November 27th 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Classified ad: "Single female seeks male companionship. I'm a very good girl who loves to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me.... Call and ask for Annie, I'll be waiting...." See Annie at bottom...

This Week in Chester Brace yourselves, Malcolm Callaway is back in the writer/director's chair. Next weekend is the opening - and closing - run of "Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie" at the Chester Playhouse from Thursday - Saturday evenings at 8pm. A festive romp through Malcolm's warped mind. Get your tickets now because they will sell out and you don't want to miss this. Do not bring your children as they will begin to question your state of mind. 275-3933 for tickets. Paula still has a few spaces left for the Gingerbread Ornament Painting workshop. On December 7th there will be two workshops: morning: 10am-1pm / afternoon 2-5 pm. You will decorate bisque fired, glazed pieces: three pieces are included for the workshop fee of $25; extra pieces may be purchased. Finished work to be picked up on Dec 14th. Class size 6-8. Pre-registration is required. The studio space is not suitable for children. To register, call Amicus Gallery 275-2496 or email art@amicusgallery.ca. Light My Fire Studio at 59 Duke Street will be hosting workshops to decorate your own wax Gingerbread/Christmas tree ornaments next weekend Saturday, December 7th. Workshops begin @ 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Ornaments are $10.00 each. For more info dial up the luminous Bill @ 275-5800. On Friday night Chester Playhouse offers up three of the country's most giving performers as they combine their talents to create a night of original music with a dash of Christmas jingle thrown in for good measure. Mixing the sounds of soul, pop, folk and jazz with some of the most timeless holiday classics, Erin Costelo, Coco Love Alcorn and Ian Sherwood form a band that will get your mistletoe tapping! Also on Friday evening the Fo'c'sle Pub has the band FOG on stage. No, not the July fog we know, but a 70's cover tune band that will bring a smile to your face. Grab the missus and head on over there. Shane might even give you a preview of his Downton Abbey role. Saturday is the opening bash of the Gingerbread Festival. All those delectable houses will be on display at the Chester Arts Centre's "Enchanted Forest" @ 60 Queen Street. While they will have all been judged by that time, you may vote for the "People's Choice" award and be eligible for a prize draw. The Arts Centre will be open for house viewing this weekend and next, and on weekdays by appointment. There are 16 entries so please stop by and see these fabulous creations. Saturday evening is the Gingerbread Festival tree lighting at the Chester Train Station. An action packed event kicking off at 6 pm sharp with the arrival of Santa on a ruby red fire truck, hot chocolate and cookies, a giant gingerbread man, carol singing and kazoos. Yes. Kazoos. You'll have to show up to see what that's all about. Our friends from NSPC will be there to exchange your  present power - sucking tree lights for some LED gently drawing gems. Bring 2 strings and they will give you 1 in return. Bring your recent power bill. Maybe they can cut that in half too. The Gingerbreads also have a Lincoln toy train magical Christmas window display at the Mecklenburgh Inn at 80 Queen Street. A lot of drinks went into this, so come by and take a look. Designed and built by Rhubarb Home Design. If you want your home decorated for the holidays or are looking for some home improvement design ideas, look no further. Why not roll into the Fo'c'sle for Sunday Brunch from 11- 3pm. A bit of hair of the dog. $1.50 off Absolute caesars. Absolutely ! Monday the Blood Donor Clinic is back in the village at the Chester Legion from 1- 3 pm and again from 5-8pm. For more info call 1-888-236-6283. Roll up your sleeve. Monday night the Chester Brass Band hits the stage @ 7:30 at the Bonny Lea School. They are presenting "Christmas at Home" featuring Kathleen Hamm, Ernie Rafuse and Joyce Semone. $15 (cider, cookies and Santa too!). Door prize from Pete's Frootique ... Bananas for all!  There will be a raffle on a gift basket from Taste of Nova Scotia. For tickets/info call 275-5622 Ext 221. The bass trombone player is excellent ! Annie's keepers at the SPCA received hundreds of calls

