Fall into Autumn

With crisp cool air and colorful leaves, Fall has so much to offer! From hiking to harvesting, cooking, the Fall Classic and more, below are five titles available from the Mercer County Library System and six upcoming Mercer County events!

1) 50 Hikes in New Jersey
ISBN: 9781682684443
Call #: NJ 796.51 FIF
Published in: 2020
MCLS Catalog Quick Link

What to know: 50 Hikes walks you through each trail like a virtual guide with both the practical, "Campgaw Mountain may be seen in the foreground to the right, and the New York City skyline is visible in the distance on a clear day" (p.47) and novel, "You'll notice several clumps of prickly pear cactus--the only native American cactus that grows east of the Rocky Mountains" (p.46).

About this title: Each entry begins with a short history and summary of the location; a map of the trail; an elevation profile chart; trail statistics including total distance, hiking time, vertical rise, difficulty; links to additional maps and GPS coordinates; and highway directions.

Features:

• Hikes at a Glance chart helps compare and contrast trails
• Map of all hiking trails in relation to one another
• Introduction includes information for beginners on hiking and the nature of New Jersey's geology and topography
• Includes related resources and websites

2) AMC's Best Day Hikes in New Jersey
ISBN: 9781628420814
Call #: NJ 796.51 AMC
Published in: 2019
MCLS Catalog Quick Link

What to know: Trail Description goes in-depth about what to expect on your hike, "Island Beach State Park has nine easy-to-moderate trails that show off dunes, beach plums, shadbush, bayberry, fiddler crabs, and osprey nesting platforms" (p.166) and guides readers through the trail, "Look for the sassafras tree's slate-blue berries on stems that turn crimson in autumn...In the distance, to the left, is an osprey nesting platform. Look for fiddler and horseshoe crab shells. Turn around and head back, going straight at the sign for the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay (nature center on your right)" (p.167). Also includes sections titled Did You Know?, Other Activities, and More Information.

About this title: Each entry begins with a short summary, directions from the highway, and statistics about the trail including location, rating, distance, elevation gain, estimated time, links to online maps, and icons corresponding to the At-a-Glance Trip Planner chart. Also included is a map and photo of each trail.

Features:

• Locator Map shows all hiking trails in relation to one another
• Contains a total of 50 trails, but does not completely overlap with 50 Hikes in New Jersey
• At-a-Glance Trip Planner helps compare and contrast trails, includes additional information in planner like if there is a fee or if snowshoes may be needed
• Sections on Trip PlanningandSafety and Leave no Trace
• Appendix includes additional related hiking trails

3) Fall Scaping: Extending Your Garden Season into Autumn
ISBN: 9781580176811
Call #: NF 635.953 OND
Published in: 2007
MCLS Catalog Quick Link

What to know: If you're looking to bring some of the beauty of nature in Fall to your own yard, this title has you covered. A wide variety of plants are included: long-blooming perennials, true fall-bloomers "such as Autumn joy, fireworks--a cultivar, and golden fleece" (p.17), to hydrangeas Decatur Blue, Lilacina, and Penny Mac. Section It's for the Birds covers plants that provide "seed-rich heads that feed hungry birds well into the winter months" (p.141). A generous index in the back helps in locating specific plants.

About this Title: Fall Scaping’s leisurely, but passionate, style moves at its own pace, allowing the reader to absorb its content in a relaxed manner.

Features:

• USDA Hardiness Zone Map
• Fall Garden Care Primer
• Shopping List profiles fall plants with photos, descriptions, and how much sun and what type of soil are necessary
• Fall Technique feature has a total of 38 helpful articles

4) Fix-It and Forget-It Best of Fall Recipes Quick and Delicious Slow Cooker Meals
ISBN: 9781680995350
Call #: 641.5884 FIX
Published in: 2019
MCLS Quick Link

What to know: This fall cookbook includes dishes such as Autumn Harvest Pork Loin (p.76), Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (p.35), Spicy Hot Cider (p.241), Pumpkin Pecan Pie (p.221), and many more. Covers Appetizers and Dips, Soups and Stews, Meaty Mains, Veggie Mains, Side Dishes, and Desserts and Drinks.

About this title: Each entry features instructions, ingredients, the type of slow cooker recommended, and how many servings each dish provides. Some recipes include a section titled Note which offers variations on ingredients or serving styles.

Features:

• How to choose the best type of slow-cooker for you
• Tips and Tricks
• 70% of all recipes have full-page photos of finished product
• Metric conversion chart

5) Betty Crocker Halloween Cookbook
ISBN: 9781118388945
Call #: 641.568 BET 2012
Published in: 2012
MCLS Quick Link

What to know: From Great Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Pancakes (p.96) to Spiderweb Applesauce Cake (p.136) to Jack-o'-Lantern Whoopie Pies (p.170) and Friendly Ghost Cupcakes (p.112), this fun-filled title captures the upcoming Halloween season. Includes recipes for Bewitching Bites & Drinks, Mystifying Main Dishes, Spooky Cupcakes & Cakes, and Frightful Cookies & Other Treats.

About the title: Individual entries begin with a title, the amount of prep time, total start to finish time, total servings, and number of servings per person. Ingredients are broken down on the side of the page by type. For example, the Tarantula Treats (p.106) have ingredients listed for the cake mix, and then frosting and decorations. The recipe itself and nutrition information take up the bulk of the page with a suggestion section called Terrifying Tip near the bottom. A large, glossy photo of the completed recipe is found on the opposite page.

Features:

• Photographs of every entry’s completed product
• Terrifying Tips offers variations on each recipe
• Metric conversion guide
• Recipe Testing and Calculating Nutrition guides

Bonus Topic: The Fall Classic

With Major League Baseball’s World Series just a few weeks away, it's an excellent time to catch up with MCLS' baseball titles from books to DVDs.

Don't forget to check out our digital offerings on eLibraryNJ/Libby and hoopla.

Upcoming Events in Mercer County:

Terhune Orchards'"Read & Pick is an innovative program that combines a hands-on farm activity with your young child followed by an education program with stories highlighting the fruit or farm area". Dates available are September 27, 2022 and October 4, 2022.
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"Oktoberfest is an annual event combining Fall activities and excitement into one fun-packed day! Family favorite activities include a pumpkin patch, hay rides, corn maze, amusements, crafters and vendors". Oktoberfest is scheduled for October 16, 2022 with a rain date of October 23, 2022.
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Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell has a "4-acre corn maze with 2 miles of paths, Victory Bridge, Maze Master Tower, and music throughout! Features maze games with hidden clues, time clocks, and group flags. Visit the courtyard with pumpkins, a food tent, games and more". Dates available from late September through the end of October.
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Ewing Fall Spin is an "Annual Bike Tour of Ewing on Saturday, September 24, 2022. The ride will once again be the kick off event for Ewing’s annual Community Fest event".
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Lawrence Township Community Day "is scheduled for Sunday, October 2, 2022 at Central Park from 12p.m. to 4 p.m. Join us for a family fun day to celebrate all of Lawrence Township. There will be music, children's entertainment, food and much more".
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Robbinsville's Tomm May Trail Day on October 15, 2022 has "Free family fun for all ages! No registration needed! With nature journals, nature walk, rock painting, spotted lantern fly trap making and more".
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- by Lauren Costantini, West Windsor Branch