Monthly Writers Group
2024-04-10 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us for a small, supportive writers group.
Open to all genres and styles. Bring a piece to share or just come listen and offer feedback. Call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com to register. Free.

"When Being a Nurse Was Fun: Tales From My Life as a Nurse", with Author Ann Watt
2024-04-13 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Meet author Ann Watt, whose debut book is a nursing memoir titled, “When Being a Nurse Was Fun: Tales From My Life as a Nurse”.
This book signing & presentation is free to attend and signed books will be available for purchase. For more information or to RSVP, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com. Ann lived in Worcester for a few years and was employed by UMass/Memorial at the University campus. The book starts with a few stories about her nursing training and employment at UMass.
About the book: Did you ever wonder what happens in an ICU at night? Is being a nurse in a hospital like what you see on TV or on the internet?
Besides taking excellent care of their patients, nurses enjoyed humor at work before the Covid pandemic. Playing jokes on each other or finding hilarity in absurd situations, we devised ways to amuse ourselves while performing our duties.
Glimpse into the medical career of someone who dares to say life as a nurse used to be fun. Follow my journey from being a student nurse to a critical care RN with 30 years of experience.
Relive with me both the frustrations and camaraderie that I encountered as an RN. Filled with true tales from my life both in and out of the hospital, “When Being a Nurse Was Fun” will cause you to laugh, and may also make you cry.
About the Author: Raised in South Deerfield, Massachusetts, Ann pursued a career as a nurse and graduated from Fitchburg State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She primarily worked in various ICUs for 30 years. Showing dedication to her area of expertise, she earned both her adult Critical Care RN and Cardiac Surgery specialty certificates.
Seeking challenges outside of the workplace, Ann obtained her private and commercial pilot licenses, in both single and multiengine airplanes.
Presently keeping her feet on the ground, she travels, hikes, and climbs mountains whenever possible. Conquering all 48 summits in the White Mountains of NH which are above 4000 feet in elevation, she is a member of the AMC’s 4000-Footer club. Photography, birding, and cooking are her other favorite hobbies.

Ann currently lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Wayne, and her rescue dog. For more information, visit her website http://www.annwattauthor.com

April Mystery Book Group
2024-04-17 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
This month’s mystery book group pick is West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman.
LOOKING FOR AN ANYTHING-BUT-ORDINARY WHODUNIT? – Welcome to the West Heart Club. Where the drinks are neat but behind closed doors . . . things can get messy. Where upright citizens are deemed downright boring. Where the only missing piece of the puzzle is you, dear reader.
A unique and irresistible murder mystery set at a remote hunting lodge where everyone is a suspect, including the erratic detective on the scene—a remarkable debut that gleefully upends the rules of the genre.
Purchase the book online HERE or in store for a 10% discount.
Please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com if you plan to attend.

Young Poets Workshop
2024-04-17 17:00 - 18:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
POETRY IS ABOUT FINDING YOUR VOICE AND LEARNING HOW TO EXPRESS IT!

Join us during school vacation week in celebrating National Poetry Month! The workshop will be led by local published poet Robert Eugene Perry, who hosts several open mic events in the area including Slightly Offbeat Poets and a monthly Open Mic Poetry Share at Booklovers’ Gourmet since 2017.
The cost of the workshop is $10 per person and is limited to 10 participants ages 12-19.
To sign up, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

What will be included in the workshop:

WRITING PROCESS

Inspiration
Finding your rhythm
Narrative

WRITER’S BLOCK (UNINSPIRED)

Ways to get unstuck
Giving yourself space
Journaling

EDITING

Having another proofreader
Reading out loud

ORGANIZING INTO BOOK FORM

Sections
Themes
Visual on page

SHARING INDIVIDUAL POEMS (as time allows)

Robert Eugene Perry is a native of Massachusetts and author of five books, the latest Earthsongs was released by Human Error Publishing in March 2022. He finds inspiration in nature, endeavoring to draw connections between ourselves and the natural world.

