July 30th, 2014 Press Release

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Hot, breezy days, the scent of flowers and sound of lawnmowers..... Some tropical downpours.......Waiting for more than 10 seconds to turn left from Valley Road on to Hwy 3. Numerous start guns and finishing horns from the yacht racing on the water. Double-booked on an evening.  Summer in full force.....

This Week in Chester Today, Wednesday, July 30 - come rain or shine (well, it'll be in St Stephen's Hall if the weather doesn't cooperate) - Join us at the annual LIGHTFOOT TOWER GARDEN PARTY in the gardens of the Zoë Vallé Library, 63 Regent St, Chester from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Hosted by The Chester Trust, you can get 'up close and personal' with the newly restored Lightfoot Tower. There will be sangria and tea, sandwiches, a silent auction, general frivolity, grateful thank yous and the official 'sealing' of the Lightfoot Tower Time Capsule. A unique piece of Chester's history will stand another 100+ years. Later that evening, LUCKY STIFF, featuring the actors of the Chester Summer Theatre School is playing at the Playhouse, 7pm curtain. This murder mystery farce propels a mild-mannered English shoe clerk into a lunatic mix of a murdered Atlantic City gambler, his nearsighted jilted mistress, her hen-pecked brother and several hundred (off-stage) dogs...... The show runs through August 2nd at 7pm, with a matinee at 2pm on Saturday. Tickets are $16.00 Adult, $12.00 Youth/Senior and $8.00 under eight years old. Contact the Playhouse or call 275-3933 for tickets. Remember to take at least two bags to the FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET on Friday, 10-2pm at the Chester Train Station. There's a plethora of produce and products to be purchased and maybe even some pickled peppers?! Or consider heading over to Tancook to meet the colourful, talented queen of knitting, Lucy Neatby, who is running a course called 'A Duet of Knitted Scarves',  August 1 10:20 a.m. - 4:10 p.m through the Chester Art Centre. Cost: $78.00 Includes patterns and ferry trip. Full details and registration obtainable at the Art Centre 275-5789.   On Saturday treat yourself to brunch or a coffee in the village. Peruse the shops and maybe stroll over to Freda's beach and flop on the sand. Watch the racing, read a book....... take it easy because: On Sunday it's the BONNY LEA FARM'S ANNUAL LOBSTER SUPPER from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Take-out service 3:00 to 6:00 pm. Enjoy a 1 ¼ lb. hard shell lobster, salads, dessert and beverage for $30. Steak alternative available for $30. Try your luck and buy a ticket to win a trip for 2 anywhere Porter Airlines flies in US/Canada.  Draw date TBA.  For more info call 275-5622.  Once you have your lobster fix, run over to the Chester Bandstand where the Halifax-based, 20 member, "TUESDAY NIGHT SHOW BAND" will be playing at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Dress for the weather and bring a lawn chair or blanket.  For more info call Evelyn Ernst 634-4435. Or, for a more tropical fare, The Chester Playhouse presents the fantastic Cuban jazz arrangement of HAVANAFAX at 8pm. Augusto Enrique, Silvio Pupo, Jeff Goodspeed, Jorge Chicoy, Avi Garcia are making a return visit to the Playhouse after a sold out show in 2012. Tickets are $24 for adults and $18 for youth +HST. Visit their website or call 275-3933 for tickets.   On Tuesday, PICNIC IN THE PARK this week features 'KLUNKERS'. Roots music at its best! The Klunkers perform a classic blend of old time folk, blues, country and Celtic. Seek out Lordly Park (hint: the block bounded by Central/Regent/Prince/Union Streets) bring a blanket, picnic, chair and dancing shoes. 6-8pm. Free admission but donations for the band gratefully accepted. Another concert happening Tuesday night is 'LAURA SMITH. SHE'S BACK!' at The Galley Restaurant & Lounge. Live music never tasted so good!.... as a ticket for $75 will get you a three course meal, with Laura's enchanting vocals as you eat dessert (tax & tip incl). Mix and Mingle starts at 6pm. Call the Galley at 273 -3463 for more info and to reserve your ticket.

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July 23rd, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Holy Hannah ! It MUST be summer. All of Chester's residents are walking around like deer in the headlights. They are volunteering, fundraising, helping others and just trying to keep it all together. If you have some time on your hands and would like to volunteer, there are a myriad of organizations in the village that could use your help. Reply to this email and we can put you in touch with them. It was also BIG garbage yesterday. That is a whole day of organization in it's own right.

