We
are approaching Canada Day weekend! Yahoo! Get the flag out, wave it
around and remember that in spite of the TSX this week, everything
Canadian is worth celebrating. Well, with maybe one small exception.
It's a big fine art weekend here in Chester. We have paint literally pouring from brushes onto canvasses throughout the village.
This Week in Chester
On Thursday night at 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse
wraps up its Meryl Streep movie series with "Dancing at Lugnasa." Five
independent-minded sisters living in Donegal in the mid 1930s face the
possibility of change when economic and emotional circumstances conspire
against them. Admission by donation at the door.
Friday has the
Chester Seaside Farmer's Market back at the parade square from 2- 5 pm.
Let's hope the monsoons will have subsided by then.
Friday also has the opening of José Antonio Valverde's Studio on King Street, open from 11-5pm on Fridays and otherwise by appointment.
The official Chester "season opener' is Paula's launch at Amicus Gallery
Friday evening from 6-8 pm.This is the starting gun for "All Things
Chester" for the 2012 season. Whale belts and pink sweaters are queueing
now.
The Rope Loft
is serving up their very popular prime rib this evening which may be
ordered in ascending sizes. Park yourself at a table on the deck, sit
back and enjoy the view.
The Foc's'le Pub has "Peter Grant and 3 for Now" on stage at 8 pm. Their ribs may also be ordered in varying sizes so arrive with an appetite.
Saturday
night the Fo'c'sle is serving up Aldric Robicheau from "down da
Yahmouth shorh you." This is his cameo in Chester so why not stop in and
welcome him.
Sunday the Chester Train Station presents artist
Linda Roe's solo show "Smorgasbord." This runs until July 7th with
displays of landscapes, wildlife, and brightly coloured whimsical
moments. Hours are 10-4pm.
July 1st is the introduction of
parking sign enforcement in Chester. Overstaying your welcome in a timed
parking spot or parking backwards (never!) - you will be towed.
The
Chester Legion is hosting a family fun afternoon from 1 - 4 pm. There
will be a red and white cake, games of chance, face painting and a
BBQ. All welcome.
Aspire to inspire before you expire. Please come and see the fruits of our artists' inspirations this weekend.
Ahhh,
the summer heat of June...OK- not so much. The fog bank off the coast
prompted me fire up the wood stove the other day. Yup, decided to get it
cleaned after that chimney fire back in February. Nothing like a call
to 911 to get Chester's finest on your doorstep. Much faster results
than "Plenty of Fish."
The upside of June is the vibrant sky both
morning and night. The bright lights of "Haven" filming down the street
makes things even that much brighter.
This Week in Chester
The
Lordly House is now open for the season. Open Tuesday, Thursday &
Saturday from 9 to 5 pm; Wednesday from 9 to 3 pm and Sunday from 1 to 4
pm.
The Chester Playhouse
is accepting registrations from short ones aged 9-16 for the Summer
Theatre School production of E.B. White's Charlotte's Web which opens
July 25th. They have space for 25 budding thespians so get your little
Christopher Plummer on down there.
Tonight is the summer solstice open house from 5-7 pm at the Sadhana Centre
on Duke Street.There will be Indian food, refreshments, a yoga demo and
door prizes. You don't need to be a pretzel to attend. Drop by anytime
during event hours. RSVP @ 273-YOGA
On Friday the Chester Seaside
and Farmer's and Artisan's Market is at the Parade Square by the Yacht
Club from 2-5:30 pm. Veggies, fish right off the boat, meat, baking,
plants, soaps and more.The lemonade is delicious and pairs nicely with
Absolute.
The Shawn Hebb Trio is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub on Friday night @ 8 pm. The kitchen is serving up until 10 pm.
The very talented Kate Church is back at the Chester Arts Centre on Queen Street with her hugely popular Basic Fairy Doll Making class on Saturday, June 23rd and Monday June 25th.
The Lido Pool will be up and running for the first Red Cross swim classes on Monday June 25th. Brrrr. villageofchester.org. Public swim is from 12-1:30pm and 5-8pm Monday-Friday and from 12 - 8 pm on weekends.
Everyone
is invited to attend the official opening of the "Explore Oak Island"
display at the old Chester Train Station, 20 Smith Road, Chester,
starting 10 am. There will be guest speakers, cake, refreshments and
costumed animators.Have your picture taken with a pirate, monk, Templar
Knight, Spanish Conquistador, British Soldier or René. It's free! Info @
275-3718.
Why not stop by Jim Smith's Fine Studio Pottery
shop,a delightful studio that was a penny candy store in it's former
life - I was their best customer. Jim's work is showcased
internationally and there is not enough space on this page to list his
awards.
