An Afternoon of Music with P.E. James
2024-10-26 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us for an afternoon of music with P.E. James
$10 per person payable at the door. Limited seating. To reserve a space, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
P.E. James (pejamesmusic.com) has been entertaining audiences by singing and playing acoustic guitar for over four decades. He performs at concerts and at restaurants all through central Massachusetts and is also enjoyed on the circuit of over 100 Memory Cafes, assisted living, retirement, Senior Centers, and rehabilitation facilities. He has completed his fourteenth consecutive year at Worcester’s Grill on the Hill restaurant in Green Hill Park.
He has been the featured headliner twice at the Amazing Things Art Center in Framingham, MA, and has performed his song “The Pantyhose Blues” at a well-known stage in Nashville, TN. He has twice sung the National Anthem for WooSox baseball games at Polar Park. He had a successful tour of concert halls and breweries in his native Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this August.
P.E. writes and performs cover songs and original material, and his recordings have been played on radio stations in both Worcester, Massachusetts and Pittsburgh. His recordings are available for listening at his web site.

Literary Costume Party!
2024-10-26 18:00 - 20:00
Come join in the fun and celebrate Halloween & Books!!
Dress as your favorite author, literary character or book theme for a chance to win fun prizes! All guests will receive a goodie bag, enjoy spooky snacks & devilish desserts, great photo-ops with props, a scavenger hunt, all while celebrating your love of reading. You can also book an Oracle Card Reading with Fay Eight of Swords for an additional fee of $25. There are limited spots, so don’t wait to book yours to add to the festivities!
Tickets are $25 per person and can be reserved at Eventbrite or in store during normal business hours.
***PLEASE NOTE: THE TIME OF THIS EVENT HAD CHANGED TO 6-8 P.M.***
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com
See you there!!

October Evening Book Group
2024-10-30 17:30 - 19:00
The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama is October’s pick.
In an inspiring follow-up to her acclaimed memoir Becoming, former First Lady Michelle Obama shares practical wisdom and powerful strategies for staying hopeful and balanced in today’s highly uncertain world.

Books are available in store at a 10% discount or online through Bookshop.org. Click on book cover for full description and to order online.

INK BLOCK PRINTING ART SHOW-“ON, IN AND AROUND THE WATER” BY LINDA LITTLETON
2024-11-01 - 2024-11-30
Cattails by Linda Littleton
Local Artist Linda Littleton of Webster, MA is the featured artist of the month November 1st-30th in our cafe gallery. Her show will feature 20+ small original ink block prints of scenes, animals, plants and boats found in and around water (fresh or salt) including Fish, Heron, Beaches, Boats, Lighthouses, Eagles and more to treat your eyes to bright impressions of inks pressed from carvings on blocks.
A public meet and greet with the artist will take place on Saturday, November 9th from 2-4 p.m.
The show may be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. For more information call 508-949-6232.
Ink Block Printing has been traced back to 617 AD in China as a method to print designs, letters and art on paper, cloth, pottery and other surfaces. Over centuries, this type of printing using a carved impression in a block of wood, linoleum, rubber etc. has evolved into a popular art for printing cards and art on paper and materials.
Linda Littleton is well known for her watercolors and acrylics, as the Webster Lake Artist with displays currently at Point Breeze and permanent work at Hometown Bank as well as numerous pieces in lake homes. All of her sales at Point Breeze result in a donation to the Webster/Dudley Food Share through AJ Alkire.
She has a home studio, conducts paint nights and does commission work as well, working in all media, sizes and subject matter. She is still an active member of the Rhode Island Water Color Society in Pawtucket having won 2 awards this year, one watercolor accepted into the National Show.
Linda previously taught for 36 years in Burlington and Framingham before retiring here and now lives with her forever partner John Lefebvre (and rescue dog Darla) on Webster Lake. She has received numerous awards and recognition in Milford Ma where she resided for 26 years was head of the Arts Counsel there, Cultural Committee chair and president of the Milford Artist Guild, officer in the Blackstone Valley Artist Guild and displayed in many local restaurants/galleries in central Massachusetts in the past. She was a member of the Cape Cod Artist Association, painting and displaying watercolors along the Cape/North Shore art venues and galleries.

