SHEPHERDSTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

Mon. Apr. 4 through Mon. Apr. 18: Enter a t-shirt design contest and help build a new library and resource center! Ages 5 through 18 are invited to enter their original artwork featuring this theme: “Bookin’ it for the Library.” The winning design will appear on a t-shirt that will be sold before, during, and after Freedom’s Run. For contest details, call or visit the Shepherdstown Library (304-876-2783; 100 East German St.)

April 11 through 16: During National Library Week, visit the Shepherdstown Library at 100 East German Street and receive amnesty for any prior overdue fines on your record. No fines will be charged for any overdue items returned in person, or through the book drop – from April 11 through 16.

Wed. Apr. 13: Meet two Alpine dairy goats born in March and hear funny goat stories. This Shepherdstown Library program for ages four and older will be from 4 to 4:45 on the lawn next to Happy Creek Coffee & Tea (104 S. King St.; in the Shepherdstown Library’s Children’s Department if it rains). For more information, call (304) 876-2783.

Fri. Apr. 15: Celebrate National Library Week (April 10 – 16) with a free movie, “Song of the Sea,” for ages five and older in the Shepherdstown Library’s Children’s Department from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration is required: call (304) 876-2783 or email splchil@martin.lib.wv.us.

Sat. Apr. 16: Ages three and older: celebrate spring with stories, songs and a gardening activity on April 16 at 11 a.m. in the Shepherdstown Library’s Children’s Department. Email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or call (304) 876-2783.

April 19: The deadline to register to vote in the primary election on May 10 is Tuesday, April 19. That is also the deadline if you need to update your voter registration due to a change in your name, address, or party affiliation. The Shepherdstown Library at 100 E. German St. offers blank voter registration forms. For more information, please go to the following website: ovr.sos.wv.gov/Register#Landing.

Wed. Apr. 20: Ages four and older: Meet two gentle Anatolian Shepherd dogs used to guard livestock, plus browse books on working dogs, and hear funny dog stories. This program from 4 to 4:45 will be held on the lawn next to Happy Creek Coffee & Tea (104 S. King St.; in the Shepherdstown Library’s Children’s Department if rainy). Call (304) 876-2783 for details.

Friday, Apr. 29: The FOSL Book Club will discuss Jeff Shaara’s The Fateful Lightning: a Novel of the Civil War at 4 p.m. in the Shepherdstown Library (100 E. German St.).

Free weekly story times in April: “Lap Babies” (birth to 18 months) Tuesdays at 10:15. “Time for Twos” Tuesdays at 11:15. The “Three to Fives Program” Wednesdays at 11:15. The “After School Program” for ages five and older Wednesdays at 4. Call (304) 876-2783, email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us or visit the Shepherdstown Library at 100 E. German Street for more information.

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.

The Trinity Thrift Shop, located at 104 S. Church Street, Shepherdstown, is having its clothing bag sale through March 26, 2016 – $5 for all the clothing that can fit in one bag! In addition, many other items are half price for the same timeframe. The Shop is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Washington Arts Gallery offers several upcoming events. They will begin with the Washington High School Art Club under direction of Sam Nelson from Thursday, March 31 to Sunday, April 3. Next, we have Claire Ayres showing from Thursday, April 7 to Sunday, April 10. Next, we have the Jefferson County Photography Club showing April 14 to April 17. Last, showing from April 21-24 we will welcome an art student from the Shepherd University Art Department, headed by Rhonda Smith. The Washington Street Artists Co Op is located at 108 N. George St in Downtown Charles Town. Please visit our website for up to date information at www.washingtonstartists.org.