Annual Earth Day Family Fair
2024-04-21 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Andy’s Neighborhood Canteen, 9 Frederick Street, Webster, 01570, United States
We are thrilled to be a part of the annual Earth Day Family Fair hosted by Local4Life!
***The event takes place at Andy’s Neighborhood Canteen, 9 Frederick Street, Webster, MA***
You can expect hands on activities for kids of all ages and education for adults of all ages on how to be a good steward of the Earth!
We will be featuring all kinds of books celebrating the Earth, nature, gardening and some giveaways too. Hope to see you there!!

"Finding Home"- April Book Group Meet & Greet with Dean Cycon
2024-04-24 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We are excited to host Dean Cycon, author of Finding Home (Hungary 1945), in person for our monthly book group meeting in April! He will also be accompanied by a couple of klezmer musicians. To attend, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
Books are currently available in store at a 10% discount or online HERE.
Here is just one of many rave reviews:
“Finding Home is a poetic, sweeping, and transportive story of Jewish returnees seeking to rebuild their lives after the war. In a world where prejudice and greed haven’t ceased, and where displacement continues long after liberation, Cycon gives us a powerful and emotional read, with faith, music, and beauty central to the search for home.”
-Jennifer Rosner, award-winning author of The Yellow Bird Sings and Once We Were Home

Dean Cycon is an author, lawyer, human rights advocate, and social entrepreneur who has lived and worked in over sixty countries. A passionate explorer of culture and history, Dean seeks out unexamined corners that illuminate the human condition. He has previously published Javatrekker: Dispatches from the World of Fair Trade Coffee, which was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Travel Essay by the Independent Publishers Association and has been translated into Chinese, Korean, and Spanish. Finding Home (Hungary, 1945) is his first novel. Dean lives in Western Massachusetts, USA.

Independent Bookstore Day 2024
2024-04-27 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
JOIN US FOR INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY 2024!
Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), now in its 11th year, is a one-day national party that celebrates indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. Stop in for a fun time including a “Golden Ticket” scavenger hunt courtesy of Libro.fm, giveaways, raffles & special treats along with exclusive books and other cool literary-related items that you can only get on that day at indie bookstores!
See you there!!

Underwater Photography by Brian Perry
2024-05-01 - 2024-05-31 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Lemon Sharks-Tiger Beach, photograph by Brian Perry
Underwater Photography by Brian Perry will be on display May 1st-31st in our cafe gallery. You won’t want to miss this unique & beautiful show! These large format photographs may be viewed during regular business hours, Tuesday-Saturday 10-5, Wednesday 10-6.
A special talk and reception with the artist will take place on Saturday, May 4th at 2 p.m. He will speak about equipment, lighting techniques, wide angle and macro, composition, and post processing techniques
Free and open to the public. For more information, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

Artist’s Statement: I have been scuba diving since 1979. I became a scuba instructor in 1982 and taught diving at Inland Divers and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. My underwater photography began in 2009 to share photos with my diving students using a Canon digital camera. I took a Master Course in Underwater Photography in 2013 to learn how to use a Nikon DSLR camera underwater. My local underwater photography is done in Gloucester and Rockport and my favorite area is Key Largo, Florida where the water is clear and the fish colorful. In July 2022, I spent one week diving with large Tiger Sharks in the Bahamas, up close, no protection, just my camera. My talk will include a discussion on equipment, lighting techniques, wide angle and macro, composition, and post processing techniques.

