Labor Day

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Down on pit row, last-minute adjustments had been made. Any small slip could cost the drivers both track time and a trophy. Tires, motors, even shoulder harnesses had been checked. Now it was time to get down to the business of winning. With the dragsters roaring like a Metallica concert, it didn't take long for the air to fill with the smell of rubber and smoke. And the crowd loved it -- especially the families who came to watch their youngsters rip down a one-eighth-mile track at 85 mph. Junior dragsters -- ages 8 to 17 -- were among the racers Saturday afternoon at the Mason-Dixon Dragway's Labor Day Classic.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - The Greencastle-Antrim School District joined neighboring districts Thursday night by voting unanimously to approve an amended calendar for the 2008-09 school year. Greencastle-Antrim was the last of the six Franklin County school districts to approve the calendar, which marks the first day of school for Sept. 2 - one day after Labor Day - and commencement ceremonies for Saturday, June 13, 2009. The Chambersburg, Fannett-Metal, Shippensburg, Tuscarora and Waynesboro school districts, as well as the Franklin County Career and Technology Center (FCCTC)

Officials down on later school start WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Waynesboro school officials are working on a resolution and letter criticizing a proposal to start school after Labor Day in Pennsylvania. The (Allentown) Morning Call has reported that state Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery, has legislation in committee that would require public schools to open after Labor Day. The change would be made to allow resorts and amusement parks to rely on high school-aged workers longer in the season, the newspaper reported.

Officials of Pennsylvania's tourism industry recently convinced Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery, to introduce a bill that would prevent the state's 501 school districts from starting classes until after the Labor Day weekend. Industry officials sought the bill because they say that the earlier starts reduce visitor numbers during what has traditionally been the last week of summer vacation. Young employees are also lost when they must return to school, they said. The measure is opposed by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the state's largest teachers' union, with representatives of those groups saying that the early start is needed to get in the annually required 180 days of instruction, even if there are snow closures and/or teacher strikes.

Antietam National Battlefield Md. 65, Sharpsburg Visitors center is open daily. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; from Labor Day through Memorial Day, hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The battlefield is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The park is open daily until dark. Admission is $4 per person and $6 per family. Call 301-432-5124 or go to www.nps.gov/anti . Boonsborough Museum of History 113 N. Main St., Boonsboro Open Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. from May through September, or by appointment.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - When Robert Foltz started getting ready for the traditional Labor Day breakfast at War Memorial Park on Monday, he was there by 7 a.m. firing up grills for the hundreds of steaks he would help cook. It used to be earlier. In the early days of the event, Foltz said he and other volunteers cut 40-gallon barrels in half and used them for grills. Unlike the gas grills now used for the breakfast, the barrel halves were filled with charcoal and Foltz said he would get to the park by 3 a.m. to get the charcoal ready.

Maryland Francis Murphy 240-313-9300, ext. 154 Closed for Labor Day - Monday. "Could You Pass the Citizenship Test?" - quiz and comments with Barb Fischer - Tuesday, 9:45 a.m. Exercise or line-dancing - Wednesday, 9:40 a.m. Bingo - Wednesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 9:40 a.m. Dominoes - Wednesday, 8 p.m. "Nutrition Checkup: How Does Your Diet Measure Up?" and exercise with Helen House - Thursday, 9:45 a.m. Hymn sing with Laverne - Friday, 7 p.m. Potomac Towers 301-991-5168 Closed for Labor Day - Monday.

Here are some of the things happening in Washington County Public Schools next week: Monday, Sept. 3 Labor Day - schools closed.Tuesday, Sept. 4 Board of Education business meeting in central office auditorium at noon, broadcast live on Antietam Cable Channel 99 Clear Spring High - Future Business Leaders of America officers meeting at 3:30 p.m.; Band Booster meeting at 7 p.m. Conococheague Elementary - Faculty/SIT meeting at 2:40 p.m.; School Pride "Who Am I" Faculty Baby Picture Contest.

Dick Neal side strokes his way across the pool Wednesday night at Lambert Park in Martinsburg, W.Va. Local pools will be closing soon for the summer, but a promising Labor Day weekend looms.

Sept. 3: County Extension office closed for Labor Day Sept. 4: Bits 'N Bridles 4-H Club, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Sept. 5: 4-H Swine Club, Washington County Extension office, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6: 4-H Livestock Club, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Sept. 7: Downsville 4-H Club, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Sept. 8: Turfgrass Establishment, Lawn Care & Renovation, Franklin Co. Cooperative Extension, Chambersburg, Pa., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Call 717-263-9226.