Do you have a website? Are you interested in gaining insight into online marketing that gets results?

If the answer is yes, the CWB has a holiday gift with your name on it!

We're offering the gift of training to develop a more effective and engaging website in 2013. See more

At the recent 35^th Anniversary Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) Summit, excellence in tourism was recognized with the 2012 Pineapple Awards (the pineapple being a long-standing symbol of hospitality). One of the three award recipients was Upper Clements Cottages.

Outstanding customer service is the norm at UCC. Gary and Margaret and their highly professional staff have long provided visitors with authentic rural hospitality in a scrupulously well maintained, picturesque locale. But last summer, the Mailmans went above and beyond customer expectations, leading one very grateful visitor to write the following letter to the Chronicle Herald:

“Several weeks ago, while vacationing in Nova Scotia, a friend and I and our three young children spent two lovely days at Upper Clements Cottages in Annapolis. The weather was glorious and the amusement park a hit with the kids. Unfortunately, shortly after we left to make our way home to Truro, our vehicle broke down on the 101. Not knowing what else to do, we phoned Margaret and Gary Mailman, owners/operators of Upper Clements Cottages, to ask about a local garage open on a Saturday. Immediately, Gary offered to pick us up and take us back to his home, where we could try to sort out our next move. On our return to Upper Clements, he simply stated, “You know, we don’t use this van much. Why don’t you drive it back to Truro and return it when you can?” I cannot think of a better example of Maritime hospitality, and it reminds me of why I am so proud to be a Nova Scotian.

“I must also mention Paul, our tow truck driver, who showed boundless energy and a sense of humour.

“Words are not enough to express the gratitude of two very stressed moms and three tired kids, one of whom exclaimed, “Boy, that Gary is a GOOD man!” Indeed he is and we send our thanks to him, his wife Margaret and Paul”

~Sandra MacCoul, (currently living in) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Gary and Margaret were just doing something which seemed perfectly natural to them, but to our visitors this type of hospitality is something special, and is one of the many factors which keep bringing people back to visit our province, and our rural areas in particular. Upper Clements Cottages is indeed a special place, beautifully situated and maintained, and home to a delightful assortment of “critters” (bunnies, goats, etc.) to delight all ages. It is also operated by some very special people. Deservedly, the Mailmans were treated by TIANS to a stay at the Prince George Hotel, a guest reception, and of course, the Gala Awards Dinner on the final evening of the summit.

Kudos to the Mailmans and to Upper Clements Cottages staff for bringing such recognition to our region! Congratulations and best wishes as they prepare for a successful 2013 season.

The Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency and the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education are pleased to offer two 40-hour courses to small businesses throughout the Annapolis and Digby regions. These are FREE courses.

The Basic Computer Skills Program for Small Business course will benefit managers, owners and employees looking to learn the basic necessities to use computers and the internet for their business. Application form and curriculum

The Basic Human Resource Skills for Small Business course will benefit managers, owners and employees looking to learn the basic necessities relating to human resource management for their business. Application form and curriculum

For more information or to express interest in participating contact Rachel Edwards at reception@annapolisdigby.com.

For most of the wine world, today, the third Thursday in November, is Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

It’s the day when red wine made from Gamay grapes harvested in France this fall is released. It’s a tradition that dates to 1951.

But in Bear River, it’s the first year for Nova Nouveau Day.

Annapolis Highland Vineyards has produced 90 cases of Nova Nouveau, which go on sale today at the winery and at Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. stores in Kentville, New Minas and Wolfville, plus the Port of Wines store, for $16.99 a bottle.

“Traditional Gamay wine that we’ve produced in the past has been fermented the normal way where we crush the berries, take the juice and ferment it,” said Karen Enright, co-owner of Annapolis Highland.

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Digby has long been known for scallops and lobster, but there are so many other culinary delights that are available here. Unfortunately some are little known outside of our local area.

In a bold marketing move, the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency contacted local producers and with the help of local chef Paula Buxton introduced these products to the Metro restaurant industry.

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Howard Selig knows that in today’s business economy, you have to be flaxible.

As president of Valley Flaxflour Ltd., Selig has embarked on a three-pronged marketing plan for his company’s products. They include a line of mixes for baking, a source of fibre for health-care food products and a nutritional feed for horses.

The baking mixes include ones for cookies, pancakes and muffins, as well as a batter base for fried fish and chicken.

The company has been milling flax flour for 14 years in Middleton and is focused on the gluten-free and wheat-free market.

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Woodlot owners in western Nova Scotia have access to $500,000 from the province to help them on their lands.

On Nov. 5, Queens MLA Vicki Conrad, (on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Charlie Parker) said woodlot owners in the western region, where the Bowater mill closed, deserve government's support.

The roads will help get forest products to market and make forest fire protection easier.

The funding is added to $1 million the province announced in July for woodlot owners. Eligible applications received in July will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The funding is being managed and distributed by the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia.

For those interested in the application PDFs, and program FAQs go to: http://www.fpans.ca/PLRCI.html

Farm Focus - Forestry

A local farmer is producing goat cheese right here in Digby County.

Virginia Smith of Weymouth Falls officially opened Hug you’re your Nanny Goat Cheese this July and now sells her products at the farm, farmers markets and grocery stores.

“I love making cheese,” says Smith. “There’s so much to learn and experiment with—a combination of science and food. And I just love the goats.”

Smith admits a lot of local people turn up their noses at the idea of goat cheese.

“So many people have never had fresh dairy products,” says Smith. “They just don’t know how good it is. But when they try it, they can’t believe how good it is.”

Smith is always experimenting with new cheeses but right now she has four main types.

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