Growing HOPE: The Therapeutic Benefits Of Gardening
2024-05-04 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us in welcoming author Carol Bernardone with her book Growing HOPE.
This is a free event. Autographed books will be available for purchase. To RSVP, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com
Gardening is fundamental to providing healthy air, nutritious food, and beauty for the world. But even beyond this, the art of gardening provides many therapeutic benefits for children. You don’t have to be an expert gardener to let your green thumb flourish and share all that can be learned in the world of horticulture. Whether you are a teacher, therapist, or parent of young children, you might be on the constant prowl for new activities that help create a safe space where kids can grow. If that’s the case, look no further than Growing Hope: The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening.
Gardening refers to any form of connecting with green life through plants and nature. This is a powerful, inclusive, and adaptable activity for all ages! Inside this guide, you will discover:
* The many benefits of gardening with real-life examples of how gardening can shape minds, overcome challenges, and transform life for the better.
* Important steps to take for beginner gardeners with inspiration on how to incorporate gardening in educational and therapy settings.
* How gardening has transformed many different lives and provided healing methods through various case studies.
* Powerful tips to make gardening more collaborative with suggestions for creating partnerships through plants and nature.
* Realistic methods to help introduce gardening in the classroom, during therapy, or at home to empower all ages and improve valuable life skills!
Beyond this, you will find practical advice and valuable insights from the mind of Carol Bernardone, a school-based occupational therapist assistant in special education with over 25 years of experience. Anyone can benefit from the practice of connecting with nature. If you are ready to discover the ins and outs of using gardening for therapeutic benefits, add this book to your collection of learning tools.

Artist's Talk-Underwater Photography by Brian Perry
2024-05-04 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Tiger Sharks, photography by Brian Perry

A special talk and reception with photographer Brian Perry will take place on Saturday, May 4th at 2 p.m. He will speak about equipment, lighting techniques, wide angle and macro, composition, and post processing techniques.
His show of Underwater Photography will be on display in the cafe gallery May 1st-31st during regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-6pm.
Free and open to the public. For more information, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

Holy Fire Experience-Guided Meditation with Leo McCarthy
2024-05-08 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Come join us for a transformative experience led by Reiki Master Leo McCarthy at Booklovers’ Gourmet. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with your inner self through guided meditation in a serene and accepting environment. Let the Holy Fire guide you on a journey of self-discovery and relaxation. Whether you are new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this event is open to all who seek inner peace and spiritual growth. Don’t miss out on this enlightening experience!
Cost is $30 per person, limited to 10 participants
Tickets available online through EVENTBRITE or in store during regular business hours.
*Everyone should bring a journal/notebook and pen/pencil to write about their experience during the meditation.
What to expect:
During this Experience, Leo will be conducting a brief guided meditation followed by 15 – 20 minutes of quiet during which time the Holy Fire® energy will be working directly with each person, providing a unique healing experience that contains what is needed by each person. Some people will have inner experiences such as seeing colors or feeling waves of healing energy flowing through them or visions of spiritual beings and so forth, and others will simply feel relaxed. Everyone will receive something meaningful that will continue to produce benefits even after the event. After the Experience is complete, Leo will have everyone write in their journal or notebook about what they experienced. There will be time afterwards if people wish to share their experiences.

New England's Haunted Route 44 Book Talk & Signing
2024-05-11 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us in welcoming authors Tom D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson as they explore & discuss the dark corners of New England’s most haunted highway, Route 44!

The event is free and open to the public. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

U.S. Route 44 stretches across New England from Massachusetts to Connecticut before completing its circuit in New York State, 237 miles later. Along the way, travelers may encounter the infamous Bridgewater Triangle, take a haunted tour of Plymouth, or see the ghosts of Chepachet.

Follow in the footsteps of famous science fiction horror writer Howard Phillips Lovecraft from Providence to Gloucester, Rhode Island. Follow the road through small towns and dark forests where sightings of UFOs and cryptids have surprised travelers for years.

About the authors: Tom D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson are ardent researchers of New England history, haunts, legends and folklore. Creators of fourteen books, together they have penned and captured on film the best haunts and history New England has to offer. Tom has contributed to various other books and publications and has appeared on many television and radio shows, as well as documentaries on the subject of the paranormal. Arlene is a professional photographer with a degree in photography. Tom is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a degree in political science. He is a professional teacher and musician. Tom builds his own musical instruments, many from the medieval and Renaissance periods, for use in his profession.

Closing at 3 p.m. for the Holiday Weekend
2024-05-25 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We will be closing at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 25th for the Memorial Day Weekend, reopening on Tuesday, May 28th.
Have a safe and happy holiday!

