Wednesday, July 27, 2016

July 27th, 2016 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

                                                                                 Victoria McGregor photo
                                                                                                                    


Greetings!

The send off for Team Saunders at the Chester Yacht Club last Sunday was fantastic. Pretty much the whole village showed up wearing red and white to wish Jacob and Graeme Saunders well.

Kudos to all the organizers involved - and there were many ! 

What a wonderful community event it was.
 
                                                                               1946 Poster 
                                                                                                                                                     
This Week in Chester 

Tonight you get a second chance to see the Market Boys as last night's performance was cancelled due to rain. Picnic in the Park is happening tonight,Wednesday, at Lordly Park from 6-8pm.

José Valverde was presented with the Order of Civil Merit medallion by the Spanish Ambassador on behalf of the King of Spain, Felipe VI, at a ceremony in Halifax on Monday.
Congratulations José !

This is the final week of the run for "Ruthless - the Musical" at the Chester Playhouse. The show wraps up Saturday night and remember there is also a matinee at 2 pm on Saturday.

Every Wednesday Toronto artist/teacher Gail Balfe offers up morning plein air sessions for painters. Every medium, six people, any age and skill level. The group will choose different scenes each week from 10-12pm $65. To register call Noreen Mader @ 902-277-2425 or email Balfe.gail@gmail.com to register.

The Chester Farmers' and Artisan Market is happening this Friday from 10- 2 pm rain or shine.
Get there promptly. Don't show up at 1:59 pm as I did last week. I had the choice of a bun...or a bun. Check out Nancy Humby's booth with the environmentally happy cleaning towels - they work ! 


                                                                      Any ideas of the date for this brochure?

Sunday is busy but you can still squeeze in Church, a hymn, and a couple of caesars before heading out for the day.

The Chester Playhouse is pleased to announce their 2nd annual Family Fun Day to be hosted at Lordly Park from 2-5pm this Sunday.
There will be a variety of summer fair inspired activities such as theatre games, crafts, face painting, and a graffiti board for everyone to share their inner Monet. There will be circus performers, native dancers, and a few youth program performers. BBQ and cold bevvies await.
This day is about celebrating the Village of Chester and the amazing people who make it such a great community.

It's the annual Lobster Lovers' Feast at Bonny Lea Farm from 4 - 6:30pm Sunday evening.  Take-out service from 3 - 6pm.  1 ¼ lb  lobster or a 10 oz Sirloin Strip (limited supply), live music and a 50/50 draw. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance. For more information call 902-275-5622  ext 224.

The Tuesday Night Band will be playing at the Chester Bandstand at 7 pm Sunday night. This band is fantastic ! All are welcome. Don't miss this.

Next Week...

Join the gang at the Art Centre  at 60 Queen St next Tuesday at 5:30 pm for their annual party in the back yard of their new home. Food, entertainment, raffle and live auction. It all awaits you there.

Next Tuesday Picnic in the Park at Lordly Park presents Kevin and his Gypsy Minstrels sponsored by all the Chester Area Pharmasave(s). Thank you Kim !
Free admission...Donations for the band gratefully accepted.
Meals for the talent are generously provided by the Stretch Diner.

Race Week is looming. Organizers are in need of a boat suitable for use as a signal boat.   Contact crwchair2016@gmail.com if you have questions or a boat to volunteer.


  
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A magician was working on a cruise ship with a different audience each week so he did same tricks repeatedly.
The captain's parrot saw all the shows and began to understand how the magician did every trick.
He would shout in the middle of the show "Look, it's not the same hat - Look, he's hiding the flowers under the table - Hey, why are all the cards the ace of spades?"
The magician was furious but, as it was the captain's parrot, he could do nothing.

Then one day the ship sank and the magician found himself floating on a piece of wood with the parrot.
They glared at each other but said nothing. Finally, after a week, the parrot said: 'OK, I give up. Where's the boat?'

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Wednesday, July 20, 2016

July 20th, 2016 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

                    
                                                                                                                   


Greetings!

Yesterday was big garbage.
I hope you remembered. I forgot.

The water temperature is climbing. Liberate your grooviest set of water wings and get down to Freda's beach.

This is Pride month. Celebrate with abandon !

 
 
                                                                                                                                                    

This Week in Chester 

Ruthless! continues this week at the Playhouse.The show famously spoofs Broadway musicals such as Gypsy and Mame, as well as classic films including The Bad Seed and All About Eve. This is a hilarious romp through the world of Broadway, child acting, parenthood, and unbridled ambition. The curtain goes up at 8 pm.

The annual Chester Garden Club Flower Show and Tea "Gardens Galore" happens tomorrow, Thursday, at the Legion from 1:30 - 5 pm. Tea will be served from 2 - 4 pm.

You are invited to Amicus Gallery tomorrow evening for the opening of new works by Malcolm Callaway. Get there at the crack of 6 pm as this show always sells out. You can view all the red dots until August 3rd.

The Chester Farmer's and Artisan Market is on from 10 - 2 pm Friday rain or shine at the train station. You must try the olive and cheese swirls at La Vendeenne kiosk. They are out of this world !

