Perfectly timed for the arrival of the holiday season is an appearance by Pamela McColl, author of Twas The Night/The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem, at Booklovers’ Gourmet, 72 E. Main St. in Webster, on Friday, November 25th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Ms. McColl, an author, historian, collector and an authority on the popular poem, spent a decade compiling and writing her book. This included visits to Troy, New York, Lyndsey, Oklahoma, and New York, New York.

Her appearance at Booklovers’ Gourmet coincides with the bicentennial of the iconic ’Twas the Night Before Christmas/A Visit from St. Nicholas. It is generally accepted that Clement Clarke Moore (1779-1863) wrote the poem and presented it to his children for the first time at his home in Chelsea, New York on Christmas Eve 1822.

The poem was first published in the Troy Sentinel newspaper on December 23rd, 1823. It has been published thousands of times and is considered the most collected work of all time in the English language.

Signed, personalized copies of the book will be available for purchase that day, or by pre-order in the store.

Following right on the heels of Ms. McColl’s date at Booklovers’ Gourmet is the return to the store of paranormal investigators Tom D’Agostino and Arlene Nicholson on Saturday, November 26th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.—in celebration of Small Business Saturday. They will discuss their latest book, Strange New England, which contains sixty stories of unusual happenings throughout the region.

Mr. D’Agostino and Ms. Nicholson’s previous titles include Legends, Lore & Secrets of New England, and Guide to Haunted New England.

Deb Horan, owner of Booklovers’ Gourmet, says “our shelves are brimming with gift ideas and we encourage you to shop early for the best selection of books, calendars, cards, puzzles and ornaments. Shop early and shop local to make this holiday season bright!”