Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

Samantha Saliter, Head of Circulation and Children’s Librarian

ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org

Samantha Saliter was born in Sharon, CT. Her father was a juggler and her mom a horse woman so it’s no surprise that she’s led a life of whimsy. She went to Cornwall Consolidated School, attended an alternative art high school in Boulder Colorado, and for many years sold crepes from a cart in The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s returned to live in Cornwall with her seven-year-old daughter, Rowan. Always a lover of art projects and an avid reader, Samantha plans to pursue a masters in Information Technology and Library Science. In addition, she is learning to use a crock pot, trying to master Smile by Nat King Cole on the ukulele with little success and reading Phoebe and Her Unicorn to her kid every night for forever and ever and ever.

You don’t need a fancy ice cream maker to make ice cream at home. All you need is a plastic baggie and 15 minutes. Top with any of your favorite topping and enjoy homemade ice cream instantly! 

YIELDS:1 SERVING

PREP TIME: 5 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 15 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 c. half-and-half2 tbsp. 

granulated sugar1/2 tsp. 

pure vanilla extract3 c. 

ice1/3 c. 

kosher salt

Toppings of your choice

 DIRECTIONS

1. In a small resealable plastic bag, combine half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal.
2. Into a large resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously, 7 to 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened.
3. Remove from bag and enjoy with your favorite ice cream toppings

You don't need a fancy ice cream maker to make ice cream at home. All you need is a plastic baggie and 15 minutes. Top with any of your favorite topping and enjoy homemade ice cream instantly! 

YIELDS:1 SERVING

PREP TIME: 5 MINS

TOTAL TIME: 15 MINS

INGREDIENTS

1 c. half-and-half2 tbsp. 

granulated sugar1/2 tsp. 

pure vanilla extract3 c. 

ice1/3 c. 

kosher salt

Toppings of your choice

 DIRECTIONS

1. In a small resealable plastic bag, combine half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Push out excess air and seal.
2. Into a large resealable plastic bag, combine ice and salt. Place small bag inside the bigger bag and shake vigorously, 7 to 10 minutes, until ice cream has hardened.
3. Remove from bag and enjoy with your favorite ice cream toppings

This week we have part three of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar! Make sugar cookies, whip up some cocoa and dig in!

RECIPE COURTESY OF ALTON BROWN

• Level: Easy
• Total: 2 hr 24 min

• Prep: 15 min
• Inactive: 2 hr
• Cook: 9 min
• Yield: about 3 dozen-2 1/2 inch

Ingredients

Deselect All

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon milk

Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Today on The Cocoa Club! We are making sugar cookies to pair with our cocoa and part two of The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl!

RECIPE COURTESY OF ALTON BROWN

• Level: Easy
• Total: 2 hr 24 min

• Prep: 15 min
• Inactive: 2 hr
• Cook: 9 min
• Yield: about 3 dozen-2 1/2 inch

Ingredients

Deselect All

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon milk

Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough

1. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is or ice as desired. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Llandaff, South Wales, and went to Repton School in England. His parents were Norwegian, so holidays were spent in Norway. As he explains in Boy, he turned down the idea of university in favor of a job that would take him to"a wonderful faraway place. In 1933 he joined the Shell Company, which sent him to Mombasa in East Africa. When World War II began in 1939 he became a fighter pilot and in 1942 was made assistant air attaché in Washington, where he started to write short stories.

His first major success as a writer for children was in 1964. Thereafter his children's books brought him increasing popularity, and when he died children mourned the world over, particularly in Britain where he had lived for many years.The BFG is dedicated to the memory of Roald Dahls eldest daughter, Olivia, who died from measles when she was seven – the same age at which his sister had died (fron appendicitis) over forty years before. Quentin Blake, the first Children’s Laureate of the United Kingdom, has illustrated most of Roald Dahl’s children’s books

Remember, always tune in to WHDD 91.9 Sunday morning at 9:45 AM as Ms. Sam reads The Brother's Grimm classic Hansel and Hansel and Gretel.