Air Canada telephone customer: "I'd like to book a flight to Toronto." AC Rep: "Fine. Where are you now?" AC customer: "In my kitchen." Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 13th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Monday's Remembrance Day ceremony was a corker and the weather cooperated. The parade square was packed, there was a "fly by" by an old fighter plane and the band played on. It was epic. It's Gingerbread time again ! The Festival kicks off in just over 2 weeks. There are several divisions for the gingerbread house entries and each winning entry will win a $150 prize thanks to our generous sponsors. Blow the cobwebs out of the oven and get busy.

This Week in Chester Tonight is Big Pitcher Wednesday at the Foc's'le Pub. 3 clams off a pitcher of beer to go with your pasta of choice which is the special of the day. Bring the family. Thursday night @ 7:30pm the Chester Playhouse presents it's Maggie Smith film series with "Suddenly Last Summer."  Maggie plays Mrs. Venerable who wants her niece institutionalized to hide her family secret. Natasha Richardson plays Catherine Holly who witnessed the gory death of her cousin Sebastian and has not recovered from this and the events leading up to this. Rob Lowe plays the psychiatrist who is here to evaluate and institutionalize Catherine. Remember Nicki's is open from Thursday to Sunday every week until December 8th. Get your little piece of heaven before she is lathering up with the stallions on Somebeachsomewhere. Friday night the Klunkers take the stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub. This is a fun group with a combination of folk and blues. Saturday night there is dinner theatre at the Legion. Doors open @5:30 pm, dinner@ 6:30 pm. That's late for the Legion - they are usually washing up by then. The Accidental Actors will be performing "Nick's Place" a play depicting 1930's prohibition days.Tickets may be purchased at Scotiabank or by calling Gerri 275-3817. Monies raised will help enhance lives of the residents of Shoreham Village. This Sunday from 1:30 - 3:30 pm there will be a 2 hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River Gold Mines, part of the Nova Scotia gold rush of the 1860s.  Adults $10 and Children (under 12 years) $5 and Children under 6 years are free.  All proceeds for a new roof on the Chester Train Station.  By reservation only. 275-3718. Monday evening the Chester Garden Club is meeting at St. Stephen's Hall @ 6:30 for 7:00 pm.  Topic:  Streptocarpus:  a rainbow of colour - an interesting plant grown and explained by our own Edward Rafuse.

A BIG congratulations to "Swingology" and our very own Tom and Cynthia Myers for winning Music Nova Scotia's Jazz recording of the Year !  Yeahhhhh ! To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

November 6th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Well Hallowe'en was a bit of a disappointment. I have enough chocolate left over to last until Easter. It could all be melted down to make a bunny. But I'm getting ahead of myself in the spectrum of seasons. Gingerbread Season is imminent.The Gingerbreads are still looking for indoor/outdoor lights, outdoor extension cords and flood lights to be borrowed or donated to the sugar cause. You may drop off your offering on the porch at the Mecklenburgh Inn @ 78 Queen Street next to the Post Office. The clocks went back last weekend: WHY do I never remember this? I blew an extra hour of feather fun by launching out of the bunk too early.

