If you travel near exit 11 on Route 34 in the mornings, you know that school is back in session. On Tuesday there was such a backup of traffic in the morning that the hitchhikers were the only ones who made it to work on time.

Over 5,000 students made their way back to school this week, but for a while it seemed like about 10,000 students in cars were trying to squeeze into the high school parking lot.

The first day of school went off without a hitch until a worker using a backhoe at the site of the new 5/6 school severed a power line, leaving the Board of Education offices in Canaan House without lights, air conditioning, computers, and – ultimately – telephones. The electricity outage at the district office caused Director of Transportation Mary Kelly to dispatch from her car using the radio in it and her cell phone to talk with drivers and schools. What a sight that must have been.

Many students brought apples for their teachers this year. I guess they think bringing an apple will start them out on a good note. But for many of the teachers a cup of coffee would have been more suitable. Several teachers could be seen with their cups and smiles. One teacher at Middle Gate had two cups of tea. I guess both teachers and students have a tough time waking up for the first day of school.

Head O’ Meadow kindergarten teacher Carol Howard got a surprise Monday during the kindergarten trial bus run. Mrs Howard had her new students on the carpet and they began talking about what the school day was going to be like. One of her students piped up and asked, “When are we going to stop talking?” I guess it’s all work for the students this year.

There was a crowd at My Place restaurant on Tuesday when 15 mothers gathered for a luncheon to celebrate the first day of school. For many of the mothers, it was the first time that all of their children – even the youngest – were in school all day. Most had students in kindergarten at Hawley School last year and had planned the luncheon a long time ago.

Well, at least all the hard working students will get a long weekend this weekend. Monday, parade day, of course will be the highlight of the weekend. Labor Day Parade-goers are being urged to get to their seats a little earlier this year as things will start rolling at 9 am Monday. Don’t worry, the parade is still slated to begin at 10 am. Before the march, however, spectators on Main Street will be treated to the unfurling of three of the largest American flags in the world. Many of the surrounding streets usually open during this time will be closed, so organizers are asking you to plan accordingly.

Middle Gate Principal Judy Gallo refers to The Bee’s education reporter as the paparazzi. It’s all in good fun, but watch out Ms Gallo because the paparazzi will be looking for you and all the other marchers on Labor Day at the parade!

Members of the Friends of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library are ecstatic. Their annual Labor Day book sale is featured this month in Yankee Magazine’s special supplement, “Top 100 Autumn Events in New England.”

Edmond Town Hall celebrated two birthdays Wednesday afternoon. Town Clerk Cindy Simon and building maintenance supervisor Clark Kathan each turned the page on another year. Neither was saying exactly which year.

After spending the summer working in the town clerk’s office, Lindsay Korotash is spending her last week of summer at the US Open Tennis Tournament, where she’s working in the Pepsi luxury box. Next month, the 1999 NHS graduate will return for her junior year at Bates College in Maine.

Congratulations to Jamie Shpunt, who was recently promoted to head teller at Newtown Savings Bank.

Leave it to Peggy Baiad to bring a little levity to ponderous occasions. During a recent meeting of the Legislative Council, Peggy’s cell phone began to ring and she quickly jumped up to answer it. The only problem was, hard as she dug, she could not locate the thing in her purse. With the council in stitches, Peggy finally found it. “Hello,” she said. It was her daughter.

Fred and Ellen Parrella are back in town these days after an exciting trip to St Petersburg, Russia, earlier this summer. The couple took the 45-minute flight to the Russian city from Helsinki, Finland. Ellen said she was struck by the city’s beauty, particularly the Russian architecture.

Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got, ‘til it’s gone. That’s the way I feel about the Porcelain Park in front of Al Penovi’s plumbing supply shop on Washington Avenue. All the broken-down toilets, tubs, and sinks were removed over the weekend, courtesy of Chuck Tilson and his brother-in-law Bruce Moulthrop, leaving the lot open and tidy. It was a nice thing to do, but you know, I kind of miss all the sinks, tubs, and toilets. In fact, I’m getting a little choked up with nostalgia when I think of it.

Before I get too flushed with emotion, I think I better stop, but be sure to…

Read me again.