Romance Roundtable. Join Teresa Vermont and other romance lovers as we discuss Kate Claiborne's The Parish Match.

Lily Books and Cafe is pleased to announce that AwardWinning author and Cumberland resident Russell Shorto will be our first author of our Lecture Series. The Lecture series is named for longtime owners of The Book Centre, Lee Schwartz and Gayle Griffiths. Lily Books and Cafe hopes to carry the legacy of Lee and Gayle onward as Cumberland’s downtown bookstore where people find community in addition to new and used books. As the first author of this inaugural SchwartzGriffith Series, Russell Shorto will speak on why history matters—especially relevant in America’s 250 celebration year. Shorto has spent decades researching and writing about transformational and turbulent periods in history including the American Revolution, the Age of Enlightenment and even the days of smalltown mob life in his hometown of Jonestown, Pennsylvania. His most recent book, “Taking Manhattan: The Extraordinary Events That Created New York and Shaped America” illustrates the rich multicultural heritage that undergirds our country even before the American Revolution. Shorto’s ability to showcase individual histories within the greater story of a time in history make the stories that shape us as Americans come alive. He is currently at work about the artist Rembrandt. Please join us for a lively lecture and discussion.

Appalachian Crafts and Story Telling 11:00 AM1:30 PM Spend the morning into early afternoon at Lily's Roundtable working on Appalachian crafts for all ages while listening to local folks read segments from famous Appalachian storytellers on the hour at 11, 12 Noon and 1 pm. Author Signing 12:00 PM4:00 PM Book signing with local author Nicole Elizabeth Jones. She will be signing her book titled City of Shadows, which is a unique 1920s mystery/thriller story that features hints by words in red. Poetry Reading 2:00 PM3:00 PM Local writer Jack Slocomb reads his Nature Poetry from his collections of Native Tongue with a local musician alongside in Lily's Roundtable area. Jack is well known as a poet who captures the beauty and soul of the Appalachians. He is inspired by the land of Allegany and Garrett Counties. He is a true native son!

Join Casey Beal at Lily Books for an exciting beginner workshop designing and printing your own block/stamp.

Knitting with Amy of Finnegan Knits. $20 all supplies included.

Please RSVP! RSVP here. Cohosted by Lily Books & Cafe and Madison Paige Boutique, we will have a fun night including a comprehensive resource guide for your menopause journey, curated book selections for purchase, a special antioxidant berry matcha, immunity, energy and hydration drink boosters, fruitinfused water, dark chocolate, and other fun additions! Paula Reeves will be on site to explore simple ways to use your body and feel more like yourself, with guidance from a certified yoga therapist who is currently in the thick of her own menopause journey.

Writer's Workshop Roundtable: Join poet Ellen Coffey to talk writing and then practice writing with writing exercises and prompts.

Our monthly Lily Books story time continues with Lily Riley! Open to children of all ages with no cost! Stop by the 1st Saturday of each month. lilybooksandcafe storytime children books coffee

Knitting with Amy of Finnegan Knits. $20 all supplies included.

Appalachian round table—what makes this part of the world special? Crafts and readings with Heidi and Martha.

Philosophy round table with Jason and Martha. Socrates, Buddha, and Moore.

Fiction round table on Salman Rushdie’s book Midnight’s Children. What makes him a great novelist? It’s more than just his book The Satanic Verses.

Join local artist Casie Beal, owner of Samaran Selkie, for a fun and creative evening designing your very own wearable masterpiece! Follow a guided demonstration or create your own. $50 per person (includes a free drink). <br / What's included: One handmade clay pendant Brushes and painting supplies Your choice of braided cord or necklace chain <br / Bring glasses if you need them for reading—pendants are small! <br / Reserve your spot today in person at Lily Books & Cafe!

Knitting lessons with Kim from 5–8 pm. Kim supplies all the necessities—needles, yarn, and everything you need to knit a dishcloth. She will individualize projects for knitters of all levels. $35.

An engaging storytelling session on Easter weekend for children to enjoy picture books, gentle interaction, and a relaxed reading atmosphere.

Hear it is! Heated Rivalry Roundtable sponsored by the Romance Roundtable group. Come find out why this is a national sensation.

Come for story time at 11:30 AM and hear local author and artist Penny KnobelBesa read her new book "Under Your Pillow", a book about the Tooth Fairy. Stay for her book signing from 12–2 PM.

Sacred Text Study Group: Join a group of folks interested in the wisdom of sacred texts from world religions. 4:30–6:30 pm at the Roundtable. <br / Followed by a night of vocal music from FSU's University Chamber Singers at Loft 129.

Join us at the bookstore from 2 pm–5 pm with Amy Miller from Finnegan Knits. She will host and lead her popular Chunky Blanket event. She brings all the materials you need to create a lap blanket that is a perfect gift for a friend or for yourself. Cost of event is $50 and includes a complimentary beverage.

Come meet the playwright, have a latte and pastry, browse books and listen to Broadway show tunes with cast members and friends! Always a great time!

