Local History Talk with Jeff Stefanik-"Beside Blue Waters: A History of Webster Lake"
2026-05-02 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us for this free, informative talk and book signing by local historian Jeff Stefanik!
You will also have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of his new book “Beside Blue Waters: A History of Webster Lake”.
All proceeds go to benefit the Samuel Slater Experience in Webster.

Jeff Stefanik is a Webster native and has been a land surveyor working throughout the region for nearly fifty years. He has used his interest in history and his professional background to write the history of Webster Lake from the coming of the Europeans in 1600 to the present day.

To RSVP, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

Real Estate Q & A
2026-05-09 11:00 - 12:30
Join RE/MAX Vision agent Jo-Ann Szymczak and Vicki Bennett for a free, informative real estate session. This will be a relaxed opportunity to learn and get answers from experienced professionals. Whether you’re preparing for a move or simply want to understand the process better, this session offers clear, friendly insight.
Call 774-230-5044 for your reservation!

Stop in to talk about the buying and selling process and ask questions about topics such as:

Buyer Representation
Titles
Staging
Solar Contracts
Homes for Heroes Rewards
And more!

Fins and Feathers Artist's Reception with Linda Littleton
2026-05-15 17:00 - 19:00
Come by to meet local artist Linda Littleton and see “Fins and Feathers”, her small works show of paintings in our cafe gallery. Light refreshments will be served.
The works will include watercolors, prints and acrylics of some of our favorite feathered friends and fish and may also be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm.
For more information call 508-949-6232.

CLOSED FOR VACATION
2026-05-31 - 2026-06-04
We will be closed for a brief vacation as we recharge and get ready for a busy summer. Plus try to catch up on our TBR!
We will reopen on Friday, June 5th with normal business hours.

"Layers of Imagination", Artwork by Tim Oliver
2026-06-05 - 2026-06-30
Come in and view “Layers of Imagination”, an art show & sale featuring mixed media drawings by Tim Oliver from June 5th-30th in the cafe gallery.

The public is invited to a meet and greet with the artist on Saturday, June 13th, 2-4 p.m.

Tim lives in Woodstock, CT and has displayed his work in the local area for many years, including most recently at the Pearle L. Crawford Library in Dudley, MA.
For more information, call 508-949-6232.

Artist’s Statement: “Art brings me satisfaction and joy, and makes me whole. I love it when my work can do a little of this for anyone else. This can be ego-fulfilling and humbling, all at the same time. I am very grateful and have been blessed with these talents and skills, and, at age seventy, I am ready for the world. I was born an artist, and I shall die an artist!”

Audiobook Meetup-Silent Reading Party
2026-06-06 12:00 - 15:00
Join us for an afternoon of celebrating audiobooks!
What’s an audiobook meetup?
An audiobook meetup is a fun, low-pressure way to gather with friends, all while connecting over stories. We invite you to a silent reading party at our bookstore! Bring your own audiobook and chat with other audiophiles before or after about your read. Snacks will be provided, cafe beverages available for purchase.
The first 10 attendees will receive a free Libro.fm audiobook credit!
RSVP by June 4th to deb@bookloversgourmet.com

POSTPONED: Sam Bowen & Friends Showcase Concert
2026-06-06 18:00 - 20:00
UNFORTUNATELY THIS CONCERT MUST BE POSTPONED DUE TO MEDICAL ISSUES OF SOME OF THE MUSICIANS.

Join us for a night of fantastic music and great company. Sam Bowen and a talented group of friends will be taking the stage to showcase their musical talents. Get ready for an evening filled with soulful melodies and captivating performances. Don’t miss out on this special event – mark your calendars and come ready to enjoy some amazing music!
(top left photo) Samuel Bowen – Singer Songwriter guitarist will perform solo with three other singer songwriters: (bottom left) Glenn Hillard – Singer Songwriter Ragtime piano; (bottom right) April Kane – Singer Songwriter; (top right) Jennifer Holmes – Singer Songwriter piano player
“Samuel Bowen’s 25 years of experience shows in his solid handling of his axes, both electric & acoustic. He possesses a honey smooth timbre in his voice, a buttress to his heartfelt lyrics.Thought provoking mellow, feel good music, works well in the hands of someone as skilled as Samuel Bowen.” Blue Blast Magazine.
Samuel has been writing, touring and producing throughout New England for three decades. He’s toured Ireland twice, and his award winning blues band “Blue Cat Groove” has been nominated for awards from Boston to Nashville. He has worked with Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre band, Shawn Colvin, Michael Sweet, Phil Madeira, Samuel Horner and many others. He plays festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, churches and living rooms. He’s known for his emotionally packed vocals and technical guitar work in the vein of Bruce Cockburn and Neil Young.

Mandala Tea Lite Painting Workshop
2026-06-12 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for a chill Mandala Tea Lite Painting Workshop and create cool mandala art! Cafe beverages & sweet treats will be available too!

More Details:Join us for a fun and relaxing in-person session with artist Wendy Hicks where you’ll get to create beautiful mandala designs on a pair of one-of-a-kind tea lites. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop is a great way to unwind and explore your creativity. We’ll provide all the materials – just bring your positive vibes! Don’t miss out on this art-filled experience that blends mindfulness with colorful expression.

