Category: Adult Resources

Parfait au chocolat

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

While the oldest recipe named “parfait” was published in an 1869 French cookbook (it was coffee flavored), the chocolate parfait was created in 1894 in France.  Parfait literally means perfect in French!  There are a couple of ways to make parfaits. The traditional French-style uses sugar syrup, eggs, and cream. The American style layers parfait cream, ice cream, and flavored gelatin in a tall, clear glass topped with whipped cream, fruit and liqueurs. The parfait has recently taken a healthier approach using yogurt layered with nuts and fresh fruits, instead of ice cream and sugary syrups.

Today is all about the chocolate parfait because it’s National Chocolate Parfait Day!  That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with other flavors. Fruit and cream go quite well with chocolate as well as crunchy favorites like pretzels or cookie bits. A delicious chocolate parfait would be a perfect way to end (or start) your day. Try this versatile recipe at home today.

Read some chocolate mysteries while you indulge in your chocolate desert:

Chocolate Cream Pie            The chocolate thief

Also learn French !

Mango Languages User Guide

The Help Book Online – in English and Spanish

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation and Open Hearth, Inc. are offering the sixth edition of The Help Book online in English and Spanish. The purpose of this guide is help adults and children in the region better access health and human services.

More than 300 organizations and programs are profiled  here. You can find information about their services, contact information, and more. Whether you’re looking for affordable housing, emergency and supplemental food, employment services, health care, or substance abuse treatment, The Help Book has resources you can use.

Should you have any feedback on The Help Book, please do not hesitate to email pchf1@pchf1.org.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center

~ ccllauras ~ Leave a comment

Have questions about repairing your generator, lawn mower, or other small engine? Use your library card to access the Small Engine Repair Reference Center (a resource from PA’s Power Library) and find answers!

The Small Engine Repair Reference Center contains “detailed repair guides for all types of small engines” and “offers assistance in providing routine maintenance (tune-ups, break service) as well as extensive repairs such as engine and transmission disassembly.”

“Search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type and model numbers.”

Access the Small Engine Repair Reference Center through the library by visiting chescolibraries.org, selecting “Tools and Research” from the ribbon of choices at the top of the page, selecting “All CCLS Databases,” and then select Small Engine Repair Reference Center. Enter your library card number when prompted.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

Today, April 30th, is National Raisin Day AND National Oatmeal Cookie Day.  The first National Raisin Day was celebrated in 1909 and promoted by the raisin growers of California. Advertisements placed in papers and on the radio, flyers delivered door to door leading up to the day included recipes, deals, and announcements reminding everyone to celebrate National Raisin Day on Friday, April 30th. When the day arrived, restaurants, dining cars, hotels and steamships around the country included dishes featuring the dried fruit.  Schools, local and state governments were involved in providing education and information about the quality of California raisins and their health benefits.   People have been enjoying raisins for as long as grapes have been growing. Raisins are naturally low in fat and contain healthy nutrients.  California produces the majority of the world’s raisin supply.

Although there is no known origin of National Oatmeal Cookie Day.  Oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s. The cookies quickly became popular, and by the early 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats. Oatmeal cookies are also considered health food because they are an excellent source of iron and fiber. Just another reason to have an oatmeal cookie today!

In honor of these two complimentary days, a staff member wanted to share her mother Peggy’s hand-written recipe for Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies.

Try these 5 Cookies to Celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day and eBooks:

The Perfect Cookie    Cookie perfection     My First Cookbook

Free online concert event: “Space Songs: Through the Distance”

~ ccllauras ~ Leave a comment
Image by Lawrence Azerrad

“Join the National Air and Space Museum for a YouTube concert event, sharing songs about space and isolation to celebrate how extreme situations can bring out the very best in us all and why there’s no challenge we can’t face together. The concert, hosted by Tested’s Adam Savage, will feature special guests and performances by Sting, Clipping, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Dan Deacon, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Valerie June, Lukas Nelson, Grace Potter, John Roderick, and Vagabon.”

This concert event was held on April 30th, but you can still learn more and find the link for viewing the concert here.

Interested in other online events and programs from the National Air and Space Museum? Visit their online events page to start exploring!

April 29th International Dance Day

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

Did you know today is International Dance Day? It is a day set aside by the International Dance Council to promote public awareness of the “art of dance”. The date was chosen because it is the birthday of famed French dance artist Jean-Georges Noverre, (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet.) The intention of the International Dance Day message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – DANCE!

International Dance Day is especially meant to get those not usually interested in professional dancing interested in it. It’s a time for promoters and practitioners of dance to reach out to a wider public.

So how about we take time to dance today, in our homes, in our yards? How about organizing a social distancing dance party with your neighbors? Have everyone come out at one time and dance in your front yards. Or set up a virtual dance party with friends and family on a video chat platform such as FaceTime, Zoom or Skype?

Let’s Get Moving!

Also check out these eBooks:

How do you dance    Pete the cat  Ballet stars

Resource Guide and Contacts for Community Needs and Referrals

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

The Chester County Department of Human Services has created an online Resource Guide for community needs. Included are resources for food, shelter, mental health, substance abuse, and much more.

They are updating this resource continuously so feel free to check back to see any updates or to contact the Department of Human Services if you have recommendations to add to their guide.

***If you were not able to find what you were looking for in this guide, please contact one of the Information and Referral Agencies listed below or try calling Chester County 2-1-1- by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-964-7922 (TTY and language services are available in more than 170 languages and dialects). Chester County residents can also text their zip code to 898-211.***

Chester County Information and Referral Agencies

  • Human Services Inc. (West Chester Area) or 610-429-3033
  • La Comunidad Hispana (Kennett Area) or 610-444-7550
  • Maternal and Child Health Consortium (Coatesville Area) – or 484-378-4030
  • Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center (Southern Chester County) or 610-932-8557
  • Phoenixville Area Community Services (Phoenixville Area) or 610-933-1105

Financial Aid Webinars and Virtual Application Sessions

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

PHEAA will offer Financial Aid Webinars in May on the following dates from 6-7 pm: May 7, 14 and 21 as well as offering one on one virtual application assistance.

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Agency (PHEAA) will be providing an overview of how to apply for all types of financial aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required to determine eligibility for most student aid programs such as the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, institutional offers, and federal student and parent loans. This will also be a great opportunity to have PHEAA representatives answer questions you may have.

Click Here to register for the May 7 webinar from 6-7 pm 
Click Here to register for the May 14 webinar from 6-7 pm 
Click Here to register for the May 21 webinar from 6-7 pm 

Celebrate National Blueberry Pie Day with new recipes in our Flipster magazines!

~ Book Club Mom ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Anastasia Chaplinskaya on Pexels.com

Happy National Blueberry Pie Day! This is the season for berries and you can find new pie and berry recipes in many of our magazines on Flipster.

Here’s a peek at a few magazines that feature pie and berry desserts in their latest issues.

We have more than 80 magazines available on Flipster to read with your library card. Sign in here and get your rolling pin ready!