Dry Spell's Taber Robinette is bringing his acoustic act to Lily Books and Cafe on Saturday, March 14th from 12pm 2pm! Come grab some coffee, a book, and listen to tunes from the 60s to today and even some originals. Start the Pub Crawl off nice and easy with Taber!

MEMOIRS MATTER: First Steps in Writing Your Memoir Join author and retired educational technology professor Peggy Roblyer, whose memoir, Strong Glass, is forthcoming in 2026—for an essential session on crafting a memoir. Peggy will cover key steps, including: <br / Memoir vs. Autobiography: Understanding the critical difference in scope and structure. Exploring SubGenres: Practical examples to help you find your unique style. The Publishing Decision: Crucial factors to consider when deciding whether and how to publish your personal story. <br / Also Peggy will be reading a story from Strong Glass called "Bread of Life," which is about a pivotal period in her Dad's life as he leaves his family home in Cresaptown and "rides the rails" through the Depressionera South in search of work.

Mother Tongue: a Weekend of Women’s Voices brings together outstanding women poets, writers, authors, and readers from our community for a weekend of literary enjoyment and appreciation. As we kick off Women's History Month this March, Lily Books & Cafe and the Cumberland Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association are partnering to offer an exciting program of litfocused events highlighting and celebrating women’s voices. Featured events include a women's poetry reading and open mic night at Loft 129, followed by a panel of local author readings and discussion, a luncheon and book signings, and ending the day with a handson writing workshop, all at Lily Books & Cafe. Mother Tongue is free to attend and open to all genders. We hope you will join us in celebration, community, and creativity. <h2 class="text2xl fontbold textgray800 fontserif mt6 mb2"Friday, March 6 — Women's Poetry Night & Open Mic @ Loft 129</h2 Join us for the opening event on Friday March 6th for a Women's Poetry Night & Open Mic at Loft 129 in downtown Cumberland. Local literary ladies will take to the stage and read from their work, followed by an open mic session open to all genders, backgrounds, experiences, and genres. <br / Doors open at 7:30 PM. Readings start at 8 PM. Cash bar will be open and additional refreshments are available for purchase downstairs at Lily Books & Cafe. This event is free and open to all. Come to read. Come to listen. Leave inspired! <h2 class="text2xl fontbold textgray800 fontserif mt6 mb2"Saturday, March 7 — Women Author Reading & Discussion</h2 In celebration of Women's History Month, Lily Books & Cafe and the Maryland Writers' Association will bring together local women authors to read from their published works for a morning of coffee and conversation. Authors will share work that navigates diverse personal and collective experiences, as well as writing genres. Lily Books will open at 10 AM for morning refreshments and readings begin at 10:30 at the Roundtable downstairs. Stick around for an author Q&A and discussion. Books by selected authors will be available for purchase and signing during the lunch hour. <h2 class="text2xl fontbold textgray800 fontserif mt6 mb2"Saturday, March 7 — Women's Writing Workshop</h2 Interested in writing but don't know where to start? Feeling uninspired and in need of a creative boost? Join us for an engaging and interactive writing workshop hosted by Ellen Coffey, Doris Brady, and Heather M from the Maryland Writers' Association. Through guided exercises, reflective prompts, and discussion, you'll learn how to transform raw ideas into original language and leave the session feeling free to write. In addition, we may learn a little literary women's trivia along the way. The workshop starts at 1:30 PM meeting at the Lily Books Roundtable downstairs. Writers and the writing curious of all skill levels are welcome. <br / This event is free and open to all genders. Space is limited and RSVP is encouraged. Be sure not to miss this unique and inspiring event! <br / To RSVP, email us at <a href="mailto:lilybooksandcafe@gmail.com" class="textprimary hover:textaccent transitioncolors duration300"lilybooksandcafe@gmail.com</a.

Join Martha and Jason Brady for more philosophical talk featuring excerpts from Stephen Batchelor's Buddha, Socrates and Us. Come for a lively discussion.

A SciFi Fantasy Roundtable on The Expanse series Book One: Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. Join Cynthia Fenmore and Alice for a fun, otherworldly afternoon.

Join Romance aficionado Theresa Vernot and get into the spirit of Valentine's weekend with a lively discussion of romance novels. Bring your favorite to share.

Come for specialty coffee drinks and desserts. Hang out with your sweetie at Lily Books.

Lecture on the practice of queer music making in Appalachia and the history of queerness in country and Americana music with queer music scholar/musician Becks Lipshultz. Pay what you can, suggested donation $5. Held in conjunction with Loft 129 and the Cumberland Pride Festival.

Join Martha Macgill for a philosophical, classical inquiry into how we choose the way to live with moral inquiry. A way to explore what classic literature aims to ask: Why life matters.

Join Cynthia Fenmore, her granddaughter Alice Wecker, and Martha for an investigation into what makes a good classic fiction. One of Donna Tartt's first published books The Secret History is a modern classic with the hallmarks of a thriller, mystery, and historical fiction.

Join Frostburg State University Eary Education major Lily Riley for a late morning story time run by Allison Watkins! Enjoy coffee and pastries upstairs while story time is happening downstairs. Free to attend!

Celebrate the New Year with 2025 pop culture trivia at Loft 129 above Lily Books & Cafe.