Author and Western New York native E.L. Werbitsky will visit Dog Ears Bookstore & Café from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, for a book-signing event. The community bookstore is located at 688 Abbott Road in South Buffalo.

Author E.L. Werbitsky will visit Dog Ears Bookstore & Café on Nov. 18.

Werbitsky was born and raised in WNY, spent 10 years in New York City and, like so many natives, happily found her way back home. She is a former journalist who wrote news shorts for WGR Radio, spent 15 years with The Buffalo News, and was feature editor for The Spectrum at the University of Buffalo. Her short stories have been published in various publications including WordPeace. She is the founder of Buffalo Books & Brews, an organization that helps bring local readers and writers together. For more information, please visit https://elwerbitsky.com.

In The Marsh Keeper – Book One,16-year-old Calvin Hughes can see human energy and, in that light, learns the darkest secrets of those around him. Lured toward the marsh by a young girl’s disappearance, Cal is drawn into a realm of supernatural temptations that challenge his ability, unaware that his choices reverberate far beyond his own world — just like the ripples of the haunted waters.

According to Kirkus Reviews, ”Werbitsky’s prose and dialogue create an eerie sense of dislocation. Cal and Eva’s characterizations are particularly refreshing … it makes the prospect of a sequel appealing.”

For more information on Dog Ears Bookstore, please visit dogearsbookstore.org.

Dog Ears Bookstore & Café will once again offer a free after school youth program for students in grades 3-8 beginning Oct. 17 and ending Dec. 15. Three different days of programming will be offered by grade group. Tuesdays will feature programs for students in grades 3 and 4, Wednesdays will be targeted towards students in grades 5 and 6, and Thursdays will be reserved for students in grades 7 and 8. 

All sessions will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. and are limited to 20 students per day. All sessions will be taught by literacy specialists and New York State Certified English Language Arts teachers. All class materials will be provided, along with a small snack.

A nonprofit community bookstore, Dog Ears is located at 688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, near Mercy Hospital. Sessions will be held upstairs of the bookstore (enter through the front entrance). Adults do not need to attend with their child but must be mindful of drop off and pick up times. Parents are welcome to wait for their children in the café, which will be open for food and beverage purchases.

Pre-registration is required and youth are expected to attend each week. Parents can sign up their children by calling the bookstore at 823-2665. When signing up, please make sure to indicate which day your child will be attending.

The free after school program is made possible through funding from Erie County Youth Services and South District Councilman Christopher Scanlon.