This past Monday, we celebrated Labor Day, a holiday recognizing the contributions American workers have made to the strength and prosperity of our country.
For me, though, Labor Day has always meant something more. It brings back memories.
Growing up, Labor Day seemed to mark the unofficial end of summer and, in those days, the beginning of another school year.
It also meant the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
For years, the telethon began Sunday night and continued through much of Labor Day, raising money and awareness for muscular dystrophy. Jerry Lewis devoted decades of his life to that cause, and while those Labor Day telethons are now a memory, what they accomplished continues to matter.
Then, of course, there is tennis.
As a lifelong tennis fan, and especially a Jimmy Connors fan, I cannot think about Labor Day without remembering the 1991 U.S. Open.
Connors was 39 years old when he made one of the most memorable runs in tournament history. In the opening round against Patrick McEnroe, Connors lost the first two sets and fell behind early in the third.
I turned off the television and went to bed, convinced it was over.
The next morning, I learned Connors had somehow rallied to win the match in five sets.
Wow!
By Labor Day, his run had become a national story. That day, on his birthday, Connors defeated Aaron Krickstein in another exhausting five-set match and eventually advanced all the way to the semifinals.
I will never forget it.
I also remember one Labor Day weekend when I was 15. We celebrated my cousin Greg’s birthday at Caney Lake in Minden. After spending the day outside in the era of thick suntan lotion instead of today’s sunblock, my fair skin was absolutely cooked.
It became the second-worst sunburn of my life.
Yes, when you are as fair-skinned as I am, you rank your sunburns.
I spent the rest of that Labor Day weekend at home, watching the U.S. Open and the MDA Telethon while trying not to move too much.
This year was much less painful.
My wife and I spent the weekend working around the house, running errands, going to church and enjoying a little time at home. I even had the chance to cook on the Blackstone grill she gave me for Father’s Day last year.
I am still learning.
One thing I have definitely learned is that cleaning the grill afterward is a very important part of the process.
We also had the added excitement of LSU opening its 2026 football season against Clemson in Baton Rouge.
By the time I returned to my normal routine, I felt relaxed, recharged and ready to go.
And maybe that is what makes Labor Day special.
The traditions change. The people around us change. Even the way we spend the weekend changes. But somehow, year after year, we keep adding new memories to the old ones.
I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day with family and friends and made a few memories of your own.
Randy Brown is Regional Publisher and Executive VP of Specht Newspapers, Inc.