Artist Reception for Beyond Blooms
2022-07-23 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us for a meet & greet with Don McCallister, whose photographs grace the cafe walls through July 30th.

Little Piping Plover book reading & signing
2022-07-09 10:00 - 11:30
Join J. Roach-Evans, author and illustrator, for a reading and book signing of her new book “Little Piping Plover”, a narrative non-fiction book for young children and their families.
A creative coloring activity will be offered. Signed, personalized copies of this book, as well as all of her others, will be available for purchase.
Please RSVP to deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232.
For more information about Joanne, visit her Website.
***At this time, face masks are required for all attendees***

Evening Book Group-POSTPONED TO JULY 6TH
2022-07-06 17:30 - 19:00
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to deb@bookloversgrourmet.com or call 508-949-6232.

The pick for June is Lucky by Marissa Stapley. A thrilling roller-coaster ride about a heist gone terribly wrong, with a plucky protagonist who will win readers’ hearts. What if you had the winning ticket that would change your life forever, but you couldn’t cash it in?
For a review, go HERE.
All book group picks are available for purchase in store or online at a 10% discount!!
For the ebook, go HERE.

Beyond Blooms, Textures in our Garden-Photography Exhibit by Don McCallister
2022-07-05 - 2022-07-30
Textures in the Garden by Don McCallister
The featured art show of July is photography by Don McCallister, on display and for sale July 5th-30th in the cafe gallery.

A reception to meet the artist will take place on Saturday, July 23rd from 1-3 p.m.
Viewing hours for the public are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com

Artist’s statement:
Gardens can be beautiful with flowers of every color and hue. But when the flowers are finished blooming, all you have left in boring green foliage. Right? Well, not necessarily. There can be interesting subjects in the garden all year long. All you need to do is look beyond the blooms and you’ll discover a never ending variety of shapes and textures. (And having a talented gardener, such as my wife, to design the gardens helps.) I hope this collection will inspire its viewers to look for unexpected beauty in our yards and in the natural world.

"Forget-Me-Not" artist reception with Cindy Smith
2022-06-25 14:00 - 16:00
Meet & greet with local artist Cindy Smith.
A portion of proceeds from sales goes towards cancer research, specifically the research of Dr. James M. Cleary, MD, PhD from Dana Farber, Cindy’s Oncologist.

How to Get Better Photos from Your Smartphone
2022-06-25 10:30 - 12:00
Photo by Bil Gardner
In this introductory course, you will learn how to get much better photographs from your very own smartphone. While not as manipulative as a more fully functional camera, the quality of smartphone cameras today has become really quite good and with just a few tips and tricks, you will start to produce images that your friends and family will marvel at.

This 90-minute course will be led by professional photographer, Bil Gardiner, owner of William Gardiner Photography in Worcester. In it, you will learn how to get the most out of your specific smartphone camera and learn about things like composition and perspective in order to “see” differently and create better images than you ever have before.

Cost for this introductory course will be just $25
Prepayment is required by using this ticket link , emailing deb@bookloversgourmet.com or calling 508-949-6232.
Space is limited to 8 individuals.

William Gardiner Photography Bio:
William “Bil” Gardiner is a Photographic Artist based in Worcester, MA. The owner of William Gardiner Photography since 2002, his studio specializes in Lifestyle Portraiture. In 2013, he began to focus on a form of Contemplative Photography called Miksang.
An award-winning photographer, Bil has exhibited regionally and has worked in collaboration with professional photographers such as Lou Jones, Stephen DiRado, Darton Drake and Patrick O’Connor.
Bil is a past vice president of the Commercial and Industrial Photographers of New England, as well as a past general member of the Professional Photographer’s Association of Massachusetts and the Professional Photographer’s Association of New England.
He is an educator in Photography and teaches frequently in the Central Massachusetts region, including, but not limited to, the Worcester Center for Crafts and the Roudenbush Community Center. He is currently teaching a Photography Elective for youth at the Jewish Community Center of Worcester.

Comedy Nite!
2022-06-24 19:00 - 20:00
Join in the fun for our premier Comedy Nite featuring four great, local comics!
Tickets are just $15. Limited seating. Don’t wait!! Get yours HERE or stop in the store.
Cathy Coleman is a young badass comic from Boston. Actually, she’s a middle aged badass comic from right here in Webster. She’s performed at Boston Comedy Chicks, Improv Boston, and the Comedy Studio as well as bars and comedy clubs all over New England and once in a library. She’s opened for headliners, Julie Goldman and Kristen Becker. Her students say she is a cross between Paula Poundstone and Ellen Degeneres. Her mother says she is a cross between difficult and challenging. She says she is a cross between witty and worrisome.

