By Photos by: Phil Grout

On September 1, the nation will have celebrated labor day for 114 years. An outgrowth of the labor movement in the 19th century, the holiday has come to mean much more than a day set aside by Congress to honor the productivity of the American worker. Not only has it become a day off and an excuse for businesses to stage sales campaigns, but in the past, fashion decreed that Labor Day was the last date upon which proper people could wear summer whites.

NCAA College Football usually opens its season on Labor Day and the Southern 500 auto race is run in Darlington, South Carolina. Since 1966, the Muscular Dystrophy Association has held its telethon on the first weekend in September. For 22 years, Knoxville, Tennessee has put on one of the biggest fireworks displays in the Southeastern U.S. (called “Boomsday”) on Labor Day. And Chicago’s Polish community traditionally celebrates “Taste of Polonia” in the Windy City.

So we thought it might be interesting to find out how local citizens felt about their holiday. Our inquiring photographer asked a half-dozen Carroll Countians, “What Does Labor Day Mean To Me?” Herewith, the results of his informal survey:

“Every year we go to the Maryland State Fair on Labor Day. This year there’ll be a new feeling because my son, who’s 6, will go to school full time. Labor Day is always the end of summer. But for nurses like me and my husband, there’s really no day off. That job is non-stop. Some day I’ll go back to nursing when the kids are older.”
Heather Cass
Stay-at-Home Mom (and Nurse) Sykesville

“I think it’s a holiday to celebrate all the people who work across America. When we think of what people do here in America – they’re always looking for better ways of doing things. If they’re in the farming community they’re always looking at how to get better production: better crop yields, more bushels of wheat or corn. I think it says a lot for America that we as a people get up every morning and go to work, and that work is to make America better. It’s also to provide for their families. We’re a productive country – always have been, and hopefully we always will be.”
Julia Gouge
County Commissioner of Carroll County, Westminster

“I’m glad I’m even working in this country, let alone worrying about a day off. The way the economy is today, I’m just glad to be working. Labor Day’s just another day to me.”
Troy Graves
Brick/Stone Mason, Owner, Graves Masonry, Manchester

“I’ve never really thought about Labor Day, because I’ve always worked since I was 16. I started out babysitting and then cleaning homes. I went to fast food – that was Whataburger in Texas – and I also made commercials for TV. That’s where I met Mel Tillis. It was the high point of my life at 18. Then I moved to Illinois, got into the printing industry and ended up as a supervisor in the bindery. I moved to Maryland and worked 10 years at Pier One Imports. I had my son and was able to stay home. Now I’m back working at A Greater Gift as a retail clerk selling fair trade goods from the Developing World. You have to be a hard worker. I always have been. Working is important. I’ve always worked on Labor Day.”
Carmen Rubio Cook
Retail Sales, A Greater Gift, New Windsor

“When Labor Day rolls around I think of its origin. When America was young there were no holidays. Most men worked long hours. Owners of businesses knew that working conditions were appalling. But focusing on profits, they plotted to keep production up and the herd calm. Knowing that a balance of work and rest were essential to keep the workers content and successful, they decided that a holiday was needed to celebrate the worker: “Throw Ôem a bone, keep Ôem happy, have some fun, break the drudgery of seven days’ work.” And it worked, mostly, to give the masses a holiday, keep things moving along. That is what Labor Day means to me.”
Tom (ToBone) Anania
Owner, ToBone Cycle, Taneytown

“It’s always been a family weekend. I remember as a kid we always had a picnic up in South Mountain at my grandparents’ cabin. And the thing I remember most is watching the Jerry Lewis telethon. It was a tradition. I was a big Jerry Lewis fan, and I always think of Jerry Lewis on Labor Day. When I was older, the one thing I always thought about was how lucky I was to be healthy. Later, the Brewer family started a pig roast. We have a big family. There are 10 kids in Dad’s family. Family has always been important. I guess there are about 70 in our immediate family. So Labor Day has always been a big celebration. It was always the sunset of summer.”
Doug Brewer
Owner, Brewers Market, Silver Run