowns like Wooster, Millersburg and Orrville provide eateries and shops.
From specialty stores like Blue Spruce Boutique to Lynch's Irish Imports, antique shops like Friendtique and Uptown Downtown and restaurants and cafes ranging from Broken Rocks to Sure House and Olde Jaol to Omahoma Bob's BBQ,there's plenty for shoppers to enjoy.
For a full list of downtown Wooster businesses, visit the Main Street Wooster website.
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Millersburg features a variety of restaurants like McKelvey's Pub, La Palma Mexican Grill and Millersburg Brewing Co. alongside shops like the Antique Emporium, Jackson Street Antiques, Modern Farmhouse, Olive Branch, Jack Pot Pottery and more.
To learn more about downtown Millersburg, visit the Historic Downtown Millersburg website.
Orrville has Treasures and Time Distinctive jeweler, The Bouquet Shop, Jerry's Cafe, Michael's Bakery and the Sterling Candle Company to name a few.
To the north of Orrville, Rittman has stops like His Hers Comic Shop, Prim & Proper Boutique, the Server cafe and Salt and Honey.
Other regional shops include Timeless Treasures in Wooster, Picker Barn in Apple Creek, Eliese's Pieces in Burbank, the Berlin Antique Mall, Starlight Antiques and Gifts, the Pottery Niche, Holmes County Pottery and more.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: How to enjoy the warmer spring temps in Wayne & Holmes counties
