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Well, it's officially summer, with it's warm, sometimes hot days, long weekends and vacations. This is what we wage-slaves have been waiting for since last fall.

Summer in this part of the world is short, so enjoy it while it's here, but first let's "look back" at a few early summers of years past courtesy of the pages of the Kings County Record.

Jordan Mountain July 13, 1888

The farmers are whispering hay-making to each other and are making some preparations to begin the labouring task. But the June bugs of despondency are buzzing their mournful soliloquy in many of their ears and no wonder for in many places people can discern birds finding their young and grass-hoppers skipping from spear to spear through the fields, the grass is so thin.

Newtown July 20, 1888

Farm help is very scarce here at present, though wages are tolerable fair. It appears to be a quite difficult task to obtain the services of stalwart labourers to help gather in the approaching easily "pitched" (this year) hay.

Smiths Creek July 7, 1893

The first picnic of the season was celebrated here last week when a number of merry school children ascended the summit of the "Manning Hill" and partook of the usual enjoyment customary on such occasions. They returned home weary physically but well satisfied with the day's pleasures.

Hampton July 14, 1893

The steam "Clifton" has commenced her weekly excursions, leaving Indiantown every Thursday at 9 a.m. and arriving at Hampton about 12:30 p.m., returning again at 3:30 p.m., which gives excursions a splendid opportunity of enjoying the beauty of Hampton, besides the very fine sail up the river.

Midland July 28, 1893

There was a very pleasant and successful strawberry festival held on the rectory grounds last Wednesday. But alas, just as the tables were filled with every delicacy, which the ladies of Springfield know so well how to set out to tempt the palates of hungry mortals, down came the rain. Not the gentle shower we hear about, but a regular downpour, quickly drenching everyone. Willing hands quickly removed the eatables to the rectory, where the tables were quickly set and the work of eating began.

Hampton July 6, 1894

Monday was a gala day in Hampton. The steamer "Clifton" brought up a large excursion from Saint John. The trains from Saint John brought lots of city folks to enjoy our beautiful air. In the afternoon a baseball game was played between the Station and Village. A very enjoyable private picnic was held on the beautiful grounds of Mr. Jordon at Lakeside. Boating, bathing, lawn tennis, baseball, croquet, swings, etc., furnished lots of enjoyment for the crowd.

Mechanic SettlementJuly 6, 1894

The picnic held at Mechanic Settlement, near Pollett Lake, on Monday, the 2nd, under the auspices of Phoenix Lodge, I.O.G.T., was very largely attended.

The day was favourable, but rather too warm, and, in consequence, the canteen which had been erected for the purpose did a rushing business. The drawing card of the day was the Citizens' Band of Sussex, and the music furnished by them was favourably commented upon by all who listened to it.

Soon after the band arrived, 3 flat bottomed boats were fastened together and, with the members of the band and 3 or 4 oarsmen in them, they were pushed out into the lake, where good music was played. Owing to the boats leaking, they were unable to stay there very long.

Besides having the pleasure of a boat sail, other amusements could be had in the shape of "If you knock the man down once, you get one cigar," etc., but instead of knocking the man down, those who tried their skill in the business seemed to have a pick at the old woman, as she was struck more than any of the others. Then, if tired of this, you could try your luck at pitching a cent into a bowl set in the ground, and if it stayed here you would win 5 cents back, but we think that the 5's won back were scarce. Swinging was also indulged in by the fair sex.

Last, but not least, was the greasy pig chase, which would have been fine amusement had enough tickets been sold to carry it out. Few were prepared for a performance of this kind, however, as they all had on their best clothes.

A large table was set for the tea and a goodly number partook of the supper. Great credit is due to the way in which this table was set and to those who decorated it with the delicacies. About 500 persons were present from the surrounding country, and we think we are safe in saying that the picnic was a success in every particular.

Sussex July 13, 1894

Captain J.M. Kinnear sent us a box of strawberries on Wednesday, which for size and flavour will compare favourably with any we have ever seen. The largest one measured two and a quarter inches in diameter, and few, we venture to say, can be found anywhere to exceed this. The variety is known as the "Sharplet," and excels in flavor quite as much as in size.

Markhamville July 22, 1894

A party of excursionists, comprising the principal young ladies of Markhamville, with a few of the sterner sex, left here on Saturday to visit Little Salmon River Mills, the property of S.H. White & Company. They returned home yesterday. Although somewhat fatigued, they say that they enjoyed themselves immensely. While there, they were the guests of Mrs. Ross, who runs the boarding house, and it seems there was nothing left undone on her part to make the visit one to be remembered.

Sussex July 5, 1895

"Rain before 7, it will stop before 11" is an old saying that was verified Dominion Day. Those of our inhabitants who started to celebrate the "First" by an hour's extra sleep in the morning saw by the streets that rain had fallen, and the clouds overhead remained as a kind of threat to pleasure-seekers that a shower might be expected at any time.

But this did not deter them from making plans for the day's sport and before 9 o'clock the crowds in the streets proclaimed that Canada's natal day was here and about to be celebrated.

Teams from the country and trains from the city brought visitors to the "Hub of Kings," the review in the morning and the races in the afternoon proving great drawing cards. In the afternoon everyone went to the races on Sussex Vale Park, the entries for which gave promise of a splendid afternoon's sport. The showers of the morning, followed by the warm sun of noonday, made the track in excellent shape

Hampton July 6, 1900

The advantages of Hampton, with its varied scenery, fine roads and unexcelled water stretches, are being freely endorsed this season by residents of Saint John and other places.

The Hampton Cornet Band has an invitation to play at a garden party at Rothesay on the 11th. On Sunday afternoon the band will march to Lower Norton church to decorate the grave of one of its late members, Mr. A. Paisley, whose remains were buried in that churchyard. On Monday the band played in the afternoon on the cricket grounds, on Thursday at the station and on Friday they will hold a moonlight excursion. On Wednesday evening they serenaded the return of the bride and groom, Mr. & Mrs. McPherson. On the 12th they go to Markhamville.

Sussex July 5, 1907

The picnic of St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church was held at the exhibition building on July 1st. Despite the bad weather, it was a great success and the attendance was unusually large.

Crowds came from all directions, and some $500 was realized. The band of the 74th Regiment was present in the evening and rendered a splendid program which was enjoyed by those present.

Sussex July 24, 1914

It is predicted that the strawberry crop will be a very light one. One man who picked 16 crates from his patch last year was heard to remark in W.B. McKay & Co's store the other day that the 26 boxes he was then delivering to them was all that he would have this year.

And he further said that his yield was a fair sample of others he knew of. Twenty cents a box was being asked on Thursday.