November 1st, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release                                                                                                                                                         Carole Malcolm artwork                                             Greetings! Many eggs on the house last night? Got any Kit Kats left? Liberate enough loot from your kids' pillowcases to hold the sugar high till the Christmas bon bons arrive? And how about that GALE Philippe on Monday ! Jeepers. The Rope Loft was issuing life preservers with every deck cocktail. This Week in Chester  Amicus Gallery has new works by artist Carole Malcolm arriving this week. Stop by the gallery and see who else is on the walls or on display. There is something for everyone and every pocket book here. Light My Fire candle studio is getting into the swing of things with some new Christmas candles on the block. They have some new creations and special techniques with a variety of waxes. They also carry music from local artists: The Blue Lane's new CD "Blind;" The Market Boys; Jamie Junger & friends and many others. Drop by to see what's in the vat. Congratulations to The Blue Lane for being nominated for Best Nova Scotia new album of the year. Remember this Saturday is the deadline for your entry forms to be emailed/dropped off for your gingerbread house entries. The Shoreham Village Ladies Auxiliary is hosting their annual dinner theatre at the Chester Basin Legion. Their show "Fixin to Get Hitched" features the Accidental Actors. Tickets are $25 per person. The doors open 5:30 pm and the show starts 6:30. To purchase tickets, call Geri Allen 902-275-3817. This festive season, why not hold your office Christmas party at White Gate restaurant? Or even an event with family and friends? They are now taking bookings for December Christmas parties and dinners. They can provide you with a Christmas 3 Course Prix Fixe menu for $50 or you can add in hors d'oeuvres, a wine pairing or some bubbly!! For Information please call on 902.275.4400 or email to info@whitegate.ca                                                                                                             Next Friday November 10th, the Chester Playhouse will be alive and bursting at the seams with all of your favourite songs from famous Canadian artists. "Oh Canada,We Sing for Thee!" is a trip through the Canadian songbook with a four piece band and a VERY talented Leisa Way at the helm. The costumes changes in Oh Canada! will be epic as Leisa transforms from Shania to Joni to Anne in the blink of an eye. She'll be joined by a fantastic band called the Wayward Wind, who will provide the songs from Stompin' Tom, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and many more. Along the way the cast will share stories and tidbits about the songs and the artists. A sing-a-long with glamourous costumes, familiar music and at least seven wig changes? That's a beautiful thing. You are now allowed to bring your on site purchased drinks into the theatre. Reason alone to partake in all things "Playhouse." Back by popular demand, the Chester Drama Society once again presents another Malcolm Callaway outrageous Christmas play. This year sees the reprise of 'Grunion Bay' with a cast that includes a whole new generation of actors and even brings one of the original cast back as stage manager. Who knows what surprises await? The play opens Wednesday, December 13th and runs through till the 16th. Brochure Mary accompanied her husband, Paddy, to the doctor's office. After his checkup, the doctor called Mary into his office alone. He said, "Your husband is suffering from a very severe stress disorder. If you don't do the following, your husband will surely die. Each morning, fix him a healthy breakfast. Be pleasant at all times. For lunch make him a nutritious meal. For dinner prepare an especially nice meal for him. Don't burden him with chores. Don't discuss your problems with him, it will only make his stress worse. If you can do this for the next year, I think Paddy will regain his health completely." On their way home, Paddy asked Mary. "What did the doctor say?" "He said you're going to die." Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

