November 28th 2012 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Black Friday. How was this idea ever allowed to cross the border? All it means for us in Canada is that US chains are capitalizing, but on our turf. I didn't see any local shops jumping on the Black Friday bandwagon. Shop local and support your neighbour, not Target or Walmart. Well the Canadian geese are pulling pitch. A big flock flew over the inn last weekend. What a racket! It was fabulous to watch. Mabel had a Louis Vuitton clutch under her wing so I'm guessing Miami or LA might be the destination.

This Week in Chester The Gingerbread House creations are in and the winners were announced by the judges Monday evening. Drumroll... The individual under 12 division was a tie ! Nicole Heisler and Lila Hume tied for top honours. In the adult group division Lara and Silas Parsons won the prize. The individual adult division honours went to Bunch Fraser. Congratulations to all the winners. Prizes will be awarded to the winners at the Gingerbread wrap party. I saw the slew of gift certificates to be given to the winners. Oh la la - what a bonanza of goodies ! This Friday night the annual tree lighting and LED light exchange will be held at Chester Building Supplies, with hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies provided by Lesley's Pantry starting at 5:30pm. Once the rug rats are sufficiently juiced up on sugar, hand them over to the babysitter, then head over to the Fo'c'sle Pub and take in the sounds of Peter Grant and Three for Now. Enjoy some adult juice and dance the night away Saturday is the kick off of our Gingerbread Festival.The village will be alive with the smell of molasses and Gingerbread Houses will be on display in the merchants' shops. New this year is the outdoor Gingerbread Man competition. Gingerbread Men may be purchased at Chester Building Supplies. There is a prize for each division- residential and commercial. If you have a Gingerbread man to display, you may submit your photo to: chestergingerbreadfestival@gmail.com It will be posted to the "Gingerbread Festival Chester, NS" facebook page where you can vote for your favourite by "liking" it. Voting will end midnight Friday, December 15 and the winners will be announced at the Family Gingerbread Celebration Party on Sunday 2-4 pm, December 16 at St. Stephen's Hall. This Saturday is a First Saturday - a celebration of our three Bluenose Coast communities (Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg) to showcase our wares and smiles and to offer you some special experiences. Check out the 1st Saturdays link to see what could be in the cards for your weekend enjoyment. The Chester District School Gingerbread Fair is this Saturday from 9 -1pm. There will be crafts, food, live music, a gift wrapping service, a candy cane pull and some fantastic prizes supplied by their vendors. Check out their Facebook page , tell all your friends to "like" the CDS Fair and get on over there to support their efforts. On Saturday and Sunday this weekend and next, the "Artists for Kids Exhibition" is on display at the Chester Art Centre from 10 am-2 pm @ 60 Queen Street. The Art Centre is proud to present the amazing works created by students from CDS , CAMS and Gold River Elementary School. It was taught by working artists such as Marla Benton, Joan McInnes, Sherry Goede and Malcolm Callaway. Drop by the art centre and check it out. The Chester Bandstand will be decorated Saturday for the Christmas season by the Chester Garden Club. Stop by and tell them where YOU think the bow should be placed. Looking ahead to Sunday, December 9th, the Chester Brass Band still have a few tickets left for their annual Christmas extravaganza at Atlantica Hotel in Western Shore. The band fires up at 6 pm and dinner will be served shortly thereafter. Always a memorable evening. Dial up Gregor Fraser @ 275 - 3453  for tickets. Next Tuesday and Wednesday evening at the Chester Playhouse, the After School Drama kids have two shows on the docket."The Snow Queen" debuts Tuesday evening at 6pm and 7:30 pm and "The Emperor's Nude Clothes" shows at the same times Wednesday. These shows are presented by director Cynthia Myers in collaboration with Dawn Curry and Robyn Harris.

Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until they speak. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 21st, 2012 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release American turkey weekend is looming. Don't call your friends south of the border this weekend as they are either a) expanding at the table b) making a sandwich for further expansion c) yelling at the box like it is going to reply d) horizontal on the couch. This is not a good weekend to reach out and be touchy feely with Ma Bell. Wait till Tuesday when the turkey tryptophan coma has worn off. I am not pointing fingers - we got a jump on our American friends and did the same thing a month ago.

