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Larsen's Log Lodge

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Ownership of a well-known country retreat in Millville could be changing hands in the months to come.

Larsen's Log Lodge, the bed and breakfast gem buried in York County countryside, is up for sale.

David Larsen and his wife Marianne have run the business for 20 years, but family responsibilities have forced them to consider selling the popular retreat.

"My mother and (Marianne's) parents are getting up in age and they need care," he said. "So we're basically trying to downsize our lives."

Larsen said the decision to sell the successful upscale bed and breakfast didn't come easy. He acknowledged his "mixed emotions," noting he "built this place from the ground up."

Larsen said the log lodge is more than a standard bed and breakfast.

"We call it a country retreat," he said. "We do romantic stays for couples."

All five luxury suites come with a fireplace and private outdoor hot tub. Two rooms have whirlpool baths and one boasts a sauna.

"People just love the country, home-like atmosphere here," said Larsen.

In addition its the complimentary breakfast, the lodge offers fine dining.

Larsen's Log Lodge's great reputation has reached well beyond New Brunswick's borders.

"We actually get calls from Afghanistan from the military guys there that are coming home on leave."

Larsen noted with pride that someone listed the lodge on a Web site for Canadians serving in Afghanistan

While he had hoped family would carry on the Lodge's well-established legacy, the demands of the business make that impossible. His three children, he explained, are all concentrating on their own careers.

"You need two dedicated people to run this type of business," he said.

Larsen said he and his wife will offer technical assistance and share information which helped make the lodge a such a success.

Regardless of what happens on the sales front, Larsen said, the lodge will continue to operate. If a buyer doesn't step forward by next spring, he explained, he and his wife will continue to run it.

"We're not closing the doors, that's for sure."

Français: Les propriétaires de la retraite campagnarde populaire Larsen's Log Lodge, près de Millville, espèrent vendre leur entreprise.

McCain's $65-million plant begins production

@General Business story -- First Paragraph(dropcap):A new $65-million potato processing plant began production on Tuesday, July 22, at McCain Foods in Florenceville-Bristol.

The state-of-the-art facility replaced the original factory built by the company more than 50 years ago.

The new plant marks the end of an era and the blossoming of another for both McCain Foods and the Northern Carleton families whose roots have grown alongside the company over the years.

Allen Tompkins of Florenceville ran the steam engine that peeled the first potatoes ever processed by McCain Foods back in 1957.

On Tuesday, Allen's eldest son, Leon Tompkins, supervised production as the first fries came off the line at the new plant.

The new plant will run three shifts, five days a week, down from four shifts, seven days at week at the old factory.

An official opening ceremony will take place in September.

Français : McCain Foods Canada, de Florenceville, a ouvert sa nouvelle usine de transformation de pommes de terre de 65 $ millions. Celle-ci remplace l'usine originale ouverte il y a 50 ans.

Tourism venture launched

Mactaquac Marine Inc. officials joined federal and provincial government representatives to celebrate the launch of a new houseboat vacation experience in New Brunswick.

The vessel is an executive-style houseboat rental. It can sleep 14 and has five state rooms, a full kitchen, fireplace, entertainment centre, hot tub and many more amenities.

Operating as Lakeway Houseboat Vacations, it will provide a boating experience on the St. John River, while complementing other tourism destinations, such as Kings Landing.

In July, Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen, Business New Brunswick Minister Greg Byrne and president of Mactaquac Marine Larry Jewett all took part in the opening ceremony at Mactaquac Marina, which included traditional pouring of champagne over the bow and a boat tour for guests.

The federal government, through ACOA provide a $111,000 loan to Mactaquac Marine Inc. in support of the houseboat rental operation. Allen said the expanded marina will enhance the recreational offerings of the area and increase tourism and investment in the region.

Minister Byrne noted he importance of the tourist industry to the province's goal of self-sufficiency

Jewett said the St. John River Valley has the potential to become one of North America's premier houseboat vacation destinations.

"Thanks to the support of the federal and provincial governments, Lakeway Houseboats now has the expertise to produce locally manufactured houseboats for a growing houseboat vacation tourism market."

Français : Mactaquac Marine Inc. with support from ACOA launced Lakeway Houseboat Vacations in July. The company makes an executive-style houseboat rental, which sleep 14 and comes complete state rooms, a full kitchen, fireplace, entertainment centre, hot tub and many more amenities.

Woodstock-area taxpayers voice concerns

A slew of legislators were in Woodstock last month to hear the public's reaction to the government's Discussion Paper on the tax system.

Around 20 people showed up to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #11 in Woodstock on July 10 to express their views on the provincial government's Discussion Paper on New Brunswick's Tax System.

The select committee charged with the task of reviewing the document heard nine presentations from individuals, businesses and organizations.

From the tone of the meeting last week, the Liberals haven't yet struck the right tune to please taxpayers' ears.

Many groups expressed concern about the impact of a higher HST rate and carbon tax on N.B. residents and businesses.

Three local people gave separate presentations, bringing forth issues with both the current and proposed property tax system.

Français: Les entrepreneurs et résidents de Woodstock étaient nombreux à faire part de leurs inquiétudes au comité de discussion sur le système fiscal du Nouveau-Brunswick lors de son passage le 10 juillet.

AV Nackawic fined

AV Nackawic has been slapped with a $10,000 fine for failing to provide a safe working environment.

Last month, the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission (WHSCC) laid charges against

the mill, under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

The charges stem from a June 1, 2007, accident involving an employee, whose hand got caught between two rollers inside a machine used in the mill's pulp-making process. The man's hand was severely damaged and had to be amputated.

After an extensive investigation by the WHSCC, AV Nackawic was charged for failing to have adequate safeguards on the machine – knowing an employee could come into contact with moving parts – as well as failing to establish a code of practice for the neutralization, clearance, release and start up of the machine when it needed repairs.

In Woodstock court, AV Nackawic lawyer Jim O'Connell entered guilty pleas on behalf of the mill.

Français : AV Nackawic a écopé d'une amende de 10 000 $ pour avoir faillit de fournir un environnement de travail sécuritaire à ses employés. L'accusation remonte à un accident dans lequel un employé a été blessé lorsque l'une de ses mains a été prise entre deux rouleaux à l'intérieur d'une pièce d'équipement du moulin.

Woodstock firm certified safe

It may become the industry norm in the future, but employees of E. Cummings Contracting Inc. have proven themselves today.

Woodstock business earned the New Brunswick Construction Safety Association (NBCSA) Certificate of Recognition, proving it is in line with the association's and the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act's safety regulations.

E. Cumming's director of administrative services Catherine Sutherland said it took about two years of hard work, but, with the combined effort of all employees, the company is now certified as contributors to the reduction of human, social and economic loss due to work-related accidents, injuries and death.

She said the compny had to produce a "large" safety manual detailing "every single thing" workers do and the safety procedures followed.

"They audit your package, point out things you need to do or change and then they come to your place of business and do an actual on-site audit. It's not cheap and it's very time consuming, but it is about safety. It's a good thing."

A "glowing report" was issued to the company following the external audit.

"E. Cummings Contracting Inc. appears to maintain a close working relationship with its employees, which is not only beneficial when trying to implement a health and safety program, but beneficial in every aspect of sustaining a successful business,"NBCSA core program co-ordinator/auditor Alexis McAllister stated in her report.

Français: E. Commings Contracting Inc. de Woodstock a remporté le certificat de reconnaissance de l'Association de sécurité dans le domaine de la construction du Nouveau-Brunswick, une preuve que l'entreprise respecte les règlements sécuritaires de l'association et de la Loi et des règlements sur l'hygiène et la sécurité au travail du NB.