Monday, December 30, 2013

December 30th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

Greetings!

Well, we made it through, but there's still turkey in the fridge. And shortbread, lots of shortbread.The wine seems to have evaporated. Funny, that.


As the New Year approaches, it's time to move your little molasses men off the doorstep into the basement so they will be fresh gingerbreads for next year.
   
This Week in Chester

New Year's celebrations are rampant. The Fo'c'sle Pub has seating at 6pm and 8pm for their New Year's Eve meal. They will feature the regular menu along with a special meadow and marine offering. There is a baked brie appetizer and two special desserts, pecan or key lime tart. All items are à la carte and reservations are required. The George Carter Jr Trio hits the stage at 9 pm and there is no need for a reservation to dance the night away.

New Year's Day levées abound. Hit them all. The Legion is the first out of the gate at 11am followed up the stretch by the Playhouse and the Fo'c'sle Pub at noon. The Yacht Club doesn't hit their stride until 1 pm, so plan your attendance accordingly. Levées are serious business here in the Hamlet and we don't like to miss out on any of it. Did someone say free drinks?

The Village Emporium on Pleasant Street re-enters the platform of commerce Thursday, January 2nd. Post Boxing day sales await you and your credit card.

Looking ahead to the New Year, there are plenty of options to keep you out of trouble.
The Chester Art Centre kicks off the season with rug hooking classes, acrylic painting classes, a class on phone and tablet photography that are face book worthy and ohh so much more. Check out their website and sign up.

The Senior College Association of Nova Scotia is offering classes at Saint Stephen's Hall, 54 Regent Street  beginning Monday, January 13th @ 10:30am. SCANS is dedicated to providing non-credit course to seniors 50+ in Nova Scotia. There are no assignments or exams, just listen, learn, discuss and enjoy.  For more info and programming call 902-444-7588 or visit www.thescans.ca.

Coldest Day is just around the corner. This annual fundraiser is a benefit for the
Chester Drama Society. Get to the Fo'c'sle Saturday, February 8th and start bidding. Live music from 3pm till close; raffles, auctions and surprises. Only $10 - a bargain at twice the price. This is a village effort so make the effort to attend.
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The days are getting longer and spring is just around the corner. Yup.
Happy New Year to all of you from all of us.

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December 18th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

Greetings!

Well, last Saturday night's closing show at the Chester Playhouse was an evening of drama that even Noel Coward couldn't have scripted. Kudos to Cynthia Myers, the staff at the Playhouse and all the volunteers who helped make this a night to remember.

Many thanks to all who participated and helped in our Gingerbread Festival. A big thank you to our sponsors. Without them, it couldn't have happened.
   
This Week in Chester

The Annual Sing Choirs is tonight, Wednesday, 7:30pm at the Baptist Church on King Street. Four choirs plus special guests present an evening of seasonal music for the entire family. Tune up your vocals and prepare to sing along. Free will offering to benefit Our Health Centre. For more info call Erin @ 275-5864. Don't miss this.This IS Christmas.

Thursday night is the ever popular wing event at the Fo'c'sle Pub. Beat the throngs, get there early and compare notes from Trivia Tuesday.

Friday night the Fo'c'sle Pub has SWIG on stage at 9pm. The band is Maritime Celtic music with 3 part harmonies and a fiddle. And what's a band without a fiddle?

The Annual Chester Brass Band Christmas Gala was cancelled last weekend due to the extraordinary amount of snow fluffies. It has been rescheduled for this Sunday at the Atlantica Resort in scenic Western Shore. As a result there are still a few tickets left. You may book your reservation @ 275-3453. Hurry !

Below are a few snaps of the boys preparing for Christmas...



Making the shortbread cookies


Modeling the seasonal Christmas sweater

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Decorating the house




On behalf of the Chester Merchants Group we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas.

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

December 11th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

Greetings!

Last weekend was a corker ! Malcolm's play did not disappoint the crowds. Congratulations to all the cast and crew for their hard work and a super show.

The Gingerbread Festival wraps up this weekend with prize giving @ 7:25pm Saturday evening at the Chester Playhouse. Please note the Arts Centre @ 60 Queen Street is open to view the gingerbread houses from 12- 5pm Saturday and from 12- 4 pm Sunday.
   
This Week in Chester

Sandy's cookie contest will be judged at the Playhouse Saturday afternoon at 4 pm.
Entry guidelines
Each single entry must include:
* Entrants name, address and phone number
* Name of cookie
* A copy of the recipe including the ingredients and step - by- step instructions for preparing the cookie. Do not submit a recipe that had been photocopied from a cookbook.
*1 cookie (for judging) and 1 dozen cookies packaged for auctioning (in a bag, plate or box).
* Contest is open to all ages. There is a $5.00 entrance fee per cookie type. All contestants may enter more than 1 type of cookie.
You must register before December 12th at  s.morash@ns.sympatico.ca or by calling 275-4441. Registration fee may be paid December 14 at the time of drop off.
Winners will be announced at 6pm December 14th at the Chester Playhouse. Cookies will be auctioned off throughout the show. Proceeds to the Food Bank 'Birthday in a Basket' Program.