A Poetry Book Signing & Open Mic with Alan Ira Gordon
2024-11-02 14:00 - 16:00
Join us for a Book Signing & Open Mic with Alan Ira Gordon featuring “Pittsburgh and Other Poems”.
To sign up for the Open Mic portion of the event, hosted by Paul Szlosek, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com. Space is limited.
About the book: Sometimes a sense of place is easy to identify and understand. In those instances, it can be a physical city, town, neighborhood or just a piece of property. Other times it can be a point in time, either past, present or future. And in yet other instances it can be a more exotic or alien sense of place, perhaps intergalactic, or multi-universe, even an alternate reality version of a well-known place and time, existing at a quantum point or merely within the minds of writers and readers.
All of the poems in this book explore in poetic form various ideas of sense of place, whether physical locations, points in time or ideas of place that could only exist (for now, at least) within the creative realms of science fiction, fantasy and/or horror.
Alan Ira Gordon is an urban planning professor at Worcester State University. His poetry publications include Analog Magazine and The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and he’s a frequent contributor to Star*Line, the quarterly journal of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). Alan’s poetry has received eight Rhysling Award nominations, two Dwarf Star Award nominations and an Analog Magazine year’s best nomination (Second Place Award). He has three published poetry collections, Planet Hunter, The Doggo Book and the just-released Pittsburgh & Other Poems (Hiraeth Books). Planet Hunter was nominated for the SFPA Elgin Award.
Alan guest-edited Issue #24 of Eye To The Telescope, the on-line publication of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association (SFPA). His poetry, short stories and articles have been published in various genre magazines and anthologies, a list of which can be found on his website at www.alaniragordon.com.

Artist Reception for Linda Littleton
2024-11-09 14:00 - 16:00
Memorial Beach, Webster, MA by Linda Littleton
Local Artist Linda Littleton of Webster, MA is the featured artist of the month November 1st-30th in our cafe gallery. Her show will feature 20+ small original ink block prints of scenes, animals, plants and boats found in and around water (fresh or salt) including Fish, Heron, Beaches, Boats, Lighthouses, Eagles and more to treat your eyes to bright impressions of inks pressed from carvings on blocks.
A public meet and greet with the artist will take place on Saturday, November 9th from 2-4 p.m.
The show may be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6. For more information call 508-949-6232.
Ink Block Printing has been traced back to 617 AD in China as a method to print designs, letters and art on paper, cloth, pottery and other surfaces. Over centuries, this type of printing using a carved impression in a block of wood, linoleum, rubber etc. has evolved into a popular art for printing cards and art on paper and materials.

Stand Up Comedy Show!
2024-11-15 19:00 - 21:00
Get ready to laugh until your sides hurt at the Stand Up Comedy Show! Join us for a night filled with hilarious jokes and side-splitting humor. Our local talented comedians will have you rolling in the aisles with their wit and unique humor. Don’t miss out on this evening of non-stop laughter and fun! Grab your friends and come on down for a night you won’t forget. 18+ show
GET YOUR TICKETS ON EVENTBRITE OR IN STORE!

Holiday Cards Decoupage Class with Jean Walker Creations
2024-11-22 18:00 - 20:00
Come join us for a fun and creative Holiday Cards Decoupage Class with Jean Walker Creations! Learn the art of decoupage and create 5 beautiful, personalized holiday cards & envelopes to share with your loved ones with your special message using napkins, stencils and metallic paints. No experience necessary – our expert instructor will guide you through the process step by step. Supplies will be provided, just bring your creativity and holiday spirit!
Don’t miss out on this festive event, sign up now! Chance to win a door prize too!
Reserve your spot in store or on Eventbrite

Meet & Greet with Author R. F. Mineo
2024-11-23 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for a meet & greet with local author R. F. Mineo, who will discuss and sign copies of his suspense novels Fatal Conspiracies and Cargill Falls: The Mill Conspiracy.
About Fatal Conspiracies: Greed! Envy! Revenge! Conspiracy! Murder!
R. F. Mineo’s Fatal Conspiracies is a prescription for an exciting literary ride. It has more than the required active ingredients for intrigue, suspense, and surprise. Mineo’s debut novel is a thrilling page-turner. Follow his characters as some take unimaginable risks and others try to find justice for those wronged. One slip or one erroneous move, and medicine turns to poison. And for some, that will mean falling victim to the ultimate – the fatal – conspiracies.
Mineo takes a deep dive into the world of big Pharma—the therapies, the drive for more profits, and the people, scientists, and executives who get those prescription tablets to your local pharmacy.

