Saying Good-Bye To Summer 2013

Douglas Lake – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Labor Day is a Federal Holiday that is celebrated the first Monday in September. It was initiated as a time to celebrate unionized labor’s contributions to the American economy, however it has also become widely known as the unofficial end of summer. As Summer 2013 comes to a close and we prepare to welcome Fall 2013, it is a good time to reflect on the fun, frolic and even frustrations that we have encounter since Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. Exceptionally rainy months of June and July had an impact on the area in a variety of ways. The local tomato crop suffered from the damp conditions, downed trees due to root saturation wrecked havoc in the area and even the Fourth of July activities suffered as the rain count continued to rise in Jefferson County. Locals didn’t let a little soggy weather keep them down, as they toured the highways and waterways by boat, motorcycle and even antique car. Summer 2013 was the season of music and it could be found all around the County. Favorite restaurants sponsored indoor and outdoor opportunities to hear some great tunes and the Dumplin Valley Farm Concert Series proved that a little drizzle can’t dampen the fun down on the farm. Fishing was big on the local waters and we celebrated living with great events like Access-Life and TWRA’s Youth Fishing Days. We Shook the Lake and attended the 2013 Jefferson County Fair and if we had to carry an umbrella to those events, it didn’t lessen our enthusiasm. We attended basketball, cheerleading and the new STEM camps, as well as Vacation Bible Schools all across the County. We saw a partial roof collapse, the beginnings of renovation to Jefferson County High School and we completed the Patriot Academy. After months of debate and refiguring, one veto and a ten cent property tax increase we passed the County’s fiscal year 2013-2014 budget. Our First Responders stood watch as we played and worked, keeping our safety their priority and we said hello to some new members of our community and a sad farewell to others. It was the summer of the Full Moon, Super Moon and Blue Moon. And now, the County turns its eye toward Friday Night Lights and Volunteer Saturdays, Harvest Moons and pumpkins. Today it is Labor Day, but in 58 days we will be handing out candy to trick or treaters. In less time than it took to travel from Memorial Day to Labor Day (actually 87 days) we will be eating turkey and dressing and giving thanks for our blessings. There are also only 114 shopping day until Christmas but that is plenty of time to reminisce about the Summer of 2013 and celebrate the arrival of Fall 2013. As of Tuesday, it has arrived-unofficially.