Patty Gould, affectionately known as FPG because of her challenged time management skills, has been performing stand up for the past 10 years. She can be found on any given weekend telling her glass half filled tales navigating life as FPG. She has shared stages with all of The Boston Comedy veterans and legends throughout New England and is always the hometown favorite. Her first bookstore appearance, she is very excited to be a part of this show.

Nick Ortolani is the first guy to introduce himself at a party, and also the first to leave. His comedy combines a commanding stage presence with a literary sensibility to create something unique. Employing a borderline-moral outrage at the daily atrocities of modern life, big and small, Nick leaves no stone unturned. A tightly wound ball of neurosis and charisma, Nick’s stage presence betrays a very-real guy with a razor sharp wit and a heart of gold. His physical and verbal acrobatics have appeared in the Boston Comedy Festival (semi-finalist, 2017, 2018); The Women In Comedy Festival (2015, 2017, 2019); The Black Friday Comedy Marathon (2015); and the Rogue Island Comedy Festival (2017). He appears regularly at clubs around Boston, and has opened for national headliners. A regular at the Comedy Studio in Cambridge MA, Nick was selected as Comic In Residence for the club’s 20th anniversary. In addition to appearing on stage, Nick’s writing has been featured in The Hard Times, Funny Or Die, and on the Nerdist podcast network. He currently resides in Boston and is not as much of a cat person as you might think.

Laura Jean Fay is a writer and teacher who grew up in and around Boston. After being laid off in 2020, she started doing stand-up last year in Central Mass. Since then she has performed at several venues in and around Worcester. Laura Jean moved to Webster in 2019 where she stayed to ride out the Covid-19 crisis. When asked what got her through the pandemic she replies “Black market haircuts and lots of Cherry Garcia”.

Angel Life Path Readings
2022-06-18 10:30 - 12:30
Discover what you are being guided to do at this time. All messages are brought to you from a place of love, uplifting messages all for your highest good.
Cost: $25/15 minute reading or $45/30 minute reading. Pre-register for a specific time by calling 508-949-6232 or emailing deb@bookloversgourmet.com
Or use this Link

Paint Your Own Personal Journal with Artist Jean Walker
2022-06-16 18:00 - 19:30
Paint your very own canvas covered 40 page journal! You will have multiple designs with stencils to choose from, including the sample floral shown.
All supplies included.
Cost is $25. Space is limited to 18.
Sign up with ticket link, email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or stop in to reserve your spot!

Unlike Any Other: A Novel about Bathsheba Spooner by Ed Londergan
2022-06-11 13:00 - 15:00
THIS EVENT WAS POSTPONED UNTIL A LATER DATE. STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS.
Author talk & signing with Ed Londergan about The Story of An 18th Century Woman from A Prominent New England Family Who Went from A Life of Privilege to The Gallows.
Signed copies will be available for purchase.
Bathsheba Spooner was the daughter of Timothy Ruggles, a general in the French and Indian War, president of the Stamp Act Congress, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and a leading loyalist in Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War; the epitome of upper class.
Like her father, Bathsheba was smart, strong-willed, and a staunch British loyalist. Forced to marry a man she did not love, Bathsheba withstood her husband’s abuse for years until a young Continental soldier entered her life. But when this well-heeled mother of three small children discovered she was pregnant with the soldier’s child, her thoughts quickly turned to murder.
Based on a true story, the events that follow Bathsheba’s life, her decisions, and her ultimate demise will show readers that Bathsheba Spooner was, in fact, Unlike Any Other . . .
Ed Londergan is the author of the award-winning books The Devils’ Elbow and The Long Journey Home. Having researched American history for many years, he is a frequent speaker with a focus on colonial Massachusetts. A graduate of Holy Cross, he lives in Warren, Massachusetts.

Double Mystery Author Event
2022-06-04 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a double author event featuring Leslie Wheeler and Sharon Healy-Yang.
For more information, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
The event is free and signed copies of books will be available for purchase.

An award-winning author of books about American history and biographies, Leslie Wheeler launched her Berkshire Hilltown Mysteries with Rattlesnake Hill. With Shuntoll Hill, the latest in the series, Boston library curator Kathryn Stinson returns to the Berkshires, hoping to rebuild her romance with Earl Barker, but ends up battling a New York developer, determined to turn the property she’s been renting into an upscale development. Kathryn’s search for
answers leads her to other questions about the developer’s connection to a friend of hers who fled New York years ago for mysterious reasons. The information she uncovers puts her in grave danger.

