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Cooking With Kids @ Seneca Free Library (November 15, 2024 Update)

ANNOUNCEMENT:
Cooking with Kids is going on another break as we speed along into family time during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Keep an eye out here and on our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram) for our return date in December!

REPORT:
Cooking with Kids hit a sweet note in Thursday’s session! Deb Haverkamp gave them a reason to be Thankful for pumpkin as they mixed and baked Pumpkin Cookies! They even made their own almond butter in the food processor and maple cream cheese icing to frost the cookies with. And I gotta tell ya, folks, these cookies were G-O-O-D! They’re like happiness in a tiny baked treat. While they waited for the cookies to bake, our cooking crew did clean up and made pumpkin smoothies. It was originally Deb’s hope to teach the kids how to make pumpkin pie, but sadly, oven limitations and time constraints made it too restrictive to do. Hopefully our young master chefs will get a chance to help with pies over the upcoming holiday! You couldn’t ask for better help than our cooking kids! We look forward to hearing about their culinary adventures when we come back from break in December. Special thanks to our participants, and especially to Deb Haverkamp for making this another awesome event!

Want to give the pumpkin cookies a try? Visit sallysbakingaddiction.com/pumpkin-cookies/ for the recipe! (It’s there, I promise, just go to the print friendly version to get around all the fluff and filler.)


REPORT:
This Thursday’s Cooking with Kids brought back breakfast for dinner! (11/7/2024) Deb Haverkamp started the kids off by making home style breakfast burritos with browned sausage, scrambled eggs, and home shredded cheddar topped with fresh cut avocado and salsa. (Take notes, adults, we’ve got kids that can de-stone an avocado like a pro!) Once the first round of dishes were done, the kids went back to work making strawberry and banana smoothies with Greek yogurt, peanut butter, oatmeal, and honey. The kids had a blast and this librarian is lucky to share that the breakfast burritos were awesome and the smoothies were creamy and delicious. Great job, kids! And special thanks to Deb Haverkamp for teaching another installment of this fan favorite program!

REPORT:
Thursday’s Cooking with Kids was wickedly wonderful! (10/24/2024) Deb Haverkamp led our cooking crew through how to build a frightfully festive veggie tray and they made their own ranch dip from scratch (without even using a ranch seasoning packet!). Deb said she even plans to use this recipe at home from now on instead of using the season packets, everyone liked it so much. They also made popcorn balls and learned first hand how humidity and temperature variations can impact cooking. Special thanks to Librarian Deb Haverkamp for hosting another fun and educational Cooking with Kids event!

REPORT:
Cooking with Kids hit the harvest season running on Thursday, September 26. They made chili cheese dogs in honor of fall sports, apple cake from scratch, and fresh applesauce with zero additives. The kids had so much fun mashing apples in the sieve they didn’t want to go home at the end of the session! Special thanks to Deb Haverkamp for hosting yet another fantastic session of Cooking with Kids! This session, we also extend an extra special thanks to the Knapp family for sharing their orchard fresh apples and inspiring this week’s cooking projects!

REPORT:
Deb Haverkamp and the Cooking with Kids crew went full meal prep on September 19. They started with Deb’s daycare-famous goulash recipe, chopped and mixed a classic broccoli salad with real freshly fried bacon crumbles, and topped off the session with toasted garlic bread. This crew could open a restaurant if they had the mind to. They did such an awesome job! It looked great and tasted amazing, as evidenced by the extras they shared with this lucky librarian. Bravisimo, kids! And a special thanks to Deb Haverkamp for hosting yet another fantastic session of Cooking with Kids!

REPORT:
Cooking with Kids returned September 12 in the corniest way possible! Librarian Deb Haverkamp and the kids popped into harvest season with all things corn. They started with a baking project and made some amazing cornbread. Next they shucked full ears of corn and boiled them for corn on the cob. Then they learned three different methods for making popcorn which included air popped, machine popped, and stove top popping. Because the kids did such a great job following instructions and keeping up on the cleanup, they even had enough time to practice making oven baked CARAMEL CORN! And let me tell you, I’m not a big fan of most caramel corn, but this lightly glazed batch was pretty darn tasty and had a great texture. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to try it! And you can too with the recipe shared in the images below! Special thanks to Deb Haverkamp for hosting this class and all of our participants who made it possible!

