November 27th 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Classified ad: "Single female seeks male companionship. I'm a very good girl who loves to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.... Call and ask for Annie, I'll be waiting...." See Annie at bottom...

This Week in Chester Brace yourselves, Malcolm Callaway is back in the writer/director's chair. Next weekend is the opening - and closing - run of "Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie" at the Chester Playhouse from Thursday - Saturday evenings at 8pm. A festive romp through Malcolm's warped mind. Get your tickets now because they will sell out and you don't want to miss this. Do not bring your children as they will begin to question your state of mind. 275-3933 for tickets. Paula still has a few spaces left for the Gingerbread Ornament Painting workshop. On December 7th there will be two workshops: morning: 10am-1pm / afternoon 2-5 pm. You will decorate bisque fired, glazed pieces: three pieces are included for the workshop fee of $25; extra pieces may be purchased. Finished work to 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 Studio at 59 Duke Street will be hosting workshops to decorate your own wax Gingerbread/Christmas tree ornaments next weekend Saturday, December 7th. Workshops begin @ 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Ornaments are $10.00 each. For more info dial up the luminous Bill @ 275-5800. On Friday night Chester Playhouse offers up three of the country's most giving performers as they combine their talents to create a night of original music with a dash of Christmas jingle thrown in for good measure. Mixing the sounds of soul, pop, folk and jazz with some of the most timeless holiday classics, Erin Costelo, Coco Love Alcorn and Ian Sherwood form a band that will get your mistletoe tapping! Also on Friday evening the Fo'c'sle Pub has the band FOG on stage. No, not the July fog we know, but a 70's cover tune band that will bring a smile to your face. Grab the missus and head on over there. Shane might even give you a preview of his Downton Abbey role. Saturday is the opening bash of the Gingerbread Festival. All those delectable houses will be on display at the Chester Arts Centre's "Enchanted Forest" @ 60 Queen Street. While they will have all been judged by that time, you may vote for the "People's Choice" award and be eligible for a prize draw. The Arts Centre will be open for house viewing this weekend and next, and on weekdays by appointment. There are 16 entries so please stop by and see these fabulous creations. Saturday evening is the Gingerbread Festival tree lighting at the Chester Train Station. An action packed event kicking off at 6 pm sharp with the arrival of Santa on a ruby red fire truck, hot chocolate and cookies, a giant gingerbread man, carol singing and kazoos. Yes. Kazoos. You'll have to show up to see what that's all about. Our friends from NSPC will be there to exchange your  present power - sucking tree lights for some LED gently drawing gems. Bring 2 strings and they will give you 1 in return. Bring your recent power bill. Maybe they can cut that in half too. The Gingerbreads also have a Lincoln toy train magical Christmas window display at the Mecklenburgh Inn at 80 Queen Street. A lot of drinks went into this, so come by and take a look. Designed and built by Rhubarb Home Design. If you want your home decorated for the holidays or are looking for some home improvement design ideas, look no further. Why not roll into the Fo'c'sle for Sunday Brunch from 11- 3pm. A bit of hair of the dog. $1.50 off Absolute caesars. Absolutely ! Monday the Blood Donor Clinic is back in the village at the Chester Legion from 1- 3 pm and again from 5-8pm. For more info call 1-888-236-6283. Roll up your sleeve. Monday night the Chester Brass Band hits the stage @ 7:30 at the Bonny Lea School. They are presenting "Christmas at Home" featuring Kathleen Hamm, Ernie Rafuse and Joyce Semone. $15 (cider, cookies and Santa too!). Door prize from Pete's Frootique ... Bananas for all!  There will be a raffle on a gift basket from Taste of Nova Scotia. For tickets/info call 275-5622 Ext 221. The bass trombone player is excellent ! Annie's keepers at the SPCA received hundreds of calls

Air Canada telephone customer: "I'd like to book a flight to Toronto." AC Rep: "Fine. Where are you now?" AC customer: "In my kitchen." Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 13th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Monday's Remembrance Day ceremony was a corker and the weather cooperated. The parade square was packed, there was a "fly by" by an old fighter plane and the band played on. It was epic. It's Gingerbread time again ! The Festival kicks off in just over 2 weeks. There are several divisions for the gingerbread house entries and each winning entry will win a $150 prize thanks to our generous sponsors. Blow the cobwebs out of the oven and get busy.

