July 31st, 2019 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release   Greetings!   It's Opti Jam this week here at the Chester Yacht Club. Get down to the water front and check out these wee watercraft with mini me's plying the bay.    If the heat is getting to you, take a page out of Mr Moose's book.   This Week in Chester  Today, right now (!) from 1-3 pm there is a presentation at the Train Station about Lyme's Disease. Rob Murray is a board member of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. He will speak and answer your questions. Tonight, Wednesday, the Chester Playhouse presents "Crippled" at 7:30 pm. That's what the guys in Tony's small community of Shale Harbour Newfoundland used to call him growing up. The name stuck. Years later, Tony finds himself on the St. John's waterfront at  a crossroad. Tired of living with a disability, of being 'the cripple', and still grieving the death of his same-sex partner three years earlier, Tony believes there is only one way to escape a life he no longer wants to live. His mind is made up, until a stranger appears with other plans. Playwright Paul Power shares his true experiences of growing up with a physical disability and grief after loss. This is a story of love, death, life and redemption. You will laugh, cry, and you will walk away with a new perspective about life and what matters. The Chester Tennis Club still have 8 spaces available for their Adult Clinic tonight. Details : Adult Clinic and social Wednesday night from 6:30 - 8:30pm Tennis Nova Scotia will be on the courts to run some fun drills and there will be refreshments and snacks after. $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Come out and get some exercise. Players must be 19 or older as they will be serving suds. chestertennisclub@gmail.com Tomorrow night, Thursday, the Rope Loft is offering up a very special item - Beef wellington (!) starting at 5 pm. There are limited moos so please call ahead. 902-275-3430 The Rope Loft Facebook contest ends tonight. You may enter by liking all the photos for the month of July for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate and a new Rope Loft lid. There will be an exhibit of original paintings and prints of the late Chester artist José Antonio Valverde-Alcalde at Going Coastal, 41 Queen Street, for the month of August. The exhibit will open tomorrow night, Thursday, from 6 - 8 pm. Robyn and Doreen invite you to drop by for a glass of wine to celebrate the artist and his work. Remember it's the Farmer's and Artisan's market every Friday at the Train Station from 9-1pm. Bring your recycled cloth bag and load up on fresh goodies for the weekend. Friday night the Rope Loft is offering up live music - bring a hunger for Jamie Junger. The entertainment starts at 8pm. Be sure to come early and get a table before the prime rib sells out ! It's a Jamie Jam weekend as he is at the Red Shed Saturday night with a few of the Wilburys. The Mecklenburgh Inn is offering a special mid week rate from August 4th- 7th. Any room is $149 + tax, breakfast included. Please reference "Chester Merchants Release" when making the booking. If you haven't been to the Chester Golf Club you are missing out. Full service restaurant and bar with kick ass greens. Call Dan to book a private lesson or take advantage of their summer special. The Chester Bandstand Summer Concert presents the "Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band" starting 7pm Sunday evening. These musicians are fantastic ! Swing on down and enjoy the show.                                                                                                                 Brochure   There's a lot of snap left in that elastic. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 25th, 2019 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release                                                                                          Nicholas Lewin photo                                                                                                                                             Greetings!   Due to last night's deluge, Picnic in the Park has now moved to tonight, Wednesday. If it rains tonight, set your sights (and your picnic) for Thursday. The band is Kevin's Gypsy Minstrels and the sponsor is Hawboldt Industries.   Many thanks to The Stretch diner for feeding the talent.

