The Signs of Summer’s Wind Down

It is a true time of transition when it comes to the calendar.  Officially we still have another five weeks of summer and most of us feel that September is the best month to live at the Jersey Shore.  However in truth summer is winding down and signs of that are everywhere. 

Facebook is filled with pictures of kids leaving or getting ready to leave for college.  It’s an especially difficult time for parents who are saying goodbye to those that are freshman. It was only a couple of months ago they were innocent high school students.  Just wait until they come home for the holidays!

For all the years I worked for my father on the boardwalk in Seaside I remember this was the time of year when you couldn’t wait for it to be over.  By mid-August those 90 degree days had taken their toll on your body and mind and you were counting the days until Labor Day (20 to be exact).  Of course if you were the owner of a boardwalk or resort business you did not want it to end because that’s when the cash register would stop ringing.  Do cash registers actually ring anymore?

While on the subject there is no reason why schools in the shore area should open before Labor Day.  We live in a place that very much depends on tourism and many of the jobs teenagers have evolve around the beach and boardwalk. 

It's bad enough college kids are long gone by Labor Day but many employers have to deal with losing their younger workers because some schools are returning before the final holiday weekend of the summer season. I understand the challenges of the 180-day school schedule but in Ocean and Monmouth County there should be a mandate to not return to the classroom until after Labor Day.

Of course another sign that we’re moving from summer to fall can be found on high school practice fields where young athletes are getting ready for the season. Same for those who play in the band and other extracurricular activities.

Here’s another: while it may be hot the sun is not nearly as strong as it was a month or two ago and sunset tonight is 7:51.  I hate the fact the days are getting shorter and before long summer nights will be a thing of the past.

We better enjoy them while we can because if you haven’t heard the Old Farmer’s Almanac says we’re in for another rough winter.