Try it out! We’ll be reading a short story by Roald Dahl that pairs with these perfectly. Ingredients

1 ½ cups sifted all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup butter

½ cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten1 egg, separated

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

⅛ teaspoon maple flavored extract

42 pecan halves

2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate

¼ cup milk

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Step 1Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda and salt. Cream 1/2 cup butter and gradually add 1/2 cup brown sugar, creaming well. Add egg and egg yolk and beat well. Blend in vanilla and maple flavoring. Add the dry ingredients gradually, mixing thoroughly. Chill to slightly firm dough.Step 2Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).Step 3Arrange pecan halves in groups of five on greased baking sheets to resemble head and legs of a turtle. Shape dough into balls; dip bottom into unbeaten egg white and press lightly onto nuts. Use a rounded teaspoon of dough for each, so tips of nuts will show when cookies are baked. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes. Do not overbake. Cool; frost tops generously with Chocolate Frosting.Step 4To Make Frosting: Combine 2 (1-ounce) squares of unsweetened chocolate ( or 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate pieces), 1/4 cup milk and 1 Tablespoon butter in top of double boiler. Heat over boiling water until chocolate melts; blend until smooth. Remove from heat; add 1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar. Beat until smooth and glossy. If too thin, add more confectioners' sugar until the desired consistency.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving:

283 calories;

protein 4g 8% DV;

carbohydrates 33.8g 11% DV;

fat 15.9g 25% DV;

cholesterol 54.3mg 18% DV;

sodium 153.8mg 6% DV.

Every Sunday morning in December in between 9:30 and 10, fix the family some delicious mugs of hot cocoa and tune in to WHDD 91.9 to listen to a short story read by Mrs. Sam of The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. Our local children’s librarian is teaming up with Robin Hood Radio to bring us all a cozy winter tradition with two components- making food and listening to stories. Mrs. Sam says, the library wants to reach out to our community by any means possible during COVID-19 and I think revisiting the novel experience of making food together and collectively listening to the radio is a great way to inspire young minds, bring families closer and provide the entertainment we all are looking for.

The library will post a recipe challenge on social media every Monday for the families of Sharon and surrounding towns. Then, we can all make a scrumptious snack to go with our Sunday morning cocoa and story. Mrs. Sam will read a family-friendly short story and a poem, plus discussion starter questions. Everyone will have the opportunity to join the conversation online by posting pictures of the recipe they tried or writing about their thoughts on the story. Engage with your children and community with Cocoa Club. 

Please contact Mrs. Sam at ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org or (860) 364-5041 if you have any questions. 

Stories for the Family read by children’s librarian 

broadcast on WHDD Robin Hood Radio

Every Sunday morning in December at 9:45, fix the family some delicious mugs of hot cocoa and tune in to WHDD 91.9 to listen to a short story read by Mrs. Sam of The Hotchkiss Library of Sharon. Our local children’s librarian is teaming up with Robin Hood Radio to bring us all a cozy winter tradition with two components- making food and listening to stories. Mrs. Sam says, the library wants to reach out to our community by any means possible during COVID-19 and I think revisiting the novel experience of making food together and collectively listening to the radio is a great way to inspire young minds, bring families closer and provide the entertainment we all are looking for.

The library will post a recipe challenge on social media every Monday for the families of Sharon and surrounding towns. Then, we can all make a scrumptious snack to go with our Sunday morning cocoa and story. Mrs. Sam will read a family-friendly short story and a poem, plus discussion starter questions. Everyone will have the opportunity to join the conversation online by posting pictures of the recipe they tried or writing about their thoughts on the story. Engage with your children and community with Cocoa Club. 

Please contact Mrs. Sam at ssaliter@hotchkisslibrary.org or (860) 364-5041 if you have any questions. 

This week’s recipe is Apple Blossoms!

Apple Blossoms (Apple tarts)What you will need:For apple filling:4 apples, peeled, cored, and cubed small (northern spy or Granny Smith)1 teaspoon lemon juice1⁄2 teaspoon cornstarch1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon For caramel:4 tablespoons butter1 cup brown sugar For the dough:1 1⁄2 cups self-rising flour4 tablespoons vegetable oil water, to mix For the crumble topping:1 egg, mixed with1 tablespoon water (to make an egg wash)8 teaspoons rolled oats8 teaspoons coarse sugar (or sugar in the raw)Steps to yummy goodness:1) Preheat oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.2) APPLE FILLING: mix all filling ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.3) CARAMEL: Heat caramel ingredients over medium heat; Bring to boil, stirring constantly; Let boil for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.4) DOUGH: Mix the flour and oil together in a bowl, and mix in just sufficient cold water to make a firm (but not sticky) dough. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Then roll out each into a 5-6″ disc.5) ASSEMBLY: Place 1/8th of apple filling onto center of each dough round. Fold up edges of dough up towards the center, making a cup around the filling (you could use a jumbo muffin tin for this too). Brush with eggwash.6) To each blossom, sprinkle 1 tsp of rolled oats followed by a drizzle of caramel topping into tops of apple filling. Follow with a light sprinkle all over with sugar in the raw.7) Bake at 400F for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Cool on wire rack.