Woodstock Early Bird notes that Fall is certainly well on it its way…The maple leaves turning already over the Woodstock Covered Bridge. In fact, Early Bird could have sworn that Village crews were taking down the limbs that had dead, colored leaves this morning. Wouldn’t that be amusing if local officials were trying to keep summer going just a little longer? Let’s just say all the way through September — and then do the quick glorious change-over to Fall colors just in time for Columbus Day weekend? A way to orchestrate that? Just wonderin’…
Other signs of Fall …we’re seeing loads of firewood going through town and then being dumped in driveways. The sound and sight of yellow school busses taking Woodstock kids to their sport practices already! (Speaking of which, our dear friend James, of the Woodstock Union High School football team, is reported to have injured his finger during practice. Mend quickly, bud!)
Almost Labor Day…which makes Woodstock Early Bird think, of course, of SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS and of the sad END OF THE WEARING OF THE WHITE PANT. I know, so old-fashioned, but Early Bird is wearing the white pant today as a celebration of summer and as a fond adieu before these “slacks” retire to the closet. For those of you not in the fashion “know”, ladies — back in the day — were not supposed to wear WHITE after Labor Day. Not just the white pant, but the white shoe. But rock it if you got it and fling caution to the wind — Summer doesn’t officially end for another four weeks!
Back to sobriety. The checkpoints are going to start THIS weekend and WILL CONTINUE all the way through Labor Day! So, for your information, here is the Hartford Police Department’s announcement:
As a participant in the 2011 Governor’s Highway Safety 18 day Labor Day DUI Campaign, The Hartford Police Department in conjunction with other neighboring law enforcement agencies will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint during the week of August 28, 2011 through September 3, 2011 in Windsor County. More than 32% of all fatal crashes are the result of impaired driving. The Hartford Police Department is asking everyone to please drive sober and do their part to combat drunk driving…
Woodstock Early Bird hopes everyone will conduct themselves in a appropriate manner no matter what private party to welcome a public official they are attending this weekend or next. That’s okay, who wants the pesky press at their function? Woodstock Early Bird has a George Forman grill. Grills up a nice hot dog. Served with Grey Poupon.
Oh, LABOR DAY. Finally the synapses are firing. A question about how ARE we treating THE HELP? It’s about workers. Is everyone out there making a living wage, receiving adequate access to health care, have access to warm housing with clean water ? Wondering…how we’re all doing with that? A worldwide question.
And Finally…As we say goodbye to summer and welcome Labor Day, a note on the lovely flowers we’ve had on our light posts and throughout the Village all summer long. This is due to the financial backing of some 40 businesses, who, not only bought the $1,000 worth of flowers planted by the WUHS horticultural class, but who have also — coordinated by the Woodstock Business Alliance — footed the bill to the tune of $1,300 a month for watering and dead-heading our flowery window-dressing. The Alliance is a sub-group of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. While the Woodstock Chamber gets funds from the Village for maintaining the Welcome Center, the flowers are a totally business-funded contribution. Woodstock Early Bird has been overwhelmed with gratitude this week, yes? One more time. Thanks to Larry and the Alliance. (Another good band name!).
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 