Labor Day weekend has finally arrived, though it seems impossible that summer is nearly over.
Residents of the Greater Boston area have experienced what many consider the most remarkable summer in recent memory. The season has delivered abundant sunshine without the oppressive heat and humidity that typically drive people to seek relief from the sun.
That exceptional weather does come with a significant drawback: the region is currently experiencing a record-breaking drought that could soon create serious problems for parts of Massachusetts—a matter worth exploring in greater depth elsewhere.
With forecasts predicting continued excellent weather throughout the week and weekend, we encourage all our readers to make the most of this Labor Day weekend. It represents one final opportunity to reconnect with loved ones or simply to unwind in a peaceful setting.
However we choose to spend this concluding summer weekend, safety must remain our priority. We strongly advise against drinking and driving or drinking and boating. We also encourage everyone to look out for one another—if someone around you has been drinking, take their keys and ensure they don’t operate a vehicle or boat.
Preventable tragedies occur far too frequently due to excessive alcohol consumption (consider the person who lost an arm to a boat propeller last summer). Alcohol remains Public Enemy #1, causing far more destruction than any other substance, whether legal or illegal, in terms of the devastation it brings to individuals and families.
Let’s embrace this Last Blast of Summer safely, so that we and those we care about can treasure wonderful memories of the extraordinary Summer of 2016.