Falling Leaves

Hello and welcome to Friday! But not just any Friday: the Friday before a long holiday weekend. And not just a long weekend, but one that’s predicted to be positively balmy. Excellent for all those outdoor activities you want to get to before the snap in the air puts frost on the pumpkin and fleece on your back. I’m personally hoping to eat some cider donuts and drink hot apple cider at some local farm stand before the weekend is out.

We’re still a little early for fall foliage — according to the weather guys, the cold snap should help kick that into gear — but it’s still the season for leaf peeping. And, if you’re a high school freshman, leaf gathering. It’s no secret that ninth grade earth science brings with it the much-feared leaf project, requiring teens — and, let’s face it, their parents — to search far and wide for a variety of leaves, most of which you’ve never even heard of. Field trips to Arnold Arboretum are on most families’ to-do lists, parents swap info on where to find elusive leaves, and the other day I overheard a desperate mother begging for information leading to the whereabouts of a particular tree, one I’d never even heard of.

Ah, fall in Concord! Lucky for us, the Concord Library has your back: they’ve scheduled noted ornithologist — that’s “bird-expert” to you — and fellow Concordian David Sibley to talk about trees next Wednesday, Oct, 12 at 7 p.m. in the Children’s Room at the Main Library. Don’t let “Children’s Room” fool you; his plan is to talk about leaves and trees found locally, specifically in support of the leaf project. Mr. Sibley, who is known not just for his amazing knowledge of birds but also his incredible illustrations of them, has branched out and written a book called The Sibley Guide to Trees. I wonder if he was inspired by his own childrens’ leaf projects? No matter, if you’re in the middle of your leaf project and need a little help, or inspiration, come let Mr. Sibley be your guide. It’s free; you can call 978-318-3358 if you’d like more information.

And just in case you think you can sneak a peek at some kid’s project from a previous year, the clever teachers at CCHS destroy all leaf projects once they are graded. So yes, you really are on your own.

More Cheer

Yesterday’s Boston Globe had a feature on West Concord’s own , the ice cream parlor that opened this past summer. I have a vested interest in their success — I love ice cream — so if you haven’t had a chance to check out their wares, do stop by. They have an apple pie ice cream that will make you swoon. A perfect treat for a perfect fall weekend.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net or Maureen at mcb23@comcast.net, and we will be happy to help you spread the good news.