Rain washes out some Labor Day plans

CNJ Staff Photo: Tony Bullocks

Homer Pena mows his grass Monday afternoon on Wrangler Way. Pena said he planed on having a barbecue with friends and family in the back yard later in the day.

Three days of rain caused most of the holiday weekend to be a washout.

But Monday, the sun broke through the clouds and local residents came outside to enjoy the mild-weathered Labor Day.

Potter House members chose to celebrate by holding a picnic at Hillcrest Park.

Approximately 100 people assembled on the damp grass with tables, chairs and plenty of food and drinks.

The picnic is an annual event for the church, according to Selena Wolfe.

“We (Potter House) have one (picnic) on Memorial Day and Labor Day,” she said. “It’s a good way to start off the summer and end the summer.”

Adults loaded plates with hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad and sat down to enjoy conversation, while the children played impromptu games of tag. Following lunch, organized games of volleyball, football and horseshoes got underway.

“This (picnic) is an all day thing,” Wolfe said, “and I enjoy coming to hang out with friends.”

Faith Wright enjoyed the watermelon.

The 4-year-old happily munched on a thick slice of watermelon as red juice trickled down her chin. According to the youngster’s mother Cindy Wright, attending the picnic has been a Labor Day tradition for her family for more than 12 years. “My daughters love being outside,” Cindy Wright said.

Michael Franklin spent the final day of his long weekend playing golf. Visiting friends in Clovis, the 24-year-old Albuquerque resident said the weekend was disappointing.

“I wanted to spend the entire weekend playing (golf),” Franklin said, “but it just wouldn’t stop raining.”

After completing the 18-hole course, the golfer said he and his friends planned to host a barbecue.

“I hope the weather holds out because I bought a ton of steaks,” he said, “and they won’t taste as good cooked inside.”

Stansell’s Thriftway owner Randy Stansell said the 14th Street grocery store was busier than normal with customers buying buns, steaks and hot dogs. Stansell said he heard many of his customers say they hoped it would stop raining.

“This weekend would have been much better without the rain,” Franklin said, “but at least I got an extra day off work.”