Memorial Day doesn’t just signal the unofficial start of summer, it’s also considered the start of tick season, largely because that’s about the time residents of cold-weather states like Pennsylvania ramp up their outdoor activity, leaving them more susceptible to tick bites.

If you like to spend time outdoors during the warm weather months, especially if you enjoy biking, hiking, and/or running deep in the woods, you need to think about protecting yourself against ticks, which can be carriers of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

The same goes for pets. If your cat or dog spends time in areas of heavy growth or high grass, they’re also susceptible to tick bites.

I spoke with Wesley Robinson of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources about the best ways to safeguard yourself—and your pets—from ticks, before, during, and after spending time outdoors. Get tips on the best way to stay safe from ticks in this story.

I grew up firmly in the middle class. We didn’t have much, but my mom and dad worked hard to ensure we always had enough, and occasionally even a little more for things like a family vacation in the summer. 

Until my sister and I reached the age where the last thing we wanted to do was spend more time with our parents, we always managed to take a summer vacation. Nothing extravagant, mind you. But a week down the shore, or in colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, or even someplace “exotic,” like Quebec (we once built a trip around seeing the Phillies play the Expos in Montreal), always seemed within reach for us financially.

I doubt that would be the case today for a middle class family of four like ours.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Soaring gas and food costs have worsened inflation that is outpacing the average growth in paychecks. A new consumer confidence index survey showed that rising prices have caused most Americans to change their spending habits. With rising costs for things like gas (which is currently $4.57 a gallon in Pa.—50 cents higher than this time last month), airfare, hotels, and food, summer vacations have become a luxury many families can’t afford, prompting them to “downsize” to a staycation, or scrap summer travel plans altogether.

For our QOTW, we’d like to know: Has the current economy changed your summer vacation plans this year—from downsizing the trip to canceling it altogether?

Reply with your answer and please let us know where you live.

In this July 4, 2014 file photo, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, left, and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of The Roots, perform during an Independence Day celebration in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

With summer unofficially underway, there’s plenty to do around the commonwealth this weekend, both indoors and outdoors.

Here are five events happening in Pennsylvania this weekend you should know about:  

11th Annual Strawberry Festival – Saturday and Sunday (Biglerville)

What better way to celebrate strawberry season in Pa. than with a festival? Located just outside Gettysburg, Hollabaugh Bros. Fruit Farm & Market’s annual Strawberry Festival returns this weekend with wagon rides through fields of strawberries, an ice cream tent, food trucks, local vendors, live music, and, of course, plenty of fresh strawberries. 

Roots Picnic – Saturday and Sunday (Philadelphia)

Since launching the Roots Picnic festival back in 2008, Philadelphia hip-hop heroes The Roots have expanded the annual (save for 2020) late spring/early summer rite into a multi-day event that will also be happening abroad for the first time this year (Aug. 8 and 9 in London). Back at home, the Roots Picnic moves to the storied Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park, where the band will back Jay-Z atop a bill that also features Erykah Badu, Brandy, De La Soul, T.I., and many more.  

The Office Exhibition – Now through October 2027 (Scranton)

Last fall, Scranton’s Everhart Museum launched this exhibition to mark the 20th anniversary of “The Office” and the classic comedy’s unique connection to The Electric City. The exhibition features original props, interactive experiences, exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, and a nostalgic walk through all nine seasons. 

Cheers to 250: Brewing in America – Now through March 2027 (Bethlehem)

As part of its programming to honor America’s 250th birthday, the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem invites visitors to raise a glass to one of the nation’s (and Pennsylvania’s) most influential industries: beer. The museum-wide exhibit, Cheers to 250: Brewing in America, explores how brewing evolved from small-scale, steam-powered operations into a modern industrial powerhouse, and how beer production influenced labor, transportation, urban growth, advertising, and everyday life across the country.

PGH Book Fest – Saturday (Pittsburgh)

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books has rebranded itself as the PGH Book Fest, but its focus on showcasing nationally recognized and local authors, area indie booksellers, and other community partners remains intact. Held at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s main campus in Oakland, the free event features panel discussions, poetry readings, family activities, a bookish exhibitor space, and more.

• There’s only one data center approved thus far in Bucks County, but the topic has been on countless agendas recently as officials scramble to address residents’ concerns while still abiding by state law. Find out more here.

• Across the state in Franklin County, commissioners last week voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance to help municipalities regulate data centers that companies might seek to develop in the area. Find out how local townships are responding to the new law in this story.

• With electric and gas bills set to increase for millions of residents across the commonwealth on June 1, Democrats in the state House recently introduced legislation that would limit profits for privately owned utility companies, whose rates have increased 49% more than the rate of inflation over the past three years. Get the story here.

• In the greater Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas, most homes are outfitted with air conditioning. But cooling systems still aren’t a given in rural areas of the commonwealth. Find out why it matters here.

• Several Pennsylvanians, including Hershey’s Christian Pulisic, will be playing for the US men’s national team in the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Get the details here.

Hi there, friend. I have an announcement to share! 

Staying anonymous behind my pen name all these years has helped me connect with you and hundreds of thousands of readers so deeply. But I’ve decided to challenge myself and show you who I really am. This week, I am finally sharing my face, my story, and my life with you on social media, inspired by the bravery and vulnerability that I witness from you all each and every day. I am stepping out of my comfort zone to share my advice with you in new ways on new platforms and I could really use your encouragement and support as I get started! 

Though I won’t be showing up in the Keystone newsletter anymore, I hope you’ll keep up with me and my community of readers either on Instagram or Facebook. Watch me step in front of the camera for the first time and share what you think in the comments—I could use your support! 

I’m so excited to start this new chapter with you. 🧡

Your friend and neighborhood advice columnist,

Grace

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from  Sean Kitchen,  The Associated Press, and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Brook Bolen.

The Keystone is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.