Labor Day is often thought of as the unofficial end of summer—one last long weekend, one last barbecue, one last chance to enjoy the sunshine before the school buses return and the pace of life picks up again.

But the holiday has a deeper meaning, one worth remembering as we gather with family and friends this weekend.

Labor Day is a celebration of the American worker.

Established in the 1880’s, the holiday was born out of the need to protect workers’ rights and also to recognize the contributions of laborers to the development and achievements in the country.

Here in Sullivan County today, that means celebrating the people who get up early and go to work every day, whether their workplace is a farm, a restaurant, a construction site, a hospital, a school, a hotel, a storefront, a government office or countless others.

It means recognizing the small-business owners who have invested their savings and their dreams in our communities. It means thanking the farmers who continue to work the land, often before most of us have had our first cup of coffee. It means recognizing the teachers, health care workers, tradespeople, hospitality workers, municipal employees and others for keeping things going.

Much of the landscape of Sullivan County is based on small businesses, and we thank those that are open year-round and help keep our dollars local.

So as Sullivan County residents enjoy the final holiday weekend of summer, let us take a moment to appreciate the people behind the scenes who make our communities function.

Thank the person who serves your breakfast. Thank the road crew repairing a pothole. Thank the nurse working the holiday. Thank the farmer tending the fields. Thank the teacher preparing for another school year. Thank the small-business owner who stayed open. Thank the neighbor who works weekends so the rest of us can enjoy ours.

Have a safe, restful and well-deserved Labor Day weekend.