Wednesday, August 26, 2015

August 26th,2015 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release
 
                                                                                                                Kim Mullan Photo                                     

Greetings!

The Thule cargo boxes are bursting with summer clothes and toys, and the SUVs are on the move. Summer is drawing to a close in Chester.

We have, sadly, evolved from Danny Blaine's simple exit ritual: hang up the Nantucket Reds, 2 Land's End shirts, 1 whale belt, and you're good to go for next summer.

We are always sad to see our summer friends leave but look forward to their return.
 
                                                                                                                                                  

This Week in Chester

Today, Wednesday, remember to get over to the South Shore Mobile Library. Your tax dollars are paying for this so you might as well use it. The librarians are delightful and you can reserve books online, borrow videos,take out magazines...there is something for everyone at the Chester Legion parking lot every Wednesday from 1- 4:30 pm.

This evening the croquet action starts at 5:45 pm at Lordly Park - weather dependent. Bring your mallet and wear whites.

Tonight at 8 pm "The Highest Tides" continues to entertain audiences at the Chester Playhouse.
This is a musical revue of a number of Allen Cole's most well known pieces produced for theatre. Covering a full breadth of his works, the audience will find themselves traveling through a variety of settings and eras- from the 17th century France of Mimi: A Poisoner's Comedy to The Bricklin's edition of New Brunswick in the 1970s and many more, you'll feel like you've taken an entire trip without having to leave your seat. Viewers will also become immersed in tales from familiar settings, including the expulsion of the Acadian peoples in Pelagie and a revisitation of the beloved Chester-oriented Rockbound to take it all home. The show runs until Saturday evening with a matinee performance at 2 pm Saturday.

A shout out to The Stretch Diner for their community mindedness in promoting village events on their sign board and on Facebook.

Tomorrow, Thursday, from 3-7pm there is a "Moving House Sale" at 60 King Street (opposite Chester Dental Clinic.) All sorts of things from $2 to $ 200 to $650,000 if you'd like the house as well. China, linens, beds, sofas, garden ornaments and more. Sorry no delivery of bigger items. Cash or personal cheques only please.

Friday the Farmers in the Dell are back at the old Train Station from 10am - 2pm. It's TOMATO season ! Yeah ! Oh and there's other stuff too liked jewelry,soaps, turned wood products, baked goods and so much more.

This Friday (10am-noon) and Saturday (3-5pm) the Chester Municipal Heritage Society is offering free video editing workshops. To participate you must promise to record an oral history for their archives of someone in the community. For details or to sign up: dawnhj@gmail.com

Sunday evening is the final performance of the musical series at the Chester Bandstand. The Chester Brass is back to bring the season to a close with all your old favourites and some new ones. The baton rises at 7 pm so be prompt.

picnic in the park
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Cookie dough is the sushi of desserts.


Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

August 19th, 2015 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release
 
                                                                                                                      

Greetings!

"The outpouring of support and love we have felt from this community following the death of our brilliant mum, Nicki Butler, has bowled us over. This reached an unbelievable high point last Thursday evening at The Captain's House when a small army of mum's family, friends and fellow merchants worked tirelessly to ensure that the Celebration of Nicki's Life was just the type of occasion befitting such a wonderful hostess. Thank you so much, we are eternally grateful."

Charlotte, Guy, James and Stephen

Another Chester Race Week is behind us. I saw a racer - they have that look that screams "I'm way cooler than you" - at the bank on day 2 clutching a red bull in a vice like grip as if it were a life line. I witnessed this after one of my guests imparted some sage advice to the crew over breakfast. "Chester Race Week is a marathon not a sprint - pace yourselves."
I think the guy at the bank missed that one.
                                                                                                                                                 

This Week in Chester

Heads up - tonight, Wednesday, you can have your say in the growth and development of Chester. Come and give your 2 ¢ regarding architectural heritage and public space design.
They will be discussing village character, heritage, architecture, design and public spaces.
There is an open house this afternoon from 2-4 pm and a public meeting from 7-9 pm tonight. If you do not attend this meeting tonight you are SO not allowed to bitch about it in the future.

Croquet is on tonight at 6 pm at Lordly Park weather permitting. Wear your whites.