October 25th, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Anyone for the beach? With these temperatures, it's difficult to imagine that it is actually Fall. Hallowe'en is just around the corner and it's two months till Christmas. Yup. I just wanted to bring you up to speed on pending calendar events. This Week in Chester  This Friday there is a Hallowe'en Party at the Lightfoot Tower at 63 Regent Street from 6:30 - 8 pm.  Dress up, get in touch with your inner goblin and enjoy the spooky events of the evening. Short ones must have an adult in tow. Many thanks to the Recreation Department for making this happen. Raindate: Saturday. Saturday night is the Hallowe'en Hip Hop at the Chester Legion for members and guests 19 years and older. Get your freak on and get over there. For more info call 902-275-3315. This Sunday there is a send off party for the Rev Dan Green and his lovely bride Trishe Colman at St Stephen's Hall at 6 pm. Dan and Trishe has been very involved in the Syrian refugee sponsorship since its inception. Members of the Starfish group and the Al Khayro and Al Ali families want to thank them with a Syrian pot luck dinner with music as well. This event is also an opportunity to welcome new volunteers as the  group prepares for the arrival of a new Syrian family. Please bring a dish to share. (No piggy please) Everyone is invited.                                                                                                             This year is the 9th Annual Gingerbread House Competition and display.This year's theme is "Canada 150".  The entry form deadline is next Saturday, November 4th. There are $$$ cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and Youth Category, and also a People's Choice prize. You may email Robin for an entry form, flowerschester@ns.aliantzinc.ca, phone 902-275-5707,or you can pick up at form at Flowers Flowers Flowers at 34 Pleasant Street, Chester. Facebook for those who Facebook.... Brochure Southwest Airlines have always led the pack in creating a bit of levity in the tin can cylinder. Enjoy ! Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

October 18th, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! I know nothing about plants or any of those other terms that are perennially related. Oceanview Nursery knows a lot about plants and they are having a sale ! The property is exploding with all things "harvest." They are offering mums at 2 for the price of 1 and they are gorgeous ! There are bulbs and all sorts of other plant things that people get excited about. Come to Chester and make a day of it at Oceanview because it will take all day to see everything they have to offer. This Week in Chester  This Friday at 7:30pm the Chester Playhouse is delighted to welcome multiple JUNO award winner Joel Plaskett who will be sharing the stage with his father Bill Plaskett. They will be performing from their first full length collaborative album "Solidarity" which was released February of this year. Their album is a powerful collection of original and traditional songs that reflect both Bill and Joel's individual musical journeys grounded in folk music with influences of rock and roll. The Kiwi Café has some delicious Indian curries in their freezer from Taste of Mauritius. Stop by and pick up one to get you through your next Netflix binge. The Art Centre is offering painting classes with Pat Christiansen every Wednesday afternoon starting November 1st until November 29th. She will help you create the perfect winter scene in time for...winter. There are just a couple of slots left so dust off your brush and dial up the Art Centre to register. Sunday White Gate Restaurant presents their evening prix fixe menu. Call today to get your foot in the door for the weekend.                                                                                                             Next Monday is Musical Friends at the St Stephen's Anglican Church. It is free for all to attend. 1pm - Vintage Voices A fun singalong for people who enjoy music from the 30s to the 60s. Words are projected on a screen so that no one has to mess with any pages, and requests are always taken! 2pm - Musical Friends Choir Youth from Chester Elementary are walked from school to Tuck Hall, provided with a snack, and then learn to sing. 3pm - Musical Friends Band Older students from both elementary and middle school receive guitar, piano, bass and drum lessons, learn songs to play together, and begin to learn how to write music. 4pm Tuneful Tots Babies and toddlers along with parents, grandparents or guardians enjoy nursery rhymes and other danceable music. The Chester Merchants Gingerbread House Competition is back! Fill out your entry form and get it in before Saturday, November 4th.  Brochure Everyone is hunkered down for winter A guy walks into a bar and finds a horse serving drinks. The horse asks "What are you staring at? Haven't you ever seen a horse tending bar before?" The guy says, "It's not that. I just never thought the parrot would sell the place." Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

Oct. 11th, 2017

Chester Merchants Press Release

Dolly Hancock Photo

Greetings! Last Thursday's Absolute Bloody Final of the season was a huge success. Many thanks to the gang at the Rope Loft for hosting a terrific evening and a shout out to the crews for getting out for the last race of the season. Everyone have turkey sammies in their lunch pails this week?