This Week in Chester "Going Coastal" on Queen Street is the new kid on the block. Lovely artwork adorns the walls and some beautifully crafted wood pieces from tables to kitchen islands await you. Don't forget every Tuesday is trivia night at the Fo'c'sle Pub. Assemble some friends and repair to the pub for their half price burger special. The competition is fierce so brush up on your trivia. No googling allowed. Friday night SWIG takes the stage at the Fo'c'sle. Mark and Sara will delight you with their music selections. "Singing along is not only encouraged, it's expected." (That's what their biz card says.) Friday evening also has the Season 4 premiere of "Haven" on Showcase @ 8 pm. Break out the popcorn and beer, pull the lever on the la-z-boy and settle in. Saturday night @ 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse presents "Jake's Gift,"  a surprisingly funny drama that tells the story of a Canadian WW2 veteran who reluctantly returns to Normandy, France, for the 60th Anniversary D-Day. While roaming the shores of Juno Beach, Jake encounters Isabelle, a precocious ten year old from the local village whose inquisitive nature and charm challenge the old soldier to confront some long ignored ghosts. Sunday morning the Kiwi Café has the Jazzettes spicing up your daily chai habit from 11am - 1pm. Stop by for brunch and listen to the effervescent Cynthia Myers and her background boys. Once you've fueled up on eggs benny head over to Western Shore @ 1:30 for a 2 hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River gold mines, part of the Nova Scotia Gold Rush of the 1860's.  Adults/ $10, children under 12/ $5 and children under 6 free. All proceeds for a new roof on the Chester Train Station. By reservation only 275-3718.  Monday is Remembrance Day. Plan to be at the Cenotaph @ 11 am to remember those who sacrificed their lives. This is a very important and moving ceremony. Please join us.

How do they get a deer to cross at that yellow road sign? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

October 30th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! Well, it's Hump Day. We made it. It's also Gremlin week. That pumpkin that you so lovingly carved  -  gone. You will find it's remnants at a lower altitude. Happy Hallows' Eve to all you ghosts. Boo. Great news ! Our HAVEN friends made the People's Choice Awards Nominee Selections List for Favorite Sci-Fi/ Fantasy Show. Voting for the short list closes TOMORROW. You may vote multiple times. Let's ensure Haven is back next year  - Vote  HERE.

This Week in Chester Friday nights here in the Hamlet are action packed these days with Spain, Italy and Nova Scotia all in the mix this weekend. Read on.... Friday night at 7:30 pm the Chester Playhouse presents Maria Osende with an evening of stunning flamenco dance. Maria's emotional and sultry performances leave audiences breathless and craving more. "From Spain with love" brings the essence of flamenco dance from Spain to Canada, featuring Maria Osende, Miguel Tellez, Caridad Vega and Jose Vega.This thrilling dance-theatre production is full of passion, humour and drama. The Rope Loft  has an Italian menu on their chalkboard upstairs Friday evening. Minestrone zuppa, antipasto, pasta al dente, chicken parmigiano and gelato to finish. Tom and Cynthia Myers will be there to entertain and you may purchase your Italian moustache alla porta. Magnifico! This is a fundraiser for local children in need. You may reserve by calling the Signora @ 275-3430. The downstairs menu is regular fare. The Nova Scotian flavour tonight is on stage at the Fo'c'sle Pub @ 9pm. Darren Arsenault is in town to put you in the dancing mood. Get there early and order up an evening delight from the menu. I saw a waitress buckling under the weight of the Friday night rib special. The annual Lighthouse Food bank Fundraiser will be held downstairs at the Chester Legion Saturday from 10 am onwards. Chinese Auction, 50/50 draws, prize draws and live music starting 4 pm until close. Cover charge $5 at the door from 4pm. All proceeds go to the Food bank. This Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 pm there will be a 2 hour guided walking tour of the west side of the Gold River Gold Mines, part of the Nova Scotia Gold Rush of the 1860s.  Adults $10 and Children (under 12 years) $5 and Children under 6 years are free.  All proceeds for a new roof on the Chester Train Station. By reservation only @ 275-3718.  Sunday is a day of couch time and eating ! Sunday brunch at the Fo'c'sle, all you can eat brunch at the Rope Loft and the pasture on your plate at Nicki's from 5-8pm.