This Friday there is a Porcupine Quill Embroidery session at the Art Centre with Mi'kmaq artisan Sheila Porter. You'll create a star-like design using hand-picked porcupine quills which are then embroidered onto a selected piece of deer hide using the four traditional Mi'kmaq colours. 
Who knew?



Chester is going to the Olympics !  Well, Graeme and Jacob Chaplin Saunders are going to the Olympics. They achieved their dream of sailing in the 2016 Rio Olympics, qualified  to compete in the 470 Sailing Class and have earned a berth on the Canadian Team.

This story started six years ago which has Graeme and Jacob continuing university, working when schedules permitted, partnering and finding work with other national teams with driving and other logistical issues. It is also a story of family, village residents and local businesses getting involved  to help with expenses, transportation and encouragement.

Help send them off to Rio in style with a community celebration at the Chester Yacht Club from
5 - 7pm this Sunday. Everyone is invited.

Next Tuesday from 6-8pm Picnic in the Park at Lordly Park has the "Market Boys" on stage sponsored by The Duke Street kids : Chez Glass Lass, Light My Fire Studio and Luna Spa. This band gets up early every Saturday morning to perform at the Hubbards Market but are making a special evening appearance just for you.


  
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Actual questions posed on an international Tourism Canada website answered by cheeky Canadians

Q.  Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada (USA)
A.   A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe. Ca -na-da is that big country to the north of the US. Oh, forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Calgary.
Come naked.

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Wednesday, July 13, 2016

July 13th, 2016 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release


                           Picnic in the Park last night                        
                                                                                                                    


Greetings!

I had two fireplaces burning on Sunday...in JULY !
Happy to see the weather is now back on track.

Nice to see the movie buzz back in town. Hollywood is filming a pilot called Sea Change. Wonderful to have Shawn Piller and his band of merry men back in the 'hood.



 
                                                                                                                                                     

This Week in Chester 

Ruthless! The Stage Mother of All Musicals opened last night at the Chester Playhouse.
This musical comedy will run five nights a week starting at 8pm through till July 30th, with 2pm matinee performances, July 16th, 23rd, 24th and 30th.
This show opened on Broadway last year and became a campy cult favourite in which the beautiful and talented 12-year-old Tina Denmark will do anything to be the lead in the school play.
Tonight, Wednesday, is Little Black Dress night at the Yacht Club. There will be new vendors, live music, wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres. All monies raised from silent auction will go to Junior Sailing. 902-275-3747 for further info.

The Chester Farmers' and Artisan Market are back Friday at the old Train Station from 10 - 2 pm rain or shine. Local farm vendors and artisans will be selling all the usual goodies. You should get a garlic grater from Ginger - these are a "must have" for the kitchen.

This Saturday and Sunday the Oak Island Reception Centre is open from 9-6pm. It is located just past the entrance to Atlantica Hotel in Western Shore. Har ye maties!

This Saturday at 4pm get down to the front harbour to see the "build your own boat race" in front of the Yacht Club. These creations are made of cardboard and duct tape so it will be a race to the bottom.

Union Duke, a Toronto folk quintet will be hitting the stage at the Chester Playhouse this Sunday at 8pm. These five musicians make up a band that bridges soulful indie rock with country and bluegrass. These city slickin' whipper-snappers unleash soaring vocal harmonies over heel stomping beats that set hearts and dance floors ablaze.


Chester Art Centre

Next Monday you are invited to join the Chester Garden Club and Friends of Nature for the rededication  of the Mickie and Rudy Haase Winter Garden in the Cove Garden behind Nova Scotia Folk Pottery on Water Street at 6 pm. Refreshments at St Stephen's Hall to follow.

This segues into the next event there which is a meeting of the Chester Garden Club at 7 pm.
Members will show you how to fluff your flowers for the upcoming flower show "Gardens Galore."  New members welcome.

Next Tuesday from 6-8pm there is "Picnic in the Park" at Lordly Park on Central Street
sponsored by Chester Auto Supplies. FOG -Four Old Guys - will be performing for your dancing pleasure. Meals for Musicians generously provided by the Stretch Diner. Free admission...Donations for the band gratefully accepted.

A shout out to The Stretch Diner for always being the first in the village to promote local events. Thanks Charlie and Natalie.

The Chester Art Centre is hosting land and seascape photography with Kas Stone - an intensive one day workshop next Monday from 9:30 am- 5:00 pm. Kas will demonstrate strategies and techniques the pros use to capture the haunting scenery along our coast.
Bring your camera gear, a lunch and a flask, appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.

Space is still available for the rug hooking class with Sheila Barrett at the Art Centre. Perfect for beginner and intermediate hookers, create your own design and Sheila will help you transfer it onto burlap. This is a two day class next Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 am -12:30 pm.

As part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Lordly House Museum they are pleased to announce that the   "Forman Hawboldt - Inventor and Entrepreneur" display  is online at the Virtual Museum of Canada. Check this out. There are some great old Chester photos.