REPORT:
Librarian Deb Haverkamp hosted the last summer program session of Cooking with Kids on Thursday, August 8, 2024. The threatened rain held off and the overcast skies made for a perfect day to do another round of campfire cooking! This time they made breakfast with camp sausage patties and pancakes from scratch over wood coals. The kids had a great time and the library took on an aura of camp nostalgia as the smell of burning wood trickled in from outside. It was a great way to wrap up our season of adventure before the kids go back to school for the fall semester. Thank you to our participants, and a big thanks to Deb Haverkamp for providing our young chefs with these amazing experiences!

REPORT:
Cooking with Kids met on Thursday, July 25, with Librarian Deb Haverkamp leading the group. Plans had to pivot rather quickly for this session as it was determined that cooking the kids along with the menu items outside would be an unfortunate side effect of the unanticipated spike in heat. Instead, Deb and the kids made snickerdoodle cookies in the community room that came out with a delightfully crisp and airy texture as well as a warm and light flavor! As you can see in the pictures, the kids were eager to add creativity to their culinary skills today. Great job kids! (And thanks for sharing!)


REPORT:
Thursday, July 18, 2024’s Cooking with Kids session with Librarian Deb Haverkamp was a summertime home run! The kids took to the campfire again and made Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler! The librarians working the circulation desk were fortunate enough to get to try the results, and I think everyone agrees, the results were super good! Great job kids, and special thanks to Deb Haverkamp for stepping up each session and coming up with fun and exciting new things for the kids to try!

REPORT:
Cooking with kids took a turn for the rustic on Thursday, June 20, 2024 as Librarian Deb Haverkamp brought the crew outside for a session of camp cooking! Deb brought in a portable fire pit and set up in the rock parking lot behind the building. She pre-fired a batch of coals to be ready for the kids to arrive. The kids diced onions and peppers while the hamburger browned in the Dutch Oven on the coals. Once the meat was cooked, they added their vegetables and tomato sauce, and finally stirred in some cubed Velveeta. The final result of the Hamburger Corn Casserole looked amazing and it was a great experience for the kids to try a new cooking technique!


REPORT:
Thursday, June 13, 2024 the Cooking with Kids crew got one of their biggest wishes fulfilled. They made their own pizzas, with crust from scratch, homemade sauce, and their choice of freshly browned hamburger, sausage, pepperoni and cheese. The aroma coming from the pizza oven was out of this world amazing. Everyone was super excited with this cooking project and it sounded like they had a lot of fun as well!


REPORT:
Thursday, May 9 2024 Deb Haverkamp and our cooking with kids crew made fruit pizza!

This is where the gallery would go if our social media guy had remembered to post the pictures he and Deb took from the event. They were some really good pictures. But here’s an example of what the kids made, “borrowed” from the internet instead:


REPORT:
Thursday, April 25, 2024 the Cooking with Kids crew made Corn and Black Bean Salsa, fresh Guacamole, and Blackened Fish Tacos. Librarian Deb Haverkamp admitted the kids were a little tentative about the tacos at first, but once they tried them, the majority agreed they were a hit. Going in for pictures early on, the salsa smelled and looked amazing. And you know the kids loved what they made when the circulation desk workers don’t even see any leftovers!

Stay tuned for future Cooking with Kids Sessions with Deb coming up in May. She’s already got the wheels turning on what she wants to do next with the crew!

REPORT:
Thursday, April 4th Cooking with Kids featured spaghetti with homemade meatballs and sauce! It looked and smelled amazing. These kids have skills and keep learning new things each time! Special thanks to Librarian Deb Haverkamp for running this program and making it as fun and successful as it is!

As a reminder, we only have a total of 6 spaces for each Cooking with Kids session due to space, safety, and supervision reasons. Slots are filled on a first come, first serve order, as much as we hate having to turn anybody away for a session. Make sure your little chef is signed up well before the class starts. This isn’t a class we can slip in a last-minute addition as much as we might want to.

REPORT:
Cooking with Kids had another full turnout on Thursday, March 21, as Librarian Deb Haverkamp taught the class how to make biscuits and gravy from scratch! The kids had a great time working together and Deb reported that the biscuits and gravy were a big hit with everybody. Great job to our chefs in the making and Deb Haverkamp in cooking up a classic this session!