The Chester Gingerbread Festival is just around the corner. Blow the dust off your oven mitts and start baking. Here's a uTube to show you how. Registration forms must be received by November 24th and entries must be delivered to the Chester Arts Centre @ 60 Queen Street on November 27th or 28th. Details can be found on Face Book "Gingerbread Festival,Chester NS" or @ Chester Arts Centre. The Gingerbread Festival committee is asking if you might loan or donate tree lights, flood lights, extension chords or lighting timers to use for the Christmas tree lighting at the Train Station November 30th. Please send your email to chestergingerbreadfestival@gmail.com or call 275-4638 if you can help. If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

HAVEN needs your help! Vote by October 31, 2013!

Great news   HAVEN made the impressive People’s Choice Awards Nominee Selections List for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show! 

 

In order to ensure it makes the nominee shortlist, we need as many people as possible to vote and vote and vote and vote…..

 

Voting for the short list closes on October 31^st. You can vote multiple times per day – from anywhere in the world!

 

VOTE HERE: http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/nominations/vote.jsp?pollId=130034 

 

Thanks all!

October 23rd, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Greetings! I had another Thanksgiving dinner on Monday night. Yes, that makes 3 rounds with the turkey bird. Apparently we here in Chester have officially extended Canadian Thanksgiving to a two week celebration. The Gobble and Wobble event is alive and well here in the Hamlet. Lily Pulitzer has left town.The summer pink and greens are all gone. It's just us chickens, because there is certainly no turkey left ! Winter is coming.

This Week in Chester Our artist in residence, Malcolm Callaway, has donated this lovely painting to PRO kids for a fundraising raffle. You may visit it and buy tickets at the Municipal Recreation Office until 4:30pm today. Tickets are for $2 each for 3 for $5. Drawing takes place @ 9 am tomorrow, Thursday, at the Municipal Building. Run Forest, run! The Chester Trust has the ideal Christmas present for those on your list that will last a lifetime and longer - literally! Lightfoot Tower Time Capsules are still available : 12" long @$100 or 6" long @$50 ; both sizes being 4" in diameter.  Size matters. The time capsules are going to be entombed at the base of the soon to be restored Lightfoot Tower, in the garden of Zoe Valle Library, on Regent Street in July of 2014, with strict instructions NOT to be opened until 2064.  Half the fun is choosing what to put inside to amuse future Chesterites, the other half working on how to stay around long enough to see it opened ! Capsules may be purchased from Dolly Hancock at 275 4991/ dollyhancock@mac.com.  She is the official 'sealer' and will guard your treasure until entombment. Deadline for filled capsules is June 31st June 2014. All funds will go to the restoration in progress and future maintenance of the Lightfoot Tower. You can't top THAT at Costco! The Rope Loft is Rolling Out the Barrel... Thursday night they have icy cold draught for $2. Join them for a frosty bevvie and some tasty half price appetizers from 5-8pm. Friday night the Fo'c'sle Pub has FOG (Four Old Guys) on stage at 9pm. Hmm, I wonder how old? Wax museum quality or slightly younger? Get on down there and find out for yourself. Saturday night the Fo'c'sle has bottles of wine on for HALF price to enjoy with your evening meal. What are you waiting for? Nicki's Inn is open for evening meals from Thursday to Sunday every week until December 8th. Get there for your little piece of heaven before your time is up - so to speak. Don't forget carnivore Sundays from 5-8 pm.

Next Monday the Chester Municipal Heritage Society is hosting film maker Colin MacKenzie who will be speaking about "Balakrishnan", the East River elephant, at St. Stephen's Community Hall on Regent Street @7 pm. He welcomes any personal stories or photos you may be willing to share. All welcome.  Our 2013 Gingerbread Festival is almost ready to launch. Gingerbread houses must be delivered for judging by November 28th. There is $$$$ to be won.Turn the oven on and get busy ! Why is "abbreviated" such a long word? Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

October 16th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Sick of turkey sandwiches yet? How many Thanksgiving meals did you attend last weekend? 1... 3?  The beauty of Canadian Thanksgiving is that we are so liberal with the dates. Tim Harris, our man in red, is unloading some "gently used" items: WILL LEND: For 4 years± 4 red button down shirts (worn daily for a month only) 3 red polo shirts (unused, preferred regular shirts) 2 pr red socks (no holes, recently washed) The annual Hackmatack football classic went off without a hitch last Sunday and the Orange Crushers  crushed the opponents. There were no casualties and only a few burnt hotdogs.

