OK, I've recommended "Mighty Macs'' and Saturday's Millersville Community Parade.

If you can bear it, just a few more odds and ends that get a thumbs up from me:

1. If you've not yet stopped in at The Shoppes at 301 North Queen (at North Queen and East Walnut streets in Lancaster) you are depriving yourself of a treat that you will want to repeat. This cafe and food boutique offer everything from specialty cheeses, jams and chocolates to a coffee bar to more than I'm going to share here. You need to check it out yourself.  I'd recommend popping in with a friend while the kids are in school or happily napping with a sitter. Plan on breakfast, lunch or a coffee break. Make sure you have time to browse and shop. Wonderful one-of-a-kind gift items. If you've been to 301 North Queen's sister shops, Bonbonniere and Savory Gourmet Foods & Gifts in the first block of North Queen, you'll have a hint of what to expect. You're sure to feel like you spent an hour or two in Paris. www.facebook.com/shoppesat301

2. While you're downtown, don't miss myriad shops and galleries that line the Lancaster streets. Too often I hear people say that they never come in to Lancaster. For some it's a circumstance, and for others it's deliberate. What a shame! You're missing out! Been to Rachel's Creperie, HMB, or Here to Timbuktu? How about Cross Keys Coffe & Teas, the Hager Aracade shops, Bella Boo -- or the Lancaster Museum of Art and Central Market, for that matter? Get thyself to Prince, Queen, King, Duke and the rest of the streets holding court daily downtown. You'll be glad you did.

3. Another movie nod, this time to "Dolphin Tale.'' Took my daughter and a friend to see this G-rated film, at their request, over the weekend. They loved it. So did I. It's a tear-jerker -- I was the one in desperate need of tissues -- but in a very good way. It's inspired by the true story of a dolphin whose tail, severely injured by a crab trap, was amputated. A prosthetic tail is made for the dolphin, and the journey to restoration becomes an inspiration to humans (with their own hurts and disabilities) touched by her presence. Don't wait for the video to come out!

OK, I admit I'm a bit partial to this parade because it's in my backyard. But it's well worth the trip to Millersville, truly an event not to be missed.

The Millersville Community Parade steps off Saturday at 9 a.m. It marches up Herr Avenue to Landis and then to George Street.

This year's parade, always a wonderful blend of the borough and the university, marks Millersville's 250th anniversary.

The 2012 edition is expected to last three hours, and include more than 2,000 participants. Twenty bands are expected as well as 24 floats, 17 fire trucks, 45 animals, four large helium balloons and 200 vehicles.

Especially worthy of note this year is that the parade is dedicated to U.S. Marine Cpl. Eric Torbert Jr., who was killed in Afghanistan in December 2010. He was a Penn Manor High School graduate.

And by the way, don't forget the lawn chairs, blankets and a Thermos or two of hot chocolate or coffee: Saturday temps are expected to be in the high 40s.

I'll be on George Street. See you there!