Sharon Healy-Yang is an aficionado of 1940s cinematic and written mysteries. A professor emerita at Worcester State University in Massachusetts, where she was known for her 1940s
hats, she had the great fortune to share her love of literature and film with her students in her courses. Now retired, she’s excited to recapture for readers the smart-talking heroines, suspense, adventure, and sharp wit of 1940s films in her Jessica Minton Mystery series: Bait and Switch, Letter from a Dead Man, and Always Play the Dark Horse. Once again diving into the perspective of Jessica Minton, Always Play the Dark Horse shows a gradual but significant transformation in this main character; Healy-Yang describes the newly engaged Jessica Minton in the third book of the Jessica Minton Mystery series as someone who has transformed from the strong woman who felt she had to prove herself to the strong woman who is confident in having proved herself.

"Forget-Me-Not ....An artist's healing journey through Flowers and Inspiration"
2022-06-01 - 2022-06-30
Paintings by Cindy Smith will be on display June 1st-30th in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, June 25th , 2-4 p.m.
A portion of all sales will go towards cancer research.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com
Artist’s Statement: “Flowers and Art have always been my passion…As I walk this cancer journey, I found solace in painting and a purpose in raising funds for my Oncologist Dr. James M. Cleary, MD, PhD from Dana Farber.”

Open Memorial Day 10am-12pm
2022-05-30 10:00 - 12:00
We will be open Monday, May 30th to watch the parade go by. Join us for a beverage and pastry!

Artist Reception for Is There Beauty Within Tragedy?
2022-05-14 14:00 - 16:00
Come by to meet and chat with young artist Eren Torres.

May Art Exhibit-Is There Beauty Within Tragedy? by Eren Torres
2022-05-07 - 2022-05-31
Stop in during the month of May to view drawings and mixed media artwork by Eren Torres in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet and greet with the artist will take place on Saturday, May 14th, 2-4 p.m. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
This is a portfolio on tragedy. We all know the meaning of that word and what emotions come with it. But what if there was some unforeseen side to it? What if we took tragedy and turned it into beauty. Can tragedy be beautiful? Can something as dark and cold as tragedy be seen as something beautiful? And how, just how, can we perceive that?

About the Artist:
Seventeen-year-old upcoming artist Eren Torres takes inspiration from things most people would see as “bad” “dark” and “horrific” and sees them in a positive and fulfilling way, taking away the negative attributes of the world and forcing others to see them in a different way. As a proud member of the LGBT community and born into a Hispanic household, Eren sought to make change with their art. Hoping it can become a tool for the world to see things in common, as well as each other, to create a conjoined and hopeful community.

An Evening of Music-Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards with special guest Samuel Bowen
2022-05-06 19:00 - 20:30
Join us for a live concert featuring local favorites Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards with special opener Samuel Bowen!

For tickets go HERE. Seats are limited and will sell out!

Little by little, you will get to know Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards through their unmistakable vocal harmonies, poetic lyrics and down-to-earth personae. They are a married musical couple based out of Webster, Massachusetts. These prolific and hard working Massachusetts-based artists have contributed over seventeen albums within their first decade and toured consistently throughout the US and Canada.

Accompanying themselves on guitar, harmonica, ukulele, penny whistle, electric bass, and most uniquely clarinet, their live performances are both musically captivating and spiritually uplifting as audiences are carefully balanced between serious songs and humorous commentary – concert goers will leave feeling a bit more human, as if they have experienced something genuine.

Samuel Bowen has been writing, performing, recording and touring for over three decades. He led the award nominated blues band Blue Cat Groove for seven years touring the north east. Sam has worked with Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre, Michael Sweet, Mitch Mcviker, Shawn Colvin, David Mallet, Tom Conlon, and many others. His albums have been nominated for awards from Nashville to Massachusetts inducing: “Speak To Me”, voted number eight in the top ten regional independent releases by Limelight magazine in 2016. His 2020 release “Bleeding Daylight” continues to gain positive reviews.

Closed for Vacation
2022-05-03 - 2022-05-05
We will be taking a few days off for a quick Springtime vacation to rest & recharge. See you back on May 6th!

Book Release: Who Am I? A Teen's Creative Guide to Adulting by Dawn Wilson
2022-04-30 13:00 - 15:00
Who Am I? A Teen’s Creative Guide to Adulting is Dawn’s first book. She melds art, creativity, healing, and teaching into a journey of self discovery.
Signed copies will be available for purchase.
As a teen, rebelling against society’s norms Dawn struggled to be true to herself. Stepping into the unknown, she created a new path that brings purpose, energy, and connection to the world around her. Her deepest desire is for the readers to find their own unique voices in their creative journey towards becoming an adult.
Dawn resides in Grafton, MA and teaches graphic arts at Bay Path Regional Technical High School in Charlton, MA.