This Week in Chester Tonight , Wednesday, the Blandford Community Centre is hosting Vernon Oickle @ 7 pm. Vernon is the editor of the Progress Bulletin and the author of several books. He will be speaking on the tales and legends of the South Shore. Here is a happy little Haven utube video highlighting Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenburg hosted by our man on the street, Andrew Sheridan. Every Monday starting October 21st, local videographer Dawn Harwood-Jones and Nick Veltmeyer will be working together to create community youth choirs and make a music video. Junior Boys Choir and Junior Girls Choir:  Elementary school students will be met at Chester District Elementary School and walked up the hill to Tuck Hall (beside the Anglican Church - St. Stephen's - on Regent St.) Practice runs from 2:15 to 3PM.  All are welcome with permission from a guardian. Girls Youth Choir and Boys Youth Choir: Middle School Youth: Middle School youth choirs and video classes will start right after school. Kids will learn popular songs, classical songs and help write a song about Chester and make a music video.  Fun is the most important ingredient. Free food. Contact Dawn Harwood-Jones @dawnhj@gmail.com / 275-5005 The work at 63 Regent Street is humming along and you can follow photos of the restoration of the Lightfoot Tower on the Zoe Valle Library blog. The Maggie Smith film series continues Thursday night  at the Chester Playhouse with a screening @ 7:30 of Tea with Mussolini. This is a semi-autobiographical tale from the early life of director Franco Zeffirelli. Pay what you can at the door. On Friday from 12 - 6 pm  the Shoreham Village Volunteer Job Fair will be held at 50 Shoreham Village Crescent. Drop by, bring a friend. Check out the presentations and displays. Ask questions. Explore.For more info call 275-5631 ext. 246. Mike Murley and his septet take the Playhouse stage on Friday @ 7:30 p.m. A native of Nova Scotia, Murley made a name for himself through his lyrical saxophone skills.He returns with his full seven-piece jazz band for what is sure to be an amazing show. The Rope Loft is hosting a "Western Night" Friday evening as a fundraiser for children in need in the community. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and the band "Silver Dollars" will be striking up at 8pm and ohhh so much more. Think of Friday at the Rope Loft as a regular Friday night without the prime rib but with the opportunity to get primed. There will be a special Western menu for those cowboys with a Texas style appetite and a taste of something from south of the border. Jack Daniels ribs, a cowboy sized sirloin, baked beans and Texas buttermilk cornbread to name a few of the menu items. Giddy up! Reserve your table now @275-3430 Also Friday night the Fo'c'sle Pub has the Klunkers on stage @ 9pm. The Klunkers are a village favourite so get there early. On Saturday and Sunday there is a 50% off sale of athletic apparel for a PRO kids fundraiser from 10 am -5 pm at #3802 Highway 3 (Lesley's old Pantry) across from Tim Horton's. Sunday there will be a crib tournament at the Chester Legion starting at 1 pm.

The Chester Garden Club is meeting at St. Stephen's Parish Hall @ 6:30 for 7 pm.  Guest Speaker Cora Swinimer will talk about "Rhododendrons 101". Refreshments followed by monthly meeting.  New members always welcome. Don't forget to get tickets for the French evening meal and fundraiser for the OHC at Julien's Bistro on Tuesday night from 6-8pm. Dial up Rita @ 273-2402 or Claudette @ 275-3876 or pick them up while downloading a croissant at Julien's at 43 Queen Street. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

October 10th, 2013 Press Release!

