SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Shepherdstown Library’s free weekly story times for infants through age 12 will continue through May 21: call (304) 876-2783, email “mailto:splchild@martin.lib.wv.us”>splchild@martin.lib.wv.us, or visit the Library at 100 E. German Street to register your children. Lap Babies and Ones meets Tuesdays at 10:15 and Time for Toddlers is at 11:15 on Tuesdays. The After School Program for ages 5 through 12 is held Wednesdays at 4 p.m. and the Threes, Fours, and Fives program meets Thursdays at 11:15.

Ages three and older are invited to attend a special “Music in May” story time on Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m. in the Shepherdstown Library’s Children’s Department. This free program will include musical stories, songs, and creating your own musical instruments. For details, please call 304-876-2783 or email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us.

The Shepherdstown Library will be closed on Monday, May 25 to observe Memorial Day.

Friday, May 29: The Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (FOSL) Book Club will discuss The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (by Daniel James Brown) at 4 p.m. in the library.

Monday, June 15 is the first day that reading logs will be available for kids participating in the Library’s Summer Reading Program, and a series of free programs will begin on June 24. This year’s theme is “Every Hero Has a Story.”

ONGOING

Need to get your cat or dog spayed or neutered? Contact Spay Today, our area’s non-profit, reduced-price spay and neuter program. At the time of surgery, initial shots and tests can also be obtained at lower rates. Choose from MANY vets over a WIDE area! NEW vets added! Contact Spay Today: www.baacs.org or 304-728-8330.

Intermediate Bridge players are invited to join an informal group meeting every Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Chapel. All are welcome and walk-ins are encouraged. For more information, contact 304-876-6244.

The Shepherdstown Museum, at the corner of German and Princess streets, is open on weekends from April through October, on July 4, and during Christmas in Shepherdstown. Public hours are: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Visits can be arranged at other times by calling 304-876-0910 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Business owners, managers and other movers and shakers are invited to partake in the Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk at 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Join Dana Mitchell in front of the Shepherdstown Library and experience her Mysteries Walk. Walk the backstreets and hear of forgotten history, local legends and lore, unrequited love and murder, and of course ghostly tales. Call Dana at 240-593-2317 for further information.

Today

Crystal Bowl Concert, noon-12:40 p.m. Ann Craig performs an extraordinary “sound meditation” using eight quartz crystal bowls that fill the Harmony studio with an energetic yet peaceful vibration that soothes and aligns mind, body and soul. Participants can sit in chairs or lie on mats. Donations gratefully accepted. Location: Harmony, 211 E. New Street.

Friday Painters will host a reception at the War Memorial Building from 6-8 p.m. in advance of their exhibit during the Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea. The show will continue through the weekend along with other BATT activities and be open from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

May 16 and 17

The 18th Back Alley Garden Tour & Tea, features a self guided walking tour of more than a dozen private gardens that are rarely open to the public and an elegant afternoon tea. Garden Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (rain or shine). The teas are offered from 12 noon to 4 p.m. each day at the War Memorial Building (handicap accessible at German & King streets). Admission to both the Tour &Tea for the weekend is $20 per person through May 13 and $25 after that. The admission ticket is good for unlimited entry to the gardens both days but can be used for only one tea, either Saturday or Sunday.

May 23

A book signing by Nancy Harbert Ellsworth will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. at Four Season Books. Ellsworth book, “Music-Maker: The Power to Change” is available for purchase at the book store as well as on Amazon.com. Four Seasons is located at 116 W. German Street.

May 29

Free Group Hypnosis For Healing, 6:45-7:30 p.m. Michelle DeStefano, certified consulting hypnotist, will conduct group-hypnosis sessions designed to promote healing on a body-mind-spirit level. This is a 45-minute session where she will guide participants to activate their subconscious mind to promote healing and a healthy sense of well-being. The sessions will continue the last Friday of each month beginning. Donations accepted gratefully, but not necessary. Michelle is a member of the National Guild of Hypnotists as well as the American Hypnosis Association. Location: Harmony, 211 E. New Street.

June 6

“Ricco Paints: A Debut Exhibit,” opens with an artist’s reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Ricco Gallery, 125 West German Street (next door to The Press Room). The exhibit features the results of years of painting by gallery owner Riccardo Accurso. Because has traveled and lived in locations as diverse as Greece, Mexico, Spain and Argentina, inspirations for Ricco’s paintings-in watercolor, oil and acrylic-range from the Potomac River at Shepherdstown to the rocky coast of the Mediterranean and the Andes mountains in Argentina. The exhibit continues through June 28. For more information, email: ricco@riccogallery.com or call 304-870-4175.

The 14th annual Ranson Festival and 5th annual Car Show will be held with a variety of attractions. At the festival there will be arts and crafts, entertainment, pony rides and more. Hours run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The car show has pre-registration of $12 and day of registration of $15. All makes and models are welcome. Awards and trophies will be given. For more information, visit www.ransonwv.us or call Debbie McClure at 304-724-3862.