REPORT:
Thursday, February 22, Cooking with Kids met for another learning experience in food and fun, this time baking coffee cake and trying out an assortment of smoothie recipes. The entry smelled like fresh baked cinnamon, drawing comments of delight from patrons and librarians alike.

Smoothie Recipes to try
Smoothie Moves
Smells great! Cake in the oven.
Baking Coffee Cake

REPORT:
Thursday February 8 Cooking with Kids was busy making Ham Loaf, Meat Balls and 7 Layer Salad! Don’t come on these days, if you are hungry, it’s hard to resist the aroma.

Let’s get messy.

The pictures below are from the January 11th class making Chicken Noodle Soup.

Making noodles!
Cooking chicken and dicing veggies.
Enjoying the results.

Seneca Free Library Thanksgiving Schedule

Schedule Changes Coming for Thanksgiving Week:

Thanksgiving is coming soon and we have the following holiday schedule changes for our library friends and patrons to be aware of:

Wednesday, Nov 27 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM;
Thursday, Nov 28, Thanksgiving Day – Closed;
Friday, Nov 29 – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM;
Saturday, Nov 30 – Closed.

Our regular library hours will resume on Monday, December 2.

Christmas Bureau Donations Accepted at SFL Till Dec 6!

Christmas Bureau Donations Accepted at SFL Till Dec 6!

From now until December 6 we are accepting donations to the Nemaha County Christmas Bureau! Suggested donations include new toys for boys and girls ages infant-12, hats, gloves, socks, towels, blankets, toiletry items (shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, toothpaste, etc.), and stocking stuffers. Financial gifts may be turned in at the desk and made payable to the Nemaha County Christmas Bureau. Please do not leave monetary donations unattended in the donation box. Also, please bring all donations inside the library during our regular business hours (M-TH 9A-7P, F 10A-5P, & Sat 9A-1P). Donations left outside while we are closed are subject to theft, moisture damage, and infestation by creepy crawlies, which ends up benefiting nobody. Donations for this program are locally distributed only in Nemaha County and are considered tax deductible.

Check your calendar. The deadline is closer than it may feel, especially with the Thanksgiving Holiday coming up!

Let the Games Begin!

Seneca Free Library is Starting a Games Initiative

…but we need your help!

We are starting a table games initiative for library game day events and regular in-house use (sorry, no checkouts from the library), but we need some help in building our game library. Right now we’re especially short on games for younger kids. With the program just starting, we hate to sink a lot of money into acquisitions and storage for something that might not see a lot of use right away. If you have a chance to look through your board and card games at home and find some gently used options that just don’t make it out of the box anymore (or ever), we’d love to see them here! If you have some common games (or what’s left of them) that are missing pieces and ready to be replaced, we could always use some spare parts on hand in case a die rolls away or Professor Plum’s token bounces off the table and disappears into the stacks. (Don’t even get us started on the Monopoly Dog chasing the car or the havoc of the Candyland Gingies. Oh, the humanity!)

Ideal games for library use are ones that don’t require a large amount of setup and that can be learned and taught to the other players in five minutes or less. Games that require batteries to operate are less ideal (due to ongoing cost) but will be considered. Games that make a mess (i.e. Pie Face) or pose sanitary concerns (i.e. Speak Out) are not appropriate for library use, as entertaining as they might be at home.

Our Current Inventory Includes:

(Updated 11/18/2024)

