Labor Day was Monday, a day, to me, that has alway seemed to be a bit of a paradox. On one hand, it’s a celebration, a three day weekend, a time to relax, enjoy and celebrate. And on the other hand it basically marks the end of the summer season. For school folk, Labor Day marks the end of their extended summer vacation. To us in the Keweenaw it means it’s just a matter of time before dig out the shovels and snow blowers. For that reason, the holiday always seemed to have a melancholy vibe to it.

For decades, I and my family of origin, experienced first hand the duality of the holiday. I’m from a tiny town in the middle of the UP … Rock, Michigan to be precise. If Rock is known for anything, it is probably its Labor Day Celebration, run by the local Lions Clubv. It certainly is, as billed

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