About Cargill Falls: A tale of greed and betrayal unfolds in the middle of an old mill’s renovation. The discovery of hidden Civil War treasure ignites a deadly game of power, where trust is a liability, and every handshake hides a betrayal. As the body count rises, the Connecticut State Police find themselves outmaneuvered at every turn. The killer, a ghost in the night, remains elusive, her motives as hidden as the treasure itself.
R F. Mineo has had thrilling mysteries on his mind for years. Consistent encouragement from friends and family—and the freedom that retirement affords—catalyzed him to act. To put pen to paper! And so, a new mystery novelist was empowered.
Rich’s business career has spanned over three decades, including a prominent role at a large corporation in the Medical Diagnostic and Pharmaceutical business units. What’s more, Rich has been the Managing Partner of a small investment bank firm and operated an antiques business. Rich was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State University.
Rich served as head of the State of Connecticut Fundraiser for the Special Olympics. His other philanthropy includes volunteering at a nearby hospital and the local YMCA. When he’s not writing, Rich enjoys biking, bowling, and spending time with his two adult children, three grandchildren, and his wife of 57 years, Wanda.

Small Business Saturday Sale Event!
2024-11-30
Join us as we celebrate the joys of shopping small! Enjoy refreshments, special deals, giveaways and raffles all day long and feel good as you also make a real difference in our community.
Your support matters and helps keep diversity, culture and vibrancy alive while picking up some unique, thoughtful gifts at the same time!
1-3 PM Meet & Greet with Thom Ring, author of the children’s Red Racecar Book Series for kids. Get signed copies for the young readers on your list!

Red Racecar Series Author Thom Ring Appearance
2024-11-30 13:00 - 15:00
To add to the festivities of Small Business Saturday, we are welcoming Thom Ring, author of the children’s The Red Racecar series, racing stories young racefans want to read! Pick up a few copies for all the young sports fans on your list!

AUTHOR THOM RING covered racing for a number of daily newspapers across New England before publishing Shorttrack magazine, which featured the sport in the region. He’s served as Technical Editor for Trackside magazine as well as a senior editor for Late Model Racer and New England Correspondent for Late Model Digest.
Ring was a race-winning kart driver and a solid middle-of-the-packer in a dirt midget. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife, singer-songwriter Jan Luby.

Special Holiday Extended Hours
2024-12-02 - 2024-12-23
We will be open the following extended hours for the holiday season:
Open Sundays-December 8th, 15th & 22nd 12pm-4pm
Open Mondays-December 2nd, 9th, 16th & 23rd 10am-5pm
Closing at 3 pm December 24th

"Daydreaming Near a Causeway" December Photo Exhibit by Johanna Riddle
2024-12-03 - 2024-12-31
The December featured artist of the month in our cafe gallery is photographer Johanna Riddle. Her show is titled “Daydreaming Near a Causeway” and can be viewed during normal business hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday & Friday 10-6, Sunday 12-4 through December 22nd.
The public is invited to a meet & greet reception on Sunday, December 15th, 2-4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information call 508-949-6232.
Artist’s statement:
Johanna (Jo) Riddle’s photography explores the realms of the unconscious mind, capturing the fleeting, surreal moments that exist between wakefulness and sleep. In this body of work, she brings the intangible world of daydreams to life through a town in rural Massachusetts. She uses film photography to offer a glimpse into the nostalgia of our inner landscapes. Through the use of blur and surrealism, Johanna evokes the sensations and distortions that come with dreaming—where logic fades and meaning becomes fluid.

Holiday Shop Hop!
2024-12-07 - 2024-12-08
Visit us along with 19 other local businesses for a Holiday Shop Hop weekend! Enjoy special deals, discounts, refreshments & fun while you shop local for the holidays. Check each business for specials and hours. Santa will be around for photos at The Flower Garden right next door on Saturday, Dec. 7th from 9am-3pm with any Toys for Tots donation of an unwrapped toy.
Visit 5 or more participating businesses for a chance to win $400 worth of gift cards!! Shop Hop til you Drop!