Cost is $60 per person. You will get a pair of personalized tea lites to take home with you!
Sign up in store or on Eventbrite. Limited to 10 attendees.

"Layers of Imagination" Art Reception with Tim Oliver
2026-06-13 14:00 - 16:00

Whispers from Spirit with Psychic Medium Leo McCarthy
2026-06-17 18:30 - 20:00
Join us for an intimate evening connecting with loved ones in spirit through messages from Psychic Medium Leo McCarthy!
Tickets are $45/person and space is limited to 12 attendees. Purchase tickets in store during normal business hours or online at Eventbrite. (ticket fees apply)
Leo McCarthy, a renowned psychic medium, will guide you through messages from loved ones beyond the veil. This in-person event offers a unique opportunity to experience the power of mediumship in a cozy setting. Don’t miss this chance to receive messages from spirit and gain insight into the unseen world around us. Reserve your spot today!
For more information about Leo, visit leojmccarthy.com
*** There is not a guarantee that everyone will get a reading with either a virtual or in-person small group, because it depends on who comes through in spirit, how many in spirit come through and how much time the messages take to come through for each person receiving the reading. ***

"Through the Eyes of an Artist", Paintings by W.J. Yacino
2026-07-01 - 2026-07-31
Partners for Life, oil painting by W.J. Yacino
Come by to view July’s featured local artist in our cafe gallery!
“Through the Eyes of an Artist”, paintings of W.J. Yacino of Oxford MA, will be on view July 1st-31st and may be viewed during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm.

The public is invited to a meet and greet with the artist on Saturday, July 25th, 12-2 p.m.
For more information call 508-949-6232.

ARTIST’S BIOGRAPHY

Wayne Joseph Yacino is a native of Oxford, Massachusetts, who is of Metis (French – Abenaki), Italian and Polish descent. He began painting at the age of 5 years. As a self-taught artist, and with over 60 years of experience, he has had the opportunity to live in Europe for 2 years during his military tour with NATO. He has displayed several of his pieces in Vicenza, Italy. He has also displayed his woodwork and paintings throughout the United States.

The artist has done extensive research into Native American imagery and has taught the Ancient American Skills the first weekend in October, at the Annual Water’s Farm Days event in Sutton, Massachusetts, from 1996-2022.

The artist’s goal is: “To share with the viewer my emotions and Spiritual experiences through my art; to rise above the mundane, and to bring honor and Glory to my God.”
Whatever his subject, he finds great joy and blessing in the way the eye moves through a painting and follows the interaction of all the colors.

Vision looks to tomorrow and sees the reality that should exist today. Vision is the ability to dream – to dream better things in a better world. Vision brings power to a life that might otherwise be meaningless.

Stress Relief with Hypnosis-Free 1 Hour Info Session
2026-07-11 12:00 - 13:00

Summer Meet & Greet with Author Jenn Bouchard-Palms on the Cape
2026-07-14 12:00 - 14:00
Come meet author Jenn Bouchard and hear her talk about her newest release Palms on the Cape. The event is free and open to the public. Signed copies of several of her books will be available for purchase. For more information or to RSVP, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
About the Book: After a tumultuous childhood, Rachel Sinclair has made a life for herself. On the verge of turning forty, her upscale beach bar–Palms on the Cape–is packed throughout the Cape Cod summer season. She has surrounded herself with a devoted staff and great friends, including her best friend, Carlos…who she might be in love with. When Rachel learns of a plan to take over her business, she must decide if it’s worth the gamble to join forces with an unlikely ally, or risk losing everything she has worked for.
Author Bio:Jenn Bouchard is the award-winning author of PALMS ON THE CAPE, CONSIDERING US, and FIRST COURSE, as well as several published short stories. She has been teaching high school social studies for twenty-six years and also teaches short story classes to adults in her community. She is an avid cook, volunteer for good causes, and devoted Red Sox fan. A graduate of Bates College and Tufts University, she lives in the Boston suburbs with her husband and two teenage children.

Open Mic Poetry Roundtable with Featured Poet Steve Veilleux
2026-07-18 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for our monthly open mic poetry share moderated by Robert Eugene Perry and featured poet Steve Veilleux!

Thompson’s first poet laureate, Steve Veilleux, finds inspiration in the magical beauty of his pastoral environment. He paints with a surreal paintbrush, relentlessly combining images into his montages. His poetry has appeared in various anthologies, including Silkworm, Connecticut Bards Poetry Review, Many Voices – One Stage, and The Nutmeg Anthology. His first poetry book, Event Horizon, is available from Amazon Books, as well as his latest collection entitled What the Moleman Said.

All local poets are invited to bring original poems to share in a supportive, nurturing environment.

There is space for up to 14 readers and usually fills up quickly! Listeners are also welcome.

To sign up , please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

Meet & Greet with Artist W.J. Yacino
2026-07-25 12:00 - 14:00
Blacksmith, oil painting by W.J. Yacino

Stop by to meet and chat with local artist W.J. Yacino, of Oxford, MA.
View his oil paintings in our cafe gallery and enjoy light refreshments.
Free and open to the public.