M J Moye Photo

This Week in Chester  This Friday, October 13 th and Friday the 27th "My Time Square Quilters" will meet at the Chester Baptist Church Hall from 10:30 am - 1 pm.  Bring your lunch. New members welcome.    This Saturday is breakfast at the Chester Legion from 7:30 - 10:30 am.  Enjoy eggs (any way you like them), French toast, hash browns, beans, bacon, sausage, toast, tea/coffee and juice. Saturday evening is the 3rd Annual Harvest Jam Kitchen Party at the Chester Legion from 5 pm - midnight.  Ingredients:  Music, dancing, great eats, raffles & silent auctions.  5:00 pm Studio Singers; 5:30 pm Oasis Belly Dancers; 6:00 pm Denis Ryan & Tony Quinn; 7:00 pm Dirty Dougie & the Divine Dandies; 8:00 pm Kevin Koloff & Gypsy Minstrels; 9:00 pm The Klunkers; 10:00 pm The Parsons Brothers and 11:00 pm Cut Split & Delivered.  Tickets $10 per person/$20 per family (parents with kids under 12).  Tickets available at the door or any local Pharmasave. This Sunday at 3 pm the Chester Brass Band in concert with the Riverport and Area Community Choir will be performing at the St John's Anglican Church in Lunenburg.The band and choir have united to perform an enjoyable selection of interesting and entertaining pieces for this particular concert. Tickets are available at the door.  www.musiqueroyale.com

Next Tuesday, October 17th at 10 AM, 2016 Juno winners "The Swinging Belles," a swing band for kids from St. John's, Newfoundland, are intent on getting both kids and adults to kick up their heels and have a swinging good time with the whole family at the Chester Playhouse. The show is all about getting both children and parents dancing along to some swing, country and jazz and is showcased through songs and stories supported by guitars, mandolins, banjos and ukuleles. The show is packed with music, interactive storytelling and lots of dancing!

Brochure

If I weigh 200 pounds on earth I will only weigh 76 pounds on Mars. I'm not overweight, I'm just on the wrong planet. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

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October 4th, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! There is not a single fruit fly in Chester. They are all married and have lots of children. This Week in Chester  The last zucchini rides out of town this Friday from 10-2pm  at the Farmer's Market at the old train station. Load up on all the wonderful fruit and veg for this Thanksgiving weekend. Did someone say pickles? Bluegrass Grammy Nominee Claire Lynch will be onstage with her band at the Chester Playhouse this Friday at 7:30 pm. Dolly Parton credits singer-songwriter Claire Lynch as having "one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business today." Lynch's latest CD "North by South" pays homage to her favourite Canadian songwriters: Ron Sexsmith's "Cold Hearted Wind," the catchy "Kingdom Come" written by Old Man Luedecke, and the gorgeous maritime ballad "Molly May" written by Cape Breton's JP Cormier. Stuart Duncan and Bryan McDowell add fiddle to a number of fine tracks as well. Lynch also offers thoughtful reinterpretations of songs by Lynn Miles "Black Flowers," David Francey "Empty Train" and Gordon Lightfoot "Worth Believing" and contributes the lighthearted self-penned "Milo" to the project.                                                                                                             If you've had enough turkey by Monday, take a road trip to the harvest sale at the Forties Community Centre, 1787 Forties Road, New Ross from 9 - 4pm. Homemade pickles, jams & jellies, Annapolis Valley apples, Krispi Kraut sauerkraut and home baked goods will be available. Step back in time and enjoy demonstrations and music from local musicians. Happy Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family from all of us at the Chester Merchants Group. If something comes with gravy, use it - that's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat, repeat. Brochure "It's time to shuffle the deck chairs."  Tom Gallant Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

