Taken by FlickR user, Rodrigo Campos

Sewing has been part of my life for quite a long time. This month I will be teaching a handbag class on Fridays in September.  September is the month to think about Christmas projects. I just received my order from Connecting Threads for mini stockings and two large Christmas stockings.  Hopefully, by Christmas I will have at least two new stockings for the season.  Maybe sewing isn’t your thing. What about crafts and a glue gun? With the economy so tight perhaps this is the year you will think about creating something for someone special in your life. I am trying to make my son a t-shirt quilt.  I made a quilt for my daughter which took several years to complete, but she finally got it for Christmas last year.  So come into the library and check out some of our creative books such as Singer Sewing for the Holidays, The Ultimate Christmas, and Easy & Elegant Christmas Crafts.  Plus we have an array of quilting books.

Nancy @ Scott

Even if you weren’t a fan of the show back in the day, you probably remember some of the pop fads it influenced.  Remember Luke Perry & his sideburns?

So, why not celebrate this AWESOME holiday!  Request a few seasons of Beverly Hills, 90210 from the catalog.  It was on from 1990–2000, so you have a few to choose from.

And maybe shout “Donna Martin Graduates” at the top of your lungs!

Shannon @ Scott

Now, if you’re like me, you don’t always have time to watch all of the hit shows every night on television.  The day goes by too quickly, there are too many books to read, too much work to be done, too many other shows to catch up on…that we miss many of the award-winning performances. 

But did you know that the library has many television series that you can borrow?  Here’s a short list of just some of the television series Scott Township Public Library has!  And don’t forget you can always order from other libraries as well.

• Babylon 5
• Bones
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer
• The Closer
• Dexter
• Friends
• Gilmore Girls
• Mad Men
• Mash
• Quantum Leap
• SNL Collections
• Plus, many more & many children’s shows!

So, when your tired of the same old or just looking to catch up on a popular series.  Don’t forget, you can check them out at the library for three weeks at a time too!

Sure, I had never heard of this holiday before I woke up this morning, but who doesn’t love a reason to celebrate on a late, summer Tuesday!  And the Waffle is truly the fancy Queen of Breakfast foods.

Did you know that on this day in 1869 Cornelius Swarthout patented the first US Waffle Iron?  International Waffle Day is celebrated on March 25th but as there are so many different types of Waffles, in America we celebrate our own variety on August 24th.

In fact, I had no idea that there were so many types of waffles out there.  A quick read from Wikipedia will leave your mouth-watering for a few samples of these international delights.  We can’t guarantee that all of this information is correct, but at least it gives us an idea of what to cook up in the kitchen.

Now, onto the celebration!  Looking to throw a waffle party in your kitchen one morning?  Or get super crazy and cook waffles for dinner?  Look no further, your library has all you need to get started.

Breakfast & Brunch:  Delicious Recipes to Start the Day by Tonia George lives up to the title.  Waffles & beyond.  Why not treat you and your whole family to a wonderful brunch feast one weekend morning?  Perfect as the weather starts to cool.

The absolute way to celebrate National Waffle Day, Dorie Greenspan proposes recipes that will have us serving waffles from sunrise and beyond.  Inside Waffles from Morning to Midnight, you’ll find all sorts of meals centered around everyone’s favorite breakfast food from savory to sweet.  She’ll even give you tips on how to whip up a batch and freeze them for the future.

And I couldn’t help but throw in this fun title, Never Eat Soggy Waffles, by Patricia J. Murphy.  Though it won’t help in the kitchen, it does offer advice on mnemonic devices, how to create them and why they work as study aides.  A “tasty” treat for the start of a new school year.

So, head to the kitchen and put that waffle iron to use.  Or at least pop in a few Eggos.

Shannon @ Scott

Off to a Brand New School Year

Happy First Day of School, Chartiers Valley Students! The Scott Township Public Library wishes you a year filled with new opportunities & many successes!

No matter if you’re heading back to school, sending children off to school, or just remembering school…the first day of a brand-spanking-new school year offers so many new possibilities.   It’s almost impossible not to feel hopeful as book bags are being packed with fresh notebooks, new pencils and bright pens. 

In fact, I always thought the new school year was even better than the actual New Year we celebrate in January.  It’s a time to make resolutions, try something new, join an interesting club and read a few books.  And who says adults can get in on the fun too? 

So, without further adieu let’s welcome the 2010–2011 School Year with open arms!  Tell us, what are you most looking forward to this school year?

Shannon @ Scott

Since my son was just 2 when it arrived on the scene, I am sure he does not remember living without a Post-It note especially while he was attending college.   Why not honor the little memo pad that probably saved you time and energy and when you have a few spare minutes check out the web site @ www.Post-it30years.com.

And since we’re on the topic of hand-dandy tools that simply and organize our lives.  The end of August ignites in me the idea and the motivation to reorganize my home, papers, craft, and sewing supplies. Therefore, I must recommend some books to help me through the process.

