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Larry's Gulch, the government-operated fishing camp on the Restigouche River, is adopting a live-release policy, effective immediately. Tourism and Parks Minister Stuart Jamieson made the announcement on Wednesday, and said that the move would support the preservation of New Brunswick's wild Atlantic salmon stocks.

"Adopting a live release policy at the lodge will protect this fishing resource for future generations," said Jamieson in a press release. "The salmon angling industry generates millions of dollars in economic spinoff benefits annually, so doing our part to protect the stocks by going live release will ensure we continue to enjoy those benefits."

Larry's Gulch is an important tourism venue used by both the government and private sector to host existing or prospective clients exploring economic opportunities in the province. In 2009, more than 21 private groups booked the camp, while government departments made 16 visits. The camp generated more than $330,000 in revenues for the Government of New Brunswick during that time.

"The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) welcomes the decision of the Province of New Brunswick to require everyone who fishes at Larry's Gulch to release all their Atlantic salmon," said Bill Taylor, president of ASF, in the release. "This is a significant step foward for salmon conservation, which will help ensure that more salmon reach the spawning beds on the Restigouche River. We are also happy to welcome Larry's Gulch to ASF's Live Release Rewards and Recognition Program for salmon fishing camps that show leadership in releasing salmon and grilse."

Last season, about 75 per cent of the salmon caught by guests were released. Guests of Larry's Gulch who want a souvenir of their visit can arrange in advance to order a farmed New Brunswick salmon packed and prepared to take home with them.

History will be made when the 2010 Vancouver Olympic flame makes its way through the region.

Eel River Bar

The Olympic Torch Relay is set to arrive in Restigouche from Bathurst at Eel River Bar and be run through the community along Route 134 from 9:02 a.m. to 9:36 a.m. according to information on the Olympic Torch website. (See http://tinyurl.com/localtorch)

Dalhousie

From there, it will be brought to Dalhousie. Runners take it from the corner of Gray and Renfrew streets at 9:40 a.m. down Convent Hill to William St. all the way past Lounsbury Motors to George St. ending at 9:52 a.m.

Campbellton

From Dalhousie, the torch will be brought to Campbellton where runners will begin its trek through the city where Arran and Ramsay streets meet at 10:16 a.m., according to the web site. It will continue down Ramsay to Salmon Blvd. then on to Andrew where it will turn east on Pleasant toward the curling club, to Ritchie St., then to Water St.

From Water it heads west to Subway St, to Roseberry then Sugarloaf St. to Val d'Amour Rd. ending at 11:02 a.m..

Atholville

It will make a brief stop on Val d'Amour Rd. in Atholville near the Sugarloaf Mall where at 11:02 a.m. it will be carried by a handful of runners to the traffic lights by the Superstore, ending at 11:07 a.m. From there, it heads west toward Kedgwick and Saint-Quentin.

The torch is to travel from Bathurst to Edmundston Saturday, with runners carrying it through most larger municipalities, and vehicles used to transport it through most of the country.

Participants

Mike O'Toole, a teacher at Sugarloaf Senior High School in Campbellton said he entered the contest earlier this year to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime event.

"I wanted to be a part of this so I sent in my name and why I should be chosen. The students from Sugarloaf and myself are all very proud to be taking part of this and will share memories that will last a lifetime."

Alaina Petersen-Noel of Dalhousie was also excited about running.

"I am so excited and proud. My brother Denis Petersen ran with the torch for the 1988 Calgary Olympics. So too have two people in the same family. Doing this 21 years apart is amazing," she said.

"I remember waiting on the side of the road in the cold and rain when he ran by us and it made us all warm inside. So no matter what the weather will be on Saturday nothing can dampen or freeze my spirits. I can't wait for Saturday. This is a once in a lifetime chance and the memory will last forever."

Unfortunately, finding the names of runners from Restigouche who will be taking part was not possible. The Coca Cola and 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games websites provided few details on participants, other than first names and initials of last names and the area in the province they are from.

CAMPBELLTON - The artist Raymond Furlotte, from Eel River Crossing, is already preparing his exhibition to be held at the Restigouche Gallery in 2010.
To do so, it offers the public to participate in its work.

The theme is that of mail art, an art form born in the United States, specifically New York. The principle is to manufacture an canvas of the size of a postcard, with parts available: stamps, tissue collage, etc.. The pun between art and postcard can produce designs that easily link the two, with frequent use of stamps in the composition tables and also by the fact that these arts postal travel to reach Raymond Furlotte.

"I received 27 from France, one from Uruguay, others from Germany, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Italy, England and Europe of east. The movement is to send across the world small works entirely free" he says. "That's why I get mail art." Mr. Furlotte said. He produce the project with the support of several participants which sometimes have never even heard of New Brunswick. "As I am a very modest ambassador for my hometown of Eel River Crossing, I launched last spring a global call to receive postal arts handcrafted to promote my corner of Acadia. People are asked to express their vision of Eel River Crossing."

Furlotte himself had access to this particular art by searching the Internet. Today, he tries to reach all those who wish to participate in the project. "The postcards can be in the form of collage, painting, drawing, etc.. The size and techniques used are free, "said Furlotte. For him, local participation offers a second look at Eel River Crossing.

"I think when living in a place like a small village, it is often the view from outside that makes people see beautiful things," he says. "They (locals) no longer see what is beautiful, they will especially dwell on a pile of garbage that was there. Me, it's been so long since I went there (Eel River Crossing) that when I return I keep seeing stuff and that's why I want to share it with people. I want the locals to also participate by sending me what they see beautiful in eel River Crossing. "

On the picture you can see examples of works by Raymond Chiasson.