CHRIS GORDON Orchard Park Editor • THE LAST HURRAH OF SUMMER — I realize that summer officially does not end until later in the month.

But just like Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer, Labor Day weekend is upon us and for me, that truly is the end of summer.

However, what still amazes me after all these years is that each year when the Erie County Fair is over — which has always been my other measuring stick for summer’s end — the very next day it always cools off and fall-type weather fills the air.

Like many other people, my weekend will be filled with parties and grilling great food.

I want to wish everyone in Orchard Park a happy and safe holiday weekend. Enjoy the final days of summer and prepare for cooler weather.

It’s time to take out the long-sleeved shirts and get ready to attend the fall festivals, which are now on the horizon.

• TO THE BUS STOP — I remember this weekend being filled with anxiety and the wish that I could magically fiddle with the calendar and extend summer vacation.

While those days are long gone for me, students from kindergarten through 12th grade are days away from the first day of school.

Drivers take note: The first day of classes for the Orchard Park Central School District is Tuesday, Sept. 7. This is a change after classes resumed on Thursdays the previous two years.

Take extra caution on Tuesday morning as children of all ages will be making their way to classes.

There will also be a new face greeting students this fall as Superintendent Matthew McGarrity will be enjoying his first day of school. He took the helm in July from Joan Thomas, who retired from Orchard Park but will be greeting students as the new head of Holy Angels Academy.

I wish students in Orchard Park the very best for another great year.

• ANOTHER KICKOFF — Although classes do not resume until Sept. 7, this does not mean there won’t ne any activity at the Orchard Park School District before the first day of school.

What better way to kick off the return to school than literally kicking off? In this case, what I am referring to, of course, is a football.

On Friday, Sept. 3, the Orchard Park Quakers will begin the 2010 season at 7:30 p.m. with a home game against Lancaster.

Bee sports reporter Mike Migliore is previewing the team and the upcoming season in this week’s paper. It is a good way to learn who the key players will be in 2010. See page 8.

While they were still a good team in 2009, the loss of some key players from the 2008 team made last season one of transition and they were unable to repeat as state champions.

I hope that with a year of experience, the team can regain its form of two years ago and Quaker pride can once again rule the community.

I want to wish Gene Tundo, his players and his coaching staff the very best for another successful season.