You must consider the being organized for the new academic year.  Organize Your Home! Simple routines for managing your household.  As well as, by Ronni Eisenberg with Kate Kelly authors of Organize Yourself.   The One-Minute Organizer Plain and Simple by Donna Smallin which includes 500 tips for getting your life in order.  Let go of Clutter  by a Harriet Schechter.  While you are cleaning out the clutter and reorganizing your life which is an ongoing process believe me.

Lately I’ve been making my own all-purpose cleanser with baking soda, lemon juice, liquid detergent . Which is safer for the humans and pets in my home.  Therefore check out  Green Cleaning for Dummies by Elizabeth Goldsmith and Squeaky Green the Method guide to detoxing your home.  

Have a great week while you are organizing and cleaning out drawers.

Nancy @ Scott

But it seems that ever since last year when people talk of the “Jersey Shore” they’re discussing the latest events surrounding a group of tan, 20-somethings who like to party at the beach.    I personally have not gotten into the series but regardless, it is one of those reality shows that has made its mark on American culture.  The cast even rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange this week!  

So, are you interested but haven’t watched the first season?  Surprise! You can order it here.  And in the meantime, the second season (set in South Beach, Miami) starts tonight.  I doubt I’ll tune in, but I’m sure I’ll hear about in on Friday morning.

Not into the whole “fist pump” thing?  Take a look at what the library has that is more “classic” Jersey Shore.

Jersey Shore:  Vintage Images of Bygone Days by Emil R. Salvini: Relive yesteryear spent cruising the boardwalk and sunbathing on the beach with these archival photos.

Looking for something more adventurous?  Check out Haunted Jersey Shore and unleash ghostly tales up and down the beach. 

Now, The Jersey Shore Uncovered:  Revealing Season on the Beach by Peter Genovese probably won’t be as shocking as the MTV show, but the author’s stories are “wild and wacky” at heart. 

Shannon @ Scott

If you’ve noticed some new faces around the library lately, you’ve noticed our summer interns.  We have two incredible interns this summer, both named Beth & both Graduate Students in the University of Pittsburgh’s Masters in Library & Information Science Program (Did you know it takes a Degree & a whole lot of work to become a  Librarian?). 

Today’s blog post has been written by McBeth (we’ve taken to nicknaming our Beth interns):

Summer is here and, for many of us, this means going on a vacation.  I am looking forward to my family vacation in August to Pymatuning State Park where the “ducks walk on the fish”.

There will be over 20 of us really roughing it in 4 cabins with full bathrooms, kitchens and heat!

 I grew up going camping with my family and friends on the weekends. I’ve camped  in luxurious cabins and tiny tents; hot balmy weather and frigid nights; fancy campgrounds and remote woods.  I’ve also experiences all kinds nightly animal visitors from raccoons in the garbage to swarms of mosquitos .  A skunk once licked my foot! 

But no matter what  my favorite part of camping is at night around the campfire with stories and s’mores and just being together .  Even if you can’t leave your house try camping out in the back yard  or even on the living room floor.  Get out the pillows and blankets and huddle on the floor or backyard.  Play games, tell stories and reconnect with each other while disconnecting from the internet, tv and phone. Get outside and look up at the stars every once in a while. 

Don’t know where to start?  Scott Library has some resources to get you started.  Check out these great titles available in our collection:

The essential family camper: a handbook for the great outdoors by Zora Aiken and David Aiken

The 175 best camp games: a handbook for leaders by Laura Kathleen & Mary Fraser

More scary stories to tell in the dark, collected from folklore and retold by  Alvin Swartz

The joy of grilling by Joseph Famularo and 365 great barbecue & grilling recipes by Lonnie Gandara

The complete idiot’s guide to astronomy by Christopher De Pree and Alan Axelrod

Please leave comments! Do you have a favorite place to go camping?  How about a funny vacation story to share? Where are you going on vacation this summer?   We’d like to hear from you!

McBeth @ Scott

The beginning of summer means it’s time to start thinking of all you want to accomplish in the next few, hot months.  This time of year comes and goes so quickly, we have to make sure we make the most of it!   Personally, it’s my goal to bike ride to West Virginia and back along the Panhandle Trail.  I’ve yet to reach Burgettstown along the trail, so that’s my mid-summer goal.  Even if it’s not in my cards, I know that I’ll have fun trying.  So what’s your summer goal? Maybe you want to learn how to swim?  Or help teach a little one how to ride a bike?  Perhaps you want to plant the best tomatoes in your neighborhood?  Or just learn how to grill the perfect steak? 

Here at the library, it’s our goal to make sure we provide entertaining, safe and creative programs for our patrons all summer long.  We’re gearing up for the launch of our Summer Reading Clubs (SRC).  And we’re super excited to offer SRC programs for everyone from birth to age 110!   Come June 12th, registration will begin for all three programs:  kids, teens and adults.  And with SRC comes tons of programming to keep you cool in the summer heat and prizes to win that can bring extra fun all summer long.  Participation rules vary for each program, but all programs can register online through this link starting June 12th!  We’re even hosting a swimming party at the Scott Township Pool on August 11th…how cool is that?!   Want more information?  Stop by the library, or visit www.scottlibrary.org,  for details!

Shannon @ Scott