Today

Members of the community are invited to join friends and neighbors 10:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation to learn about the history and benefits of Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL), a non-profit, member-supported organization. Our mission is to help each other remain active, connected, and independent in our own homes and communities as long as possible. If you are interested in meeting members, becoming a member or just attending this gathering in a member’s home, call 304-870-7245 or contact SAIL at info@shepherdstownSAIL.org. You may visit our website at www.shepherdstownSAIL.org

Apr. 19

Join the Shepherdstown Community Club for dinner in the War Memorial Building and a report from delegate Stephen Skinner about the recently concluded legislative session in Charleston. The three course dinner ($20) starts at 6:30 p.m. featuring a Mexican themed menu of beef & chicken fajitas, refried beans, Spanish rice and dessert. Bring your questions. Program runs from 8-9 p.m. RSVP preferred, by email to Toni Milbourne ttpams@comcast.net, or by phone 304-702-3026.

Apr. 22

Shepherd University seniors Erika Burgoyne-Hongell and Kathryn N. Lamana will be the featured artists during a gallery showing from 4 to 8 p.m. April 22 at the War Memorial Building, 102 E. German St. Opening reception begins at 4 p.m., followed by a gallery talk at 5 p.m. Lamana’s series, “To Breathe Life Into,” can be viewed at kathrynlamanaphotography.weebly.com. Burgoyne-Hongell’s series, “Anima Finis,” can be viewed at erikaaart.squarespace.com.

Apr. 23

Local businesses are sponsoring an Earth Day Event on April 23rd from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at The Station at Shepherdstown, 100 Audrey Egle Drive. The event will include speakers and vendors from within our community who are all united in the quest to teach others how to live and eat in a way that reduces or removes waste and harmful chemicals, and is healthier for Our Selves, Our Homes, and Our Planet. Guest speakers include Tony Russo of Shepherdstown who has made several trips to Flint, Michigan in the aftermath of their water crisis to help the people of Flint recover from this disaster.

Other topics include Recycling and Reusing with Robin Henry, Ditch the Daily Toxins with Brittany Davis, Cleaning without Chemicals with Denise Beaty, Alternative Energy Sources with David Levine of Geostellar, and more. Please search for our Facebook Event page Our Selves, Our Homes, Our Planet for additional information on speakers, their topics, and participating vendors.

Apr. 23

The Eastern Panhandle Alumnae Chapter (EPAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will host its annual Jazz Brunch and Silent Auction at 11 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 301 Foxcroft Avenue, Martinsburg and will feature the Howard Burns Quartet. EPAC will honor two deserving high school seniors with a $1,000 scholarship award and two deserving high school seniors with a $500 book scholarship award. The chapter will also present honors to members and groups in the community who have distinguished themselves through service to programs in the Eastern Panhandle. Tickets are $35, and proceeds from the ticket sales and Silent Auction will fund the chapter’s scholarship awards and other public service projects. To purchase a ticket, contact Doris Griffin (304-263-1625), Carolyn Togans (304-725-4735) or Cheryl Roberts (304-876-2277). For donations or sponsorships for the souvenir booklet and/or event, contact Tamara Togans at ttogans@gmail.com.

Apr. 29

Covenant Church will be hosting the “Secret Church” simulcast Friday, April 29, starting at 6:30 PM. This event is hosted by Dr. David Platt, and this year’s theme is “A Global Gospel in a World of Religions.” We will explore the worldviews of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, and Atheism/Agnosticism, and learn how to serve, love, and share our faith as followers of Jesus with our neighbors who follow these traditions. We will also engage in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. The event will last until just after midnight, so heavy snacks will also be available. Admission is free and the first 200 participants receive a complimentary notebook. To sign up, call the church office at 304-876-2212 or email kmiller@covenant-mail.com

Apr. 30

Trinity Treasure Kids Preschool invites vendors to its annual Spring Fling from 10 a.m. To 3 p.m. Tables are $15 each. Artisans, crafters, product distributors, t-shirt sellers, and non-profit groups are all welcome to show case and sell your items. You can even hold your own yard sale! Contact Mary Lee Blue to hold your spot today! mlblue@frontiernet.net

May 1

The Jefferson County Community Choir is seeking singers for their spring concert to be held at St. James Catholic Church in Charles Town. Rehearsals are Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. March and April in the social hall of St. James Catholic Church. There is a $20 membership dues fee; no audition necessary. Any questions call Judy Pharr at 304-876-0639.