CBC Maritimes

The complex Maritime forest industry : protests against aerial spraying and scrambling to deal with a downturn in the demand for paper

If you've ever flown over Maritime forests you've probably marvelled at how far you can go without seeing any sign of humans.But at ground level, there are often people you can't see, working for the forest industry.
Some workers in Northern New Brunswick are concerned about pesticides sprayed in late August and early September.Many have complained of headaches, nausea and breathing problems - but they've done so privately, because they're afraid of losing their jobs with the forest companies that hired them.
Betty St-Pierre of Kedgwick was not among those sprayed, but she's speaking on their behalf.

Meanwhile,people in Queen's County, Nova Scotia are grappling with news that the Abitibi-Bowater newsprint mill will cut production in half and reduce work for 300 employees.The changes are part of a plan that will close four other plants across Canada. Company officials say the cuts are due to falling demand for all types of paper.  CBC reporter Jennifer Henderson asked Premier Darrell Dexter if the province had done everything it could to help.

   
With the Atlantic Film Festival in full flight, you followed up on yesterday's phone-in with more ideas for Maritime stories that would make great feature films or documentaries.

And speaking of the Atlantic Film Festival, the 29th edition opened with the premiere of the latest feature film from the Trailer Park Boys : "Countdown to Liquor Day". Director and co-writer Mike Clattenburg reflected on ten years of TPB - which began, appropriately enough - at the AFF.

After a slow start to the growing season,farmers' markets and grocery stores are overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables.  But that abundance poses a problem : how do you preserve it all in a speedy, yet safe, way ? Ellie Topp answered your questions. She's the author of The Complete Book Of Small-Batch Preserving (and three callers won copies : Katherine Hanson of Rothesay, NB; Mark Austin of Old Barns, NS and Daphne Dykeman of Saint John. Congratulations !)
Also, Janice Gill came to the rescue of one caller with the following (thanks, Janice...) :

               ROSE HIP JELLY

 1) Wash hips and cut in half, lengthwise.
 2) Put in preserving kettle (or pot) along with water to come up half way.
 3) Cover and cook until tender - but be careful  not to scorch ! Add more water if necessary.
 4) Strain through a jelly bag. Measure how many cups of juice you've collected.
 5) Boil for 10 minutes. Add 1 pound of sugar for each 2 1/2 cups of juice. Boil until setting point is reached (i.e. when 2 drops hang side by side on a wooden spoon).
 6) Bottle and seal.