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11/29/2017 11:01 PM

Chester Celebrates Holiday Night/First Friday


African-made tree ornaments to benefit orphans at Lark Photo courtesy of Claudia Van Nes

Tree lighting, carol singing, hot chocolate, cider, wine, homemade cookies passed around by St. Lucia girls, luminaries by local boy scouts , music, art openings, shops in their winter wonderland glory with special gift ideas, tastings and more are all part of the annual Holiday Night/First Friday, Dec. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Christmas tree, donated by Camp Hazen and decorated by Chester Elementary students, at the corner of Maple and Main streets will be lit at 6 p.m. accompanied by caroling.

At Maple and Main Gallery, homemade cookies by Camp Hazen and the Guest House will be offered along with cider. Along with the Holiday Exhibit, Luminous Perspectives, that will open that day in the Stone Gallery featuring landscapes by gallery artist Janine Robertson of Madison. There will be a free drawing for a painting by Rosemary Serfilippi.

An opening for the annual Postcard Show, with dozens and dozens of original works postcard size or smaller, will be at the Chester Gallery. Champagne by the fire will be served.

The Perfect Pear will introduce Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salts with a tasting and talk by the company co-founder and refreshments will be served.

At Harvest Moon Design, there will be an opening reception for an art show by Chelbi Wade and Jaime LeDeuce, and the musical group, the Grays will entertain from 8 to 10 p.m on this and subsequent First Fridays.

The French Hen will celebrate A White Christmas with a signature cocktail, “snow”-dusted cookies and gift ideas. Spiced hot cider will be served at Strut Your Mutt.

Lark will host a tree full of hand-made, fair-trade, African ornaments with the proceeds from sales going to the organization, “Ornaments 4 Orphans.” Peppermint Stick hot chocolate will be served.

New paintings of the Connecticut River and the artist’s garden will be shown in the Holiday Exhibit at Leif Nilsson’s Gallery. His house band, Arrowhead, will play, and photographer Caryn Davis will sign copies of her new book, A Connecticut Christmas: Celebrating the Holiday in Classic New England Style.

Dina Varano Gallery will introduce a new collection of jewelry, and wine will be served while Black Kat will host potter Ave Rivera and Jewelry Artisan Sea Glass Designs.

Chester Center, Leif Nilsson