This Week in Chester The Marvelous Wonderettes continues it's run at the Chester Playhouse tonight until Saturday @ 8 pm with a Saturday matinée at 2 pm. Don't miss this show. It's upbeat and fun. Simon loved it. A new artist is being featured at the Train Station Gallery until August 3rd. Come see the scenic works of Ernest Gardiner. The gallery is open daily from 10-4. Haven t-shirts have arrived! They may be purchased at Light My Fire Candle Studio, the Visitor Information Centre and the Village Emporium. $30 including tax at all locations. Charcoal gray with the Haven logo in white print - men's and women's sizing. We thank the powers that be in the Haven establishment for making these t-shirts available for us. Light My Fire Studio present "OMG!!...look at the candles I made" workshops. Join them for a two hour candle workshop any Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday this summer where you will learn to make three different types of candles. Workshops are 1- 3pm and cost $60/ person. For groups of four or more the price is $50/ person. Maximum of  8 / workshop for those 12 and older. (No rug rats.) Please reserve your space @275-5800. Walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows. The Chester Garden Club is holding their 75th Anniversary Flower Show and Tea Thursday, July 24th from 1:30 - 5pm at the Chester Legion with tea served from 2 -4pm. Get your prize winning lily over there STAT. Wear your best bonnet as the girls will be dressed in period costume. www.chestergardenclub.wordpress.com  / chestergardenclub@hotmail.com Friday the Farmer's Market is back at the Train Station from 10-2pm. This is a great space for the vendors to spread out and sell their wares. Stock up for the week - this produce is straight from the garden so it lasts for ages. There is also a groovy food truck. I saw an excellent sausage on naan bread roll out of their kitchen last week. Friday evening is the opening of Malcolm Callaway's art show at Amicus Gallery at 6 pm. In addition to the fabulous paintings, the icing on the cake is...wine. It's the lubricant of the village. The Chester Art Centre presents "Writing a Mystery" Saturday from 1- 4 pm. Join Anne Emery, award winning author of the Collins-Burke mystery series as she guides you to be the latest Agatha Christie. The class will cover character, setting, dialogue, plot, planting clues, choosing the point of view, research, maintaining timelines, and what to expect from an editor." $45.00 Next up at the Art Centre is George Hoskins on July 28th/ 29th from 9 - 4:30 pm. He will teach you how to carve a stylized sperm whale. Using simple hand tools you will carve, sand and finish an interpretive sperm whale. The cost of the class includes a flexcut roughing knife, template and wood for carving. Cost: $135.00  Bring lunch and a flask. Sunday night the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band will be playing at the Chester Bandstand at 7pm. These guys are great. Get your best "swing" skirt on for the event. Also on Sunday night at 8pm the Chester Playhouse presents Cloudburst, a 2011 Canadian-American film by writer and director Thom Fitzgerald, starring Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker along with our own John Dunsworth. Dot and Stella, a crackerjack lesbian couple now in their seventies are on the run from a nursing home. You'll laugh so hard you'll cry. This won all sorts of ribbons so you better not miss this. Next Tuesday the "Picnic in the Park" at Lordly Park on Central Street presents the Parsons Brothers from 6-8pm. Bring your dancing shoes. Rain date is Wednesday. Donations gratefully received.