Author Appearance & Signing with Sarah Blanchard
2024-12-14 13:00 - 15:00
We invite you to a book signing and talk with Sarah Blanchard, author of the psychological thriller Drawn from Life.
This event is free and open to the public. Signed copies will be available for purchase. For more information call 508-949-6232.
In her debut novel, writer Sarah P. Blanchard tackles complex themes of betrayal, abandonment, guilt, and the destructive power of lies. She has always been drawn toward flawed, compassionate characters who believe they must battle their demons alone; and complex antagonists who feel they have nothing to lose. She found the spark for her her psychological suspense story DRAWN FROM LIFE in an article in The New Yorker, “The Sorrow and Shame of the Accidental Killer” (Alice Gregory, September 11, 2017). Wanting to learn more about how an ordinary person might learn to live with—or try to move past—a deep moral injury, Blanchard dug deeper into the traumas people experience when they act, or fail to act, in a way that violates their moral compass. In DRAWN FROM LIFE, Blanchard introduces readers to a troubled family and the unbalanced relationship between two cousins—one an untrustworthy bully, the other a compassionate target who carries an undeserved burden of guilt.

A Connecticut native, Sarah P. Blanchard graduated from the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in literature, and from Nichols College in Dudley, MA with an M.B.A. in marketing. Her short stories, poems, and essays have been widely published in magazines and literary journals. She was a finalist for the 2024 Porch Prize for Fiction and the 2021 Doris Betts Fiction Prize. Her story collection PLAYING CHESS WITH BULLS was published in December 2023.
Sarah taught English and communications for five years at the University of Hawaii-Hilo, and two semesters of fiction writing at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. She has led many workshops in creative writing while also working as a magazine editor, radio news reporter, textbook editor, and talk show host.

Artist Reception for "Dreaming Near a Causeway"
2024-12-15 14:00 - 16:00
Come meet and chat with local photographer Johanna (Jo) Riddle and view her exhibit “Dreaming Near a Causeway.”
Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.

CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY
2024-12-25
We will be closed December 25th for Christmas Day.
We will be open normal hours December 26th-28th, and December 31st.

CLOSED NEW YEAR'S DAY THROUGH JANUARY 6TH FOR VACATION
2025-01-01 - 2025-01-06
We will be closed January 1st for New Year’s Day and closed for vacation January 2nd-6th, reopening Tuesday, January 7th.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Nature in Flight-Photography by Pat Cheever
2025-01-07 - 2025-01-31
Our first art show of 2025 showcasing local artists is Nature in Flight, photographs by Pat Cheever, featuring butterflies, bees, birds and more. The show may be viewed in our cafe gallery during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
An artist’s reception will take place on Saturday, January 11th from 2-4 p.m. Free and open to the public with light refreshments served.
For more information, call 508-949-6232.

Artist's Reception for Nature in Flight
2025-01-11 14:00 - 16:00
Come meet and chat with local photographer Pat Cheever and view her exhibit Nature in Flight, featuring butterflies, birds & more.
Light refreshments will be provided. Free and open to the public.

Call to Artists! February Group Art Show-It's Only Black & White (But I Like It!)
2025-01-28 - 2025-01-31
Tree Silhouette photo by Debra Horan
Booklovers’ Gourmet invites all local artists to be part of the Annual Group Art Show in February. The theme is “It’s Only Black & White (But I Like It!)”
Drop off dates are January 28th-31st between 10am-5pm in person at 72 East Main Street, Webster, MA.
An artists’ reception will take place on Saturday, February 8th, 2-4 p.m. with light refreshments. Free and open to the public. The show will be on view in the cafe gallery February 1-28 during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm.
There is a $10 entry fee per artist, which will go towards a People’s Choice Award to be awarded at the end of the month, decided by votes from the public.
Space is limited to 1 piece per artist. You may submit more than one piece to be chosen from. Acceptance of work is at the discretion of Booklovers’ Gourmet.
Additional details & requirements:
* Work may be in any medium including photography, watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawings, prints, collage, fabric, mixed media, etc.
* All work must be black & white, any subject or style
*Dimensions must not exceed 16″ x 20″ in any direction
* All work must be ready to hang on the wall, preferably with a wire
* A 30% commission will be taken on any sales. Pricing is at the sole discretion of the artist.

For more information, email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232.

February Group Art Show: It's Only Black & White (But I Like It!)
2025-02-01 - 2025-02-28
Heart Hands Tree photo by Debra Horan
Stop in to view this month’s array of artwork from a variety of talented local artists in our annual group show: It’s Only Black & White (But I Like It!) on view in the cafe gallery February 1st-28th.
Featured works include traditional drawing, painting and photography as well as collage and mixed media in representational and abstract designs. We invite the public to vote for their favorite piece and be part of deciding the People’s Choice Award! Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 vote getters at the end of the month. Each person may vote 1 time in person while the show is on view.
A meet and greet with the artists will take place on Saturday, February 8th from 2-4 p.m. with light refreshments.
Viewing hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.