Evening Book Group July
2026-07-29 17:30 - 19:00
This month’s pick is Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden.
A brand new twisted thriller that will have you cheering “good for her!” from the #1 New York Times bestselling and global sensation Freida McFadden, author of The Housemaid!
Sometimes, enough is enough…
Debbie Mullen is losing it. For years, she has compiled all of her best advice into her column, Dear Debbie, where the wives of New England come for sympathy and neighborly advice. Through her work, Debbie has heard from countless women who are ignored, belittled, or even abused by their husbands. And Debbie does her best to guide them in the right direction.
Or at least, she did.
Books may be purchased in store for a 10% discount or online at Bookshop.org

Tenth Annual Blackstone Valley Art Association's "Sunflower Show"
2026-08-01 - 2026-08-29
“Submerged” Photography by Cheryl Holland
It’s Summertime and the Tenth Annual Blackstone Valley Art Association’s “Sunflower Show” will be on view August 1st-29th in our cafe gallery. Works will include photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more, all created to represent and celebrate the glorious sunflower. Many pieces are for sale.
The show may be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
The public is invited to a meet & greet with artists participating in the group show on Friday, August 21st from 5-7 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 508-949-6232 or visit bookloversgourmet.com/events.
About the BVAA: Since its inception in 1957, the Blackstone Valley Art Association has been dedicated to the advancement of the arts and preservation of the finest artistic traditions by means of exhibitions, classes, workshops, presentations, and other activities favorable to artistic expression, and to the development of friendly exchanges amongst artists and those interested in the arts. For more information, visit https://bvaa.org/

Bi-Monthly Writers' Group
2026-08-05 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-08-19 16:00 - 17:30
Looking to get tips and share your original writing? Whether your genre is poetry, essays, memoir, stories or fiction, this small, supportive group led by published, award-winning author and poet Sarah Blanchard will help guide and encourage you. The group meets twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m. If you’re serious about improving your skills, you are welcome to join us!
Please email deb@bookloversgourmet.com to sign up.

Open Mic Roundtable Poetry with Special Feature Fred Gerhard
2026-08-15 14:00 - 16:00
Please join us for our Monthly Open Mic Poetry Roundtable moderated by Robert Eugene Perry. This month will also feature a reading and book signing by Fred Gerhard.

Mother and Son Poetry Reading
Fred Gerhard, author of Drifting to “Hello” (Khotso, 2023) and Lilacs Still Bloom in Ashburnham (Local Gems, 2023), will be reading his poems and poems from the recently published posthumous collection from his mother, Rena Gerhard, The Loving: Selected Poems (Petronella Press, 2026).
Rena, who died in 2014 wrote poetry for over five decades in Pennsylvania. Her work is well-crafted and insightful whether writing about love, family, God, or surviving brain cancer.
Fred is widely published in magazines and anthologies. He is a winner of the Art on the Trails competition (2024) and the Poetry in the Pines competition (2023). He is also an editor at Quabbin Quills and Smoky Quartz.

All local poets are invited to bring original poems to share in a supportive, nurturing environment.

There is space for up to 14 readers and usually fills up quickly! Listeners are also welcome.

To sign up , please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

Mystery Book Group August
2026-08-19 11:00 - 12:00
This month’s mystery book group will be discussing The Four Queens of Crime by Rosanne Limoncelli.
In this debut mystery, DCI Lilian Wyles, the first woman detective chief inspector in the CID, is determined to find a killer with the help of the four queens of crime, Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham, perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths and Claudia Gray.
Please let us know if you plan to attend. All are welcome! There is no cost to participate.
Books are available in store at a 10% discount or buy online at Bookshop.org.

Reception for BVAA Tenth Annual Sunflower Show
2026-08-21 17:00 - 19:00
Join us for a meet & greet with artists participating in the group BVAA Sunflower Show
Friday, August 21st from 5-7 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 508-949-6232.

It’s Summertime and the Tenth Annual Blackstone Valley Art Association’s “Sunflower Show” will be on view August 1st-29th in our cafe gallery. Works will include photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more, all created to represent and celebrate the glorious sunflower. Many pieces are for sale.
The show may be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
About the BVAA: Since its inception in 1957, the Blackstone Valley Art Association has been dedicated to the advancement of the arts and preservation of the finest artistic traditions by means of exhibitions, classes, workshops, presentations, and other activities favorable to artistic expression, and to the development of friendly exchanges amongst artists and those interested in the arts. For more information, visit https://bvaa.org/

Evening Book Group August
2026-08-26 17:30 - 19:00
Our pick this month is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a gentle literary novel about an elderly, quietly wealthy Portuguese man named Theo who arrives in the small Southern town of Golden. He buys 92 local pencil portraits from a coffee shop and gifts them back to their subjects, transforming the community through profound acts of human connection.
All are welcome to attend! Please let us know if you plan to come by calling 508-949-6232 or emailing deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
Books may be purchase in store at a 10% discount or online at Bookshop.org.