Chester Merchants Press Release Got the turkey bird yet? An alternative might be one of those Canadian Geese from the paddock down on the Blandford Peninsula. Might be a bit tough though. Add rum. To you. Not the bird. Summer savory: we buy this product at the same time every year and only use 1 tablespoon. I think it's a scam. It's like buying cilantro - you need one sprig and end up with a mitt full of the stuff. Wikipedia:  "Summer savory is a traditional popular herb in Atlantic Canada where it is used in the same way sage is elsewhere. It is the main flavoring in dressing for many fowl ...and is excellent with turkey, goose and duck."  Ok, so it's a Maritime scam. Happy Turducken.

This Week in Chester The Rope Loft has half price appetizers tonight from 5-8 pm. They also have a fall special of a hamburger sandwich & fries - sautéed Spanish onions & peppers with pure Canadian beef smothered in gravy and topped with...what else...peas!  Art's Quick Lunch lives on. Friday is the end of the road for the Chester Seaside Farmer's and Artisan Market for 2013. Get there between 10 am and 2 pm. Buy everything. Friday night the Fo'c'sle has the George Carter Jr Trio on stage at 9pm. Order up the Fred Flintstone size ribs and settle in for the evening. Saturday night @7:30pm, the Chester Playhouse presents Amanda Riley and Banded Stilts in a fundraising concert for ALS  ( Lou Gehrig's Disease.) Amanda Riley is a star on the rise in the Canadian Country Music scene. Amanda and her band "Life of Riley" have impressed many audiences and established a devoted fan base. In July of 2012 Life of Riley was chosen as the opening act for fellow Nova Scotian country music artist, Dean Brody, at the Bridgewater Ex. Malcolm Callaway will present his landscape painting class which runs for five sessions: October 21,  28, November 4th,11th and 18th from 1- 4 pm at the Chester Arts Centre.You will learn about distance, perspective and colouration. Emphasis will be on warm and cool colours, design and observation, plus use of varied brushes and palette knives. Material list will be supplied, and Malcolm is all yours for the bargain basement price of $130. This class is almost sold out, but if there's enough interest, Malcolm is prepared to do a second class. The Lightfoot Tower is undressing. Restoration has begun and the old girl is getting a few new planks. Stop by to see Barry and his team hard at it. On Tuesday evening October 22nd from 6-8 pm the Chester French Club is hosting an evening at Julienne's Bakery in support of the OHC (Our Health Centre). Le club de Français de Chester présente Un Voyage Rapid En France. Un repas en soirée chez Julien's Bistro 43 rue Queen Street (FLFL) Billets à l'avance 50$ par personne ( 25$ reçu pour impôt) Cash Bar Billets disponibles chez Julien's - 275-2324 ou contactez Rita Johnson @273-2402 jusqu'au 18 octobre.

A word about the Mahone Bay Scarecrow Festival last weekend. Hats off to the organizers, participants and residents of Mahone Bay - a superb job ! Congratulations ! I am asking our Chesterites to match the enthusiasm and artistic talent that Mahone Bay has demonstrated by supporting our upcoming Gingerbread Festival which runs from Nov 30th- Dec 14th. Are you up to it? Can we hold a candle to Mahone Bay? Start planning your gingerbread house now. Any cupcake consumed before 9 am is, technically, a muffin.  [seen on the wall @ The Kiwi Café] or should I say #kiwicafé. Suzi Fraser for the Chester Merchants Group

October 2nd, 2013 Press Release OOPS!

Chester Merchants Press Release

OOPS!  The up coming election is Tuesday, October 8th 2013 and not the 9th as in today's press release.  Also omitted was the upcoming performance by AMANDA MARTINEZ on Friday 4th at the Chester Playhouse at 7.30pm. She brings us hot Latin Jazz that will light a fire in your heart and under your feet! Tickets are $24.00 adult or $20.00 student +HST. Tickets can be bought on line or by calling 275 3933. Apologies, from the Other One for the Chester Merchants Group (maybe it was that glass of wine to the left?!)