About:
The 3rd Annual How-to Festival will take place on Sunday, September 8th from 1-4pm at the Cooper-Siegel Community Library. We have lots of fun and interesting sessions, so come and learn something new with us! Also, beginning at noon, we’ll have Billu’s Indian Grill food truck AND several exciting municipal vehicles for a small Touch-a-Truck event! All happening in the Borough Parking Lot next to the library. Come early to get a bite to eat and explore the vehicles with the kiddos!
What is a How to Fest?
We thought you might ask! Click here to read our FAQ page
1:00-1:30 Sessions
How to Make Foolproof Easy-Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs: Craft Room
Learn the specific steps (and tricks) to boiling hard-boiled eggs with easy-peel shells. Your deviled egg recipes will thank you! Presenter Lisa McGough, CSCL’s PR/Comm Coordinator, loves writing letters, fresh flowers and orchids, photography, and most of all, making her 12-year-old laugh!
How to Jump into Bullet Journaling: McLaughlin Room
Leave your intimidation at the door and learn a few good tips and approaches for getting started on this very cool organization tool that’s all the rage right now! Presenter Kelley Beeson is a self-designated creative who’s also pretty organized. BuJo combines her 2 favorite things: art and organization!
How To Make Hard Cider and Mead: Program Room (this session is 1-hour long)
Learn from a Master Mead Meister the basics of fruit-and-honey-based fermentation! Q & A time to follow presentation. Presenter Joshua Niese, native of Toledo Ohio, is the owner, Mead Meister and Cider Master at Stonewall Cider House and Meadery in Verona, PA.
How to Fishtail Braid: Reading Room
Learn a fun new way to braid hair with Fishtail Braiding, the super-cool inverted version of a classic French braid. Great for friends to try together, or parents who want to learn with their kids! Presenter Paige Asbury is a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School who plays soccer and sings in choir. She started braiding hair in middle school and eventually taught herself different kinds of braids through practicing on her friends. Rachel Ferris is also a senior at Fox Chapel. She plays volleyball, and just completed an internship for the library this summer.
How To Birdwatch During Fall Migration: Welcome Garden
Learn How To Spot an array of birds that may not live in Pittsburgh year-round, but are passing through for a short period of time during the upcoming fall migration season! Presenter Chris Kubiak, a native Pittsburgher and life-long birder, has been an active outdoor enthusiast for the past 25 years in Western Pennsylvania. Chris combines a love and passion of birds and nature with his nonprofit and research experience at Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania. He has participated in many bird citizen science programs, teaches the Master Birder program at ASWP, and is the leader of the South Butler Christmas Bird Count.
1:30-2:00 Sessions
How to Train a Therapy Cat: Craft Room
Learn what it takes for cat to become a therapy animal. Presenter Animal Friends Therapets impacts tens of thousands of lives each year with the healing power of animals. Each of their pet therapy teams undergoes special training and certification to ensure they are a good fit for the program. Accompanied by their human handlers, these dogs, cats and rabbits visit hospitals, specialized care facilities, college campuses and other locations throughout our region.
How to Do Origami: McLaughlin Room
A small number of folds and pleats can turn a flat sheet of paper into a star, heart or bow, but did you know that origami is now being used to deploy airbags and large panels for satellites in space? Join us for a demonstration to create simple origami objects and start your exploration of this ancient art. Presenter Lynn Nuhfer is a retired Materials Engineer and 30-year resident of O’Hara. She was inspired to explore origami by the PBS NOVA program “The Origami Revolution”.
How to Speak Some Spanish: Reading Room
When learning a new language, it’s helpful to listen, speak, write and read in that language. In a short 30 minutes you’ll learn more about these 4 approaches, and without realizing it, you’ll learn some Spanish! Presenter Bea Conte was born in South America, in a long, thin and beautiful country called Chile. She is an elementary teacher with a specialization in Spanish language, and a master in Educative Counseling for Families. She worked in schools teaching children to read and write in Spanish as their first language. Later she taught at a University in the Education department, helping future school teachers. She currently runs a storytime at the Library and an afterschool Spanish program at O’Hara Elementary.
How to fix or change a flat bicycle tire: Welcome Garden
Learn how to perform a simple tire change or patch repair on your bike to keep it safe and ready to ride! Presenter Steady State Cycles is a local Fox Chapel area bike shop specializing in top tier road and mountain products and service.
How to Use our NEW DIY Lab: Computer Lab (this will also be held at 2:30 and 3:30)
The library’s NEW D.I.Y. (Digitize It Yourself) Lab is a place where you can transfer and store your analog memorabilia, such as photos, slides, audio and video cassettes, into a digital format for safekeeping. Learn what types of formats can be converted, how it’s done and how to sign up for your own D.I.Y. Lab session. Presenter Jill McConnell has been the Cooper-Siegel Community Library Executive Director since 2014. She has a passion for learning new things and sharing what she’s learned with others.