Wild Gardens Poetry Reading with Sara Letourneau
2025-02-01 14:00 - 16:00
Come meet Sara Letourneau who will be reading from and signing her debut poetry collection Wild Gardens. This event is free and open to the public and will include an open mic moderated by Robert Eugene Perry. Signed copies will be available for purchase.
To sign up for the open mic portion, email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232. Space is limited.
About the book: In this inspiring and lyrical collection, Sara Letourneau looks at our world and one’s life experiences with empathy and wide-open eyes. The book allows us to inhabit terrain that is physical—the shores of Cape Cod, the lava fields of Iceland, parks in Massachusetts and New York City—and emotional. Poems about grief, love, and mental health coexist with poems about travel, spirituality, and the natural world like flowers in a nursery. Wild Gardens shows us how to live with wonder, perceptiveness, and gratitude for the extraordinary and the everyday.
Bio: Sara Letourneau’s debut poetry collection, Wild Gardens, is out now from Kelsay Books. She’s also a book editor and writing coach at Heart of the Story Editorial & Coaching Services; the cofounder and cohost of the Pour Me a Poem open mic in Mansfield, Massachusetts; and the co-editor of the Pour Me a Poem poetry anthology. Her poetry has won the 2023 Beals Prize for Poetry and the Blue Institute’s 2020 Words on Water contest. Her new and upcoming work can be found in Amethyst Review, The Arts Fuse, Gyroscope Review, Nixes Mate Review, Remington Review, Rituals, and Silver Birch Press, among others. Sara lives in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
Links: Website: https://heartofthestoryeditorial.com/wild-gardens/ · Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartofthestoryeditorial · Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sara_heartofthestory/ · LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-letourneau/

Artists' Reception for Group Show
2025-02-08 14:00 - 16:00
Come meet some of the 22 artists featured in this month’s group show, It’s Only Black & White (But I Like It!)
Light refreshments will be served.
Vote for your favorite piece! People’s Choice Awards will be given to the top 3 vote-getters. 1 vote per person.

A Year in the Room Author Event with Steven Rogers
2025-02-14 17:00 - 19:00
Join us as we welcome back author Steven Rogers with his second book A Year in the Room, a contemporary spiritual novel. The event is free and attendees will receive a sweet treat in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Signed copies will be available for purchase. To RSVP, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
About the book: Reluctant pilgrim Ben Cahill steps off a flight from Israel facing an unrelenting list of challenges—a fractured family, no job, no place to live, and a dubious grip on his newly-found sobriety. He has no plans for the next steps in his life.
Ben starts over, settling into a small, rented room and working three part-time jobs. As his first year of recovery unfolds, Ben fights an unrelenting spiritual war against his personal demons and the consequences of his past actions.
Can a chain-smoking, no-nonsense grandmother, a retired navy cook, a crusty old Scotsman, and an unexpected pilgrimage to the legendary Scottish Island of Iona, clear away the wreckage of Ben’s life and lead him to hope? Join Ben on his journey in this sequel to the award-winning novel Into the Room.

About the author: Steven Rogers is a writer and speaker. After attending The College of the Holy Cross, in Worcester, MA, Steve became a Certified Public Accountant and filled various roles in public accounting and private industry. A lifelong lover of books and literature, over the years he dabbled with writing fiction, dreaming of a time he could fully commit to learning the craft. Since retiring from the corporate world in 2016, Steve has completed three novels and a half-dozen short stories.
Steve’s Contemporary Christian Novel Into the Room was published by Elk Lake Publishing in May of 2021. Into the Room won first place in the Spiritual Fiction Category and was a Grand Prize finalist for the 2022 Eric Hoffer Book Award. In addition, Into the Room was a finalist in the Debut Novel category for the 2022 American Fiction Christian Writers Carol Awards and a Runner-Up in the 2023 Christian Indie Awards.
Steve’s second novel, A Year in the Room, was published in October of 2024.
Steve, a proud father of three adult children and one incredibly lucky son-in-law, is happily married to his wife of thirty-nine years, Kathy. They live in Richmond, Virginia.
To learn more about Steve, visit his website steven-rogers.com