June Photo Exhibit -Travels with Bridget
2024-06-01 - 2024-06-29 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Bass Harbor Head Light Station Tremont, ME by Bridget Perch
Photographs by Bridget Perch from travels around New England, Arizona, California, Florida and Cuba will be on display at Booklovers’ Gourmet in the cafe gallery June 1st-29th.
The public is invited to a meet and greet with the artist on Saturday, June 29th, 2-4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
Artist’s Statement: My name is Bridget Perch and I am a photography hobbyist, living in Central Mass since 1993. I am active in the Assabet Valley Camera Club and enjoy sharing my pictures and participating in contests and challenges.
My husband and I enjoy traveling, when we can. I am pleased to share my journeys through my pictures. There is a story to be told for each photo that I take.
I have put together this exhibit of a number of my favorite photos. I do hope that you enjoy viewing them as much as I have the pleasure of sharing them with you.

World War II Massachusetts Book Talk with James Parr
2024-06-01 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us for this free event! Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Over 500,000 Massachusetts residents answered the call to military duty in the Second World War, while the rest of the state’s citizens fought the war on the home front. Everyone in the family, including pets, found creative and essential ways to contribute.
Thousands worked in factories, volunteered for Civil Defense, watched for enemy aircraft, and took part in salvage collections and bond drives, all while dealing with rationing, blackouts, rumors and a host of other wartime inconveniences. And while thousands of service members left to fight overseas, the Bay State also welcomed thousands more to serve on its military bases that were such an important part of our nation’s defense.
Author James Parr reveals the stories of these brave and dedicated citizens–from the famous to the ordinary–as they faced wartime challenges.
James L. Parr taught elementary school for thirty-four years before retiring in June 2022. He is a longtime volunteer at several local historical organizations and community theater groups. This is Jim’s fourth book for The History Press

Music of Sam Bowen & Blue Cat Grove
2024-06-01 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Get ready to experience Sam Bowen’s newest CD “Closer to the Sky” live and feel like you’re soaring high with his incredible music!
Come join us for an unforgettable evening of music with the talented singer-songwriter Sam Bowen! Get ready to be taken “closer to the sky” with his soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. This in person event will be hosted at Booklovers’ Gourmet, the perfect intimate setting to enjoy Sam’s music. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience live music in a cozy atmosphere. Grab your friends and come vibe with us!
Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased in store during regular business hours or online through Eventbrite.
Seats are general admission and limited to 20 attendees.

Drifting to "Hello" Poetry Event with Fred Gerhard
2024-06-08 14:30 - 16:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Come hear Fred Gerhard read from his new poetry book, Drifting to “Hello” (Khotso Publishing). His poems have also appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies. A 2023 winner of Poetry in the Pines, he writes from Ashburnham, MA, where he leads monthly poetry workshops. The event will also include an open mic portion. To sign up to read, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com. Space is limited.

Praise for Drifting to “Hello”
“… from lucid and conversational free verse to skillful and musical rhyme. He crafts memorable lines and indelible images…” —Simon Hunt, author of Lesser Magi and Endlings
“These poems tap gently at our door and invite us to join the dance of dandelions and red catkins, bobcats and trolleys, of life and death and love.” —Barbara Morrison, author of Terrarium, Here at Least, and Innocent
“In Fred’s poetry, there is a magical sense of loss, and light … that envelops the reader in something mystical.” —Kirk Lawrence-Howard, BespokeVocals.com
“Beautiful, touching, and heartwarming … an enchanting read.” —Melissa Dorval, author of the novel When You Lose Control
“We are the lucky ones who get to experience his many loves through his poems.” —Kevin Scott Hall, songwriter and author of A Quarter Inch From My Heart and Off the Charts!
Fred Gerhard’s poems have appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies including Entropy Magazine, Friends Journal, Monadnock Underground, Pif Magazine, and POETiCA REViEW. He is author of the chapbook Lilacs Still Bloom in Ashburnham: Songs of Spring (Local Gems Poetry Press, 2023) and Drifting to “Hello” (Khotso Publishing, 2023). His poems have also appeared in local art galleries. He is one of the 2023 winners of the Poetry in the Pines contest for which his work is installed on the trails at the Cathedral in the Pines in Rindge, NH. His poems have also been voiced by the actor Kirk Lawrence-Howard on YouTube. He is an editor for Quabbin Quills anthologies, and Smoky Quartz – An Online Journal of Literature and Art. For many years he led a poetry therapy group in Worcester. And he is one of the founders of the New Dawn Writers’ Group where he leads monthly poetry workshops and helps host open mic nights in Ashburnham, MA. Visit his virtual reading room at FredGerhard.com