A man spoke frantically into the phone: "My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart." "Is this her first child?" the doctor asked. "No!" the man shouted, "This is her husband!" Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 16th, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! The Lululemons are back in full force here in the Hamlet. Lithe creatures trotting through  the 'hood at 0600; Range Rovers at the Save Easy and air kissing. Summer has arrived. The Chester Playhouse Galapalooza was a knock out last Saturday. Kudos to the organizers, the hosts and the volunteers. All I saw was a sink full of dishes, but even we, in the kitchen of Downton, had a great time. This Week In Chester Tonight, Wednesday, the Chester Playhouse kicks off their Summer Festival lineup at 8 pm with The Marvelous Wonderettes. This smash off-Broadway hit takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom where we meet four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts. As we learn about their lives and loves, we are treated to the girls performing such classic '50s and '60s songs as "Lollipop," "Dream Lover," "Stupid Cupid," "Lipstick on Your Collar," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "It's My Party," and over 20 other classic hits. Marvelous Wonderettes runs from July 16th - 19th and again from the 22nd-26th with a matinee performance at 2 pm on the 19th and 26th. On July 22rd there will be a pay what you can performance. Wear your party dress !  The Farmers are back on the market grounds at the Train Station on Friday from10-2pm. While you're there, catch the final day of featured artist Sharon Boyd displaying her nautical series of paintings. Open daily 10-4pm.  Friday night wend your way to the Fo'c'sle Pub and catch the tunes of the John Cole Porter Trio at 9 pm. Ribs, wings, all sorts of delicious choices await you until 9 pm. Shane too ! On Saturday from 11-4pm the Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Annual Garden Tour rain or shine. Participants may pick up their info packages at the Train Station before starting the tour. This tour features "Fox Hill" the home of Dr. Robert & Ann Ernst. Oceanview Landscaping designed their gazebo, pool house and surrounding area. Enjoy the views as you stroll through the gardens.This self-guided tour also features the outstanding gardens of Sherry Chandler, Jon Dimick, Nancy Guest, Ross/ Stephanie McNeil, Leigh Milne/John Pece, and a tour of John Risley's greenhouses. Contact the Chester VIC @ 275-4616 /  info@ChesterAreaNS.ca for tickets. Also on Saturday there is a celebration of Canada Parks Day at Graves Island. The Department of Natural Resources invite you to celebrate Canada's Parks. This event will take place at the Trailhead Building at the park, 230 Graves Island Road, East Chester starting at 2 pm.  Sunday evening the Chester Brass band picks up their instruments to perform at the Chester Bandstand at 7 pm. Don't miss this awarding winning ensemble. After the Brass Band performance, stroll up to the Chester Playhouse for the  8 pm performance of Canadian legend and icon VALDY. Singer, guitarist and songwriter - a piece of the fabric of Canadian pop and folk music for over 34 years. Valdy is joined by Juno award winner Gary Fjellgaard. This duo will be a fantastic night of entertainment. Next Tuesday is "Picnic in the Park"  from 6-8 pm at Lordly Park with entertainment by Darren Arsenault and George Barkhouse sponsored by #Haven 5. Bring a blanket and get ready to dance. Rain date is Wednesday night.    The Lightfoot Tower "Super Moon" night

Housework won't kill you, but why take the chance? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 9th, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Tropical Storm Arthur, who swung by Saturday, made the Village go from this, above, to this below:   How did you fare? How did your trees fare?   My tomato plants look like they are all pointing direction SE and I'll have less conkers on the chestnut tree this fall.     A good storm always brings the best out in people and Bob should be commended for keeping the Fo'c'sle afloat and functioning during the outage and making it possible for The Hottest Night of the Year (Windiest Night?)  fundraiser to go ahead. It was packed. Good music, 'candlelight' and bad hair-dos! Joan and Rob (+ others) did a stellar job dealing with the last minute change in venue ........ and who knew Rob could sing as well as Supertramp?!