March Photography Exhibit "Natural Zen" by Shannon O'Brien
2025-03-01 - 2025-03-29
Endless by Shannon O’Brien
“Natural Zen: Visual meditations on the life in front of us”, by Shannon O’Brien will be on display and for sale in our cafe gallery March 1st-29th.
A public meet the artist reception will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, 2-4 p.m.
The photographs may be viewed during normal business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm.
For more information call 508-949-6232.
Bio: Shannon O’Brien is a midwestern transplant living in New England. She has a BS in visual communications and an MFA in nonfiction writing. She started her career as a newspaper photojournalist in South Florida and currently works in higher education. She’s had a lifelong interest in Zen Buddhism, practicing and reading informally for many years. After her brother died from cancer, she decided to focus more deeply on her practice and became a member of a Zen community, where she works with a teacher. As part of that teacher-student agreement, she accepted an assignment to develop a creative project that reflected her thoughts on Zen. This photo project is the product of that assignment. Each image captures a moment when she was stopped by the beauty of the scene and reminded of the transient nature of time. Shannon lives in Webster with her husband David, dogs Jojo and Lucy, and Big Boy George the cat.

An Evening of Music with Mark & Raianne
2025-03-08 18:30 - 20:00
Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards Photo by Trailing Twine Photography
PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT WAS POSTPONED FROM AN EARLIER DATE. TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!
Join us for a night filled with beautiful melodies and soulful tunes. Mark and Raianne will serenade you with their enchanting voices and captivating music. Sit back, relax, and let the music transport you to another world. This in-person event promises to be a memorable evening for all music lovers! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience live music in a cozy setting. Grab your friends and come enjoy a magical night with Mark & Raianne!
Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased in store or on Eventbrite. Seating is general admission and limited to 20 attendees. Reserve your seat today!!

Mark & Raianne are a married couple who entertain with unmistakable vocal harmonies, poetic lyrics and down-to-earth personae. These musically talented artists have contributed over seventeen albums within their first decade and toured consistently throughout the US and Canada. Accompanying themselves on guitar, Mandolin, harmonica, ukulele, penny whistle, electric bass, tenor guitar 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.Making Promises (2024) is the fourth eponymous studio release by contemporary folk songwriters Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards. This album replete with poetic lyrics, sophisticated musical arrangements, and mellifluous vocal harmonies will be a welcome addition to your collection from their twenty-year partnership. Much of the material inspired by their recent marriage in 2021 reflects on themes of love, desires, perseverance and promises, with much of the music sparsely arranged as duets with upright bass accompaniment by longtime friend Zack Ciras (see indie-folk trio the accident that led me to the world). Two compositions recorded between 2021-2023 include bandmates Doug Williamson (piano) and Peter Hart (pedal steel), with the majority recorded in Northfield Massachusetts during December 2023.
For more information visit markandraianne.com

Artist's Reception for Natural Zen
2025-03-22 14:00 - 16:00
Universe by Shannon O’Brien
Come meet and chat with Shannon O’Brien about her photography show “Natural Zen: Visual meditations on the life in front of us”.
Bio: Shannon O’Brien is a midwestern transplant living in New England. She has a BS in visual communications and an MFA in nonfiction writing. She started her career as a newspaper photojournalist in South Florida and currently works in higher education. She’s had a lifelong interest in Zen Buddhism, practicing and reading informally for many years. After her brother died from cancer, she decided to focus more deeply on her practice and became a member of a Zen community, where she works with a teacher. As part of that teacher-student agreement, she accepted an assignment to develop a creative project that reflected her thoughts on Zen. This photo project is the product of that assignment. Each image captures a moment when she was stopped by the beauty of the scene and reminded of the transient nature of time. Shannon lives in Webster with her husband David, dogs Jojo and Lucy, and Big Boy George the cat.

"The Promise of Spring", Photography by Don McCallister
2025-04-01 - 2025-04-30
This month’s featured local artist is photographer Don McCallister, whose work will be on display and for sale in our cafe gallery April 1st-30th.
The show may be viewed during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm
The month of April is a welcome sight after a New England winter. It holds the hope that from that pile of leaves will spring a cluster of wildflowers; a clump of barren twigs will sprout leaves and develop into a flowering shrub; the green spiral at the end of a fuzzy stem will unwind into a intricate multi-cut fern. Sunrise stirs the winter moisture lurking in the ground into a fog that the morning dissipates into a blue sky day. Mornings seem to linger and the still low slanting sun illuminates the warm promise of the day.
These are some of the things that I have tried to capture in my photographs. Perhaps some of the hope embedded in the sights of spring will make its way to the viewers of this collection.

30th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Days!
2025-04-04 - 2025-04-05
