When August begins, somehow it feels like the end of summer to me.  When I was a child, this was when class schedules came in the mail, shopping for pens and notebooks began, and the first day’s outfit was planned.  When I taught, this was the month that I began setting up my classroom and working on lesson plan outlines. Now that I work year ’round, the schedule for August is similar to almost any other month, but somehow I still start to mourn the end of summer.

I’m a romantic at heart, so maybe it’s the fact that sun sets earlier.  There’s no more sitting on the porch swing until 8:30 or 9:00 watching the sky change colors.  It also could be that the family schedule begins to become more filled: fall sports practices begin, appointments need to be made and fit around the school day.

So, every year at this time, I try to fit a few more summer activities into the schedule before summer truly ends.  A trip to the beach. A nighttime run to the ice cream stand.  A bonfire with friends.  All of these things remind me that August truly is still summer in New Hampshire and needs to be enjoyed.

This summer has heralded a few changes for the PeKu team, as has been mentioned in previous columns.  Today I am pleased to introduce the two newest members.

• Charles Wangersky– The newest member of our writing team, Charles will be sharing weekly beer reviews on Parched No More.  In July he introduced us to three different ales.  Here’s to many more information and entertaining reviews!
• Suzanne Foglio– She joins us this month as our new holistic fitness expert.  A certified health and lifestyle coach, she brings a new perspective to our weekly fitness expert column on My Fitness Tunes. Look for her first article this Wednesday.

Although we’re busy at work at PeKu, we hope to infuse your summer days and nights with some creative ideas, engaging thoughts, and entertaining columns.  Be sure to return throughout the month to find new inspiration daily.