This Week in Chester Tonight is Big Pitcher Wednesday at the Foc's'le Pub. 3 clams off a pitcher of beer to go with your pasta of choice which is the special of the day. Bring the family. Thursday night @ 7:30pm the Chester Playhouse presents it's Maggie Smith film series with "Suddenly Last Summer."  Maggie plays Mrs. Venerable who wants her niece institutionalized to hide her family secret. Natasha Richardson plays Catherine Holly who witnessed the gory death of her cousin Sebastian and has not recovered from this and the events leading up to this. Rob Lowe plays the psychiatrist who is here to evaluate and institutionalize Catherine. Remember Nicki's is open from Thursday to Sunday every week until December 8th. Get your little piece of heaven before she is lathering up with the stallions on Somebeachsomewhere. Friday night the Klunkers take the stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub. This is a fun group with a combination of folk and blues. Saturday night there is dinner theatre at the Legion. Doors open @5:30 pm, dinner@ 6:30 pm. That's late for the Legion - they are usually washing up by then. The Accidental Actors will be performing "Nick's Place" a play depicting 1930's prohibition days.Tickets may be purchased at Scotiabank or by calling Gerri 275-3817. Monies raised will help enhance lives of the residents of Shoreham Village. This Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm there will be a 2 hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River Gold Mines, part of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s.  Adults $10 and Children (under 12 years) $5 and Children under 6 years are free.  All proceeds for a new roof on the Chester Train Station.  By reservation only. 275-3718. Monday evening the Chester Garden Club is meeting at St. Stephen's Hall @ 6:30 for 7:00 pm.  Topic:  Streptocarpus:  a rainbow of colour - an interesting plant grown and explained by our own Edward Rafuse.

A BIG congratulations to "Swingology" and our very own Tom and Cynthia Myers for winning Music Nova Scotia's Jazz recording of the Year !  Yeahhhhh ! To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 6th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Well Hallowe'en was a bit of a disappointment. I have enough chocolate left over to last until Easter. It could all be melted down to make a bunny. But I'm getting ahead of myself in the spectrum of seasons. Gingerbread Season is imminent.The Gingerbreads are still looking for indoor/outdoor lights, outdoor extension cords and flood lights to be borrowed or donated to the sugar cause. You may drop off your offering on the porch at the Mecklenburgh Inn @ 78 Queen Street next to the Post Office. The clocks went back last weekend: WHY do I never remember this? I blew an extra hour of feather fun by launching out of the bunk too early.

This Week in Chester "Going Coastal" on Queen Street is the new kid on the block. Lovely artwork adorns the walls and some beautifully crafted wood pieces from tables to kitchen islands await you. Don't forget every Tuesday is trivia night at the Fo'c'sle Pub. Assemble some friends and repair to the pub for their half price burger special. The competition is fierce so brush up on your trivia. No googling allowed. Friday night SWIG takes the stage at the Fo'c'sle. Mark and Sara will delight you with their music selections. "Singing along is not only encouraged, it's expected." (That's what their biz card says.) Friday evening also has the Season 4 premiere of "Haven" on Showcase @ 8 pm. Break out the popcorn and beer, pull the lever on the la-z-boy and settle in. Saturday night @ 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse presents "Jake's Gift,"  a surprisingly funny drama that tells the story of a Canadian WW2 veteran who reluctantly returns to Normandy, France, for the 60th Anniversary D-Day. While roaming the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious ten year old from the local village whose inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long ignored ghosts. Sunday morning the Kiwi Café has the Jazzettes spicing up your daily chai habit from 11am - 1pm. Stop by for brunch and listen to the effervescent Cynthia Myers and her background boys. Once you've fueled up on eggs benny head over to Western Shore @ 1:30 for a 2 hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River gold mines, part of the Nova Scotia Gold Rush of the 1860's.  Adults/ $10, children under 12/ $5 and children under 6 free. All proceeds for a new roof on the Chester Train Station. By reservation only 275-3718.  Monday is Remembrance Day. Plan to be at the Cenotaph @ 11 am to remember those who sacrificed their lives. This is a very important and moving ceremony. Please join us.

How do they get a deer to cross at that yellow road sign? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group