2020 - Fondulac District Library | East Peoria, IL

Beginner Dutch Oven Outdoor Cooking

Cast iron Dutch Ovens have been used in America since the 18^th century. Some avid campers feel Dutch Ovens are an essential tool for outdoor cooking. From enchiladas to apple pie, the versatility of the Dutch Oven means it can be used for a variety of recipes. Below is a recipe for an easy corn casserole to try on your next camping trip. Scout Master Jason Friedlund from BSA Troop 206 in Washington, IL, demonstrates how to make this casserole in this video tutorial.

Dutch Oven Corn Casserole

Supplies

12” Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Lid Lifter (alternatively a Fireplace Glove can be used)
16” pizza pan
Charcoal Chimney Starter
Paper Tinder
Charcoal Briquettes
Lighter
Long-handled Tongs
Large Plastic Mixing Spoon
Can Opener

Ingredients

1 TBSP vegetable oil
2 – 8.5 oz boxes Jiffy brand cornbread mix
2 – 14.75 oz cans creamed corn
2 – 15.25 oz cans whole kernel corn, drained
1 – 4.5 oz can diced green chiles
2 large eggs
2 cups (8 oz) grated cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), melted or cut into small chunks

Instructions

Using a chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes and paper tinder, light the paper on fire. Let the briquettes heat for 20 minutes while you mix the casserole ingredients.
Grease the inside of your cast iron Dutch Oven and the underside of the lid with the vegetable oil.
In the Dutch Oven, mix together all ingredients except for 1/2 of the cheese. Using a large plastic mixing spoon, stir to combine well. Place the lid on.
Put 16 of the hot charcoal briquettes on the top of the Dutch Oven. Put 7-8 hot briquettes in a circle on a 16” pizza pan and place the Dutch Oven over the top of them.
Cook for 1 hour, rotating the Dutch Oven base 90^o (clockwise) and the lid 90^o (counter-clockwise) every 15 minutes. A lid lifter or fireplace glove comes in handy for this portion. In the last 15 minutes, add the remaining 1/2 of the cheese to the top of the casserole and put the lid back on. Remove the lid and the pot from the heat and enjoy.

Cleaning & Care of a Cast Iron Dutch Oven

After each use, it’s important to properly clean cast iron Dutch Ovens and prepare them for storage to prevent rust.

Tools

Plastic scraper
Scrubbing sponge OR stainless steel chain mail cast iron cleaning tool

NEVER USE dish soap on cast iron!

Instructions

Using a plastic scraper, remove as much solid, baked-on debris as possible.
Remove solid bits and fill the Dutch Oven about halfway with hot water.
Using a non-metallic scrubbing sponge or a stainless steel chain mail cast iron cleaning tool, remove the rest of the solid debris completely.
Empty the Dutch Oven. Dry with a towel and brush off any ash from the exterior.
Spread a light coating of vegetable oil over all interior and exterior surfaces to prevent rusting.
The lid can be cleaned using the same steps.
Before placing the lid on top of the oven, place a couple paper towels over the edge of the oven to help wick away moisture while the Dutch Oven is in storage.

– Melissa, Adult Services Assistant

Beth Weimer2020-08-19T15:08:10-05:00August 19th, 2020|

Women’s Right to Vote: 100th Anniversary

On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, guaranteeing all American women the right to vote. The Suffragist Movement was a transformative cultural and political movement that resulted in the largest expansion of voting rights in U.S. history. Celebrate the centennial anniversary of this historic milestone — and the remarkable women who fought to make it happen — with these books and documentaries from our collection. Explore the Library of Congress’ virtual exhibit Shall Not Be Denied and discover more from the all-ages reading list from the League of Women Voters.

She Votes: How U.S. Women Won Suffrage, and What Happened Next by Bridget Quinn

The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women‘s Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898 by Lisa Tetrault

Lifting as We Climb: Black Women‘s Battle for the Ballot Box by Evette Dionne

Susan B. Anthony by Teri Kanefield

To Tell the Truth Freely: The Life of Ida B. Wells by Mia Bay

The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote by Elaine Weiss

Sisters: The Lives of America’s Suffragists by Jean Baker

Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists by Mikki Kendall

The Vote, directed by Michelle Ferrari

Iron Jawed Angels, directed by Katja von Garnier

Not for Ourselves Alone, directed by Ken Burns

All Ages Suffrage Reading List

Beth Weimer2020-08-18T12:57:20-05:00August 18th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Taproot

Taproot: A Story About a Gardener and a Ghost by Keezy Young

Reviewer: Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Genre: Fantasy Graphic Novel

Suggested Age: 12 & up

What is This Book About?: Blue is one of many ghosts who roams around invisible to the world, but one day he meets Hamal, a living boy, who can see and hear him. Hamal just wants to live a peaceful life growing plants, but his ability to speak with the dead affects everyone and everything around him more than he realizes. When Blue and the other ghosts start disappearing into a strange, decaying forest, the boys’ relationship becomes at risk of falling apart forever.