Tuesday Time with Spirit with Leo McCarthy
2024-06-11 19:00 - 20:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Come experience the connection between the material and spiritual worlds with psychic medium Leo McCarthy in a group setting. Limited to 12 attendees.
Tickets: $45 per person may be purchased in store during regular business hours or online through EVENTBRITE.
In Mediumship, the medium represents being the bridge between the spirit world and the sitter. When mediumship happens, the medium raises their energetic vibration to meet the spirit world. At the same time, the spirit world is lowering their energetic vibration to meet the medium. The medium can then validate information given from the spirit world, show continuation of the soul after physical death, and relay messages to the sitter.
For more information about Leo McCarthy, visit https://leomediummccarthy.net/
Please note: Not all participants are guaranteed a reading.

"The Luminous Racetrack" Poetry Reading with Bill Tremblay
2024-06-22 14:00 - 15:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Bill Tremblay will read from his newest book The Luminous Racetrack, poetic memoirs about growing up in his Franco-American working-class family in the town of Southbridge, Massachusetts.
An open mic portion will also be included in the program. To sign up to read, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
The event is free and signed books will be available for purchase.
Bill Tremblay is an award-winning poet, novelist, teacher, editor, and reviewer whose work has appeared in ten full-length volumes of poetry including Crying in the Cheap Seats [University of Massachusetts Press], The Anarchist Heart [New Rivers Press], Duhamel: Ideas of Order in Little Canada [BOA Editions Ltd.], Shooting Script: Door of Fire [Eastern Washington University Press]. Hundreds of his poems have appeared in literary magazines and in such anthologies as the Pushcart Prize, The Jazz Poetry Anthology, Best American Poetry, 2003, In 1994, he published his novel, The June Rise {Utah State University Press}, which was widely and favorably reviewed, especially on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” In 2004, his book, Shooting Script: Door of Fire received the Colorado Book Award [2004]. He has received awards and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities as well as at Yaddo. He was a Fulbright visiting Lecturer at Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal. Mr. Tremblay edited Colorado Review for 15 years, and is the recipient of the John F. Stern Distinguished Professor award for his thirty-three years teaching in and directing the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Colorado State University.

Artist's Reception-Travels with Bridget
2024-06-29 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Horseshoe Bend Page, AZ by Bridget Perch
Photographs by Bridget Perch from travels around New England, Arizona, California, Florida and Cuba will be on display at Booklovers’ Gourmet in the cafe gallery June 1st-29th.
Join us for a meet and greet with the artist on Saturday, June 29th, 2-4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.

