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Labor Day: In Honor of You

By Bethany Tap

The first Monday of the month of September is always Labor Day. This year, you may be taking a mini vacation for the Labor Day weekend or just kicking back on September 3 (Labor Day). It’s a national holiday, so every full-time worker in America gets the day off. But why do we get a holiday? What are we celebrating? We’re celebrating America’s workers and the contributions they have made to make our country prosperous and strong. In other words, we’re celebrating you.

Originally celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City, the celebration became nationally recognized in 1894. Today, we often associate Labor Day weekend with trips to the beach, outdoor barbecues and grilling, parades, festivals and fairs, and even fireworks.

No matter where you are in the U.S., there is probably a Labor Day celebration near you. These celebrations vary widely and not all of them involve parades and fireworks (although many do, including Knoxville’s Boomsday fireworks celebration.)

If you’re an avid reader, greater Atlanta hosts the Decatur Book Festival  on Labor Day Weekend, and in D.C. you can attend the Library of Congress National Book Festival. And for the more active individuals, Virginia Beach hosts Rock ‘n’ Roll Half-Marathon, which also includes a 5K and Mile in the Sand run.

Other fun Labor Day events include beer and wine festivals, such as the Harvest Festival at First Colony Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia and the Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival in Houston, Texas.

There are also music festivals (such as the Patsy Cline Music Fest in Winchester, VA) where you can celebrate any type of music you like, from folk to jazz. There are art festivals and even a hot air balloon festival in the Atlanta area. There are county fairs with pageants and pet shows and parades. There are even craft festivals, such as the Mile High Kite & Craft Festival on Beech Mountain. You wouldn’t believe the variety of things that people can celebrate on Labor Day. It is as varied as the types of jobs we work.

Labor Day also marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons, but there’s still time for the baseball fans to catch a game on the weekend. Even if going to festivals or county fairs isn’t your thing, you can always kick up your feet and watch a game. Or you can celebrate Labor Day at the ballpark!

With all of these awesome activities to do, there’s no excuse not to do something on Labor Day. But remember, the most important part of this holiday is celebrating you as a worker, whether you’ve worked in the past and have retired, or work presently. You are the reason for Labor Day, a contributing member of society. So go hunker down and read a book, run a half marathon, drink a glass of wine or a beer, watch the fireworks, enjoy the parade or festival, or take yourself out to the ball game. There’s plenty to do and it’s all in honor of you!

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Jasper Highlands: Taking Care of You

When Claudia Lankford and her fiancé, Larry, were looking to purchase land and build their ideal home together, they had some stipulations. Living on a fifteen-acre ranch in Texas, they wanted a new place with four seasons, away from the Texas heat, with a view and privacy. They purchased fourteen acres in the country town of Kimball, Tennessee on the bluffs of Jasper Mountain. An hour and a half from Nashville, the area may seem like it’s in the middle of nowhere, but it’s part of the gated development, Jasper Highlands, and according to Claudia, is definitely “in the middle of somewhere.”

Jasper Highlands is a turn-key company. They take care of everything from house plans to builders and designers. They will “answer any question…make available any thing you need,” Claudia says, and that’s exactly what she was looking for in a community. While she and her fiancé had visited the area before purchasing, most of the details of the exchange were done long-distance. Back in Texas, the couple hasn’t felt lost in the process of purchasing property and beginning to build their million-dollar home. In fact, Claudia described the process as easy and the team at Jasper Highlands as “excellent, down-to-earth people.”

Claudia describes Jasper Highlands as sophisticated. She and Larry are building a million-dollar home, and in return, she says, Jasper Highlands is “supplying million-dollar amenities.” From a gathering pavilion with fireplace to a helicopter pad on site in case of emergency, Jasper Highlands has everything including spectacular mountain views.

“The company is taking care of you,” Claudia insists, describing the developer as “in it for the long run.” They aren’t out-of-state investors, but committed to the area, which is only twenty-five minutes from Chattanooga, Tennessee, recently voted as a top mid-sized city in America and a great walking city. Plus, the area around South Pittsburg, Tennessee and Kimball is already growing and developing. It’s beautiful, up-and-coming country, which is a big part of why Claudia and Larry wanted to move here.

“When you’re out of state and make such a large purchase, you get a little scared,” Claudia explains. But she hasn’t once regretted choosing Jasper Highlands. With customizable home plans and highly recommended builders, Jasper Highlands has an excellent reputation. An architectural committee oversees all homes designed and built in the development, so nothing unseemly will be built. And with remarkable views overlooking Lake Nickajack and the Tennessee River Valley, the homes in the area, whether they are equestrian estates, mini-farms, or small acreage properties, better be equally remarkable.

Claudia and Larry have loved working with Jasper Highlands and would recommend them. While they can’t wait to have their new home finished and ready to move into, the process of working with Jasper Highlands has been easy and satisfying. Claudia says she never felt left out of the process, which is what you want if you’re building your ideal home. You want to be in control, even if you’re halfway across the country. Jasper Highlands gives their clients this experience, gives them the control they want and need over the building and design of their home.

Jasper Highlands - Tennessee Gated Communities

Welcome to Jasper Highlands, a unique residential mountain community, nestled along the bluffs of Jasper Mountain in Tennessee. This remarkable piece of residential real estate is positioned above the clouds with majestic views of Lake Nickajack and the Tennessee River Valley, with property taxes starting at $162.10 a year!. Read More...

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