This Week in Chester Your gingerbread house entry form must be delivered today to the Village Emporium. See the Gingerbread Festival facebook page for updates and breaking news.The physical gingerbread house entries must be delivered to the Chester Arts Centre on Queen Street this weekend, Saturday or Sunday from 2-4pm either day. Winners will be announced next Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday the Chester Municipal Heritage Society is hosting a Victorian Christmas Craft Sale at the Lordly House Museum, 133 Central Street from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Thursday evening the Chester Playhouse is wrapping up their Judi Dench run with the screening of "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" @ 7:30 pm. This is pay what you can night. This movie is exceptional - don't miss it. Check out this trailer. A fabulous cast with a lot of laughs. You must see this one. Friday evening Memphis Knights is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub @ 9 pm. I hear rumor the gingerbread band will be back on the upper deck this year but with some new players added to the mix. Bob knocked it out of the park last year with his gingerbread display and I know this year will be equally spectacular. Saturday afternoon there will be a Roast Pork Dinner with all the trimmings at the Chester Legion from 4- 6 pm.  Adults $12.  Bake table and tickets on a gift basket. The Gingerbread Festival folks will be selling their 4' Gingerbread Men cutouts for $20 and tickets on a gingerbread quilt.  No, you can't eat it. Hosted by Shoreham Ladies Auxiliary.  For tickets call Gerri Allen 275-3817. Sunday is the last time to catch the Gold River gold mine tour @ 1:30.  A two hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River gold mines, part of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s.  See intact gold mine shafts, trenches, site of a dam for power generation and locations of old stamping/processing mills.  At the half way point, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies inside a warm heritage log cabin. Adults $10. All proceeds to the Chester Municipal Heritage Society. 275-3718 for info and reservations. Nicki is heading to Beverly Hills for Christmas. Swimmin' pools, movie stars. Get your bib on and get to Nicki's Inn before December 9th or you will miss out. There is a Gospel Concert at the Baptist Church, 84 King Street, @7 pm with Heart in Action Ministries, Jeffrey & Charmaine Haines and the Singing Moms. I've heard the "Singing Moms" before.... The Chester Brass will be presenting "Santa's Jolly Jukebox" - a Bonny Lea Farm fundraiser at the Chester Area Middle School @ 7:30 pm with Laura Smith and the South Shore Chorale.  Admission $15/ rug rats under 12 gratis.

For every vision, there is an equal and opposite revision.  Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 14th, 2012 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release The November 11th Remembrance Day service was fabulous. Not a breath of wind, gorgeous, sunny and hot. I think I burnt my face ! It was jammed. I've never seen so many souls at the parade square - not even at Race Week.The fly by added a touch of excitement as well. Kudos to the organizers. The Chester Playhouse won a very special award last weekend down in Liverpool at "Music Nova Scotia Week." This award goes to a non-profit community organization that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to presenting musical performances in the province.The recipient is chosen by the members of Nova Scotia's music industry. Well done Chester Playhouse !

