Events: AAUW Book Sale, Free Fridays, More

This Friday and Saturday is the continuation of one of the state's premier used book sales, the American Association of University Women's famous (well, very well-known) used book sale, held each August at the Bernardsville Middle School.

The sale, which reportedly collected about 40,000 volumes in donation this year, is open on Friday from noon to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"This is probably one of the best used book sales in New Jersey," said Bonnie Gould, a Basking Ridge resident, who co-chairs the event.

One of the reasons, she said, is that the surrounding Somerset Hills area and nearby is a "literary" area where people take care of their books and are widely read. 

Donations also come from estate contributions, and there often are some interesting books that end up in a "special" room where books are individually priced above the usual $1, or 50 cents for children's books.

This year's sale brought in several high-quality, oversized art books, as well as an unusual circa 1910 book on the military that seems to have already been sold by Thursday afternoon, on the first day of the sale, Gould said. 

Virginia Lyttle, the other co-chair of the fundraising sale, said that on the first day, there were 150 people lined up who came in during the first 15 minutes. (Some are dealers or other collectors looking for bargains, or rarities.)

The sale could not survive without the help of volunteers, said Gould — a number Lyttle estimated at about 60 or 70 local people. 

Beryl Hunter of Basking Ridge, writing up book sales on Thursday afternoon for a steady crowd of buyers, said she actually has been pricing books since May.

Gould said the event especially depends on young vigorous help provided by younger members of the community, including those students at who must fulfill a mandatory 25-hour community service requirement.

Gould said one teen arrived insisting that he was only volunteering because his mother was making him. In fact, she said, he insisted, he didn't like books.

But after a few days with the book enthusiasts, he set aside two books to buy, somewhat to his mother's surprise.

"It's a great activity for this area," Gould said of the sale.

Details are below on that and other events:

Free Fridays at Somerset Hills YMCA
When/Where: Fridays through the end of August at both the Riverwalk and main facility of the 140 Mount Airy Road, Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because you can try out the YMCA's pool and many other facilities/activities you've always wanted to, while you have a chance.
Cost: Free 

When/Where: Continuing Friday, noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Bernardsville Middle School, off Seney Drive, and across from the Bernardsville pool, in Bernardsville.
Why Go: Because after many decades and despite Kindles and Nooks, this used book sale draws a crowd, even from other states, and offers tens of thousands of used books carefully sorted by volunteers, including students looking to fulfill required community service hours. Goes for good causes, including assistance for women furthering their education, and help for local libraries.
Cost: $1 for most books, 50 cents for childrens' books, some specially priced books.

Teen Coffeehouse at Bernards Township Library
When/Where: Friday, after the library closes, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the 32 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Because you can have a good time reconnecting with some friends and hanging out midsummer. And see the talents of some of your talented peers on display.
Cost: Free

Bernardsville Farmers Market
When/Where: Saturdays, through the season, at the train station off Mine Brook Road just south of Olcott Square in Bernardsville.
Why Go: Because you can get the bounty of the season, fresh as can be, as well as gourmet goodies. (Hey, this is the Somerset Hills!) Also, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Somerset Hills Republican Club will be handing out campaign literature for Mitt Romney and Joe Kyrillos, and collecting donations for Curbing Hunger to help those in need in Somerset County.
Cost: Free admission, cost of purchases.

Saturday Night Dog Walks at Lord Stirling Stable
When/Where: Meet at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday evening for 7 p.m. strolls with you, your dog and other canine and human friends on the trails at Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave. in Basking Ridge.
Why Go: Enjoy time out on the trails — with the dog walks as the only sanctioned walk that allows those on foot (or paws) to explore Lord Stirling's property.
Cost: $3, with pets to be leashed at all times. For more information about the program, call Martha at 973-635-8672.

Patriots Versus Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
When/Where: Friday at 7:05 p.m. at the .
Why Go: Because it's summer and we still love us some baseball! The Patriots will be playing the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, and there will be fireworks after the game.
Cost: $9.50, depending on your seats.

Blood Pressure and Diabetes Testing
When/Where: Saturday at 1 p.m. at the .
Why Go: For those interested, Alpa Bhuta, R.Ph, will discuss medications for diabetes and hypertension.
Cost: Free.

Beginner's Genealogy
When/Where: Saturday at 2 p.m. at the on Van Veghten Drive in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because who doesn't want to know about their past? This program will provide information about how to go about getting started in a genealogy search, providing helpful hints on where to look.
Cost: $5.

Patriots Versus Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
When/Where: Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at the .
Why Go: Because it's summer, we still love us some baseball and this time we're getting free t-shirts! The Patriots will be playing the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, and the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt. There will also be a car show and a pre-game car parade, plus an autograph session with the Patriots before the game.
Cost: $9.50, depending on your seats.

Summer Concert Series/Bayou Fest
When/Where: Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at in Bridgewater.
Why Go: Because the Bayou Fest, at 5:30 p.m., will be full of Cajun food, Cajun music and much more, with performances by the VooDudes, followed by the county's summer concert series at 7 p.m. with Jeffery Boussard & Creole Cowboys.
Cost: Free.

"Seussical the Musical"
When/Where: Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 3 p.m., at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick.
Why Go: Because the play is lots of fun, based on Dr. Seuss, and because it's being performed by VoiceWorks and featuring 's very own Brittany Powelson.
Cost: $15.

When/Where: Friday, 8 p.m. at Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Why Go: You loved her on American Idol, or you just love Country music.
Cost: $37 to $67

When/Where: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. (Sunday at 2 p.m.) at the Morris Museum, Morris Township
Why Go: You love the theatre, dahhling.
Cost: $25 to $45

When/Where: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Farm at Lafayette, Morristown
Why Go:  and can't make the Morristown's Farmers Market on Sunday.
Cost: Bring your wallet


When/Where: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. from Morris Tourism Bureau, Morristown
Why Go: It's the final historic tour of the season, and it's a good one!
Cost: $12


When/Where: Saturday, noon at Cauldwell Playground, Morristown
Why Go: It's all about family and community, and fun!
Cost: Free to attend

When/Where: Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Morristown
Why Go: You want to eat fresh.
Cost: Bring your wallet


When/Where: Sunday, 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Morristown
Why Go: It's a really, really old church that's still active. That's cause for celebration.
Cost: Free


When/Where: Sunday, 11 a.m. at Ayres/Knuth Farm, Denville
Why Go: You want to see how the game was played in the 1800s!
Cost: $5 to $8


When/Where: Sunday, 4 p.m. at Macculloch Hall Historic Museum, Morristown
Why Go: You love music in a beautiful setting. Bonus, you get two performances!
Cost: $8

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