My Review: This is the kind of book you should read when you just want something short with a happy ending. It doesn’t really do anything new plot-wise; it’s basically a cliché love story with ghosts. That’s not going to sound enticing to some people, but I really liked it. Even though it deals with death and the underworld, it’s not a scary or depressing story. The characters are very sweet to each other, and the color palette is pretty. The only thing I didn’t like was that the transition from the first half of the book to the second half is a little sudden and awkward. I wish the book was just a little longer so the story would flow more smoothly, but overall, it’s a really nice read.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Sweet, Spooky, Soothing

Give This a Try if You Like… Kim Reaper by Sarah Graley, Bloom by Kevin Panetta, Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir

Rating: 4/5 stars

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-17T20:41:43-05:00August 17th, 2020|

Take & Make: Beaded Lizard Keychain

Use a simple threading technique and pony beads to make a lizard keychain! Hang it on your backpack, in your room, or as a keychain for your library card. Pick up a craft kit in the Youth Services Department or at the drive-up window, available while supplies last. Recommended for ages 6 and up.

In this kit:

String
28 green beads
12 orange or yellow beads
7 purple beads
2 blue beads
1 keyring

You will need:

Scissors

Directions:

Place one green bead in the middle of the string. This will be your lizard’s nose. Now you have a right string and a left string (they should be about the same length).
String two green beads onto the right string. Now, thread the left string back through the two green beads. Pull it tight to make a triangle. These beads are now double-threaded. This is the technique you will use to make the rest of the lizard!
Thread a blue, green, and then blue bead onto the right string. Put the left thread back through the three beads, and pull tight.
String two green beads onto the right string. Put the left string back through, and pull tight.
Now you will make the lizard’s front feet. Thread two green beads and three orange beads onto the right string. Using the same right string, thread it back through only the two green beads, and pull tight. You may need to hold onto the lizard or also pull on the left side to get it pulled tight enough. Keep pulling it snug; you’ll get there!
Repeat step 5 using the left string. Thread two green beads and three orange beads onto the left string. Using the same left string, thread it back through only the two green beads, and pull until snug.
Thread a green, purple, green bead onto the right string, and put the left string back through to double thread.
Continue double threading following the color pattern on the first page (the Pattern Page included shows the same pattern; it just shows you how the string looks on the inside). Repeat steps 5 and 6 to make the lizard’s back legs.
Once you get to the end of the pattern, tie a double knot and make sure it’s secure.
Tie the remaining string onto your keychain. Tie a double or triple knot to make sure it’s good and secure. Cut the ends of the thread.

Ta-da! You now have a lizard keychain!

– Laura, Youth Services Manager

Beth Weimer2020-08-17T15:17:57-05:00August 17th, 2020|

Book Talk — August YA

Book Talk! Katie, our YA Librarian, shares some great Cursed read-alikes for fans of the show or anyone who likes Arthurian/Medieval Fantasy books! Place these books on hold through the links below, from our online catalog or the RSAcat Mobile app, or by calling the library at (309) 699-3917.

Cursed by Thomas Wheeler and Frank Miller

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy

Shielded by KayLynn Flanders

Beth Weimer2020-08-14T11:58:27-05:00August 14th, 2020|

Story Time (Online) – Bikes & Trucks and Cows & Ducks

Welcome to story time! My name is Miss Kris, and I am so happy you are watching at home today. What is more fun than bikes and trucks and cows and ducks? Today we’re going to mix them all up and read some stories and sing some songs!

But first, let’s get ready for story time by clapping and singing hello!

Movement: Clap and Sing Hello!

We clap and sing hello,
We clap and sing hello,
With all our friends at story time,
We clap and sing hello!

(Wave and sing hello; stomp and sing hello.)

Movement: Open, Shut Them

Stretch your finger out and shut them up tight! Are you ready?

Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.

Creep them, crawl them,
Creep them, crawl them,
Right up to your chin, chin, chin.
Open wide your little mouth,
But do not put them in.

Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Give a little clap, clap, clap.
Open, shut them, open, shut them,
Put them in your lap, lap, lap.

Credit: jbrary.com

Book: Little Blue Truck

Written by Alice Schertle and illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Published by Harcourt, Inc.

