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Keeping in touch with nature

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Zelda McKenzie of Hampton was out paddling almost every day on the Kennebecasis River with her husband in their 14-foot flat bottom, handmade cedar canoe So much so that it was there that they hatched their business idea.

“We love the river and we spend at least 20 hours of personal time on the river each week,” she said.

“So we thought why not take people out on the river with us?” The couple decided to build their own eco-friendly electric-motor pontoon boat, which would allow them to take groups of people for a tour on the river. Thus, Zelda’s River Adventures was born.

Regulated by Transport Canada, the pontoon boat can hold groups of 12 people, including Skipper Zelda.

It departs from the floating dock at the Lighthouse River Centre in Hampton for three-hour tours with available summer departure times at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p. m. and 6 p.m.

People can also customize their tours, which can be used for birthdays celebrations, weddings, team-building events or family outings. Up to four anglers can also book the boat for trolling on the river.

In whatever way they want to use it, McKenzie said, the river offers serenity.

“There’s nothing like being on the river. You just leave your worries behind and enjoy God’s nature.”

The pontoon boat is also accessible for those in wheelchairs and is convenient for seniors who can’t access a canoe or a kayak.

“Sometimes, they aren’t capable of going out in a canoe,” McKenzie said. “This gives them an opportunity to experience what some of us take for granted.”

The cost for a three-hour tour is $30 for adults and $20 for children.

Seniors and the disabled are offered a 10-per-cent discount.

McKenzie is also holding a contest to name the boat on her website at www. zeldasriveradventures. ca. The winner will receive a trip for six. To book a tour, phone 653-0726 or 832-0726.

Français: Zelda McKenzie et son mari se sont lancés en affaires.Ils transportent des groupes de gens sur la rivière à bord de leur bateau environnemental.

Hats off Hats off to Jacques Whitford Ltd.

An international leader in engineering, environmental, sustainability and earth sciences solutions, the company was chosen by Progress Magazine as one of the best places to work in Atlantic Canada.

“This is particularly thrilling for us because we’re being recognized as one of the best employers in the region where we first started our company and remain headquartered,” said John Adams, president of Atlantic Canada for Jacques Whitford.

“I am proud that we’ve been able set high standards and demonstrate real leadership in creating an exceptional environment for employees.”

Jacques Whitford was awarded the honour based on a rigorous assessment completed independently by The Best Companies Group for Progress Magazine.

The company was also recognized this year as one of Maclean’s Top 100 Employers in Canada and by Today’s Parent Magazine as one of the 10 most family- friendly employers in the country.

Français: La revue Progress a choisit l’entreprise Jacques Whitford Ltd. comme l’un des meilleurs endroits de travail au Canada atlantique.

Rogers coverage grows

River Glade, Acadieville, Rogersville, rural Miramichi, Middle River and South Tetagouche will now receive more than 400 television channels and Internet.

Rogers Cable Communications Inc. announced it rebuilt its network in these areas.

Français: Rogers Cable Communications Inc. a annoncé la reconstruction de son réseau.

Industry meets

The East Coast delegation to the BIO 2008 International Conference under way in San Diego, Calif., will include Fredericton company BioAtlantech. The Atlantic Canada Bio-Industries Alliance is leading the delegation of bioscience-based companies with the help of $103,000 through the Canada/ Atlantic Provinces Agreement on International Business Development.

The conference is billed as the largest annual meeting and exhibition in the world for the biotechnology industry.

More than 20,000 people will attend.

The Atlantic delegation includes six companies from Prince Edward Island, three from Nova Scotia, and two from Newfoundland and Labrador plus the one from New Brunswick. They will participate in one-on-one business meetings and attend the official opening of the Canadian pavilion. The Atlantic Canada Bio-Industries Alliance will host a reception for invited international guests.

Français: Plusieurs entreprises comptent des représentants à la Conférence internationale BIO 2008 qui se déroule à San Diego, Californie.

Moosehead official brewer of Acadian event

Moosehead Breweries Ltd. signed on as a Gold sponsor of the 2009 World Acadian Congress through a $100,000 contribution. The Saint John company becomes the official brewer for the event next year on the Acadian Peninsula, and for the next two editions of the Festival Acadien de Caraquet. “We definitely want to be a part of it, and it is our hope that the $100,000 contribution that we are announcing today will help the organization put on a memorable event,” said Andy Gauvin. The organizers have reached 75 per cent of the private sector fundraising goal, with a year remaining before the event, said Robert Frenette, executive director of the World Acadian Congress.

Français: Moosehead Breweries Ltd. est un commanditaire or du Congrès mondial acadien 2009, grâce à sa contribution de 100 000 $.

Possible deal on the way

Irving Oil Ltd. and Sobeys might offer a deal on gasoline and groceries, if a pilot project under way works out.

It is similar to the Override program Irving Oil and Shaw’s Supermarkets offer in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, said Irving Oil spokeswoman Jennifer Parker. The grocery stores give shoppers coupons for US10 cents per gallon off the price of gasoline at Irving stations in return for a minimum grocery purchase of $50. Shoppers can save up to 60 cents off a gallon, up to 20 gallons at each fillup, if their grocery purchase tops $300. More than 160 Irving locations and 73 Shaw’s stores take part in the Override program. Shaw’s, Osco and Star Market are a division of Supervalue Inc. A total of six Sobeys stores across the Atlantic region, including Fredericton, are taking part in the pilot project here, Parker said.

The pilot project might run until mid-September, after which the two companies will decide on whether to expand it.

Français: Si un projet-pilote se concrétise, irving Oil Ltd. et Sobeys pourrait offrir toute une affaire sur le coût de l’essence et des épiceries.

Stephen Wetmore to step down as Bell Aliant CEO

Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund (TSX:BA.UN) says that Stephen Wetmore, president and chief executive of Bell Aliant, will be leaving the position effective Dec. 31. Wetmore was named chief executive when the company, which operates phone and Internet services throughout parts of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, was formed in July 2006.

“With Bell Aliant now on the firm footing we had anticipated at its formation, and with the change in ownership and leadership occurring at our major unitholder BCE (TSX:

BCE), it is the right time for a transition in leadership at Bell Aliant,” Wetmore said in statement.

An investor consortium led by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is closing in on completing a takeover of BCE Inc. later this year in a deal worth $52 billion.

Français: Le président et directeur exécutif de Bell Aliant, Stephen Wetmore, quittera son poste dès le 31 décembre.

Firms off to England

Four New Brunswick firms joined an Atlantic aerospace and defense delegation to England for the 2008 Farnborough International Airshow. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities agency led 18 companies and associations from the region, including Apex Industries Inc. of Moncton, CANLink Aviation Inc. of Saint John, CE3 Electronics Integrators of Dieppe, and RASAKTI Inc. of Campbellton.

The delegates attended pre-arranged one-on-one business meetings, networking events, market familiarization briefings, round- table discussions with industry leaders, airshow exhibitions, and potential site tours. The Farnborough International Airshow, one of the world’s aerospace and defence technology trade shows, takes place every second year in the United kingdom, alternating with the Paris International Airshow. In 2006, visitors to Farnborough numbered 270,000. More than US $40 billion in orders resulted from that show, according to an ACOA news release. ACOA will spend $211,500 on this mission. The show ran from July 14-20.

Français: Quatre entreprises néo-brunswickoises se sont jointes à une délégation des domaines aérospatial et de la défense de l’Atlantique qui s’est rendue en Angleterre récemment.