Happy 4th of July week. In addition to reprinting one of the greatest editorials in history (the Declaration of Independence) this Wednesday, we will also be running some other stirring words that helped shape our new nation. Look for them this week.

Americans are known not to take nearly as much vacation as the rest of the world, which may be why the rest of the world is in worse economic shape. (Think of France, where summer vacations are reputed to stretch from late July right through early September.)

But even if you can't seem to get two weeks off in a row, or even one, I hope you get out to smell the flowers or the sea air or a mountain breeze or two in the next couple of months.

New Hampshire's short summer is why it is so precious. I guess that's what the guy at the driving range (for golf, not cars) meant the other hot, sweltering afternoon.

Someone on the range was complaining about the heat and this guy said, “Not to worry. It will be snowing before you know it.”

Cheery thought, that.

Well, at the Union Leader and Sunday News, we are doing our bit to help make summer more fun. We are counting baseballs.

Actually, we are asking Sunday News readers to count the baseballs that will be popping up on random pages each week this summer. Count them up each Sunday, send in the total on the in-paper or online form, and you might win a block of six great seats to see a Fisher Cats game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The ballpark is one of the most beautiful we have seen and the level of ball that the Double A Fisher Cats play is anything but minor league. These are great seats in that great park, and the Fisher Cats are pitching in, too. They will present a baseball signed by the whole team to the two weekly winners.

The contest kicks off next Sunday, July 8.

Fortunately, for you and me, the folks here aren't letting me run the contest. I have visions of the radio station owner from the old WKRP TV program. One Thanksgiving, as a promotional stunt, he threw a bunch of live turkeys from a helicopter hovering high above Cincinnati.

Looking suitably dazed and confused as he wandered back to the station after the ensuing debacle, he said something to the effect, “I swear, I thought turkeys could fly.”

I know baseballs can fly. I hope you catch one or more this summer.

Write to Joe McQuaid at publisher@unionleader.com.