"The Highest Tides" will be making its debut at the Chester Playhouse tonight at 8pm until next Saturday with two matinee performances this and next Saturday at 2 pm.
"The Highest Tides" is a musical revue of a number of Allen Cole's most well known pieces produced for theatre. Covering a full breadth of his works, the audience will find themselves traveling through a variety of settings and eras- from the 17th century France of Mimi: A Poisoner's Comedy to The Bricklin's edition of New Brunswick in the 1970s and many more, you'll feel like you've taken an entire trip without having to leave your seat. Viewers will also become immersed in tales from familiar settings, including the expulsion of the Acadian peoples in Pelagie and a revisitation of the beloved Chester-oriented Rockbound to take it all home.

This month John Cowans is selling fall garden bulbs to benefit the Food bank here in Chester. This is through a partnership with Vesey's in PEI who offer 50% of sales returned to our Food bank with no tax or shipping costs. Last August they netted $1300. Anyone interested should contact cowansjm@gmail.com for flyers and order forms.

The Farmers are back at the old Train Station Market this Friday from 10 am -2 pm. Get there early or you will miss out on the sourdough bread like I always do.

Chester's Annual House and Harbour Tour is happening this Saturday from 10 - 4 pm rain or shine.Seven houses have been selected for your snooping pleasure and also a boat ride to view the homes from the water. You may purchase your tickets at the Chester Train Station from 9:30 am onwards. $30.00 per person and proceeds go to the Chester Heritage Society.They need it to pay for the lovely new paint job at the train station. 902 275-3842 / 902 275-3826 for further info.

The third annual Chester Croquet Tournament will take place this Sunday (rain date August 30th) in Lordly Park. Start time is staggered from 9 am till noon. What about church?
Teams of 2, croquet whites, picnic at the end of the day where everyone contributes something savory and brings their own beverages.
You may register by tomorrow at  juderobertsonphoto@gmail.com /  text 902 225-0949

Urban folk soul artist Jen Chapin will be playing with her band, The Jen Chapin Trio, at the Chester Playhouse this Sunday at 8 pm.
Chapin's music is hailed as being jazzy, yet layered. She takes from the mundane drudgery we know as everyday life and shapes it into something profound.
Bassist Stephan Crump and guitarist Jamie Fox, both of whom have extensive music careers will be joining Jen onstage.

This Sunday the Tuesday Night Show Band takes the stage at the Chester Bandstand with some pop and swing. This band is fantastic ! Get there early to assure yourself a patch of grass.

Next Tuesday the Picnic in the Park series wraps up it's summer season with the Parsons Brothers, sponsored by those nice lawyers on Pleasant Street ...Wells, Lamey, Mailman & Bryson. Meals for Musicians generously provided by the Stretch Diner. Free admission, donations for the band gratefully accepted.

Next Thursday the Chester Art Centre presents a workshop in Painting on Silk with artist Holly Carr. She supplies everything you need for this workshop -  all you need is ideas and enthusiasm. No experience necessary and everyone goes home with a masterpiece. To register call the Centre at 902 275-5789
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A midget fortune teller who escapes prison is a small medium at large.


Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Wednesday, August 12, 2015

August 12th, 2015 Press Release

Chester Merchants Press Release
  
                                                                                          

                           

Greetings!

A cloak of darkness has fallen over our Village.

News of Nicki Butler's passing was shared amongst the villagers in quiet reverence amidst oceans of tears. Nicki was truly the glue of our community.

Need a tray of food for a fundraiser? Nicki would provide it without hesitation. Extra guest? No  problem. Arrive for a meal when she wasn't open? She would welcome you through the back kitchen door.


                                                                                               

She would open every February 14th for one night only. Why? Because she loved her guests and wanted them to have a special place to take their loved one.

No resto person in their right mind would EVER open for one night in the middle of winter.

"I'd call ahead with my usual order... Filet mignon (blue) with a side of peppercorn sauce and a Caesar salad. Nicki would greet me with a warm smile (amazing cleavage) and my dinner... complete with silver cloche, linen napkins and beautiful old cutlery.
I'd toddle back up the hill, like I was a somebody. Thank you Nicki, for always making me feel like I deserved more from life, than a styrofoam container and plastic cutlery."
Cindy Schultz /AKA Halifax Broad.

"Nicki has been such a huge part of our lives for so many years. She has been our friend,our mother, our confidante. She has nurtured us and left us as better people and for that we are grateful."
Laura Mulrooney/Julien's Bakery

 
Nicki wishes that you continue to frequent her restaurant manned by her wonderful staff.
Nicki's Inn is open Thursday - Sunday evenings with her famous carvery every Sunday.


