The first Monday in September has been celebrated as Labor Day in this country since 1894 to recognize the contributions workers have made to this country.

Also, traditionally, the day has been one that is supposed to be of rest from our labors.

Whether its entertaining on the veranda or watching the marchers wend their way through Downtown on Monday, people in the South's Route 19 corridor will be busy on this day.

"What else should I do over the long Labor Day weekend? Golf, golf and more golf."

-- John Montgomery, 65, Castle Shannon, insurance salesman for Henderson Brothers and a former Keystone Oaks

school board member

"My kids and I will march in the Labor Day parade Downtown and then go get ice cream."

-- Walt Michalski, 45, Peters, staff representative for the state American Federation

of Teachers

"I will relax and enjoy a holiday dedicated to the labor efforts of contemporary men and women."

-- Paul Homer, 54, Whitehall, president, Peters Township

Federation of Teachers

"I am not planning on traveling by air. Instead, I'm going to relax with my friends and neighbors. We're planning an awesome meal, including frogmoor stew, which is a seafood stew."

-- Joan Hodson, 50, Dormont, flight attendant

for Republic Airlines

"I'll spend the time doing things at home that I don't have time to do because I'm at work. Also, I'll spend time with my new granddaughter, Abagail Moeslein."

-- Ken Moeslein, 56, Peters, owner of Swing Line Windows, Dormont

"No plans. Just watching the grass grow."

-- Rudy Bies, 59, Mt. Lebanon,

certified public accountant

"My husband and his friends, members of the Pittsburgh Garden Railroad Society, will be playing with their trains in the back yard."

-- Lois Bodnar, 59, Mt. Lebanon,

retired Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher

"We'll have a family cookout."

-- Kay Bello, 72, Bethel Park, accountant, Help U Sell Dixie Realty, Bethel Park

"I'll be marching with other Bethel Park council members in the Labor Day parade. I'm looking forward to it."

-- Paul Martin, 51, Bethel Park, insurance salesman and municipal councilman

"Typically, I'll work Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, I'll have a family cookout."

-- Jamie Petrolias, 43, Mt. Lebanon, owner of Jamie's Restaurant, Dormont

"I'll be escorting each of my sons to a different college over the weekend. My wife and I haven't had time to decide what we're doing for ourselves."

-- Alan Scheimer, 60, Mt. Lebanon, owner of Dormont Appliance

"I'm going to be reading a good book, 'Twelve Sharp,' by Janet Evanovich."

-- Wanda Dietrich, 55, Bloomfield, librarian at

Scott Township Library