September 20th, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! It is difficult to move forward without acknowledging the destruction caused by hurricanes Irma and Marie in the Caribbean. Nova Scotia's ties with these islands go back well over two centuries. They need our help. Please consider the people and animals who have suffered from these devastating hurricanes and find it in your heart to help them. Here are a few reputable sites... Red Cross BVI Barbuda This Week in Chester  Tomorrow, Thursday, Alex Cuba will be bringing his "sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and powerful guitar riffs" to the Chester Playhouse stage at 7:30 pm. Alex Cuba was born in Cuba and was immersed in music at a young age. He went on to study guitar and bass and after moving to Vancouver, recorded his first album. He then recorded his solo debut album Humo De Tobaco which earned him his first Juno award for World Music Album of the Year. His latest album, Healer, takes him back to his roots, with guitars and vocal harmonies - an upbeat, acoustic soul album full of optimism. The Chester Farmers and Artisans are on tap this Friday at the Chester Visitor Information Centre at the old train station from 10 - 2 pm (rain or shine).                                                                                                             Musical Friends is offering four free programs to the community which will be held at the St. Stephen's Anglican Church every Monday. 1pm: Vintage Voices A fun singalong for people who enjoy music from the 30s to the 60s. Words are projected on a screen so that no one has to mess with any pages, and requests are always taken! 2pm: Musical Friends choir Youth from Chester Elementary are walked from school to Tuck Hall, provided with a snack, and then learn to sing. 3pm Musical Friends band Older students from both elementary and middle school receive guitar, piano, bass and drum lessons, learn songs to play together, and will learn how to write music. 4pm Tuneful Tots Babies and toddlers along with parents, grandparents or guardians enjoy nursery rhymes and other danceable music. For further info contact amyvinnedge@gmail.com /musicalfriends2017@gmail.com. Next Saturday, September 30th at 7:30pm, Flamenco en Rouge will be onstage at The Chester Playhouse for a performance in support of their Barbados Raffle fundraiser. Flamenco en Rouge is strongly committed a pure, authentic approach to flamenco, inspired by the Gitano (gypsy) style from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. They bring a highly charged performance energy, with dramatic dancing, singing and virtuosic instrumentals and colourful costumes. Ticket prices, including taxes and fees for the show are $32 and include a $20 Barbados raffle ticket. Brochure I told my wife she drew her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

September 13th, 2017 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release                                                                               Bunch Fraser photo                                                                                                                     Greetings! A big shout out to the Chester Art Centre and all the volunteers that made "Chester Creates" such a spectacular day. This was an unprecedented event and it was off the charts fantastic ! A huge thank you to everyone who participated and to those that made it happen. This Week in Chester  "Canada, It's Complicated" is a brand new comedy production that combines satirical sketches and songs that showcase the joys, foibles, tragedies and triumphs of Canada and being Canadian. The show features a cast of seven Canadian comics created with a diverse group of Canadian comedians, musicians and playwrights including Mary Walsh, Derek Seguin, Quantum Tangle, Marie Clements and Mike Allison. This show will be at the Chester Playhouse tomorrow night, Thursday, at 7:30pm. Dial them up to guarantee a seat for your bum  902-275-3933. The Chester Farmers' and Artisan Market is on this Friday at the Chester Visitor Information Centre at the old train station from 10 - 2pm rain or shine. Back off those tomatoes - they are all mine. This Friday evening at 7:30pm Old Man Luedecke will be performing and recording live on stage at the Chester Playhouse. Chris is a multi-award winning Canadian singer-songwriter who, we are proud to say, has chosen Chester as his home. Luedecke is a young man with an old soul who tells stories through his music.                                                                                                             Why not stop in at the Seaweed Soap Company on Queen Street under the Tradewinds Realty building.Their soaps are trés smooth and come in several flavours.   It's like shopping for ice cream without the calories. Brochure An entire bottle of wine can fit in a Starbucks Trenta-size cup. Just sayin' ... Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!