This Week in Chester On Friday, support the local producers and artisans at the weekly FARMER'S MARKET at the Old Train Station, 10-2pm, and pop in and see the Oak Island Display and Train Station Gallery while you're there. Veg and berries are ripening by the second...... Bill and Judy at LIGHT MY FIRE STUDIO are remaining open until 8pm on Thursday and Friday nights now until September. It's a great way to spend some time before going to the theatre or catching a bite in the village. You can stock up on the candles you burnt out last weekend. The wine will be flowing at AMICUS GALLERY on Friday from 6-8pm and horses all over the walls at the EQUUS opening; 'a celebration of the Year of the Horse'. The show runs from July 12-24. On Saturday, rise early and take your paper to BREAKFAST at the Chester Legion from 7:30 to 10:30 am. Enjoy eggs (any way you like them), French toast, hash browns, beans, bacon, sausage, toast, coffee/tea and juice.   All that will fuel you up for the Chester Municipal Heritage Society ANNUAL AUCTION & FLEA MARKET, at the Chester Old Train Station. Flea Market opens 9:00 am; Auction starts at 9:30am. Please bring a chair if possible. Rain date is July 13 at 1:00 pm. Treasures of all kinds can be found. The CYC is sponsoring an "On the Water Scavenger Hunt" Saturday with all registration fees going to Our Health Centre. Pray for good weather as this is one fun event for the whole family.  Load up your boat and join the happy throng.  It starts with a skipper's meeting at 9.45 am. Registration forms and more info available at the CYC website Later that evening, BAD INTENTIONS will be playing at the Chester Legion from 9:00 pm to 1:00 am. Members and guests over 19 years welcome.    Saturday is also the much anticipated GALAPALOOZA, The Chester Playhouse's main fundraiser of the year between 6pm and 9pm. John and Gail Carroll's house at 239 Walker Road is the venue, chefs Michael Howell and Peggy Wilson are the cooks, Jeff Goodspeed and his Cuban Band the music, and a plethora of raffles, silent auction items etc. with a shuttle service to and from to boot. Life without the blue theatre in the centre of Chester is unimaginable, so buy your tickets pronto and support the Playhouse and arts on your doorstep. Tickets are $150 per person. Call 275 3933 or visit www.chesterplayhouse.ca to get those tickets (tax receipt provided). Parade Square Bandstand Band this week is: THE CHESTER BASIN STREET DIXIELAND BAND Sunday evening at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Dress for the weather and bring a lawn chair or blanket. For more info call Evelyn Ernst 634-4435. It's the perfect way to end a busy weekend.

Improvised air conditioning with vents from below! Looks like a sacrifice..... The Other One for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 2nd, 2014 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Trust you all waved your Canadian flags and enjoyed the beach weather and the fireworks yesterday. Pay attention to the expiry date on the sunscreen tube because if it has passed the expiry date, it's like baby oil and you will burn up like a piece of bacon. I know this from past experience. With regards to the Anti-Spam notice we sent Monday, we are still receiving more consent forms as of today and are still in the editing process, so we are sending this missive to our old email list one last time. If you haven't re-subscribed as yet and wish to, you must click "join our mailing list" below.

This Week in Chester Tomorrow, Thursday, is the 75th Anniversary of the Chester Garden Club. You are invited to attend the opening of the Cove Garden Seaside Monument and the re-dedication of the Ruth Chandler Tree at 4pm in the Cove Garden on Water Street. A formal tea and reception will follow at the Lordly House on Central Street to open the 75th Anniversary exhibit and the installation of trophies. 275-3421 Would you like to improve your watercolour skills? The Chester Art Centre is hosting a class with William Rogers on Thursday and Friday. Bill teaches at St.F.X. and is prez of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. He's exhibited and given workshops worldwide and also been honoured with many awards. 275-5789 for info. Don't miss the Farmer's Market at the Train Station Friday from 10-2 pm. Friday night the Hupman Brothers are performing at the Fo'c'sle Pub at 9pm.This band is fantastic. They look like they just crawled out of the "Back Forties" in New Ross. Get down there early and make a night of it. I stopped in there at Monday lunch and had some wings off Sandy's plate. They were divine. Saturday night is the "Hottest Night of the Year" event at the Chester Yacht Club from 5 pm - 1 am. This is a fund raiser for the Chester Junior Racers and PRO Kids. There will be silent and live auctions, eight live bands with 38 musicians, raffles, food and libations throughout the evening. Pay what you can at the door. Open to everyone! Sunday evening at 7 pm the Bridgewater Firemen's Band will be playing at the Chester Bandstand. All are welcome. Bring the rug rats and let them run off some steam. Tuesday night is the first "Picnic in the Park" at Lordly Park. Live music from 6-8 pm with "Radio in Colour," a great mix of music from yesterday and today. Free Admission.  Donations for the band gratefully accepted.  RAINDATE:  if it's raining Tuesday, they dance on Wednesday.  If it's raining Wednesday, they dance on Thursday.  Check here for event cancellation.  Tuesday night is also Ladies little Black Dress Night at the Chester Yacht Club from 6-9pm. Tickets MUST be reserved by this Saturday, July 5th by calling the CYC @ 275-3747 or s.morash@ns.sympatico.ca. Ticket includes a glass of wine, a chance for a door prize, food and an array of products offered by local vendors such as specialty soaps, sandals, scarves, fine woodworking, clothing and ohh so much more. Net proceeds of the event will be invested in the Birthday in a Basket Program at the Food Bank and local families in need.

Why isn't there mouse flavoured cat food? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!