Fingerplay: 5 Little Pigs

5 little piggies rolled in the mud, (hold up 5 fingers)

Squishy, squashy, squishy, squashy it felt good (roll hands around each other)

The farmer took one piggy out, (wave one thumb over your shoulder)

Oink, oink, oink! That piggy did shout! (open and close fingers and thumbs on oinks)

(repeat the verse counting down from 4 – 1)

No little piggies rolled in the mud, (hold out hands to gesture none)

They all looked so clean and good, (frame face with hands and smile virtuously)

The farmer turned his back and then, (wag finger in warning)

Those piggies rolled in the mud again! (wave arms around madly!!)

(sung to the same tune as Five Little Ducks)

Credit: Let’s Play Music

Book: Duck on a Bike

Written by David Shannon

Published by The Blue Sky Press, An Imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Movement: I Have a Little Bicycle

I have a little bicycle (hold hand together for little)
I ride it to and fro. (roll hands)
And when I see the light is green
I know it’s time to go. (roll hands fast)
I have a little bicycle (Hold hand together for little)
I ride around the town. (roll hands)
And when the light is yellow
I know it’s time to slow down. (Roll hands slowly)
I have a little bicycle (Hold hand together for little)
I bought it at the shop. (roll hands)
And when I see the light is red
I know it’s time to stop! (freeze)

For babies: place your baby on your knees and pump them up and down, alternating left and right. Or peddle baby’s feet fast, then slow, then stop.
For older children: pump your legs and hold up one of 3 circles (green, yellow, red) while you sing; then repeat song).

Credit: King County Library System

Movement: Old MacDonald Had a Band

You’ll need some props for this song:
Shaker – I used a bowl with paper clips inside, you can use beans or rice!
Rhythm Sticks – I used wooden spoons
Scarf – I used a scarf from my closet, but you could use a towel or some socks
Bells – I used Christmas bells, but you can use any bell that you have

Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O
And in this band he had some shakers, E I E I O
With a shake, shake here and a shake, shake there
Here a shake, there a shake, everywhere a shake, shake
Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O

And in this band he had some rhythm sticks, E I E I O
With a tap, tap here and a tap, tap there
Here a tap, there a tap, everywhere a tap, tap
Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O

And in this band he had some scarves, E I E I O
With a wave, wave here and a wave, wave there
Here a wave, there a wave, everywhere a wave, wave
Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O

And in this band he had some bells, E I E I O
With a ring, ring here and a ring, ring there
Here a ring, there a ring, everywhere a ring, ring
Old MacDonald had a band, E I E I O

Credit: jbrary.com

Craft: Cow Puppet

Pick up a craft kit at the library, available in the Youth Services Department or from the drive-up window while supplies last. Cut out the pieces. Color some details if you want. I colored the ears, and gave my cow some spots. Glue the pieces together, including the stick and you have a cow puppet. You can find patterns for more animals here. You can find instruction to make a puppet theater, here. You’ll have a barnyard full of farm animals.

Credit: make teaching sparkle

Literacy Tips:

How do you read a book, when your child won’t sit still? Here are some (hopefully) helpful hints.

Just keep reading! Let your child get up and walk around while you read. Give them some crayons and paper to draw or even scribble. Let them play with blocks or other toys.
Read while you have a captive audience — while they’re is sitting in the high chair at dinner, when they’re in the car seat while you are riding (not driving), or in the crib at nap or bedtime.
Let your children help choose the books that you read. It’s okay if they choose the same book over and over. (We read The Night Before Christmas until July one year!)
Switch up the location! Go to the park and sit under a tree. Take a book to the restaurant and read while waiting for your order or while waiting at the dentist or doctor’s office.
Make a mini story time by adding some songs, fingerplays, and dancing.
If your child is really restless, just read a couple of pages and save the rest for later.
Have some board books handy so that your child can look at by herself.

We Wave Goodbye Like This

We wave goodbye like this.
We wave goodbye like this.
We clap our hands for all our friends.
We wave goodbye like this.

– Kris, Youth Services Specialist

Beth Weimer2020-08-13T11:03:42-05:00August 13th, 2020|

Cookbooks for Kids

This month we’re highlighting all our cookbooks for kids! We have books and recipes for toddlers all the way to middle schoolers, from Star Wars to American Girl and more! Get the scoop with Cassie, and come check out your next family food adventure!

