The Iola Public Library is set to embark on a month-long celebration of everything chocolate.
The activities will culminate with the library’s annual Valentine’s Day Chocolate Sale fundraiser sponsored by Friends of the Library.
The annually anticipated sale of homemade confections donated and festively packaged by volunteers was last held in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Volunteers wishing to donate goodies or time are directed to call 620-365-3262.
But there’s plenty of sweet treats to keep folks occupied until then.
A program detailing the Sifers Candy Company, which was founded in Iola in 1903 and known for its famed Valomilk candy, is part of a historical exhibit in the library through Feb. 3, with photos and candy-making equipment on loan from the Allen County Historical Society.
Russell Sifers, great-grandson of the Sifers candy founder, will be on hand for a presentation about the family business at 7 p.m. Thursday, and to detail how Valomilk was created by accident.
Valomilk — chocolate candy cups filled with molten marshmallow — was created by a candymaker who inadvertently imbibed too much vanilla.
The treats became popular throughout the Midwest, and were often sent as part of care packages to soldiers serving overseas during World War II.
Sifers left Iola in 1978 after the company was sold in a merger, but Valomilks are made today from the family recipe in Merriam.
Other events leading up to the Valentine’s Day Sale include a special display of chocolate-themed books, a chocolate recipe exchange on the library Facebook page, a couple of movies and a program at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, on cooking with chocolate, presented by Jen Tarter.
Festival details can be found at iolapubliclibrary.org.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
Special programs for kids include Sonic Seasoning at 2 p.m. Monday. Sonic Seasoning is a fun exploration of how different sounds change the experience of food to potentially regulate eating behaviors in real time; register by phone or Facebook.
A mitten-themed Library Littles storytime is set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with Lesa Cole; and a Library Littles play date will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21.
Continuing Monday night programs include Chess Club at 6 p.m. with Anna Mitchell and In Stitches crochet with Jen Tarter at 6:30. Newcomers to crochet should bring an “I” hook and a skein of acrylic yarn.
