An estimated 60 guests enjoyed "Love Chocolate...Love Your Library" last week at the Harlem Public Library. The event, first suggested several years ago by former Lutheran pastor Ellen Ayers, was a celebration of chocolate in the library. Ayers told the library staff about "chocolate in the stacks" that she saw staged in another town where she once lived. She described the event as an interesting way to celebrate reading and chocolate.

That suggestion was made almost six years ago. Library Director Colleen Brommer said, "We toyed with the idea for some time, then COVID regulations intervened and we never got around to doing it." Carly Vauthier, Assistant Librarian, added, "We finally just hunkered down and said, 'let's do it' and we did!" It was a festive setting with lots of hearts and sparkly decorations and luscious homemade sweets made by locals. It was a nice runup to Valentine's Day, always a good time to "love chocolate."

Director Brommer explained, "This was not a fundraiser, it was a celebration of chocolate in the library." Local bakers and confectioners showcased their wares for others to enjoy-either visually or by having a taste. Tasting opportunities included a chocolate fondue and a table full of bite-sized treats for "chocolate temptations tasting."

On the visual side of the event, guests were allowed to judge several decorated cakes created by local bakers. Guests/judges were asked to look at the cakes and then vote for their favorite by dropping a slip of paper in to a little bucket in front of each cake. After the judging was completed the winning cakes were announced. Competition was keen and first place was won by Hannah Van Voast and Jackie Blackbird with a tie vote. The winners can enjoy bragging rights. A new trend I had not seen were the cakes ringed around the outside edges with Kit Kat Bars. Those cakes gave the impression of a fort, then the baker's own addition to the top of the cake. The cakes were elegantly decorated.

At the north entrance to the library entering guests could enjoy a chocolate fondue. Given a small cup of 'dippable chocolate' guests customized their own fondue by choosing strawberries, pieces of pound cake, pretzels, marshmallows or graham crackers...or all those one at a time or combined.

Near that entrance to the library was the decorated cake voting. In that same area, where the children's books are kept, Carly Vautheir was offering kids a chance to make torn paper cookies and mice created with Hershey's kisses. Carly explained the crafts were based on a favorite kids' book by Laura Numeroff titled "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." The craft was a hit with kids.

Toward the back of the library was the table laden with chocolate treats to be eaten with the fingers. The "chocolate temptations tasting table" offered choices from brownies to miniature chocolate covered eclairs.

All the treats were made and donated by local cooks and were free for enjoying. A coffee pot made the chocolate even more enjoyable for come guests.

And in the library's meeting room there were five local vendors with a wide assortment of homemade treats. Asked how the sales were for the vendors Director Brommer said, "I think sales went well. Some were sold out and packed up before the end of the event at 7pm." The timing for the event was excellent. With Valentine's Day the next day a few sugary delicacies are always in order for the 'sweet' day. Just beyond the vendors, at the south entrance to the library, a photo booth was set up. Guests were encouraged to pose for a photo using some props of their choice to enhance the photo.

It was a great pre-Valentine's Day event with lots of treats to sample and buy. Readers can see more about the event, including photos of the decorated cakes and pictures taken at the photo booth, at the library's Facebook page: Harlem Public Library-Facebook.