Beth Weimer2020-08-10T16:56:53-05:00August 10th, 2020|

FDL Reads: Song for a New Day

Song for a New Day by Sarah Pinsker

Reviewed by: Becky Houghton, Reference Assistant

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Group: Teens and adults

What is This Book About: A global pandemic and terrorist attacks have made large gatherings illegal and caused many changes in the world. Luce Cannon, a musician who was on top of her game in the Before, can only perform her music in illegal concerts and hole-in-the-wall clubs in the After. For Luce, performing music is like breathing…she must do it, no matter the consequences. Rosemary Laws was working in Hoodspace in the Superwally fulfillment department until her coding skills opened up a new job in the world of music for her. Rosemary remembers very little from Before, but now in the After, she becomes a talent recruiter for StageHoLoLive music which provides concerts in virtual reality. These two women intersect and seek to change the music world in the After.

My Review: I don’t usually enjoy science fiction, but I did enjoy this book and saw some similarities with our current global pandemic and the restrictions on group gatherings. This story describes a far greater restriction of personal freedom than our situation does and demonstrates what could happen in years or pandemics to come. The world of music is the background for this story, but it’s easy to see how all aspects of life in Luce and Rosemary’s world were probably also restricted. Congregation laws; all commerce online and products delivered by drones; school and dating online; social isolation for the protection of health and safety; highways restricted to self-driving vehicles were all enforced in the world that Luce and Rosemary lived in. But Luce had to perform live music so first she had an underground music venue in Baltimore and after it was raided and closed by police, returned to touring as a musician. Rosemary fell in love with live music shows while serving as an SHL (StageHoLoLive) recruiter and finds ways to circumvent the SHL procedures and rules to help musicians perform live. This was a fast moving and enjoyable read. Teens will especially like this book.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Futuristic, Fast-paced, Foreboding

Give This a Try if You Like: Veronica Roth books beginning with Divergent. Music fans and those who read science fiction often will also enjoy this book.

Rating: 4.5/5

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-08T11:08:13-05:00August 8th, 2020|

Read-Alikes for Popular Preschool Cartoons

Is your little one obsessed with PJ Masks? Can’t pull them away from Peppa Pig? There are plenty of books featuring those popular cartoon characters, but if you’re looking to introduce the children in your life to something a little different, we can help. Below you’ll find a list of books that have similar content or characters to some of today’s most popular shows for preschoolers. There are sure to be a few here your kid will love, but if you need even more recommendations, feel free to chat with us or use our FDL Match service.

For PJ Masks fans:

Ten Rules of Being a Superhero by Deb Pilutti

Way Past Bedtime by Tara Lazar

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton

For Paw Patrol fans:

Busy Builders, Busy Week! by Jean Reidy

Emergency Kittens! by Jody Jensen Shaffer

Rapid Responders by Finn Coyle

For Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood fans:

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers by Fred Rogers

The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions by Anna Llenas

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

For Peppa Pig fans:

Olivia by Ian Falconer

Maisy Goes to Preschool by Lucy Cousins

Meet Babar and His Family by Laurent de Brunhoff

– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant

Beth Weimer2020-08-07T11:15:06-05:00August 7th, 2020|

FDL Reads: My Best Friend’s Exorcism

My Best Friend’s Exorcism By Grady Hendrix

Reviewed by: Atlas Agunod, Circulation Assistant

Genre: Horror, Coming-of-age

Suggested age: Teens and Adults

What is This Book About? The year is 1988 and Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since the fourth grade. They’re in their sophomore year now and are in the middle of enjoying their adolescence when the unexpected happens. Gretchen goes missing in the woods during a sleepover. The two are reunited the next morning, but Abby notices that something is…off about Gretchen. She stops showering, she hardly speaks to anybody, and she starts talking about urban legends of a local cult like they really exist. As Gretchen’s health and relationships begin deteriorating, Abby concludes that Gretchen has been possessed by a demon. Of course, nobody believes her when she tries to seek help for her best friend. So how will Abby save Gretchen? Is she really possessed, or are they both just crazy? Most importantly, will their friendship stand the test of demonic possession?

My Review: I loved this book so much. I listened to the audiobook version on a road trip with my mom, who was born the same year as the main character. The amount of times she would say, “Oh my gosh, I haven’t heard that in forever!” when somebody mentioned a celebrity, a song, or some other random 80’s trend told me just how authentic this book was in capturing the 80’s. The story was encapsulating right from the start. I cried and laughed with the main character throughout the whole thing. The author did an excellent job in painting all of the characters as well as the small town they lived in. This book really filled out every space it was trying to cover. It was scary when it needed to be, funny when the moment called for it, and heartwarming when the time came.

Rating: 5/5

Three words that describe this book: silly, creepy, heartwarming

Give this a try if you like: Stranger Things, IT, comedic horror, 80’s nostalgia

Find it at the library!

About FDL Reads

FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.

Susie Rivera2020-08-07T12:27:19-05:00August 6th, 2020|