It’s that time of year.....

Sorry folks, but the time is fast approaching when we must remind our faithful readers that the wonderful (or hot, or buggy, or whatever you choose to call it) summer season is winding down . . . and not returning until summer of 2017. Often referred to as the “dog days of summer,” it really means we are approaching another change of seasons in marvelous Minnesota. 

When we hear the words “Back to School,” “Football Season,” or “Fall Festival Time is Here,” they give a pretty strong hint that the time is near. 

Montgomery had another great Kolacky Days festival, and there are certainly other fall-type events on the horizon to be enjoyed, but the days are getting shorter and a change of seasons is on the horizon whether we approve or not. 

The first day of autumn is September 22, and Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends on Sunday, Nov. 6, just two days before the General Election, which will finally bring an end to the name-calling and accusations filling the airwaves on both sides of the aisle. 

One of our precious freedoms is our right to vote, but this national election is turning into one for the ages. Many people predict the 2016 election will go down in history as the most vicious battle between individuals and parties in the political main event, with the future of our country hanging in the balance. While we realize that the president does not make very many major decisions on his or her own, they are the leader and flag-bearer of our country, and like it or not, we need to respect that distinguished title. We may as well enjoy all the pre-game warmup, for November 8 and the main event will be here before we know it. 

Let’s not forget the local elections, where a big change in the city administration is going to happen. Good luck to all the candidates, and congratulations for showing your interest in the community on the public stage.

• • • 

We think of a siesta as an afternoon nap, but according to one undocumented report, originally the break time was taken at noon. Siesta is Spanish and comes from the Latin sexta, meaning “the sixth hour.” For Romans, noon was the sixth hour after sunrise, a hot time of day in the Mediterranean—and a good time to stop working or playing and get in the shade. 

So.....how about a siesta?