Celebrate Independent Bookstore Day!
2022-04-30
Join us in celebrating Independent Bookstore Day!!
There will be giveaways and exclusive books and other cool things from your favorite authors you won’t find anywhere else!
Tag us at #indiebookstoreday
For more information visit independentbookstoreday.com

Earthsongs Book Release Party
2022-04-23 13:00 - 15:00
“Earthsongs” illustrations by Ferol Smith

Join us as we celebrate Earth Day with “Earthsongs”, a new book of poetry & art featuring a collaboration between friends Robert Eugene Perry & Ferol Smith.

Signed copies will be available for purchase that day.

Poet Statement:
This collaboration with my artist friend Ferol was absolutely a labor of love. In discussing the sketches that would accompany the poems, she intuitively grasped the meaning of the words and translated them into sublime images. She needed very little direction from me.
It was almost as if the synchronicity of the project was palpable to both of us. Her sketches added a new dimension to my own perception of my poems. This has been one of the most rewarding artistic experiences of my life.

Artist Statement:
When Bob first approached me about this project, I was intrigued. Normally, my art requires creatively rendering a visual scene. For this project, it would involve interpreting the written word.
At first, it was a challenge to read a poem and conceptualize a complementary nature scene. However, once I started to really grasp the essence of his words, the process became much easier. His poems inspired me to reach within, and as a result I gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of his work.

"Finding Mary", author talk & presentation with Julie Rumrill
2022-04-09 13:00 - 15:00
Finding Mary is the story of one sister’s journey through the dark confines of unresolved grief toward forgiveness and understanding. What begins as a simple wish to visit her sister Mary’s grave, turns into a compelling quest for truth, honor, and justice in the face of murder. The author, Julie, invites you to re-examine forgotten promises, old secrets, and the complicated ways families cope with traumatic loss. Part mystery, part reclamation, Finding Mary is threaded with beautiful descriptions of the natural world, and is a heartfelt experience you won’t want to miss. It will make you laugh, cry, and celebrate the enduring and precious gift of family.
For more information or to reserve a space, call 508-949-6232. Signed copies will be available for purchase.

Author bio: Julie Rumrill is a faculty member in the Department of Earth Science at Southern Connecticut State University and Gateway Community College in New Haven, CT. She holds an M.S. in Geology and is a doctoral student at the University of Hartford. In addition to her academic life, Julie is a certified yoga and Mindfulness instructor. When she is not writing, teaching, consulting or leading workshops, she enjoys adventure travel, volunteering, reading, painting, bird watching, and spending precious time with family.
Photo credit: Genevieve Madison

"Seasons" Meet the Artist Reception
2022-04-02 14:00 - 16:00
Inspired by Wyeth’s Teel’s Island by Kelly Anderson

Stop in from 2-4 pm to meet and chat with this month’s featured artist, Kelly Anderson.
Free and open to the public.

"Seasons", Paintings by Kelly Anderson
2022-04-01 - 2022-04-30
Winter Tree Shadow by Kelly Anderson
Stop in to see the work of the featured artist of the month, Kelly Anderson, in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
**Please join us for a meet the artist reception on Saturday, April 2nd, 2-4 p.m.**
About the artist:
Kelly is a self-taught painter working in oil and more recently, watercolor. Raised in Harpswell Maine and now enjoying Webster Lake, she is drawn to painting rocky coastlines, the beauty of trees, birds and all things natural and meditative lake water. Kelly is inspired by her favorite painters Andrew Wyeth and Winslow Homer
Kelly is grateful for developing an artist’s eye for observation, now seeing beauty in things that previously lacked significance. Gratitude also extends to what she has learned from painting that has impacted her life in general: gaining patience to wait for the canvas to dry when it would be satisfying to continue painting, not being frugal with paint and materials in order to create a desired effect the first time, and having confidence that the ugly parts of the painting process in the beginning will bring forth the desired feeling.
Inspired by Wyeth’s Teel’s Island by Kelly Anderson
The theme of Kelly’s show is Seasons. It captures many of her inspirations. Each of the naturally stained poplar floating frames were made Kelly’s husband, Matt.

27th Anniversary Celebration
2022-03-04 - 2022-03-05
Join us as we celebrate 27 years in business! There will be raffles, giveaways, treats & fun all day March 4th & 5th.

