With warmer weather and sunny days comes Central Ohio's pick-your-own-fruit season.

Why it matters: Grocery store produce does the job, but it's no substitute for ripe locally grown fruit — you can taste the difference.

🍓 State of play: We're in the midst of strawberry season, the summer's marquee self-pick fruit.

• Locally, the popular berry has a short and weather-dependent season — they're beginning to peak, and picking should continue through June.
• The strawberries you buy from farms are often completely different from the ones you buy in plastic cartons. Fresh berries are smaller and quicker to spoil but are picked at their ripest and much more flavorful.

Area farms offering u-pick strawberries include:

• The Berry Farm outside of Marysville.
• Mitchell's Berries & Blooms and Jacquemin Farms in Plain City.
• Hann Farms on the South Side.
• The Farmstead Market in Circleville.
• Folck Family Farm in Mechanicsburg and Yutzy's Farm Market in Plain City should have their fields ready for picking in June.

Unfortunately, Licking County's Legend Hills Orchard and Farm Market is missing from this year's list after a fire "devastated" the family-owned farm last September.

What's next: Set a reminder for these fruit seasons as the summer goes along.

• 🧺 Raspberry season is typically late June into July.
• 🫐 Blueberries follow, usually early July into August with blackberries close behind.
• 🍑 Peaches are next, usually later in July and into August.
• 🍎 Apples take center stage in September, and their season reaches from August through the fall.

Plus: You can pick more than fruit!

• Make your own flower bouquet at farms like Pickwick Place and Tulip Ridge.
• Some farms let you pick sunflowers, pumpkins, sweet corn and other vegetables.

Between the rows: Keep an eye on the weather and verify farms are allowing u-pick before planning a trip — conditions can change quickly.

• This week, heavy rains paused picking at some farms.
• Dry conditions, overpicking and crop diseases can lead to summer closures.

Don't feel like picking your own but want higher quality fruit than what's available at your grocery store?

• Check out a local farmers market — there's almost surely one in your neighborhood.

👋 Alissa here. A new report says Americans — especially younger people — are talking to their neighbors less and less.

I must admit, I'm guilty of this too. I've lived in my Columbus home for nearly seven years, and until recently, I barely knew the names of anybody living nearby.

Threat level: As Americans' lives grow increasingly digital and insular, we're becoming lonelier.

• When we don't talk to our neighbors, we're missing out on potential deep, real-world connections beyond a nod and wave.
• But for many, striking up a conversation with a stranger is easier said than done.

Yes, but: That's not the case for my 2-year-old, who has no concept of "stranger danger."

• Elliott is the ultimate ice-breaker, loudly proclaiming "hi" to anybody we pass on our stroller walks — especially dogs, fellow toddlers and babies.
• It's sparked fun, unexpected talks about pets, gardening, concerts and more.
• One neighbor, Sarah, even offered us a T-ball set, now one of his favorite toys.

I don't know the age when we decide that putting ourselves out there is too risky, but I hope Elliott never loses his love of an outgoing greeting.

📬 Now I'm curious: Do you know your Central Ohio neighbors? And if so, how did you get to know them?

• Reply to this email and give us your best advice for bridging the divide.

🏛️ A legislative committee to study Ohio's booming (and increasingly controversial) — data center industry met for the first time Wednesday.

• The same day, Gov. Mike DeWine paused data centers' sales tax exemption, which cost the state $1.6 billion last year. (Signal Ohio)

🏫 Dozens recently spoke in opposition to an Ohio Senate bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in public schools, arguing the bill doesn't define DEI. (Ohio Capital Journal)

⛳ Puttshack opened its first Ohio location near Polaris this week. It's an indoor electronic mini-golf attraction combined with a restaurant and bar. (Columbus Underground)

🍷 Cameron Mitchell Restaurants will expand its Hudson 29 concept into Bexley next year. (WSYX-TV)

It looks like a beautiful weekend — a great excuse to enjoy a Columbus outdoor gem.

🎭 Our pick: Shakespeare in the park.

The intrigue: Actors' Theatre of Columbus returned for the season last week with the Shakespeare classic, "The Taming of the Shrew."

• A staple of the Columbus arts scene, these extremely talented performers and storytellers put on a show that exceeds expectations of a free ticket.

Yes, but: Donations are encouraged and are key to the troupe's survival — come prepared to thank them if you enjoy the show.

What's next: The season's first show runs through June 14, with three more plays to follow.

📍 If you go: Performances at 8pm Thursday-Sunday through Sept. 6 at Schiller Park, 1000 City Park Ave.

• Free!

What else is happening:

🏓 Major League Pickleball hosts its Columbus Tournament all weekend long.

🎸 Shadowbox Live debuts "Flannel: A 90s Rock Musical" this weekend.

💃 Country starlet Megan Moroney plays the Schottenstein Center tonight.

🪩 The Kitty Kat Ball, a "drag extravaganza" featuring performers from RuPaul's Drag Race, comes to Kemba Live tonight.

🎧 Massive dance music fest Breakaway Festival returns to Historic Crew Stadium today and Saturday.

🐘 Summer party and fundraiser "Rendezoo" takes over the Columbus Zoo Saturday night.

🏈 The Aviators host the Louisville Kings Sunday evening.