Summer – glorious days of sun-ripened fruit, fresh-picked everything, blossoms, bees, fresh-cut grass and light – is bracketed by Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Praying mantis and walking sticks can be found as they hunt – this one on a stone wall.

Labor Day, whatever its true origin for workers and unions, is now a three-day holiday to say goodbye to summer. Nature already knows the season is turning as black walnuts and shagbark hickory nuts clatter to the ground and squirrels hustle to gather and store them for the cold weather ahead. Constellations of asters bloom alongside goldenrod and ragweed.

In the spirit of the original purpose of the day, we celebrate the ingenuity of people with a showcase sampling of enterprising businesses and some deep roots to the land as seen at the Wadsworth Open Air Market & Festival in Connecticut.

Clark's Wooden Originals features handcrafted, buffed-and-oiled-to-perfection wooden cutting boards that Brandon Clark creates at the Clark Farm in Higganum. Take a look at the work that oval board expresses, then apply the same craftsmanship to a custom structure, large or small to get the picture. The Clark Farm motto is “quality we stand behind from our family to yours” – and Melissa and Brandon Clark mean what they say.Custom barns, child-sized playhouses, chicken runs and houses, rabbit hutches, dog coops – or a pony party brought to your family. (Jotting down a note – a pony as a unicorn is a must see). Or check out the farm web site for more.

Ballek's Garden Center of East Haddam is a business that grew from the rich soil of the Ballek's farm, where the land has been in use for more than 300 years. (Years ago, an interview with Anita Ballek proved to be a memorable experience as she shared knowledge of the farm and family history along with her expertise in raising orchids.)
Birdhouse Accents offers homes for birds with a country or personalized flair. Their small sign “Buy It Now, It May Be Gone Later” (so true) provoked a few smiles too.

Having met up with Judith and Peter Rothenburg of Northfordy Farm at a CT NOFA winter event some time ago, their colorful bumper-stickered van door prompted a photo – then a visit to refresh my memory at the farm's site.
Their land has been a farm for “the better part of its existence since 1780” – the previous stewards of the property used “sustainable practices – natural fertilizers, crop rotation, mulching saving and planting open pollinated seeds, soil building, and recycling, recycling, recycling.” (Another note: Must see the 230-year-old house built “in part, with recycled boards.”)
Sigh. By noon, Hometown Bakery of Madison was sold out of their delectable cinnamon rolls. Owners Rob and Lisa Ostop's goodies can also be found at Durham Farmer's Market on Thursday afternoons or at the Dudley Farm Farmers' Market on Saturdays.

Although the prime weather continues, when those bright orange-yellow school buses get ready to rumble into action to transport students into corridors for learning, the summer as a season is over although September, in my opinion, is the most heavenly month for weather – similar to May – a mix of all seasons in a 30-day span – plus fairs to walk, gardens still producing, those cool mornings – and still time to get some swimming in.

Note: Fair warning, we're fair-goers – and it's prime time for heading out to sample the country sights, sounds and flavors of the harvest season. As updates are added, check out listings and people with interesting stories on our Ag Events page.