Free Raffles – Gift Certificates & More!
Special Deals – 10-50% OFF select items
Anniversary Giveaway
Cupcakes from Phyllis’s Specialty Bakery (Yum!)
Write on our “Customer Wall”

Nature by Design Photography Show by Debra Horan
2022-03-01 - 2022-03-31
Bleeding Hearts by Debra Horan
“Nature by Design”, photography by Debra Horan will be on display & for sale through the month of March. The show can be viewed in the cafe gallery during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
The main inspiration for this show comes from closely observing the inherent design, beauty and balance of the natural world, including pattern, texture and tone. Whether in our own backyard or out in the wilderness, experiencing nature and open space can lead to a deeper sense of respect, well-being, self-discovery and interconnectedness to every living thing.
Debra Horan was born and raised in Webster, Massachusetts and is a graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. She pursued a career in freelance illustration for several years and worked for publications including Worcester Magazine, the Worcester Phoenix, the War Resistors League (NY), Orange Coast Magazine (CA), Inside Sports, and Rhode Island Monthly magazine. From 1994 through 2004 she was an active member of the women’s art group ARTXII, based out of Worcester, MA, who organized and participated in regional and national gallery, university and museum shows.
Since 1995, Debra continues to own and operate of Booklovers’ Gourmet, a bookstore, cafe and art gallery, in Webster, MA. This career enables her to combine her artistic and literary interests as well as help support local artists, authors, poets and musicians in the community by creating a welcoming place for them to gather and draw inspiration from one another.

Pisces Moon Journaling Circle on Zoom
2022-02-27 18:30 - 20:30
Create intuitive journal entries for each phase, using your own natal astrological chart, with a basic keyword system based on the moon phase, astrological sign, and natal chart “house” placement of the degree of each of the eight moon phases. Join us on Zoom for the Pisces Moon Journaling Circle! Space is limited.

Fee: $15 (includes natal chart file if you need one) Register HERE or call 508-949-6232. **Please note: purchase of the journal ($19.98) is required in addition to this fee.**
The Green Mountain Astrological Moon Journal 2022 is available through Booklovers’ Gourmet either in store on online HERE.
If you do not wish to purchase the journal, you may participate with an added fee of $5 for the journaling notes for that moon cycle. Register HERE for this option or call 508-949-6232.
Once you are registered, you will receive the Zoom link and downloadable journaling notes (if needed) via email.
Your own natal chart is required. If you don’t have one, you will be able to get one at no charge upon request.

Moon Journaling Circles are for any level of astrological knowledge. Discussion and sharing is invited, or you may journal quietly on your own. Participants agree to collectively keep conversations confidential.

Astrologer Mary Anna Abuzahra will guide you with the astrological side of the process, as well as help getting you started on your initial journaling entries.
Green Mountain Intuitive Arts is owned and operated by Mary Anna Abuzahra.
Woman owned and operated, LGBTQIA+ and family friendly.
Earth aligned, trauma informed, intersectional feminism

"Winter Vignettes" February Group Art Show
2022-02-01 - 2022-02-26
Stop in to view the 27th annual February group art show at Booklovers’ Gourmet in our cafe gallery. This year’s theme is “Winter Vignettes”. Photography, drawings, paintings and mixed media are represented by 13 local artists.
New this year!! “People’s Choice Awards” You may cast your vote in person anytime during our regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
The show will run from February 1st-26th

Meet the Artist Reception for Jim Palace
2022-01-22 14:00 - 16:00
Stop in to meet this month’s featured artist in our cafe gallery, Jim Palace. Free and open to the public.

January Art Exhibit-"Journey in Dry Medium"
2022-01-06 - 2022-01-29
“Journey in Dry Medium“, colored pencil & mixed media drawings by Jim Palace will be on display and for sale January 6th-29th during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A meet the artist reception will take place on Saturday, January 22nd, 1-3 p.m. Free and open to the public. Call 508-949-6232 for more information.
Artist’s statement: As a transplanted Long Island resident, I first started working in the Kitchen and Bath Industry at Weston Kitchens. There, I was a CADD (Computer Aided Drafting and Design) designer. I created floor plans, elevations and 3-D renderings for our clients. After 15 years, I changed directions and worked in the public school system’s Special Education Department, as a one-on-one aide.
For the last 2 years, under the tutelage of Ed Turner, (owner of Art and Frame Emporium) I have concentrated on my colored pencil and mixed media projects. These are the pieces I have chosen for my show “ Journey In Dry Medium”.

CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY VACATION
2022-01-01 - 2022-01-05
We will be closed for a brief vacation January 1st-5th.
