Alvin M. Keeling 
Labor Day weekend featured some sunshine on Saturday, but cloudy skies, periods of showers and lots of humidity took over on Sunday and Monday, with highs in the mid-70s across the Ashtabula county.
Despite the weather, many area residents enjoyed a little more summer fun.
Anglers took advantage of better weather Friday and Saturday as they headed to Pymatuning State Park on the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and Lake Chautauqua in western New York.
Parks are well known for outdoor activities.
“We fished and moored at Bemus Point [on Chautauqua Lake]“, said Ron Kidder. “We had lunch at the Casino restaurant.”
Kidder’s wife, Terri, called it a “very successful” trip.
“The boys had a fabulous time,” she said. “Mom too.”
The large campground at Pymatuning Park attracted visitors with tents and campers on Friday and Saturday, but cloudy skies and rain on Sunday and Monday cut camping short for all but hardcore campers.
Despite the weather, Robinson’s Apple Barn in Harpersfield Township sold out many of its famous homemade pies over the holiday weekend, employee Danielle Greenman said.
“We were still busy in the rain,” she said.
The same goes for Lantern Beverage and Car Wash in Jefferson, according to employees Ashcelyn Hosler and Sarah Rodgers.
“We are open today and wish everyone a happy Labor Day,” said Hosler.
Brant Apple Orchard in Sheffield Township closes on Mondays but drew large crowds on Saturday and Sunday. People of all ages lined up to order baked goods, lunch, or cider slush.
“I’m here for a dozen cider and cider donuts,” said Michelle Ryder of Ashtabula. “It’s raining too much to do anything else.”
Rainy weather didn’t dampen the love of Jefferson natives Shelby Morgan and Jeremy Brady, who were married Sunday afternoon at the 1848 Church of Wildwood in the historic Jefferson Depot Village.
Along the shore of the lake in Genève-sur-le-Lac, cars, trucks, golf carts and motorbikes took up much of the parking spaces Saturday in Genève-sur-le-Lac, but rain on Sunday and Monday brought down the usual numbers.
Ashtabula resident Cheryl Freebourn was at Eddie’s Grill on Sunday for a bite of their “famous burgers and fries,” she said.
Youngstown resident Barry Love smothered one of Eddie’s hot dogs with mustard, ketcup, onions and relish.
“It’s the only way to eat them,” he says.
For those disappointed by the Labor Day weekend, rest assured, summer is not quite over in Geneva-sur-le-Lac.
Thunder on the Strip 2022, Northeast Ohio’s largest cycling rally, will roar through the village Thursday through Sunday. The strip will come alive with motorcycle stunt shows, performances, vendors and a bike parade.
Today, expect more rain and humidity as the high is expected to reach 72 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
NWS forecasters say you shouldn’t look for much sun until Thursday and Friday, when summer returns with highs in the upper 70s and lower 80s.