“Wondrous Water”, Paintings by Anne M. Tisdell
2024-07-02 - 2024-07-31 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Raft of Sea Otters by Anne Tisdell
Come view this month’s featured art show by Anne Tisdell, of Webster, on display in the cafe gallery July 2nd-31st.
“Wondrous Water” – This is a substance on which all living things must have in order to live. Without it all animals and plants would wither and die. What is it made of? Two hydrogen atoms with one oxygen atom = H2O.
It has many personalities. It can freeze and be the surface for ice skating and hockey or a horror, freezing our roads and adhering to trees and power wires causing outages and traffic accidents. In its liquid form, marine life frolic in rivers, lakes and oceans with swimming, surfing and so forth with humans doing many different activities as well. It hydrates us to drink. In its gaseous form, steam can power locomotives, machinery, and industry. It can be harnessed at dams for electrical energy.
All creatures need it as a medium for propelling blood flow thru our systems to deliver oxygen and nutrients on a cellular level, in addition, to bringing waste products to organs of excretion. Temperature regulation of organisms rely on it, otherwise, we would overheat and die from heat exhaustion.
As a child growing up on the ocean, I witnessed the powerful majesty of the crashing waves that looked like white chariots pulled by galloping magnificent stallions sailing into the air poised in an explosive display of power and beauty. Curiosity and awe urged me closer. Dad had me at a safe distance. We have all seen catastrophic damage from flooding caused by hurricanes and nor’easters as testament to water’s power and fury.
In contrast, there is the grounding scenic view of the seashore on a bright sunny day that provides calming reflections for the mind. We live on the “Blue Planet”, which is 75% water. Humans are responsible for chemical contaminants that can pollute our water resources. Let us all be mindful of keeping our planet clean for generations to come, for all living creatures! Anne Tisdell 5-31-24
Artist’s Statement:
I have dabbled in art all my life with sketching and drawing. I grew up in Swampscott, MA., an oceanside community north of Boston. Professionally, I have worked as an RN and a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner for 45 years. I had a few courses in art as a teen and took 2 courses at Montserrat School of Art in Beverly, MA in pastels and watercolors with artist/teacher, Mimi Johnson. Retiring in 2016, I have had the time to pursue my interests in art, music, dance and photography.
Many of the paintings that I create are based on my photographs or the photographs by friends with their permission. Artist, Elaine Griffith, (now, Artist, Janice Legare) taught classes at Holden Senior Center in acrylic painting which I started in October 2017. Since then, I have exhibited in various places in Central MA. I started Art Classes with Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum in 2018, which brought me to a new level as an artist. I have exhibited at the Museum’s Adult Student Art Exhibit and at Arts Worcester. In 2018, I started watercolor classes with Charlie Gray in Rutland, MA, a local well-known artist who has been instrumental in improving my watercolor technique. In July 2021, I participated in an intense workshop under the direction of Artists Mimi Johnson and Mark Hayden in multiple art forms. The Summer of 2023, I enrolled at Worcester Art Museum to learn more techniques with portraiture. Recently, I have exhibited at the Gale Free Library and 122 Diner in Holden, Pearle L. Crawford Library in Dudley, Booklovers’ Gourmet in Webster, Jacob Edwards Library in Southbridge, Shrewsbury Public Library as well as The Princeton Art Society, Northborough Art Guild.

CLOSED FOR HOLIDAY
2024-07-04 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We will be closed Thursday, July 4th for the holiday.

"Wildflowers from the Northeast Coast" Children's Book Signing & Reading
2024-07-27 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Join us in welcoming children’s author and illustrator Joanne Roach-Evans and her newest book Wildflowers from the Northeast Coast.
The event is free and open to the public. Signed copies will be available for purchase.
For more information call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com.
About the book: Discover the charm of coastal wildflowers in this beautifully illustrated beginner’s guidebook. Visit rose-lined boardwalks and sandy beaches in familiar locations all along the northeast coast where these wildflowers grow. Discover the challenges wildflowers face growing in a difficult environment and how they have adapted. Learn how important wildflowers are to the coast and to the insects and birds that rely on them for food and shelter.

Author bio: Joanne Roach-Evans is a New England based watercolor artist, writer, college professor, graphic designer and the author/illustrator and publisher of children’s books. Many of her seaside illustrations are in the series of nature books. The first book of this series Seashells – Treasures from the Northeast Coast was published in 2013 by Islandport Press. Since then she has published: Seaweed – Marine Algae from the Northeast Coast, Marine Animals – from the Northeast Coast, Marine Birds – from the Northeast Coast, and Little Piping Plover.
Joanne is passionate about animals and the environment and hopes that her work helps to educate and encourage others to appreciate nature’s beauty and value.