2:00-2:30 Sessions
How to Tell a Good Ghost Story: Craft Room
Learn simple storytelling skills, play a storytelling game just for fun and discover some pointers for your campfire storytelling debut! Presenter Alison Babusci has been telling ghost stories for over 25 years at our library and all over Pittsburgh. Alison is an artist, educator, storyteller, puppetmaker and yogini. She enjoys all things artistic, libraries, cats and the sky.
How to Have Your Tarot Read: McLaughlin Room (this session is 1 hour long)
What is the Tarot? For centuries, this lavishly illustrated deck of cards has been used for both popular fortune telling and serious attempts to divine the future. Explore the fundamentals of Tarot, including its history, symbolism, and many different styles. Adam and Stacie will expand on their discussion of the Tarot with an exploration of popular spreads for using the cards as an oracle and source of guidance. A demonstration reading will be included. Presenter Stacie Davis is a reference librarian at Cooper-Siegel and an aficionado of the occult. Co-presenter Adam Davis is an anthropologist and professor at the Community College of Allegheny County and Duquesne University. He has been studying the Tarot and its symbolism for more than 30 years.
How to Impress the Kids with Flossing and Dabbing: Program Room
Impress your family when you show off your new Floss and Dab skills! We may even have time to cover a few of the fun Fortnite dance steps, too! Presenter John McGough, local 12-year-old and FCASD 6th grader, has been an enthusiastic patron of CSCL his entire life! He enjoys drawing comics, playing Minecraft, wrestling, and eating lasagna.
How to Speak Easy Japanese: Reading Room
Learn some overall basics about the Japanese language, 16 must-know Japanese words and phrases and a few resources to continue your learning! Presenter Sara Mariacher is the Branch Manager of the Sharpsburg Community Library and a lifelong language enthusiast. Long before she entertained the idea of being a librarian, she pursued a BA in Japanese at the University of Pittsburgh, which she rarely has an opportunity to utilize.
How to Raise Monarch Butterflies at Home: Welcome Garden
Monarch butterfly populations have decreased in recent decades and have a less than 5% survival rate in the wild. Learn about the life cycle of this beautiful butterfly and how you can help with plantings in your backyard or even by raising a few at home. Presenter Grace Abbs is a Cooper-Siegel Circulation Assistant. She became interested in saving Monarchs after planting milkweed in her backyard and seeing the caterpillars. Grace has had a lifelong interest in nature and was once a Volunteer Naturalist at Beechwood Farms. She has successfully raised more than 30 butterflies over the past two summers.
2:30-3:00 Sessions
How to Read to Babies: Storytime Room
It’s never too early to develop your little one’s early literacy skills. Have fun bonding over books with your baby by learning how to incorporate movement, rhyme, and other great techniques. Presenter Melanie Moore has been a youth services librarian for nearly 20 years. She loves helping kids of all ages find their next favorite book.
How to Strength Train as a Woman: Program Room
Learn the importance of weight training, a handful of exercises that can be done with little to no equipment and get some guidance on how often to train. Presenter Emily Gaspich is an ACE certified Group Exercise instructor affiliated with the Allegheny YMCA.
How to Photograph and Self-Publish a Family Book: Reading Room
Learn how to chronicle, assemble in an artful way and publish a photographic journey of your family heritage. Presenter Christian Shields is a U.S. Navy veteran, a gardener, a photographer, and an author. Co-Presenter Ellen Shields is a partner in an estate sale business and former elementary school teacher. She and her husband David own a house at the Chautauqua Institute. Co-Presenter Connie Ann Valenti has written regular columns in The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper and contributed for over 40 years to the Amplify program with Msgr. Ron Lengwin on KDKA radio. She is the author of the book “Stories of Jesus: A Gospel of Faith and Imagination” and has self-published over 50 books and e-books.
How to Sauna Like a True Finn: Welcome Garden (the sauna will also be available to experience from 12-2:30 and 3-4)
Discover the world of Finish Sauna with John Barbour from Warm Timbers Saunas and Wine Cellars. The benefits and enduring pleasure of sauna can add quality to your life- it’s even thought to be an antidepressant! The Warm Timbers mobile sauna will be here for you to explore AND experience! If you’d like to get in the sauna (go for it!) bring a swimsuit and towel. Presenter John Barbour, a Carnegie Mellon University grad is the owner and operator of Warm Timbers Saunas and Wine Cellars in Fox Chapel. He has built sauna rooms from Minnesota to Maryland.
