Mon., Sept. 7 is Labor Day, an annual celebration of the American labor movement. According to U.S. Dept. of Labor, there is still some disagreement over who first proposed the holiday for workers. Some records show Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was first to suggest a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold." While others believe machinist Matthew Maguire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. The holiday is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the United States.

The Daily Freeman has a rundown of how various services will be affected by the holiday:

• Amtrak: Sunday schedule
• Banks: Closed
• City, town and village offices: Closed
• County offices: Closed
• Federal offices: Closed
• Financial markets: Closed
• Greene County Transit: No service
• Mail delivery: None
• Metro-North: Sunday schedule
• Schools: Closed
• State offices: Closed
• Trailways: Regular schedule

The Columbia County Fair continues through Mon., Sept. 5. Scheduled to take place on the final day of the 176th annual event: Open horse show (9 a.m.); Ghent Band Concert (11:30 a.m.); Oxen Demonstration (11:30 a.m.); Sue Wee Pig Races (all afternoon); the Columbia County Fair Cupcake War (12:30 p.m.); and, the Brad Comedy Hypnosis Show (8 p.m.). All events take place at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 182 Hudson Ave., in Chatham.