I Don't Dare Look In The Stores

It’s August 25; Labor Day is coming and it’s time for the usual end-of-summer picnics and the start of school. What this has to do with labour disputes in Canada and labor disputes in the US of America seems to have been lost in time. Labor Leader Peter McGuire saw a festival in Toronto, came back and started one here.

But we’re a bit too busy putting out the Hallowe’en displays. At least in the stores; if I remember, I’ll post when I see the first such set-up outside someone’s house.

I was down in Freeland, near Hazleton, one year and saw some subtle hint that the downtown merchants would appreciate your business. A nod toward Christmas and here it was, the end of September. I got to thinking how, although this was Main Street, it was way off the beaten path; only the locals would see it.

I could see a town where Route 66 passed through and tourists might want to drop a little coin at the souvenir shop. But Freeland? No offense to this small borough, but it’s at the end of nowhere and the only cash the merchants will generate comes from its own residents. It’s like living in Anatevka; you need outside $$.

So now I’m on the lookout at the local stores to see what’s being set up. Anything for Labor Day? Or is that taken down? How about Hallowe’en? Thanksgiving? Maybe hints of Christmas? I’ll keep an eye open and let you know what I see. Reader contributions are welcome; just hit the “comments” button any day.