How to Use our NEW DIY Lab: Computer Lab (this will also be held at 1:30 and 3:30)
The library’s NEW D.I.Y. (Digitize It Yourself) Lab is a place where you can transfer and store your analog memorabilia, such as photos, slides, audio and video cassettes, into a digital format for safekeeping. Learn what types of formats can be converted, how it’s done and how to sign up for your own D.I.Y. Lab session. Presenter Jill McConnell has been the Cooper-Siegel Community Library Executive Director since 2014. She has a passion for learning new things and sharing what she’s learned with others.
3:00-3:30 Sessions
How to Do Zumba for Kids: Storytime Room
Zumba is best described as a fun joyful Latin inspired fitness class that combines all the rhythms in Latin music. Zumba applies dance moves from Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, Rumba, Mambo, Belly Dance, Flamenco, Samba, Tango, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and more! Kara Steiner is a certified personal trainer & group fitness instructor. She has over 12 years of experience coaching, training and teaching group fitness classes.
How to Begin Researching Your Family Tree: McLaughlin Room
Fill out a few family history forms to begin discovering ancestors and learn about the 2 big FREE genealogy-focused resources available at the library. Presenter Bobby Egelston, one of our CSCL Circulation staff, enjoys knitting, cooking, hiking and researching her German-speaking ancestors.
How To Cut the Cable Cord: Program Room
Learn about digital antennas (the library has one to check-out!), streaming services and skinny streaming packages. We’ll help you decide if cutting the cable cord is right for you and review the pros and cons. Presenter Richard Goldman is a former bookstore owner who now works part time for a local technology company. He and cable parted ways last year and he’s never been happier!
How to Start a Writing Blog: Reading Room
Learn what it takes to start a blog that showcases your own writing and how to overcome the challenges that can happen once you begin. Presenter Laurie Iacono is the author of What Happens on Sunday, a novel about female Steelers fandom. She has experience with self-publishing digital and hard copy books and has maintained several different blogs to showcase her writing. She has an MFA in English Writing from University of Pittsburgh and currently works in the cyber-security field.
How To Make your Property a Water-Absorbing, Wildlife-Harboring, Carbon Sponge: Welcome Garden (this session is 1-hour long)
Learn how to overcome environmental changes that can negatively impact your property through effective planting and management of your land. Explore best practices that support wildlife, fight erosion and storm runoff and address invasives and how important reducing our carbon footprints is to support sustainable garden, turf and woodland regions. Presenter Weezie Walter, lifelong resident and avid home gardener is an environmental activist and master Gardener focused on organic and native practices for a sustainable future as a land steward. She serves on the Fox Chapel Land Trust, The Fox Chapel Garden Club as Horticulture Chair and Garden Club PA District Ix as Environmental Chair and serves with Penn State Master Gardeners of Allegheny County as incoming co-chair of the North Park Demonstration Gardens.
3:30-4:00 Sessions
How to Clean Your Home with Essential Oils: McLaughlin Room
Learn about what oils work well at home and how to use them to go green with your cleaning. We will also cover creating simple cleaning and hand sanitizer recipes, specifically on oil dilution for children and tips for making roller balls! Presenter Emily Cagwin is a wife, mom and homeschooler of three little ones. She loves using essential oils in her home and has been a Wellness Advocate with doTERRA for 2 years. She enjoys sharing and educating others about these oil-based home and health options.
How to Stretch, Breathe and Relax in Yoga: Program Room
Learn just a wee piece of yoga and the ideas behind the practice. You’ll learn some simple poses and alternate nostril breathing to usher in balance and peace. And yes, we will end with a guided relaxation. Dress in comfy clothes and bring a mat or beach towel. We will work barefoot.
How to Find Your Next Great Read: Reading Room
Are you insanely disappointed when you finish a book you loved and feel lost and empty? Find out how to get right to your next great read with some of the tools we librarians use that you can master, too! Whitney Zernich is part of our Adult Services Librarians team. She enjoys movies, music, good food and tries to read at least a couple of books every year in all genres. She looks forward to helping you discover your next great read.
How to Use our NEW DIY Lab: Computer Lab (this will also be held at 1:30 and 2:30)
The library’s NEW D.I.Y. (Digitize It Yourself) Lab is a place where you can transfer and store your analog memorabilia, such as photos, slides, audio and video cassettes, into a digital format for safekeeping. Learn what types of formats can be converted, how it’s done and how to sign up for your own D.I.Y. Lab session. Presenter Jill McConnell has been the Cooper-Siegel Community Library Executive Director since 2014. She has a passion for learning new things and sharing what she’s learned with others.