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Break over for summer
Summer ends without a splash
Date published: 9/8/2009
BY JONAS BEALS Labor Day lived up to its end-of-summer reputation. Temperatures in the mid-70s, gray skies and passing showers conspired to remind everyone that fall is officially two weeks away. The pool at Curtis Park in Stafford celebrated its final day of the season in silence. No sun meant no swimmers. All school divisions in the region are back in session today. For many people, yesterday was their last chance to grab onto the traditional trappings of the season: beaches, rivers, camping, cookouts, pick-up games and playing with friends. Antonio Vanegas was still trying to hold onto his summer freedom by rollerblading in the skate park with his brother Jonny Fernandez. Vanegas is entering fourth grade at Lafayette Upper Elementary School today. "I don't want to go back," Vanegas said. "I'd rather go skating with Johnny." Zoe Yoder, a 6-year-old who recently moved to Stafford from the Atlanta area, is entering first grade at Margaret Brent Elementary School. She responded to the impending school year by pouting out her bottom lip and marching away. Her mother, Nancy Yoder, explained that Zoe was excited about the first day of school until she learned that she would have to go back the following day. The Yoder's trip to the Curtis Park skate park was a birthday request made by their son, Charlie Yoder, who is headed to fifth grade. "After we're done here, we'll probably go home, go swimming and grill out," Nancy Yoder said. "Then it's early to bed." As the trappings of summer fade, signs of fall have started to appear: high school football, shorter evenings and Halloween hay bale creatures in the fields at Belvedere Plantation. Spotsylvania students have been in school for two weeks already, but the Wagner family thought the holiday was a good opportunity to bring a group of kids north to Stafford. "We're squeezing every last drop out of summer that we can," Rebecca Wagner said. "We need to get out while there's still light." Ethan Wrye, a first-grader at Lee Hill Elementary, came to Curtis Park with the Wagners. He embraces the change. "I don't miss it," he said of the summer. "I like the fall, and I'm still skateboarding." The Wagners were headed home after their day at the park, but they considered extending the summer for just a few more minutes. "There might be ice cream in the future," Josh Wagner said. Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Date published: 9/8/2009
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