CERTAIN telltale signs tell me each year when spring has arrived: The return of geese, the snowmelt revealing cavernous potholes and free Italian ice at Rita’s.

That’s right, on Friday, in honor of the first day of spring, Rita’s is giving free regular-size Italian ice to all customers.

Make sure you ask for a frequent customer card when you get your ice because it entitles you to a free item after you buy 10.

If you’re adventurous, make your free ice Rita’s new mystery flavor. After tasting the secret-flavored treat, customers can log onto ritasice.com and suggest a name for it. The contest winner will receive free Rita’s Italian ice for a year. So put your taste buds on alert, put on your thinking caps, get creative and good luck.

There are some other good food deals, but they’re only for a limited time so act and eat soon:

• Pizza Hut is offering a medium, one-topping pizza for a penny if you purchase a large pizza at regular menu price. And the Pizza Mia medium one-topping pizzas are still on sale for $5 each if you order three or more.

• Applebee’s has brought back its two-entrees-and-an-appetizer for $20 deal.

• McDonald’s has two Sausage McMuffins for $3.

Poster art

Adult readers who enjoy the beautiful St. Pauli Girl ladies that grace the posters at area bars and beer distributors can get one themselves for free. For the rest of the month, the company is giving away 400 posters each day, first-come, first-served, to those who log onto www.stpauligirl.com/poster_order.php. Here’s a tip: Log on at about 9 p.m., because that’s when the beer maker’s day starts.

If you’re looking for a more child-oriented poster, how about one that depicts the new “Monsters vs. Aliens” movie? Show your child or friend who’s still a child-at-heart how much you care – for free, of course – by visiting www.mymonstermakeover.com/assets/Coupon.pdf and printing out the coupon for a free movie poster when you take it to an Office Depot Design, Shop and Print service counter. The closest store is in Allentown, but if you have a relative down that way, maybe they’ll do the legwork for you.

Speaking of kids, if you are expecting or know someone who is, here’s a good freebie: Log on to http://instoresnow.walmart.com/enhancedrendercontent_ektid66928.aspx to sign up for a free sample of Parent’s Choice infant formula.

About the Author

Andrew M. Seder is a staff writer for the Times Leader. Reach him at (570) 829-7269 or aseder@timesleader.com.

Andrew M. Seder has been a Times Leader staff writer since 2008. He's been a journalist in Northeast Pennsylvania since 1999 covering political races and offices at the national, state, county and local levels. He's primarily covered the 10th Congressional District and state Legislative issues for The Times Leader.

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