  • 5 Second Rule (Standard Ed., 3 or more players, Ages 10+) (x2 copies)
  • Animal Dominos (Kids Ed. 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Apples to Apples (Standard Ed., 4-8 players, Ages 12+)
  • Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Battleship (Standard Ed., 2-player, Ages 7+)
  • Bunco Party (Standard Ed. 2-12 players, Ages 8+)
  • Candy Land (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Chess/Checkers (Standard Ed., 2-player, Ages 5+)
  • Clue (Original Ed., 3-6 players, Ages 8+)
  • Clue (Card Game Ed, 3-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Connect 4 (Classic Grid Ed., 2 Players, 6+)
  • Count Your Chickens! (Standard Ed., 2-4 players [cooperative play], Ages 3+)
  • Dominoes (Double Six Color Dot Set, 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Dominoes (Classic Black Wood Set, 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Family Feud (Platinum Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Guess Who (Original Ed., 2 players, Ages 6+)
  • Heads Up! (Standard card-based version, 2-6 players, Ages 8+)
  • Life (50th Anni Ed, 2-3* players, Ages 9+)* 3 car tokens missing
  • Mancala (Basic Ed., 2 players, Ages 6+)
  • Memory (Original Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Monopoly (Standard Ed., 2-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Mousetrap (Standard Ed, 2-4 players, Ages 6+)
  • National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run Set
  • Nick at Nite Classic TV Trivia (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Outburst (Standard Ed., 2+ players, Age Adult)
  • Playing Cards (Standard Deck, age and players vary by game played)
  • Quiddler (Standard Ed., 1-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Seneca-opoly (Local Ed., 2-8 players, Ages 8+)
  • Scrabble (Standard Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Skribble (Standard Ed., Ages 8+)
  • Suspend (Melissa & Doug Ed., 1-4 players, Ages 8+)
  • Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament Poker Set (2-10 players, Ages 8+)
  • Trouble (Original Ed., 2-4 players, Ages 5+)
  • Uno Dominoes (Standard Ed., 2-6 players, Ages 7+)
  • VisualEyes (Standard Ed., 2-8 [or more] players, Ages 8+)
  • War (Game specific card set for War and Memory, 2-4 players, Ages 3+)
  • Yahtzee (Standard Ed., 2-10 players, Ages 8+)
Gerald and Tess ask Sherri and Nelson for Recommendations
“So many options!”

Games We Are Currently Looking For Include:

  • Chutes and Ladders (or Snakes and Ladders)
  • Hi-Ho Cherry Oh
  • Jr. Editions of most games
  • Memory (We have the Original edition, but would consider variant theme editions)
  • Settlers of Catan
  • Sorry
  • Uno

Guidelines for Using Library Games

Games and game pieces are not available for checkout. They are meant to be played inside the library (or meeting room for special events).

You are responsible for any game that you sign for and borrow. Lost pieces or damage to the game board or cards may result in fees necessary to fix or replace game components.

Games must be checked out and signed for one at a time. The first game must be turned in at the desk and all pieces must be accounted for before checking out another game. The number of games borrowed on a daily basis is otherwise only limited by the constraints of library operating hours.

All games must be completed and turned in before the end of regular library hours or before the end of a gaming event. The library will not stay open late just for games to be completed.

Library staff are not responsible for teaching, moderating, or providing players for a game. Be sure to borrow games appropriate for your number of players and the players’ ages and ability to learn or comprehend the rules. If the standard rules for a game are missing for some reason, let the librarian on duty know and we’ll see what we can do about finding and printing an official copy.

Many common board and card games may have what are called “House Rules.” These are rules that modify how the original game works usually for the sake of simplification or increasing the challenge of a game. Before your group begins playing any game, be sure everyone is aware of and in agreement with any “House Rules” that may be used. Again, it is not the librarian’s job to handle or moderate rules disputes or disagreements in your game.

Games played in the main library are expected to be aware of and courteous to the other patrons using the library and the staff trying to work. Repeated outbursts or continuous disruption may result in the termination of your gaming session.

Most of all, Have FUN!

Library Trivia Night Returns with Holiday Style!

Assemble the squad! Plan the party platter! Jingle your bells all the way to the phone and register for a night of Holly Jolly Trivia Fun!

Friday, December 13, 2024 is our last Library Trivia Night of the year, and let’s be honest, we all could use a bit of fun and cheer this far into December that doesn’t involve shopping, crowds, traffic, or back-flipping through time and space to meet all of our holiday demands.

$10 per player (payable at the door) goes to support library programs and updates. Tasty snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks are strongly encouraged. Teams should have 4-6 players. Library doors reopen at 6:00 PM and the game begins at 6:30 PM so you have plenty of time to gather your troops and set up your team camp.

Call us at 785-336-2377 for more information or to register your team!

Find it “Written in the Stars” at Seneca Free Library!

Kansas has a long running connection to the stars with its motto being “ad astra per aspera” or “To the stars through difficulties.” This year @humanitieskansas produced a book of poetry and prose focused all on the stars that shine above the Sunflower State, titled, “Written in the Stars.” In connection with the November 17 Leonid Meteor Shower, we are presenting a display of star and space related books to check out in addition to the free copies of “Written in the Stars” that Humanities Kansas has provided for us to distribute to our patrons and community members. We are excited to share this collected work and our stellar selection with all of you! Thank you #HumanitiesKansas!