This Week in Chester  Tonight , Wednesday, the Chester Playhouse is proud to present maestro Tomas Kubinek on stage at 7:30 pm. Mr Kubínek will leave a dazed and beaming public walking aimlessly throughout the nighttime streets of their towns and cities, never to be the same....Lovers have had their first dates at his performances, children been introduced to the magic and power of theatre. Shy stuttering wallflowers have been catapulted into mighty operatic divas and timid men with prescription eyeglasses blossomed into ferocious leaders. All this from a  little fellow who weighs less than 130 lbs and is 70% water. Curious? You should be. Do not miss this. Tomás has just wrapped up a European tour that left crowds on their feet long after the show finished. Buy your tickets now !  902-275-3933. Tomorrow, Thursday, the Chester Art Centre will be decked out with this summer's "Bloomin' Chester" exhibition. There will be blooms everywhere in a multitude of mediums. The show is a celebration of flowers created by over 20 of the finest artists that work on the south shore. There will be works by Malcolm Callaway, Margaret Best, Dolly Hancock, Carol Hansen, Jim Smith, Marla Benton, Alex McCurdy and Heather Sayeau in all kinds of media. The exhibition runs until August 4 from 10 - 4 pm daily. Thursday afternoon is the Chester Garden Club's Annual Flower Show and Tea at the Chester Legion  from 1:30 - 5 pm.  The theme is "The Islands of Mahone Bay."  Tea  and crumpets will be served from 2 - 4 pm.   Thursday evening is Malcolm Callaway's  21st ( ! )  consecutive show at Amicus Gallery on Pleasant Street. You are invited to join Paula and Malcolm to celebrate this coming of age occasion.  Friday night Tom and Cynthia Myers are on stage at the Rope Loft at 8 pm. Jazz at its finest. Musicians tend to drift in to join this event, so get there early to assure yourself a seat. The kitchen closes at 9. See you there ! This Saturday is "Kids Make Art" day in the backyard at the Chester Arts Centre under the big tent - rain or shine. The theme continues with "Blooming Creations" and kids get to create a masterpiece by starting with a vase and filling it with their own flower creations. 10 am - 1 pm. Register now. $10.00 per family.  Pint sized participants must be accompanied by an adult. Sunday evening the Chester Bandstand Summer Concert presents "Chester Brass Band" starting  at 7pm. Children are welcome to dance on the grass. Adults may want to bring a lawn chair. Concerts may be moved or cancelled in heavy rain at the discretion of the performers. For more information contact Sue LeBlanc @ 902-299-0139. Voctada and the Village Commission joined forces and replaced the aging Chester signs along Highway 3. Yeah ! Check 'em out ! The Chester Heritage Society is selling picnic baskets as a fund raiser this Saturday. Your picnic includes paté with baguette, salmon with green goddess dressing or tenderloin with a mustard sauce (done to your taste), 3 sides, choice of blueberry or apple desert. Table cloths, napkins, cutlery, wine and glasses are also included. Contact Station 20 Shoppe 902-275-2592 or Lordly Museum 902-275-3842 to order your basket. The fare also includes a membership to the Heritage Society for the year.     Next Tuesday Picnic in the Park has The Thorns on stage at Lordly Park from 6-8 pm. Many thanks to the evening's sponsor GN Thermoforming Equipment.                                                                              Next Sunday, August 4th, at 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse is pleased to present "Chester Tales"   as part of their ongoing 80th anniversary celebrations.  This will be an evening of story telling, humour, music, skits and anecdotes from the past. A cast of characters are gathering their best stories from a by gone era to share with you. Local celeb Rob McInnes will be Emcee for the evening. Your admission ticket includes 2 free drinks !  This event is selling out fast. Dial up the Playhouse @ 902-275-3933 or get your tickets here.                                      Brochure

In ancient times, cats were worshiped as Gods. They have never forgotten this. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 17th, 2019 Press Release

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings!     The Playhouse Gala last weekend was super fun! Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers.    Only 6 weeks left !  