Forest Heights Community School presents a "Celebration of the Arts" Friday evening from 7-9:30pm and Saturday from 10am -1pm. Art gallery and sale of student's artwork, music, food, and drink!!!  Admission by donation to FHCS Arts Program.

It's "Murphy's Law" Friday at the Fo'c'sle Pub. Discounts on Murphy's draught to accompany the sounds of the upbeat rockabilly band "Memphis Knights" on stage at 9pm. Get Shane's autograph.

There are a gazillion silent auction items to bid on at the Chester Playhouse. This wraps up Saturday evening at their closing Christmas party so get down there and place your bid. All your Christmas shopping taken care of in the flourish of a pen stroke.

Next Wednesday is the annual Christmas "Sing Choirs!" at the Baptist Church on King Street. Do not miss this. Get your Christmas bonnet on and march over there. It will remind you how lucky
we are to live in such a special community.

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Multitasking is the art of doing twice as much as you should half as well as you could.

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

December 4th 2013 Press release

Chester Merchants Press Release

Greetings,

Chester is oozing ground ginger from every pore. As you turn off route 3 into the village, roll down the  window and follow your nose. It will take you to the Arts Centre at 60 Queen St where all 16 houses are on display. The Centre is open over the next two weekends from 10am-5pm Saturdays and 12-4pm Sundays. You may also view them throughout the week by calling the Centre @ 275-5789 and leave a message or email chestergingerbreadfestival@gmail.com and a gingerbread will let you in.

If you are looking to add some Christmas tunes to your life this month, 92.9 FM has All Christmas, All the time - if you can handle the ads.
   
This Week in Chester

This week is the play we've all been waiting for. Malcolm Callaway's twisted mind will be showcased on stage in the form of "Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie." Tonight, Wednesday, is pay what you can dress rehearsal. The show runs Thursday - Saturday and the curtain goes up at 8pm. Dial up the Chester Playhouse as there are very few tickets left. This is a village favourite and will sell out.

Warm up for the dress rehearsal run with Big Pitcher Wednesday at the Fo'c'sle. $3 off pitchers - a few of those and you'll want to take Gavin home.

Sandy's annual cookie contest is back.
Entry guidelines
Each single entry must include:
* Entrants name, address and phone number
* Name of cookie
* A copy of the recipe including the ingredients and step - by- step instructions for preparing the cookie. Do not submit a recipe that had been photocopied from a cookbook.
*1 cookie (for judging) and 1 dozen cookies packaged for auctioning (in a bag, plate or box).
* Contest is open to all ages. There is a $5.00 entrance fee per cookie type. All contestants may enter more than 1 type of cookie.
You must register before December 12th at  s.morash@ns.sympatico.ca or by calling 275-4441. Registration fee may be paid December 14 at the time of drop off.
Winners will be announced at 6pm December 14th at the Chester Playhouse. Cookies will be auctioned off throughout the show. Proceeds to the Food Bank 'Birthday in a Basket' Program.

Friday night the George Carter Jr Trio is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub - a blues and rock band that have a good handle on 70's cover tunes. Stop in after the show and 'get down.'

This Saturday is a "First Saturday," a celebration of fun experiences along our Bluenose Coast (without the Bluenose.)

Amicus Gallery has a few spaces left for the Gingerbread Ornament Painting workshop.
There will be two workshops: morning: 10am-1pm / afternoon 2-5 pm.
Decorate bisque fired, glazed pieces: three pieces are included for the workshop fee of $25; extra pieces may be purchased. Finished work may be picked up on Dec 14th. Class size 6-8. Pre-registration is required. The studio space is not suitable for children. To register, call Amicus Gallery 275-2496 or email art@amicusgallery.ca.

Light My Fire at 59 Duke Street will be hosting workshops to decorate your own wax Gingerbread/Christmas tree ornaments.Workshops begin @ 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Ornaments are $10.00 each. 275-5800.

Also on Saturday from 9am - wake up ! -1pm is the Chester Elementary School Gingerbread Craft Fair. I bought a bottle of wine there last year. Yes, there's something for everyone.

Transport your bottle over to the Christmas Caroling at Lordly House at 133 Central Street from 2-4pm and tra la la la la the afternoon away.

Sunday is the Last Supper at Nicki's Inn from 5- 8 pm. It's vegetables for you from here on in. Get there for your last carnivore fix.
 
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This came to us from overseas... Tancook.




"The lovely thing about Christmas is that it's compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together."  Garrison Keillor

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Chester Merchants Group | Pleasant Street | Chester | B0J 1J0 | Canada