I always liked the movie “Dead Poets Society,” the film where Robin Williams plays a teacher who inspires his students to “suck the marrow out of life.”

I think we all do our best to do that, but right now I’m just trying to suck the marrow out of summer. And pool owners know what I’m talking about.

Labor Day has always been the weekend to close her down. Drain a little water, get out the tarp, tie it down and drain the filter. Yuck.

Well, I’m not doing it yet.

I’ve made up my mind. Environmentalists can talk all they want about greenhouse gases, but maybe global warming means a few more weeks of pool fun!

Actually, I fully understand the seriousness of global warming and what a real threat it is. Al Gore does indeed reveal some inconvenient truths. But, the reality is the first of September is no longer considered the end of summer, but rather the beginning of the end of summer.

How many people can remember football Friday nights in September that were actually cool? Nowadays, you have to get into at least the fifth week of the season before you feel like you’re getting into football weather.

It isn’t just the weather that’s changed about summer, though. How many people actually remember summer vacations from school that began in May and ended in September? Not anymore.

I kind of have to feel like kids get ripped off a little these days. State mandates and a more competitive environment in education certainly has had tangible benefits, but I remember summertime as a chance to kick back, relax, spend time with family and friends and actually have a helpful break from school.

Time at area swimming pools, Greenbo State Resort Park and drive-in theaters provided some of the best experiences of young adulthood for many people. That’s not to suggest kids don’t have those experiences today, but I think the reduction of that quality time comes with a price.

I welcome the fall. There are several nice festivals, football season and the leaves changing colors in October. It is truly a beautiful time of year.

But I’ll fight the end of summer. I think it’s time for a swim.

Rick Greene is the managing editor of The Ironton Tribune. He can be reached at (740) 532-1441, ext. 12, or by e-mail at rick.greene@irontontribune.com.