S’mores and Scary Stories
S’mores. If you love sugar as much as the rest of us, the very word can make your eyes shine and your mouth water.
They can also evoke feelings of sticky messiness, but it’s worth it.
The word “s’more” is an obvious conflation of “some more,” which means that if you can stop at one, you either possess superhuman will power or didn’t bring enough marshmallows. The treat has been a staple for over 100 years, particularly among Scouts and campers.
As you likely know, the traditional s’more is comprised of gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers. (Ironically, graham crackers were invented as a “health food” back in the day. Oops. Not anymore!)
Many people enjoy the traditional s’more, but others add their own creative twist. Replace the chocolate with peanut butter cups, Rolos or Nutella, try chocolate chip cookies instead of graham crackers, and many more variations. The library even has an entire “S’mores Cookbook” with a host of variations by author Susan Whetzel. Who knew??
Traditional s’mores call for a campfire to toast the marshmallows, and the libraries have you covered there, too. Drop by our “S’mores & Scary Stories” event at the Buchanan Town Park on Friday, June 24, 6-8 p.m. The Fire Department will be on hand to teach fire safety and keep track of the campfire, and our library staff will read family-friendly, spooky stories to enjoy while you toast and eat delicious s’mores. (If the weather looks stormy, call the library first to ask about the status of the event!)
You can’t always have a campfire at the ready (nor should you), but did you know that you could make s’mores using everyday items and heat from the sun? Bring the kids to our “Solar Oven S’mores” programs so they can make their own! A solar oven is a box that traps the sun’s energy to make the air inside the box hotter than outside the box. It’s basically like a super-greenhouse, and it can be made out of many ordinary household materials. Kids will love the fascinating science behind this craft project as much as the yummy treat they get at the end! All materials are provided, and you don’t need to sign up to attend – just show up!
“Solar Oven S’mores” sessions will be offered as part of our Camp Ready Craft Series at 10:30-11 a.m. at all locations:
- Blue Ridge Library: Tuesday, July 5
- Eagle Rock Library: Wednesday, July 6
- Fincastle Library: Thursday, July 7
- Buchanan Library: Friday, July 8
Of course, when all else fails, you can still use a microwave for a quick treat! Just be careful to wash your hands before you pick up that library book when you’re enjoying these sticky goodies, or the pages may never come apart again. We look forward to enjoying some s’mores with you soon!