Union Duke 
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IMPOSSIBILITIES IN THE WORLD:

1)    You can't count your hair.
2)    You can't wash your eyes with soap.
3)    You can't breathe when your tongue is out.

        Now put your tongue back in your mouth.

Have a great week !
Enjoy everything that is offered to you.
Do not regret growing older - it is a privilege denied to many.

Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

July 6th, 2016 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release

                                     
                                                                                                                    


Greetings!

Today is the 20th anniversary of Paula MacDonald's opening of Amicus Gallery on Pleasant Street.

You wouldn't have all those pretty pictures on your wall if it were not for Paula.

Make a point to stop by to wish her well, and direct her where to put the nail in the wall for tomorrow's opening.

 
 
                                                                                                                                                     
This Week in Chester

Today, Wednesday, is the start of a new venture at Lordly House at 133 Central Street. From 1-3pm you are invited to join "Margaret's Mittens" knitting bee. Drop by and get help, pick up tips and share your knowledge with others. Bring four 3.25 mm double ended knitting needles.
Way more fun than "Margaret's Museum" and it's free.

The "Mae Trio" from Melbourne, Australia, and more recently "Stanfest" in Canso, will play in The Red Shed at 35 Union Street tonight, Wednesday. Plan to arrive at 7:30pm clutching your $20 note. The show starts at 8pm sharp. Bring a flask and tell your friends. Do not miss this. Check them out.

Thursday evening from 6-8 pm Amicus Gallery is showcasing the works of Susan Patterson and Joanne Hunt. See your personal invitation above. There will be wine !

The Farmer's Market is at the the old train station Friday from 10- 2pm. Get there early to avoid disappointment. I go for 1 item and come home with 10 because it all looks so good.

It's rib and pizza night in the village this Friday.
The Fo'c'sle has ribs on the menu in two serving sizes (Fred or Wilma) and the Rope Loft has a prime rib slab for your dining pleasure. Did someone say horseradish?
The Kiwi Café is serving up Italian pizzas right off the gondola. Get there early.

This Saturday the Chester Municipal Heritage Society is having their annual Chester Heritage Auction and Flea Market at the old train station. The Flea Market  opens @ 9 am and the auction kicks off @ 9:30. Bring a chair unless you LIKE standing. Rain date: Sunday, July 10 at 1 pm.  For more info call 902-275-3842. If you have an item you would like to donate for the auction please drop it off at Maple Cottage, 75 Regent Street by tomorrow before 4 pm.
For other arrangements call 902-275-5309 or 902-275-3842

Saturday the Mackerel Snappers Picnic is back at Graves Island Provincial Park from noon - 6 pm.  Grilled mackerel, new potatoes, old fashion cukes and cream, tea, coffee or juice, and pie for dessert for $10.  There will be music, games of chance and a Fish Pond.  Canteen services also available. For further info call 902-275-2174 / 902-275-3107.


This Saturday is the Chester Playhouse's annual fundraiser - Galapalooza is back with a twist. The theme this year is Ascot by the Sea! Join them on Saturday evening from 6-9 pm for a night to remember at the Totman property on Nauss Point Road.
 
In addition to the usual excitement, there is a new event this year. Six colourful seahorses crafted by local artists will be raced for prizes. The guest with the highest bid in a silent auction will take home one of these unique pieces of art.

Chester Dines will return with ten new private dinner options to bid on. Catering for the Gala is provided by Cocoa Pesto and there will also be special "horsey set" cocktails.  Entertainment from the Mike Cowie Vibe Trio, and a preview of what is coming to the Playhouse this summer. Shuttle service is available from the Curling Rink parking lot starting at 5:45 pm. Fasten your fascinator firmly to your forehead and go forth.

Both Friday and Saturday this weekend  there will be public tours of Oak Island. Get over there and have a snoop around. To book, go here

The Bandstand by the Yacht Club will be the stage this Sunday night at 7 pm for the Chester Brass Band. Last week it was so windy the conductor had to conduct with one hand so he could hold onto his music with the other.

Next Tuesday is Picnic in Lordly Park on Central Street with Andy and Ariana. You may recall Ariana knocked it out of the park last year at the Playhouse with her Edith Piaf show. She did Edith better than Edith did Edith. The show is sponsored by Dolly Hancock and the Mecklenburgh Inn.
Catering for the musicians generously provided by the Stretch Diner.
Free admission...Donations gratefully accepted. 

The Playhouse is opening their summer theatre festival with Ruthless! The Stage Mother of All Musicals next Tuesday evening at 8pm. This show opened on Broadway in 2015 and instantly became a campy cult favourite. The show famously spoofs Broadway Musicals such as Gypsy and Mane, as well as classic films including The Bad Seed and All About Eve.
Ruthless! is a hilarious romp through the world of Broadway, child acting, parenthood, and unbridled ambition.



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TEACHER: Clyde, your composition 'My Dog' is exactly the same as your brother's.
Did you copy his?

CLYDE : No sir, it's the same dog.


Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
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