Back to school on the beach. Fall is in the air, and everything pumpkin is about to happen. The days are still beautiful, but the air is beginning to feel different. Apples and pears are in abundance in the market and corn and watermelon are taking a back row on produce shelves. The malls and shopping centers are full of back to school shoppers. Moms frantically pouring over the long school supply lists, trying to find the glue sticks and right kind folders to send in brightly colored new backpacks on the first day. Kids are getting haircuts and those clean new shoes. Choosing carefully which outfit will be the “one” to wear on that first day. Teachers are hard at work in their classrooms decorating and poring over lesson plans. Making bright new bulletin boards and name tags for the room of excited smiling faces about to arrive.
Do you have first day of school rituals? A special breakfast with heart shaped pancakes? A note in the lunchbox? Maybe a picture on the front porch or by the school sign. Are you taking a brand new kindergartener to school for the very first time, or saying good morning to your high school senior for the very last first day of school? Maybe your back to school ritual includes coffee or even a Mimosa with other moms to celebrate your 6 hours a day back. I admit I’ve done all of these things.
In your back to school preparations why not stop by the Ocean Shores IGA and pick up a back to school bag. They are available to purchase in the lobby for $9.99. Each bag contains paper, pencils, glue, erasers, Kleenex and more. Whether your kids need these for their own supplies or you want to donate them to the food bank for a kid in need, this is a great deal! Start saving those receipts as you shop for school lunch supplies and turn them in to your school. Remember to take those donations into Anchor Thrift or the Senior Center when your cleaning out the closets. That outgrown coat will make someone smile this fall when its new to them.
You still have one long weekend left to chase summer over Labor Day Weekend. How will you spend it? North Beach offers some great choices for the last weekend of summer. Why not start September with some school spirit? On Friday Sept. 1 is the first North Beach Hyak football game. Dress in gold and black, tailgate in the parking lot and cheer on a new football coach and team. Let’s fill the grandstands’ in grand fashion! Game starts at 7p.m.
On Saturday Sept. 2 from 9-5 at Oyhut Bay Seaside Village, Ocean Shores “Paddle the Shores” paddle event featuring human powered boat races, Poker Paddle and Rubber Duck activities for the kids. Sign a team up and join the cardboard boat construction and races. Speakers, demos and fun. Music festival happening all day in the village square.
Make sure you stop in the Convention Center for the Associated Arts of Ocean Shores Show. So much local talent in the North Beach. Art, live music entertainment and even a beer garden this year. Friday Sept. 1 12-5, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4
Get down to Damon Point and spend the afternoon searching for agates, or visit the jetty and explore the driftwood forts, maybe catch a last summer sunset. Take an after dinner walk on the Weatherwax trail before the leaves change. Kick a soccer ball or toss a football around in one of our great parks and get ready for Fall sports. Go see Kina at the 12th Woman Javaah for a Pumpkin Spice Latte and stroll the beach to remember why we chose this beautiful little beach town to spend all the seasons “On the Beach”.
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