It has been quite a summer: heat waves, record rainfall, an earthquake and a hurricane complete with flooding and power outages.  This weekend, Labor Day (already!) marks the traditional, unofficial end of the summer, and we are supposed to kick back and enjoy the last of sun and fun for a final three days.  Hopefully all our readers have survived the summer with their health and property intact, and are ready to enjoy one last, long weekend.

While it is generally a very quiet weekend, there are a few events in the area to entertain you. Town pools are open through Monday for your splashing pleasure.  The Environmental Center is conducting a canoe paddling trip on the Passaic River (if the flood waters recede in time).  Verona Unico is conducting a 5K Run at Verona Park on Monday, and Patch staff will be collecting back-to-school supplies at the Caldwell Farmers Market on Friday afternoon.

Read on for the details of these events and others, and have a safe, enjoyable holiday weekend!

Town Pools are Open

Verona: The Verona Town Pool will be open Friday noon to 10:00 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday noon to to 8:00 p.m., and Monday noon to 8:00 p.m.

Cedar Grove: The Cedar Grove Town Pool will be open through Monday 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Verona Unico Hosts Labor Day 5K Run

Where/When: Verona Park, Bloomfield Ave & Lakeside Ave, Verona; Monday with registration opening at 8:30 a.m.

Why Go?  Verona Unico will use all proceeds from this 5K Run, Fun Run and 1-mile Health Walk to support scholarships and local and national charities. Sponsors will have stations set up, including a health testing station from Mountainside Hospital.  Come out for the exercise, to cheer on the participants, or just to support a good cause.

Pricing: Pre-registration costs are $20 ($18 for USATF members) with tech shirts being provided to the first 500 pre-registered runners.  The day of the Run registration will cost $25.

Blood Drive - Cedar Grove Ambulance Squad

Where/When: Cedar Grove Ambulance Squad Building, 651 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove; Sunday 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Why Go?  So many blood drives were cancelled due to the arrival of Hurricane Irene that blood supplies are dangerously low.  The normal 4 day supply is down to barely 2 days.  Please donate if you are able.

Pricing: free

School Supply Collection at Caldwell Farmers Market

Where/When:  Caldwell Farmers Market, Smull Ave & Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell; Friday 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Why Go?  Caldwells Patch staff will be collecting school supplies for local children to be donated to the Caldwell Food Pantry, which is currently serving nearly 50 families and is in critical need of food donations.  Patch hopes to ease the burden on these families even further by helping to stuff their children's backpacks with new notebooks, erasers, pencils, etc. These children are from Caldwell and West Caldwell so anything that is on your child's supply list is on theirs.

Pricing: Free

Labor Day Paddle at Essex County Environmental Center

Where/When: Essex County Environmental Center, 621A Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland; Monday at 10:30 a.m.  and 2:00 p.m.

Why Go?  Paddle your way up the Passaic River, then float peacefully back down, enjoying nature along the way.  Family friendly for children over 10 years of age. Please check with the Environmental Center – this event may be delayed or cancelled due to high water from the hurricane. 973-228-8776

Pricing: $30 per canoe

Labor Day Pot Luck at Van Vleck with Hoops & Jazz

Where/When: Van Vleck House and Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St, Montclair; Monday at 1:00 p.m.

Why Go? Music, picnicking and hula hooping! In honor of the birthday of horticulturalist Howard Van Vleck, the last member of the Van Vleck family to reside at Van Vleck House, come enjoy a free slice of birthday cake.  Bring lunch and a dish to share at the potluck picnic, while enjoying the music of the Richard Reiter Jazz Quartet.  Did I mention the hula hooping?  There will be hula hooping. Bring a hoop, borrow a hoop, or make one. Tubing will be supplied.

Pricing: Free!