For more information, call 800-554-8540 or visit www.warrennet.org/warrencounty/edt/tourism.html

The spooky season is upon us (and I don’t mean the weeks before the November elections!) Time to visit one of Warren County’s farms to pick out the perfect pumpkin and sample some fresh cider. To get you in the proper mood, the new play "The Tillie Project’’ about a real-life murder victim who they say still haunts Hackettstown begins its run, and an authentic ghostbuster tells of her adventures next week. Ramble our rural roads with Harmony’s Foliage Tour or Pohatcong’s Historic House Tour. And see below for a list of pumpkin patches where you just might find the Great Pumpkin. Happy Wandering!

Opening Friday, Oct. 11: The Tillie Project by Jeanne Murray Walker. Over 100 years ago the murder of a kitchen worker rocketed Hackettstown to national prominence. Many say her ghost still haunts the college grounds. The Centenary Stage Company’s new show, "The Tillie Project," will finally get to the truth about the mystery of "Tillie.’’ Performances are 2:30pm on 10/11, 10/13, 10/16, 10/20 and 10/27; 7:30pm on 10/17 and 10/24; 8pm on 10/11, 10/12, 10/18, 10/19, 10/25 and 10/26; and 11 am student matinee on 10/16. Centenary Theatre, 400 Jefferson St., Hackettstown. Call 908-979-0900 or visit www.centenarystageco.org.

Friday, Oct. 11: The Lenape Indians. This slide show and lecture by archaeologist and educator John Kraft reconstructs the culture and history of the people who once populated New Jersey. Participants will have an opportunity to handle authentic and recreated objects such as masks, clothing, musical instruments and tools. 7:30pm, Catherine Dickson Hofman Branch of the Warren County Library, 4 Lambert Road, Blairstown. Call 908-362-8335.

Friday, Oct. 11; Friday & Saturday, Oct. 18-19: Late Night Jazz at The Roaring Rock Restaurant, featuring the Donna Antonow Trio. Pianist/vocalist Donna Antonow is "the jazz find of the year’’ according to Cabaret Hotline NYC. 8-11pm. Kitchen stays open. The Roaring Rock, Brass Castle Road at Hartman’s Corner, Washington. Call 908-453-2322 or visit www.roaringrockrest.com.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 12-13: 12th Annual Harmony Foliage Tour. This self-guided fall foliage tour through scenic Harmony Township includes Apgar's Cider press, family run since 1924, where you can take a free tour and watch the cider press in operation. Country crafters, antique dealers and flea market/yard sale tables are in the orchard. Other sponsors/tour stops include Merrill Creek Reservoir and Environmental Preserve, The Mill at Harmony (antiques and collectibles), Maple Grove Farm Stand & Garden Center (seasonal produce, cut flowers, straw, pumpkins and gourds) and Harmony Spirits & Grocery (pick up a picnic lunch). Rain or shine. Apgar's Cider Press is on Harmony - Brass Castle Road. Watch for brown and yellow directional signs for the tour. 10am-5pm. Call 908-859-2988 or 908-859-0599.

Saturday, Oct. 12: Guided Walking Tour of Hope. This is your last chance to take the tour before they stop for the winter. Tours of this village of 18^th Century stone buildings, many built by the Moravian settlers, are conducted by H.O.P.E. (Help Our Preservation Effort). The tour begins at 10am at the Inn at Millrace Pond, Route 519, Hope, $8 donation. Call 908-459-9177.

Saturday, Oct. 12: Late Night Jazz at The Roaring Rock Restaurant, featuring the Walt Bibinger Trio. Hear one of the area’s top jazz guitarists in this charming country restaurant. 8-11pm. Kitchen stays open. The Roaring Rock, Brass Castle Road at Hartman’s Corner, Washington. Call 908-453-2322 or visit www.roaringrockrest.com.

Saturday Oct. 12: Astronomy for the Public: Runaway Greenhouse Effect. Free lecture by Roger Optsbaum of Bergen County College and viewing of the night sky with the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey at their observatory in Jenny Jump State Forest, Hope. 8-10:30pm. Call 908-755-6932 or visit http://users.erols.com/njastro.

Friday, Oct. 18: Pasta, Pasta, Pasta at Four Sisters Winery. October is National Pasta Month, so celebrate by picking and choosing your favorites from the variety of pastas and sauces offered. $12/person, reservations required. 6-8pm, Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farms, 783 County Route 519, Belvidere (White Township), located 6 miles south of Route 80 Exit 12. Call 908-475-3671 or visit www.foursisterswinery.com.

Friday, Oct. 18: Ghost Expert Maude Kenyon. With Halloween fast approaching and the spooky season almost here, listen to this modern day "Ghostbuster’’ tell of her experiences and answer questions. Free, refreshments offered, 7-9pm at the Warren County Library/Franklin Branch, located in Warren County Technical School at 1502 Route 57 West, Franklin. Call 908-689-7922.

Saturday Oct. 19: Harry Rinker’s Verbal Appraisal Clinic. Bring your antiques, heirlooms and attic treasures to be appraised by the editor of The Official Rinker Price Guide to Collectibles, America’s leading price guide to objects made after 1920. Tickets are $10 per item, or $5 for spectators. 9am-5pm at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Branch of the Warren County Library. Call 908-362-8335 or 908-459-5976.

