Memorial Day to Labor Day is a special time for my town. It is a season of traffic, lengthy lines at stores, long waits for a restaurant table, and near-accidents as folks of all ages cross streets without looking for approaching cars; my car brakes get a workout.
A treasure hunt ensues seeking a parking spot a couple of blocks from one’s destination. It is a time of hour-plus waits for take-out or delivery, no reservations at favorite eateries unless made weeks in advance, lines out the door at coffee shops from early morning until noon, and meandering queues extending along the sidewalk at ice cream parlors from early evening to midnight.
But I love my town, and have discovered ways to avoid much of the hassle. I rarely drive on weekends, but if necessary go out early morning or late afternoon. I don’t wander far from my neighborhood. Within walking distance are a barber shop, nail salon, gift boutique, half a dozen restaurants, a bagel shop, coffee shop, a small grocery, the beach and Boardwalk, and the ubiquitous requirement of living for so many people in the mid-Atlantic area: a Wawa.
For those not in the know, Wawa is a convenience store chain with an extensive take-out menu, grab and go foodstuffs, all the junk food anyone can consume – ever, moderately priced coffee, dairy products and refrigerators full of (nonalcoholic) drinks, and my favorite: an ATM machine WITH NO FEES. Most Wawas include gas pumps, but not the two on my island.
Summer is winding down. Families decamp from Grandma and Grandpa’s. Snowbirds hang around until October, but after Labor Day a quieter atmosphere settles over the town. E-bikers and scooters rarely rush by either on the Boardwalk (where they are banned but ride anyway) or city streets. Groups of bike riders no longer string along a couple of blocks. Cars pass cyclists, skateboarders, and joggers who actually pay attention to traffic lights and intersections. Walkers predominate, most interested in enjoying the fresh air and moderate exercise, rather than intent on building a fine-tuned body while showing off their body-in-progress with scanty-wear.
But visitors are welcome, not only in summer, but when they pop up during the rest of the year on holiday weekends, over the Christmas break, and early spring when preparations begin for another summer.
I look forward to a slower, calmer, less harried fall and winter lifestyle. On the other hand I participate in and enjoy increased summer activity – outdoor concerts, the farmer’s market, festivals, and other special events.
Businesses thrive on the business of temporary residents, and people want the jobs. Stores and restaurants, landscapers, maids, handypersons, and recreational places need employees. Construction workers build, renovate, and restore homes and businesses year-round.
Our island manages to survive when the part-timers, snowbirds, friends, and relatives flee. I am often asked by these folks, “What do you do the rest of the year?”
I smile.
They wouldn’t understand.
My town does not close up after Labor Day. Off season we linger to say hi to locals busy with visitors over the summer. Festivals thrive fall and spring, restaurants offer reasonably priced specials, and community centers and organizations offer a full range of activities. And we take vacation, often visiting other resort towns. We become those folks welcomed with semi-open arms. Locals smile, take our money, and look forward to the quiet season.
I understand.
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