Looking forward to a Monday feels strange.
Most weeks, those of us who log 40-hour weeks at any occupation do all we can to squeeze out as much weekend as possible before Monday rolls around.
But on Labor Day that all changes.
Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer celebrated on the first Monday of September, is meant for everyone who earned a paycheck applying their trade.
The first Labor Day was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, 30 states officially celebrated Labor Day.
For much of the area, including The Highlander office, Labor Day means a day off from the workplace. But not every American worker is so fortunate. Police officers, first responders, hospital staff, service industry and restaurant workers, retail employees and many other members of the workforce will be plying their trade on Monday. If you happen to encounter anyone one the job on Labor Day, be kind and thank them for their hard work.
The one day each year that we stop to appreciate the contributions of the American working man, or woman, is worth a little time to reflect.
Highlands and Cashiers wouldn’t be the amazing communities they are today without countless long hours put in by everyone from carpenters to school teachers, nurses to auto mechanics. Labor Day may mark the unofficial end of summer, but for the Plateau it also marks the end of the “August lull” so many businesses experience when students in neighboring states go back to school and tourism temporarily slows.
Based on the vehicle traffic over the past day or two, the holiday weekend is on its way to being as busy as ever, and leaf season is right around the corner.
Nothing gets done, unless there is a person willing to put in the work.