Join us here in Chester for what's left of summer. This Week in Chester  Lordly House Museum this year features the volunteer efforts on the home front during the Second World War in Chester. It identifies the women, the houses, and some of the activities that were offered to over 2000 fighting men (!) You are invited to visit the admirals dinner and learn about the rear and vice admirals that lived in our area and about the vessels they sailed on. Explore the connection the Sea Cadet core has to these admirals. Learn about the Norwegian connection here and why we have the monument in the Parade Square. Lordly House is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 - 4 at 133 Central Street. Tonight the Chester Playhouse debuts The Pleasant Street Kitchen Party, an authentically Nova Scotian experience. Full of singing, dancing, and fun, it's the perfect opportunity to grab your friends, bring your family, raise a glass and share a laugh or two! White Gate restaurant is now operating full summer hours - open Wednesdays through Sundays for dinner. They are hosting their new happy hour Wednesdays through Sundays on the deck, 5 -6 pm. Buy one drink get the second one half price (terms and conditions apply). Bar snacks menu available for the sociable hour. Friday is the weekly Farmer's and Artisan market at the Train Station. Lots of delicious fruit and vegetables along with great home cooked food and the new picnic tables under the shade of the trees. The Rope Loft is celebrating Taco Tuesday! A different taco each week! Check their Facebook page for the flavour of the week. They also have New Ross made Solas Kombucha on the drinks list. A refreshing local, non-alcoholic beverage! Rope Loft hats are now on sale at the bar. Get your lid before Race Week. Friday night Kevin Koloff and Pam are on stage at 8 pm. Arrive early to get  a seat and to order up some prime rib. Sunday the Chester Bandstand summer concert series presents the "Dartmouth Concert Band" @ 7 pm.  Children are welcome to dance on the grass. Adults may want to bring a lawn chair. Concerts may be moved or cancelled in heavy rain at the discretion of the performers. For more information, please contact Sue LeBlanc 902-299-0139. The Zoe Valle Library is hosting an evening of Magic at the Playhouse this Sunday evening.  Michael James' passion for magic was ignited at the age of seven, while watching Doug Henning perform on the Muppet Show - Michael's journey through magic has since taken him from his childhood home in Newfoundland Canada, to Southern California, where he studied sleight of hand with Dale Salwak at the prestigious Chavez Studio of Magic. Michael exquisitely combines his finely developed sleight of hand with a sense of mystery and unique wit to create a highly energized experience that is sure to astound! Someone very exciting is coming to town ! No, it's not Mel Gibson. Ramy Essam is considered one of the most prominent human rights defenders and social justice voices of today.  His music is rock with Egyptian flavour and hip hop influences, inspired by hard rock and grunge. He sings in both Egyptian Arabic and English.  He is passionate and loud (be warned.) His song, Irhal, was listed as "#3 Song that Changed History" by Time Out Magazine. "I couldn't possibly recommend Ramy Essam with more enthusiasm. His lyrics pierce the heart and his music is explosive. I thought he was going to blow the doors off the Baptist Church during his performance two years ago - in a good way."  Julia Creighton So why is Ramy in Chester ? Business. He's visiting his agent who lives here. The concert is a "Pay What You Will" benefit for the Starfish Refugee Project. Be a part of an exclusive meet and greet before the concert. Syrian munchies and conversation with this amazing artist and human rights activist 6:30 pm. Only 30 tickets available @ $30 each. Contact Sue LeBlanc @ 902-299-0139 for yours. It appears Sue has a lot on her plate this summer (!) The Chester Arts Centre is hosting painting workshops, botanical art, photography, up-cycling paper art, creative writing, mixed media, kids camps and so much more! Drawing a Line in the Paint with Heather Sayeau July 18 & 19   9:00 am - 4:00 pm August 26 & 27     9:00 am - 4:00 pm Smartphone Photography with Alexa Cude August 7 & 8  10:00 am - 4:00 pm Plein Air Watercolour on Little Tancook with Lynda Shalagan August 14 (Rain Day August 15),10:00 am - 5:30 pm Paint with Paper - Up-cycling Newspapers into Works of Art with Rhonda Barrett  August 19  10:00 am - 4:00 pm 902-275-5789 to register Next Wednesday is the Chester Arts Centre's annual fundraising bash. Lots of goodies on the auction block: a night at the historic Algonquin Inn; a week's stay for six people at a fabulous home in New Mexico, a guided tour with meals and accommodation at the renowned Philadelphia flower show and several pieces of art are also up for grabs. Don't delay. Get your ticket today. The Heritage Society is once again offering picnic baskets as a fund raiser on July 27th.  It includes pate with baguette, salmon with green goddess dressing or tenderloin with a mustard sauce (done to your taste), 3 sides, choice of blueberry or apple desert. Also table cloths, napkins, cutlery, wine and glasses. Contact Station 20 Shoppe 902-275-2592 or Lordly Museum 902-275-3842. (closed Sunday and Monday.) Your fare also includes a membership to the Heritage Society for the year.                                                                               Iconic Countways Store circa 1926                                                Brochure   Don't let anyone treat you like free salsa. You are guacamole, baby. You. Are. Guacamole. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!