Maybe drop by the Rope Loft and have an adult beverage on the wharf and watch the waterfront ebb and flow.
Saturday evening the Chester Playhouse
has award winning Ian Sherwood and Coco Love Alcorn. They have been
performing together for four years and are set to release their new EP,
"Attic Music." Is that the new vinyl? The evening promises to be full of
harmonies and humour with a sense of adventure created by these two
troubadours.
Sat night the Fo'c'sle Pub is showcasing the
acoustic duo Vinny and Gary from the band "Cover up." Think Danny
Devito. Order up the man sized ribs and sit back and enjoy the show, or
dance your happy feet the night away.
The Chester Yacht Club
will be hosting a Women's Sailing Seminar beginning this Sunday evening
@ 7 pm. Both Advanced and Basic Sailing Course are offered to members
and non members. Classes will be held over 5 nights next week at the
CYC. For more info email Barkhouse.finlay@eastlink.ca
Sunday evening is the launch of the Chester Brass Band
summer concert series at the Bandstand @7 pm. Thirty musicians of
Chester Brass return under the direction of Commander (Retired) George
Morrison. The concert will feature a variety of popular music, light
classical pieces, stirring marches and well-known hymns. Bring Mildred,
a lawn chair, a flask and a bag of cheezies and tell her it's date
night.
Herman
was driving down the 103 when his wife called. "Herman, I just heard on
CBC that there's a car going the wrong way on the 103. Be careful!"
"It's not just one car," said Herman. "It's hundreds of them!"
Take the Lighthouse Route 3 to come visit us in Chester, it's much more scenic.
In
case you have missed every notice in the newspaper under your bowl of
morning Shreddies, be advised that you have exactly 4 shopping days left
until Father's Day.
Very exciting news : This is the first week
of the weekly green bin pick up. No longer will the aroma of your bin
join your backyard BBQ's.
This Week in Chester
Tonight at 6 and 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse
after school Productions presents "Text Me" directed by the fabulous
Cynthia Myers. Rug rats and android devices await you on the stage. Nate
cannot function without his cell phone, he's forgotten what it's like
to look someone in the eye and relies completely on technology to
communicate. Based on the myth of Narcissus, this show is about
maintaining human contact in a world that invites you to plug in.
On
Friday the 7th annual Canadian Cancer Relay For Life will be held at
the Chester Area Middle School from 7 pm to 7 am Saturday. For more
info about the Relay and/or get involved, call Sheila @ 275-5720 or
Lynn@ 275-3263. Anyone who knows any survivor that would like to attend
the survivors reception, call Gerri @275-3817.
Don't forget the
Seaside Farmer's Market at the village square by the Yacht Club from
2:30 - 5 pm. Bring your eco friendly bag and load up on goodies for the
week.
Friday night is a big music night here in Chester with two very different genres. The
Chester Playhouse has Mike Cowie and the Booty Boppin' Brass Band on
stage at 8pm. Dial up the Playhouse to ensure yourself a seat.
Also tonight the Fo'c'sle Pub
is showcasing a new band "Memphis Knights," a rockabilly dance band
featuring some tunes of Buddy Holly,Chuck Barry, Elvis and more. The
band fires up at 8pm and the grill is on fire till 10pm.
Saturday is your last day to procure the gift that says "I thought about this for months, not 12 hours ago." Chester Building Supplies is a good place to start for toys for boys. All sorts of goodies for the man of the house. Maybe a membership to NiLu gym? How about something to decorate the Man Cave from the Warp and Woof. All our shops have something for dad; check us out.
After
all your hunting and gathering why not drop in to the Fo'c'sle and
listen to the tunes of Darren Arsenault, a village favourite.The kitchen
closes at 9 tonight so get your order in accordingly.
Sunday is THE day and if you missed the gift window, dining options abound. Treat dad to brunch at the Rope Loft on the waterfront and watch the world sail by. The Kiwi Café has expanded their venue and have many delicious items on their brunch menu. Nicki's Inn presents a Sunday Roast from 5-8pm; a wonderful english tradition that puts the pasture on your plate.
Shawn Hebb is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub from 4-8pm- another dining option with music to match.
Next Wednesday Chester Harbour Yoga & Massage Therapy
is hosting their Summer Solstice Open House from 5-7pm. It is a free
event with Indian food, refreshments, a yoga demonstration @ 6pm and
door prizes. Regardless of your yoga prowess, you are welcome to share
the fun to celebrate the warm, long days of summer ahead. Drop by
anytime during event hours. RSVP @ 273-YOGA.
