From working dairy farms to neighborhood favorites, Lancaster County has turned ice cream into something of a local tradition. There are times when you want an elegant dessert after dinner, and then there are times when you just want ice cream. Maybe it’s been a long day. Maybe the Dips won and you're not ready to celebrate with drinks quite yet. Maybe your player isn't feeling the win. Maybe you've spent the afternoon sitting on bleachers or pretending you aren't tired after

Downtown Lancaster's Penn Square The Alumni Game is coming up fast, which means it's time to start wondering Where are we staying? If being closest to campus is your priority, there are other choices. But if you like the idea of parking the car and walking to coffee, markets, restaurants, drinks and plenty of downtown Lancaster, the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square is hard to beat. Most Dips lax games start at noon or later, which leaves time to grab coffee or wander through

Over the past month, much of the Dips Men's Lacrosse junior class has gradually traded summer vacation, internships, and Hartman Green for Copenhagen, Prague, Milan and Madrid. Owen has been in Copenhagen for nearly a month, some of the boys have had a week or two to settle in, and several just left this week. From all reports, they’re having an incredible time, and are looking forward to the multiple trips they've already planned together. I hope Oktoberfest is ready for Dip

Two parks, a hidden trail and plenty of reasons to get outside One of the nicest things about F&M’s location is that you don’t have to go very far to trade buildings and traffic for a little green space. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to walk between games, a place for your student to clear his head, or simply something different to do while you’re visiting Lancaster, there are several great outdoor options remarkably close to campus. And these aren’t just places to wal

DipsLocal Best of Near Campus (Part Four) We’ve spent plenty of time at Dips Local talking about great restaurants, cocktails, pizza and all the other very important parts of a weekend in Lancaster. It was probably time for someone to remind us that there are vegetables and plenty of healthier options here, too. That reminder came from senior mom Leila Hardy, who has spent a lot of time in Lancaster and reminded us that Lemon Street Market is a hidden gem that is close to F&M

DipsLocal Best of Near Campus (Part Three) For Part Three of our Best of Near Campus series, we’re heading into Lancaster’s West End for two more interesting, locally owned spots close to F&M. The first sits just south of campus and makes some of our favorite pizza in Lancaster. The second is a little farther west, directly across from F&M’s visual arts building, and is considerably harder to define. Pizza. Coffee. Cocktails. Concerts. Art. Creative mischief. There’s a littl

DipsLocal Best of Near Campus Series (Part Two) Your son probably already knows. Now, you do, too We couldn’t let our Best of Near Campus series go any longer without making sure everyone knows about Cabalar. In Part One: Move-In Day Survival Guide—Three Great Stops Near F&M, we highlighted a few places to recover after move-in, celebrate the start of a new year or simply enjoy a well-earned drink. This time, we’re focusing on one of the places F&M stude

DipsLocal Best of Near Campus Series (Part One) As move-in day approaches, we thought we would take a few minutes to revisit some of the best places in F&M’s backyard. Because we all know move-in rarely goes exactly as planned. Someone forgets a fan. A storage bin does not fit under the bed. One family member is assembling something without reading the directions, while another is quietly wondering how four people and seventeen bags are supposed to fit into one dorm room. For

Lancaster has quietly become one of Pennsylvania's premier destinations for craft beer lovers. From innovative brewpubs and nationally recognized beer bars to unique bottle shops and outdoor gathering spaces, the region offers something for every palate. While there are dozens of worthy stops throughout the county, three destinations consistently rise to the top of our list: Mad Chef Craft Brewing, The Fridge, and Bulls Head Public House. Mad Chef Craft Brewing: Where the Foo

What do soccer jerseys and lacrosse equipment have in common? They both live at Soccer Post....although Owen and most other local lacrosse players simply call it “the lacrosse store” or "Angelo's," it's former name. Owen has worked there since he was 16, so naturally he will tell you it is the best one around. Is he biased? Definitely. Is he wrong? We don’t think so. Why Dips Players Know About It Your sons arrive at F&M with plenty of lacrosse gear. We also know that over th

Downtown Lancaster is fantastic, and we will have plenty to say about its restaurants, bars, hotels, entertainment, arts and shopping. It is where you go when you have time to wander, try somewhere new and make Lancaster part of the weekend. But where do you go when you need to accomplish six things in two hours? Maybe it’s move-in day. Maybe you’re visiting for a fall scrimmage and need to restock the snack supply. Or perhaps your son has suddenly decided that several of the

Your hotel may offer breakfast, and sometimes convenience wins, especially before an early faceoff. We’ve also heard good things about breakfast at Plough inside the Lancaster Marriott, although we haven’t tried it recently enough to offer an official Dips Local ruling. But when your schedule allows for something a little more memorable, head about 20 minutes east of the city to Gracie’s on West Main in Leola. The drive gives you a small taste of Lancaster County beyond downt

Lancaster Arts Hotel This is a quick guide to some of the most popular accommodation choices among the Dips F&Mily. We know plenty of Dips families can drive in for the game and still make it home before bedtime. But every now and then, give the turnpike a night off. Stay over, eat somewhere great, enjoy a cocktail you didn’t have to make yourself and spend a little time discovering why Lancaster deserves more than a quick postgame exit. You can stay within walking distance o

A very warm welcome to the parents and families of our incoming first-years and transfers! We are so excited to welcome you to F&M—and especially to the wonderful community of players, coaches and families that makes F&M lacrosse feel like a true F&Mily. We know move-in comes with a mix of emotions: excitement for everything ahead, pride in watching your son begin this next chapter—and probably a few worries as you drive away. We hope you will quickly discover that your playe

Why Dips Local? Because parents need a game plan, too. If you're reading this, welcome. We're glad you're here. Dips Local is our attempt to answer the important questions for F&M families that don't appear on the lacrosse schedule: Where can we get a really good cup of coffee? Where should we eat after the game? Who can handle a table of twelve? Where can we find the best espresso martini or bourbon drink? Spoiler alert: there are so many places And so many others… While th