July 10th, 2019 Press Release

Chester Merchants Press Release                                                                             Nicolas Lewin photo                                                                                                                    Greetings!   Another beautiful day in the hamlet.   The perfect opportunity to get out on a kayak and see the harbour close up and personal. The Kayak Shack has canoes and stand up paddle boards in addition to kayaks. Take a guided tour or just paddle out and watch the bluenose races. All safety equipment and basic instruction provided.   This Week in Chester  White Gate restaurant is now open Wednesday through Sunday for evening meals. This week they are introducing their new happy hour on the deck from 5 - 6pm. Buy one drink, get the second one half price (terms and conditions apply). There is a bar snack menu available for the social hour. Also launching this week at White Gate is poker Wednesdays! Feeling lucky? If you dine at White Gate on a Wednesday night, when it comes time to pay the bill, if you pull the Ace of Hearts out of their deck of cards, they will comp your dinner for up to four guests. Reservations not required but suggested during the peak summer season.   902.275.4400 Tomorrow night, Thursday, at 7:30pm Viva Chorale, a community choir from Salt Spring Island, British Columbia is doing a tour with Nova Scotia community choirs and Chester's own Studio Singers. There will be over 50 choristers. Jim Henman of April Wine fame is leading the pack. Smoke a doobie and re visit the 70's with Jim. No. Wait ! I don't think it's like that. Pay what you will at the door. Friday night the Rope Loft is hosting "East Coast Vibe" kicking off at 8 pm - re imagined jazz with the hottest couple in town. Don't miss this. Blueberry ale on tap all week to cleanse the palate between courses on the new upper deck. Waterfront dining at it's best. Saturday is the much anticipated Annual Chester Heritage Society auction and flea market from 9:30-2:30 pm. The whole village turns out for this fabulous event which has all sorts of goodies old and new. Trust me - there WILL be something on the block you need in your life. Rain date is Sunday @ 1 pm. BYO chair and flask. 902-275-2592 The Chester Playhouse is hosting their annual gala fundraiser "Gala 80." They are celebrating their ruby jubilee of being an arts venue in the village of Chester for the past 80 years! Lots of goodies on the auction block ! This signature fundraising event provides for the resources that support professional and community theatre, music, film and educational programs at the Playhouse. Where :  Captain's House Nosh   :  Scanway Booze :  Bishop's Cellar Tunes  :  Buchanan's House of Music Tickets are $150/person. A tax receipt will be given for a portion of the ticket price. 902-275-3933 for your ticket to ride. Operators are standing by. Sunday evening the Chester Bandstand Summer Concert Series has our own Chester Brass Band on stage at 7 pm. This band is 100 years in the making. Bring the family, bring a picnic, bring the dog. Concerts may be moved or cancelled due to rain at the discretion of the performers. For more information, please contact Sue LeBlanc  @ 902-299-0139.                                                                                                                                                           Laura Mulrooney photo The Chester Arts Centre at 40 Queen Street, has invited renowned Maritime artist Susan Paterson next Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 - 4 pm, to teach a water colour workshop. Students will be shown how to set up their own still life considering light, colour, rhythm and composition. Bring your Spider Man lunch pail. Brochure   One day a man's overcoat was stolen in a restaurant. "Did you see the person who took my coat?" the man asked a passing waiter. "Yes sir" he replied. "What did he look like?" "Ridiculous," said the waiter. "The sleeves were far too short." Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group Join Our Mailing List!