Eighth Annual BVAA Sunflower Show
2024-08-01 - 2024-08-31 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We are pleased to host the Eighth Annual BVAA Sunflower Show, a lovely way to enjoy this golden beauty! Artist members from the Blackstone Valley Art Association will exhibit their interpretations of the glorious sunflower in media including watercolor, acrylic, oils, photography and more throughout the month of August in our cafe gallery. Come on out to appreciate the artistic visions and explore the shop’s offerings!
A meet & greet with many of the contributing artists will take place on Wednesday, August 21st from 5:30-7 p.m. with light refreshments being served.
All are welcome to attend this free event!
About the Show
If there ever was a flower which symbolized glorious summertime, the sunflower is the one. Did you know that nearly all of the 70 species of sunflowers are native to North America? They can grow to be up to six feet tall and they even tilt as the sun moves so they always face it!

Double Poetry Event featuring Curt Curtin and John Gaumond
2024-08-03 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We are pleased to present a Double Poetry Event featuring Curt Curtin and John Gaumond, both accomplished Worcester area poets with newly released books.
The reading and signing will be followed by an Open Mic hosted by Paul Szlosek.
To sign up to read for the Open Mic portion, please email deb@bookloversgourmet.com or call 508-949-6232.
The event is free and open to the public. Signed books will be available for purchase.

Curt Curtin is a lifelong poet who has published six poetry collections: four for adults, one for young adults, and one for young children. He’s also had many individual poems published in anthologies, journals, and three chapbooks and has twice been nominated twice for a Pushcart prize. In 2010 he received the first Frank O’Hara Poetry award from the Worcester County Poetry Association, and in 2019 he won second place in the annual contest of the Connecticut Poetry Society. In 2023 Curt won grants from both the Worcester Arts Council and the Mass Cultural Council to support his work.
Curt taught college English and creative writing for 20 years at Westfield State College, MA, following several years teaching younger students. He has been a featured reader in many poetry venues in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and twice in Ireland. Updates on his poetry can be found at www.curtcurtinpoet.com.
This reading will feature poems from Curt’s latest collection, In Our Name. The title comes from a poem entitled, “Possibility” which opens: “In our name, We, the state, embrace war without a true account of outcomes, naming only the sins of enemies, hiding our gains behind a wall of flags.” The collection explores themes of violence, human suffering and the predatory forces of nature. While sometimes difficult and painful to read, the poems offer hope for humanity—encouraging readers to bear witness, become “compassionately wise,” and “set aside our ancient retributions.”

John Gaumond of Worcester, Massachusetts is a poet, photographer, gardener, and professor emeritus at Fitchburg State University. He received the Jacob Knight Poetry Award in 2006. His poems have been published in numerous journals, including Poets in the Galleries, The Connecticut River Review, Sahara, Worcester Magazine, The Longfellow Society Journal, The Leaflet, The Lancaster Times, The Issue, Ballard Street Poetry Journal, The Worcester Telegram and The Worcester Review. His photographs have appeared in The Worcester Review, Diner, Ballard Street Poetry Journal, The River Valley Current, the Worcester Telegram and Worcester Magazine.
“In his debut poetry collection, Finding the Words, John Gaumond stands in the rubble of his ruminations with his talents as a deft wordsmith. His utilization of rhyme and intellect combine to illuminate his subjects, enabling readers to see the world in extraordinary ways. The book portrays mysterious and tragic occurrences of his youth which required assuming responsibilities of adulthood. A noble dignity and sobering acceptance are revealed to surmount life’s challenges. His ekphrastic poems possess a deep wonder and imagination. From tender moments recalling Marilyn Monroe’s smile, to the implications of abandoning the penny, this book fills me with admiration and respect.”
Review by bg Thurston

Afternoon Concert with Cameron Sutphin
2024-08-10 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Come enjoy an afternoon of live +acoustic music as we welcome back Cameron Sutphin to our cafe! Cameron is an Americana singer/songwriter/guitar player. In 2017 as a solo act, he released his debut Nashville-recorded CD “Heartbreak Town” and continues to release new recordings and performs shows in the area since moving back to New England.
Cameron has also had the privilege to share the stage with many performing artists including national touring artist Drew Kelly, Webster’s own Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards, as well as Emily Ann Roberts, Season 9 runner-up on “The Voice”.
Cameron performs original material and classic country and folk cover songs and is recently married.
Donations will be accepted at the door and CDs will be available for purchase.
To reserve your seat, please call 508-949-6232 or email deb@bookloversgourmet.com