Seneca Free Library Will Be CLOSED on Veteran’s Day

Seneca Free Library Will Be CLOSED on Veteran’s Day

To honor and show gratitude to all of our area veterans, we will be observing Veteran’s Day this year and remaining closed for the duration of the Veteran’s Day holiday. We will resume regular hours the morning of Tuesday, November 12.

Thank you to our service men and women who have and continue to contribute so much on behalf of our country.

Food Pantry Donations at the Library: November Focus is “Personal Hygiene Items”

Seneca Free Library is a proud supporting partner with the Nemaha County Food Pantry, collecting food and personal hygiene items for community members in need of assistance. November’s Donation Focus takes a step away from food items and asks instead for personal hygiene items: soap, shampoo, combs and brushes (unused), toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shaving razors, shaving cream, and feminine hygiene products.  It’s hard to be your best when you’re struggling to afford the basics, and these are items that often get overlooked because people often assume the food pantry only deals in food. Donations can be delivered to the library during our regular hours: Monday – Thursday 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Pay it back! Pay it forward! Or just make a contribution for the sake of doing good for others.

This is a service we offer the community. The Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers and is open one day a week. Rather than having to remember what day and hours they are open, you can drop your donations by the library and we will deliver them for you! We highlight different items to donate each month just to offer some direction and promote awareness. When everything is needed on a regular basis, it can be helpful to have some guidance.

If you have large donations it is best to deliver them directly to the food pantry. We can help facilitate a drop off time if needed. Call us during regular business hours at 785-336-2377.

Some Important Points to Note:

* The Food Pantry is closed the second Wednesday of every month.

* Paper goods and personal hygiene products are also always needed!

* Opened and outdated products are NOT accepted at the Pantry.

Each Family receives the following items Once a Month.

  • 1 breakfast item
  • 4 cans of vegetables
  • 1 can of beans
  • 1 package of rice
  • 1 pasta and sauce
  • 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 1 box of crackers
  • 2 cans of fruit
  • 1 can of tuna or chicken
  • 2 cans of soup
  • 1 dessert
  • 1 pound of meat.

While we highlight different donation items each month here at the library, the following items are ALWAYS NEEDED:

  • Paper products [toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex]
  • personal products [feminine hygiene, sanitary wipes, etc.]
  • boxed cereals
  • oatmeal
  • pancake mix and pancake syrup
  • canned vegetables
  • rice
  • pasta and pasta sauce
  • peanut butter
  • boxed crackers
  • canned fruit
  • canned tuna
  • canned chicken
  • boxed tuna and chicken helper
  • canned soups
  • jello and pudding mixes
  • cookies
  • cake mixes and frosting
  • pie mix
  • and more!
  • They also accept laundry detergent, dish soap, shampoo, and bath soap.

The November Adventure Theme is “Bake it Forward”

The November Adventure Theme is “Bake it Forward”

November’s Library Adventure activity is “Bake it Forward.” “Nothing says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven,” as the Pillsbury commercials used to say, so why not make use of the cooler weather and mix up some favorites to share with those who give you something to be grateful for! Muffins for Mom, Cookies for Coworkers, Bread for Babysitters, Gingersnaps for Garbage Men, Pies for Police, Fudge for Friends… you get the idea. Better yet, skip the alliteration and just bake what feels right at the time! Try a classic you love and make the adventure about bringing it to the recipient, or try something new that you’ve been looking for an excuse to make. Up the adventure factor and include the kids or grandkids in the baking and deliveries. As long as it’s done in the spirit of gratitude and fun, there’s really no wrong way to do it!

REGULAR HOURS OF OPERATION (A Reminder)

REGULAR HOURS OF OPERATION
(Exceptions include: special events, staff training, severe weather, major holidays)

Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Notifications regarding early closings or additional schedule changes will be made via posts on this website, posts on Facebook and Instagram, and through notification flyers posted at the circulation desk and at the library entrances. Advance notice may be given when possible in “From the Bookshelf” articles found in the Courier Tribune and in our E-mail Newsletters.