April is the month when we in this part of the world have a good chance of experiencing the last vestiges of winter, the usual spring, or an early summer.

Even when the waters of Lake Erie — the main source of moisture for snow that falls here — completely or nearly completely freeze during the winter, it can still snow in April.

Yet when December or January are unseasonably warm, Lake Erie usually remains open, and the chance of the white stuff in February, March, or even April rises significantly.

Either way, the arrival of May, one of this region’s more beautiful months, signals spring’s vanquishing of winter.

Regardless of how cold the winter was, ice is long gone from all of the lakes. The ice boom in the northeast corner of Lake Erie has been removed from the water.

Regardless of how snowy the winter was, the snowpack is gone, and the ski resorts look forward to the next season.

Robins have long since returned, and it’s no longer surprising to see them.

The sound of songbirds can be heard, not just during the day but early in the morning and late in the evening too.

Crocuses have long since yielded to daffodils, one of the few flowering plants that no animals, including deer, seem willing to eat.

Forsythia — as bright as traditional yellow daffodils — are long since in blossom and are beginning their annual effort to grow in every direction.

Azaleas bloom.

Hardwoods’ leaves return.

And the full blossoming of rhododendren, which thrive in this climate and in this soil, is but weeks away. Soon they’ll also begin their annual effort to grow in every direction.

Meanwhile, farmers are tilling their fields, looking forward to good weather in the coming season and to good prices for their crops later this year.

Homeowners, most of whom have smaller tracts of land to maintain, look about their property to survey what winter has done.

Leaves that fell after the previous fall’s cleanup can be cleared away or mulched.

Acorns are plentiful. Mighty oaks often leave bumper crops for squirrels and chipmunks. What they haven’t taken since fall can be cleaned up now.

Lawns finally green up again. So can dandelions, which often seem heartier than grass.

Flower beds and vegetable gardens are ready for annual plantings, some of which must wait until even the slightest danger of frost has passed.

Lakes are warming up for the coming season. Docks and boats enter the water after a winter’s hibernation.

Dock owners hope this won’t be one of those infrequent years when high waters take docks away.

As the end of May approaches, so does Memorial Day, which this year is on May 25, the earliest date on which it can fall.

Cemeteries are filled with geraniums, many of them the customary red. Sometimes graves of family members or friends receive their favorite color.

For Aunt Amy, this columnist’s mother always plants bright pink geraniums.

Many graves are decorated with American flags.

Neighbors, having spent much of the winter indoors, come out of their homes again and see each other regularly for the first time since fall.

Children who haven’t had bicycles out since fall are now seen — and gleefully heard — on the streets.

Those who are able and just now big enough to ride a bicycle begin to master the skill.

They may get frustrated along the way, but once they succeed, the joy on their faces is priceless.

And newlyweds look forward to the day when their children will tackle the same task and experience the same joy.

Yes, spring has vanquished winter again.

And summer will soon arrive.

Randy Elf’s wife marvels at the renewal of life that continues in this part of the world in May, which is his favorite month here.