Please join us in raising a glass to "our mum" tomorrow, Thursday, at 7 pm at her old home, the Captain's House.


Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

August 5th, 2015 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release
 
                                                                                            

                          

Greetings!

Dolly (AKA "the other one) has a feline that has gone walkabout. Should you see this lovable creature, please ring 902 275-4638. As with most cats, he doesn't answer to his name but it's "Bam Bam."

                                                                                                                                                 
This Week in Chester

Today, Wednesday, the Chester Croquet League (CCL) will be playing their inaugural game at 6 pm assuming the weather gods comply. The organizers have laid out two regulation courses on the Lordly Park grounds. Whites, if possible, but not mandatory. Skill level not required - gin is. They have 3 croquet sets and would like to have more. Spectators are welcome. For further info contact Pam at pkeating05@hotmail.com.

Today and tomorrow the annual Opti Jam will be held at the Chester Yacht Club. Come down to the waterfront and watch these little "cute as a bug's ear" boats race around the harbour. Bring a picnic and make a day of it.

Tomas Kubinek is back in town and will be on stage at the Chester Playhouse
tonight until Saturday at 8 pm, with an afternoon matinee performance Saturday at 2 pm.
Tomas describes himself as a "fool, clown, visual poet, solo performance artist, multi-talented vaudevillian, comic genius and charming huckster", although the unpredictable, zany nature of his performance leaves the audience guessing as to what he's going to do next.
If you see only 1 show at the Playhouse this year...this is the one ! Do not miss this !
902 275-3933 for tickets.

Tomorrow, Thursday, at 5:30pm the Chester Art Centre invites you to join them at 60 Queen Street for bubbly and a preview of "A Shade of Grey," an exhibition of contemporary photographic masterworks curated by Christopher Porter. This will be followed by fine dining under the Big Top from Team Tom Connors and their unique auction experience.  A week in Blighty? A Villa in Anguilla? All that and more! $125 a person, tax receipt available. Help support the year-round work of the Chester Art Centre celebrating over 100 classes, workshops and lectures last year. 
902 275-5789 to reserve.

Also happening tomorrow Amicus welcomes a new artist Poppy Balser to the gallery at 6 pm. Poppy is a gifted watercolour artist from Digby and is a member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour. Come out and meet the artist and see her works.The show runs until August 19th.

Friday the farmers are back at the Train Station Market and their tent flaps of commerce are open for your shopping pleasure.

On Saturday from 9 - 3 pm, the Chester Art Fair is on at the Centre at 60 Queen Street where a dozen artists and artisans from Chester and beyond - including batik artist Rosi Robinson, jewelry designer Joan McInnes and painter Colleen Galloway - will be showing and selling their wares. They are having an Art in Action Day and it's all about rolling up your sleeves and participating in a variety of workshops.
For more details check the website - chesterartcentre.ca - or call 902 275-5789 for information.

This Sunday Going Coastal at 41 Queen Street is having a new exhibit opening titled "The Boat Show," just in time for Race Week. The reception is from 1- 4 pm. You are invited to join them for some refreshments and meet the artists at the gallery.

Sunday evening at 7 pm Jamie Junger is on stage at the Chester Bandstand. Jamie is a singer songwriter with over 30 years of experience performing from coast to coast in Canada, many recordings for adults, and now some great music for kids.

The Chester Tennis Club will be hosting an adult tennis clinic on Tuesday, August 11th from 6 to 8pm with snacks and drinks to follow. They can take 25 people, so it's first come, first served. 902 273-2308 to register.

Next Tuesday at 6 pm "Picnic in The Park" presents the "Klunkers," sponsored by Eric Harding of Tradewinds Realty. A shout out to the Stretch Diner provides who provide all the meals to the groups who perform at Lordly Park. Thank you Natalie and Charlie.
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A clip from an obituary in the Peterborough Examiner...Finn,Mary Catherine (née McCormick)

"...Her six grandchildren brought her enormous joy and were her favourite subject of conversation. A connoisseur of words, she would want you to know that she always believed Margaret Atwood was vastly overrated and Margaret Laurence equally underrated. In lieu of donations, Catherine would want you to do everything you can to drive Stephen Harper from office, right out of the country, and into the deep blue sea if possible. Also, she would like you to fix the CBC."

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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