Bookstore Romance Day 2024
2024-08-17 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
We can all use a little more romance, right?
Bookstore Romance Day is a chance to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers.
Stop in anytime on Saturday, August 17th between 10am-5pm for some sweet deals & chance to win a “Swag Bag” of goodies.
Buy 1 New or Used Romance Book in store, SAVE 10%!
Buy 2 or More New or Used Romance Books in store, SAVE 20%!
Each purchase will get you a FREE RAFFLE TICKET for the chance to win a SWAG BAG filled with all things romantic.
Whether you enjoy sweet, sassy or spicy, you’ll be sure to find a great read.
For all you audiobook lovers, Libro.fm has a special deal for you too! Find out more details in store or click HERE to start saving now.
See you at the bookstore!

Artists' Reception for BVAA Sunflower Show
2024-08-21 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Sunflower Collage by Lynne Galluzzo
Come by to meet some of the talented artists from the Blackstone Valley Art Association participating in the Eighth Annual Sunflower Show.
Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend!

Faeries Book Event
2024-08-24 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Enter the ethereal realm of faeries as we welcome three local authors. Come chat about writing, publishing, and the world of magic!

Lisa Shea is a prolific, award-winning author of over 500 books. She writes medieval romance and modern murder mystery novels with heart. Her heroes are loyal – they defend the heroine against all odds. The heroines are capable, intelligent, and compassionate. She has a wealth of experience publishing books, having published books through a traditional publisher, a self publisher in print, and via ebooks in all shapes and styles. Lisa is also an artist and photographer and active member of The Blackstone Valley Art Association.

Cornish Pixie in Whitinsville Short Stories:It’s hard enough being thirteen without dealing with stepfathers and too-busy mothers. Emily loses herself in the local library’s books on magic and fantasy. Then she comes across a book of Cornish poetry which changes her life forever.

Melody Wiklund is an author of fantasy and occasionally romance. In her free time she enjoys reading, knitting, watching Chinese and Korean dramas, and sometimes drawing.
Eleven Dancing Sisters:Erin has a good reason for sneaking into a fae castle: her sisters—princesses of Erdhea—have been secretly visiting it for months, and she just knows they’re in trouble. Unfortunately that’s not an excuse she can give fae lord Desmond when she gets caught. Because Erin is a princess too, and whatever schemes Desmond has, Erin wants no part of them. Instead, she tells him she’s a simple war nurse, and offers no excuse at all.Desmond can’t have humans wandering in and out of his castle, not when the Fae’s presence in Erdhea must remain hidden. He needs to know how and why Erin sneaked in. But before long, his concerns about Erin are blooming into interest, then fascination, then something else altogether. Under the eye of a lovelorn fae lord, can Erin keep her secrets? Will she even want to?

Curtis K. Corey has always had an active imagination. It was not until later in life that he found an outlet for his imagination. He loves bringing his characters to life through his writing and illustrations. Sharing them with children of all ages has become one of his greatest joys.Currently Curtis has three children’s chapter books and six illustrated children’s books published with many more in the works.
The Fae of Woodstock ValleyThe Fae of Asteria lived a peaceful life in tune with nature. When human development devastates the village, forcing the Fae from their homes, they split up in search of a new home. Follow a small group of young Fae as they band together heading into the unknown.

All About Trees - Artwork by Debra Horan
2024-09-01 - 2024-09-28 | Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 East Main St, Webster, MA, 01570, United States
Spring’s Green Diptych Mixed Media Painting by Debra Horan

September’s Art Show features a retrospective of work by owner Deb Horan exploring her love of trees. From roots to branches to leaves, the drawings, mixed media and digital photographic images represent a wide view of the beauty and expressiveness of trees. Some images include figures interacting with or becoming part of nature. All in all, the intent is to show a deep respect for trees and their vital role in our world.