Saturday, Oct. 19: 8^th Annual Historic House Tour of Pohatcong Township. A slice of Americana in our own backyard, visitors will experience the magnificent landscape of the Musconetcong and Delaware River Valleys while taking the self-guided tour inside structures from the 18^th through 20^th centuries. The tour features examples of American Revolutionary and Civil War-era architecture, including the only surviving two-story log house in Warren County. A brochure provided contains historic narratives, maps, and information about local establishments providing refreshments. An Antiques Fair will take place throughout the day at the Chelsea Forge Barn and Antiques center. Historic Commission members will be available there with information and literature on how to preserve your home or property. 10am-4pm. Tickets are $15/person, $12/seniors in advance or $20 the day of the tour at Alba Vineyard, 269 Route 627, Finesville (Pohatcong Twp.) Call 908-995-9740 or 908-995-9045.

Saturday, Oct. 19: Annual Studio Open House at Oxford Earthen Ware. Traditional redware pottery by potter Rae Tamashausky and antiques at the Shop of Unusual Things. Free hot cider and cider donuts. 9am-4pm, Zulauf Lane, Oxford. Call 908-453-3686.

Saturday, Oct. 19: Astronomy for the Public: Galaxies. Free lecture by Tony Patti of Amateur Astronomers Inc. and viewing of the night sky with the United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey at their observatory in Jenny Jump State Forest, Hope. 8-10:30pm. Call 908-755-6932 or visit http://users.erols.com/njastro.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 19-20: Alba Vineyard Pumpkin Festival. Pumpkin picking, hayrides, crafters, hot air balloons, food, wine and live music by the Black Widow Blues Band. 12noon-5pm, Alba Vineyard, 269 Route 627, Finesville (Pohatcong Twp.) Call 908-995-7800 or visit www.albavineyard.com.

Sunday, Oct. 20: Family Hiking. Award-winning author Arline Zatz discusses everything you need to know about hiking in New Jersey with your family: What to wear, what to take and where to go are some of the topics covered in this slide show and discussion. Free, registration required. Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center, Route 46, Oxford, nine miles west of Hackettstown. Call 908-637-4125 or visit www.njfishandwildlife.org.

Monday, Oct. 21: Bear Aware. Learn about New Jersey’s largest land mammal, the black bear. The program highlights the natural history of black bears, research being done, and what you can do to minimize human/bear conflicts. Registration required, 6:30pm, Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center, Route 46, Oxford. Call 908-637-4125 or visit www.njfishandwildlife.org.

Continuing: Sporting Art Show at the Musconetcong Gallery at Alba Vineyard. A showcase of work in the truest tradition of Classic American Art, featuring original works by Robert Magaw, Diana Gibson, Bill Brown and Joel Popadics. Through November, reception is 1-4pm Oct. 20. Call 908-995-7800 or visit www.albavineyard.com.

Continuing: Hillcrest Camera Club Photography Show & Nonmember Competition. Runs through Nov. 1, open weekdays 9:30am-4pm. Oxford Municipal Building Gallery, 11 Green Street, Oxford. Call 908-459-5815 or visit http://community.nj.com/hillcrestcameraclub.

 Farms with Hay Rides and Pumpkin Picking (call ahead for hours):

Corrado’s Farm, Mt. Bethel Road, Hackettstown. Includes the Hayride of Horrors, Haunted Walk through their corn maze, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, plus Columbus Day. Call 908-637-4644.

Country Fresh Farms, Route 632 (Asbury Road), Washington Township. Also farm market, apples, cider, fresh pies, ornamental cabbage, scarecrows and mums. Call 908-537-9009.

Denville Farms, 10 Knowlton Road, Columbia. Free hayride with pumpkin purchase. Call 908-459-9869.

Donaldson’s Farm, Allen Road, Hackettstown. Free hayrides weekends and Columbus Day. Also farm market, pick-your-own Indian corn and gourds, cider tasting, farm animals. Call 908-852-9122.

Mackey’s Orchards, Route 519, Belvidere. Hayrides and educational barn, ice cream parlor, farm market, apples, cider, bakery, corn stalks, Indian Corn. Call 908-475-1507.

Marshall’s Farm Market, Route 46, Knowlton. Halloween Hallow, Halloween display and decorations, hayrides ($3.50/person), a straw house for kids, and other activities. Call 908-475-1989.

Matarazzo Farms, Route 519, Belvidere. Also corn maze, farm market, and Four Sisters Winery. Call 908-475-3671 or visit www.foursisterswinery.com.

Piazza Farms & Greenhouses, Route 57, Phillipsburg. Hayrides. Also pick-your-own decorative gourds, farm market, corn stalks, Indian corn, and their own gourmet popping corn. Call 908-859-3228.

Tranquility Farms, Route 517, Allamuchy. Also Fall Fest with scarecrow building, petting zoo, storyteller, corn maze, pumpkin painting and other fall crafts. Farm stand and refreshment stand. Call 908-813-0892 or 908-979-0303.

For more information on places to stay, things to do, where to eat and other attractions in Warren County, click right to http://www.warrennet.org/warrencounty/edt/tourism.html or call the Warren County Tourism Department at 800-554-8540. We hope to see you soon.

The Fine Print: Warren County Wanderings is sent via email as a service provided at no charge by the Warren County Tourism Department. Tell your friends about it. Hello to all the new subscribers, and welcome Donny III. We do not sell, give away or otherwise do anything with your email address except send you Warren County Wanderings. If you would like to be deleted from this email list (but how will you know where to find a pumpkin?) please reply to this message with "remove’’ in the subject line.