Waterville - Folks all over Maine are taking advantage of their Labor Day to have one last day in the sun.

The signs are everywhere. Cooler nights, leaves starting to change, the transition from baseball season to football season. Summer is almost over.

That means tops on convertibles will be put up soon and outdoor seating at local restaurants will be coming to an end.

For local businesses like Maine Made and More, a downtown Waterville gift shop, Labor Day marks the end of their busiest season. "It's been a good summer," said Maine Made and More owner Emilios Zirtidis. "We've been busy and we saw a lot of tourists from all over, in this country and out of the country. It's done well for us."

For students and staff at local schools, the end of summer means the beginning of the new school year. "Looking forward to a new year. And not a very cold winter," said Abby Violette, a Secretary at Clinton Elementary School.

Some folks don't seem to mind seeing summer come to an end. "It was a nice summer, but it was kind of hot for me. I enjoy the fall," said Marilena Gouvea of Waterville.

For others, like Eric Stout, who is originally from Michigan but now lives in Winslow, the thought of winter isn't so much daunting as it is something to look forward to. "I like the seasons here in Maine," Stout said. "I'm not from Maine, but i like the extreme seasons. I actually enjoy winter. I think it's kind of magical. The deep snows of winter."

Despite the sunny skies on Labor Day, some people can't help but remind us that winter is not so far away. After all, there's only 111 more shopping days until Christmas. "We always look forward to Christmas season," Zirtidis says with a smile.

But not everyone shares his enthusiasm. Linda Cunningham of Clinton is hard-pressed to find anything about winter that she likes. "I don't like paying oil, I don't want to wear a coat, I don't want to wear hats, I don't want to wear gloves."

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