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Once was the time that Labor Day marked the unofficial last day of summer. Labor Day was the last day of summer before school started. Labor Day hinted at the coming football season. It meant the return of numerous community and cultural events. It signaled a renewed dedication to work as summer vacations and summer breaks came to an end.
That was then.
Labor Day remains a vacation day for many, including students, but school started a month ago. Football season kicked off a couple of weeks ago. Numerous community events have already been held and are underway. Summer breaks and vacations already seem like ages ago.
Things change, but hopefully not everything.
Labor Day once held the promise that fall would soon be coming. The date still does.
Recent cooler temperatures remind us that summer is vanishing and fall will soon relieve us from the heat.
Labor Day was and remains a turning point when we start looking for that first cool day, the first drop of a leaf, that crystal blue sky, that first brisk evening with just a hint of chill.
No matter that the calendar still claims three more weeks of summer, no matter how much our schedules have changed in the lead up to this day, no matter what the thermometer reports on the back porch, Labor Day may no longer be the unofficial end of summer, but it does herald the unofficial coming of fall.
What We Think
Labor Day
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
Memorial Day has taken on many meanings through the years. The unofficial start of summer, a day off from work, a day to honor family and friends who have passed away.
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Memorial Day: A solemn occasion