This Week in Chester In other Playhouse news, unless you already have a ticket for Jill Barber's performance tonight, you can forget about getting tucked into one of those lovely chairs because it's sold out ! I got the last one (thank you Dolly) and am not giving it up. VOCTADA is holding their AGM at the St Stephen's Hall Thursday @ 7pm. Kerry will be there. Friday evening the Fo'c'sle Pub has SWIG on stage at 9pm. This group is a house favourite so get there early to assure yourself a seat.The kitchen is open until 10 pm. While there are many goodies on the menu to chose from I always have the pan fried haddock and am never disappointed.The staff no longer bother to give me a menu. Why not stop in at Chez Glass Lass on Duke Street and see their groovy dinner ware. This shop has something for everyone - so much more than just glass plates. There will be a Kohl Cannon supper at the Baptist Church from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Love those south shore dining hours. Ham, baked beans, bread, rolls, pies and dessert.  Adults $10, Children $5. Take out available. A craft and bake table will be on deck. On Sunday there will be a  gold mine tour from 1:30 - 3:30pm (weather permitting.) A two hour guided walking tour of the west side of Gold River gold mines, part of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s.  See intact gold mine shafts, trenches, site of a dam for power generation and locations of old stamping/processing mills. At the half way point, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies inside a warm heritage log cabin. Adults $10. Proceeds to the Chester Municipal Heritage Society. 275-3718 for information and reservations. Monday evening at 6:30 for 7pm the Chester Garden Club is holding their AGM at St Stephen's Hall."So, what am I?  Native or Cultivar?" Funny, I ask myself that question occasionally but had never entertained those 2 options. Master gardener Brenda Hiltz will preside over an interactive presentation and discussion about local plants.Refreshments to follow. New members and guests welcome. Ok,  I've held off - but here it is.... Chester's annual Gingerbread Festival is just around the corner. It will be held December 1st-16th. All Gingerbread House entry forms must be received by November 21st either by mailing them to Box 181 Chester, or by dropping off the form at the Village Emporium on Pleasant Street. Forms may be downloaded at Chester Art Centre. The physical Gingerbread Houses must be delivered to the Chester Arts Centre on Queen Street between 2-4 pm, Nov 24th or 25th. New this year: We are having an outdoor Gingerbread Man competition. Nude Gingerbread Men may be purchased at Chester Building Supplies. Do with them what you will. Create a gingerbread man or theme to display, photograph it and submit your photo to chestergingerbreadfestival@gmail.com and it will be posted to our "Gingerbread Festival Chester,NS" facebook page where you may vote for your favourite by "liking" it. This competition is open to residents of the Municipality of Chester.There are two categories: business and residential. Voting will end midnight December 15th. In other Gingerbread news the Chester District School is holding a Gingerbread Fair on December 1st from 9am-1pm.There will be lots of crafts, food, live music, gift wrapping service, a candy cane pull and some fantastic prizes supplied by vendors. They have a facebook page which is "CDS Gingerbread Fair" so please tell all your friends to "like" them. When making your December plans remember to mark your calendar and save Sunday, December 9th. At 6pm the Annual Chester Brass Band Christmas Dinner will be held at the Atlantica Hotel and Marina in Western Shore. For tickets and info dial up Gregor @ 275-3453.

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing noise they make as they fly by."  Douglas Adams. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 7th, 2012 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Apparently my African warrior lady picture ruffled a few feathers in the Hamlet. I am of the mind that Hallowe'en is a time to be as outrageous and off the wall as one can be. I apologize to those who may have not taken it in the spirit of the season as it was intended. OK , who forgot to turn the clocks back?   Show up too early at church? Throw the froot loops off schedule? Upset the Sunday caesar routine? Winter is coming and it's dark, but take heart as the tides will turn again December 21st.

This Week in Chester This Friday the Foc's'le Pub has Late Night Lover on stage at 9 pm. This band is a fixture at the Shore Club in Hubbards and always draws a big crowd, so get down to the Fo'c'sle early, claim your table, get your meal order in with Shane, sit back/or dance and enjoy the show. Saturday morning get a jump on the day by firing up at the Foc's'le with our man in red, Tim Harris. Eggs and beer- eggscellent ! Sunday is Remembrance Day. Plan to repair to the Cenotaph @ 11 am to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us. This is a very important and moving ceremony. Please join us in this time of remembrance. There is a gold mine tour this Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 (weather permitting.) A two hour guided walking tour of the west side of Gold River gold mines, part of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s.  See intact gold mine shafts, trenches, site of a dam for power generation and locations of old stamping/processing mills.  At the half way point, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies inside a warm heritage log cabin. Adults $10 All proceeds for Chester Municipal Heritage Society. Call 275-3718 for more information and reservations. A blood donor clinic will be held at the Chester Legion on Monday, Nov 12th from 1- 3 pm and from 5-8 pm.  For more info call 1-888-236-6283. Cookies await ! The Chester Municipal Chamber of Commerce AGM and dinner will be held at the Atlantica Hotel starting @ 5:30 pm on Tuesday, Nov 13th. Please RSVP before Friday, November 9.  For info/tickets call Shelli @ 275-5825. Next Wednesday, the lady of the golden voice, Jill Barber, will grace our stage at the Chester Playhouse. DO NOT MISS THIS. This woman has a voice that makes angels sing. I saw her show in Halifax a couple years ago and was on a high for a week. Call now for tickets.

"Don't ever confuse your life and your work. The second is only part of the first." Anna Quindlen. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group