One
may never understand why women love cats. Cats are independent, they
don't listen, they don't come in when called, they like to stay out all
night, and when they're home they like to be left alone and sleep. In
other words, every quality that women hate in a man, they love in a cat.
We're b a c k ! How did that happen? Wasn't Christmas just yesterday?
Everyone enjoying the June springlike weather ? NOT.
We
had that spring weather for two days in March. BBQ's buoyed themselves
out of basements, flip flops flourished, margaritas materialized and all
was blissfully tropical for 48 hours. It was pure magic with an expiry
date.
Life here in the Hamlet is revving up. I had to wait a full
minute to exit off Valley road yesterday. Grid lock in Chester. Who
knew?
This Week in Chester
Thursday is the first annual golf tournament for the Daffadilly Queen's Relay for Life team at the Chester Golf Club - a 4 person scramble. There are non profit prizes for the lucky winners. For info call Ron @ 275-4089 or Sheila @ 275-5720.
The
Chester Heritage Society presents its community art gallery now open
for the season at the train station with over 24 artists presenting
their works. The work will be changed up monthly so check back often.
The
Chester Seaside Farmer's Market is back at the Parade Square. The meat
and pie boys are parked in their usual spot so all is well with the
world. I took their picture last Friday; they asked if I was a newspaper
reporter. They were visibly disappointed when I told them I failed
grade 6 english and was not a reporter for any credible paper.
Friday
night is the premiere of Andre Haines latest directing efforts, "Ruby
Zwicker's Recipe for Hodge Podge...and Things you can do with Fish"
The
Chester Drama Society presents another touring comedy at the Baptist
Church Hall @ 84 King Street starting at 7 pm both Friday and Saturday
evenings. "Ruby" has a cast of fourteen performing comedy sketches,
musical numbers and underwater adventures. Hmm...the baptismal bath?
Musical guests for the evenings are Jazzette on Friday and Pam Paton on
Saturday. Both performances are fundraisers for the new Health Centre in
the Chester Municipality. Tickets are $20. 275-3434
Gavin Flinn singing and dancing? That is worth the price of admission alone.
Also Friday night the Fo'c'sle Pub
has the Shawn Hebb Trio on stage at 8 pm. I heard Shawn singing solo
last Sunday and he's great. Wander down and check out his band.
The Chester Playhouse
is showcasing a solo performance by Hal Bruce Saturday night at 8 pm.
"The Decade of Rock and Roll," Hal will be performing hits from the 60's
and 70's. Nine time award winner, Hal became a worldwide sensation with
his one-man tribute to his musical heroes, the Beatles.
Why not
round out the evening and head over to the Fo'c'sle Pub after the show
and catch Russel, Amanda and Jens. Folk music with a fiddle in tow.
Sunday
afternoon Shawn Hebb is back at the Fo'c'sle for a solo performance
from 4-8 pm. Take the missus down and treat her to a meal with some live
entertainment...besides the local live entertainment.
Welcome back to our summer season in Chester. Please come and join
us for the fun and games we have in store. We look forward to sharing
our village with you.
Boldly going forward because we cannot find reverse.
Suzi Fraser
for the Chester Merchants Group
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
CHESTER MERCHANTS PRESS RELEASE
Suzi will soon be ready to put pen to paper (or in this case fingers to keyboard) and start producing her very popular weekly Press Release of what's going on in Chester, Nova Scotia.
You DO know we can be found in this quaint little village with a New England feel along the absolutely gorgeous south shore of NS.. right? Just an hour from Halifax we're the perfect destination for a daytrip. Park and walk the streets browsing gift shops, galleries, cafes, waterfronts. Visit the Visitor Information Centre and they can give you many ideas of what to do during your day in Chester. This year bike and kayak rentals will be available! Maybe you want to check out a play at the Chester Playhouse. Or stay overnight..we have a few options available..including Suzi's place of business...the Mecklenburgh Inn with the lovely view. If you stay over on a Monday evening..you could find her with a big glass of wine in her hand pondering over this week's Press Release :-) If it's a tough week of reporting..it might be a glass of something stronger...
So come back.. subscribe to our blog, find us on Facebook or you can receive the newsletter direct to your inbox by emailing us at chestermerchantsgroup@gmail.com. You'll be added.. promise!
If you like what you read.. please share with all your friends & family, tweet us to the world, nudge your neighbour and say 'hey did you read...?' or 'wanna go to Chester?'. We'd really appreciate it..
Shall we see you soon? When you drop by our places of business.. let us know you read the Chester Press Release.
Press Releases will start rolling off the press the first week of June.....