Fall: Time for Change

By Nicholle Gerharter, Reference Librarian

November 16 , 2005

Although spring is the season most often associated with change, autumn months showcase significant transitions as well.  School begins again, the weather turns nippy and many people trade their summertime outdoor adventures for indoor entertainment.  Fortunately, Natrona County Public Library has materials to enhance every change of season, especially fall.

Thanksgiving involves creating a feast to rival all meals, which is quite a change from the lighter fare of the summer months.  A daunting task for even the most accomplished chef, NCPL has several books to help.  Williams-Sonoma, a cook’s best friend, presents its book, “Thanksgiving.”  Inside is a selection of classic dishes designed to assist new cooks and inspire more experienced ones.  “Thanksgiving 101,” by noted Thanksgiving expert Rick Rodgers, includes seven chapters of recipes detailing how to craft the tastiest morsels, from traditional favorites to international dishes.

For many, fall is synonymous with a change of sports, heralding the arrival of football season.  Viewers can relive the memories of the 2003 Natrona County High School undefeated football season with a home screening of “Mustang Pride: A Championship Season.”  “Favre,” the bestselling biography about Green Bay Packer quarterback Brett Favre, is another football favorite, as well as “LT Over the Edge: Tackling Quarterbacks, Drugs, and a World Beyond Football,” by Lawrence Taylor.  Newest in the tell-all football category is “Romo: My Life on the Edge: Living Dreams and Slaying Dragons” by the hard-hitting Bill Romanowski.

The longer, chillier evenings of fall may mean you have more free time, allowing for some new entertainment possibilities.  NCPL has plenty of materials to fill in that new-found extra time.  To get in the fall spirit, check out “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” or “Home for the Holidays” from our audio visual section.  Both detail less-than-ideal Thanksgiving situations while delivering big laughs.  For family-gathering nostalgia, take a look at the first or second season of the television show “The Waltons” on DVD.

Fiction books, whether light-hearted or serious, also illustrate the changes fall brings.  In “Plain Grief,” by Maxine Chernoff, main character Sarah Holmes learns she must change her grief into love, endurance and acceptance during a memorable Thanksgiving Day.  For children, “Thanksgiving is Here!,” by Diane Goode, is a delightful tale.  Grandma and Grandpa welcome another family member each time the doorbell rings, filling their house with cheer and adventure.

Fall may be a good opportunity to learn a new skill or perfect a talent that you currently enjoy.  If you are ready to learn, Natrona County Public Library can help.
How-to books on everything from fly-tying (“Midge Magic,” by Don Holbrook and Ed Koch), to redecorating your home (Pottery Barn decorating series), to learning a musical instrument (“Acoustic Guitar Bible”) are all available for eager minds.  Craft enthusiasts will find a tremendous selection of quilting, knitting, and painting books and DVDs to enhance any weekend or evening project.

No matter the change of season, NCPL has materials to educate and entertain.

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