TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ :

 TORONTO, April 3 /CNW/ - As investment activity gears down and labour
markets soften, Prince Edward Island’s economic growth is expected to moderate
to the low-to-mid one per cent range this year and through 2009, according to
the latest provincial economic forecast from RBC.
    “Similar to the rest of the country, the province’s manufacturing sector
is also coming under pressure from the strong Canadian dollar and weaker U.S.
demand for Canadian exports,” said Craig Wright, senior vice-president and
chief economist, RBC. “Despite continued weakness in the U.S. economy, we
should see moderate growth for PEI in 2008.”
    The report noted, however, that the province’s exposure to weaker U.S.
demand is lower than other provinces, as 13 per cent of its GDP is dependent
upon exports to the U.S. Both non-residential and residential construction
markets are also off their peaks and expected to cool further this year.
    On a more positive note, the tourism industry has held up despite the
difficult economic climate, thanks to more tourists from overseas countries,
that helped offset the decline in U.S. visitors… read more

Editorial Staff:

The Guardian:GEORGETOWN — The Nine Lives of L.M. Montgomery, a musical, multi-media tribute to the life and characters of the quintessential Canadian author, is seeking performers who can act, sing and dance for its production at Kings Playhouse in Georgetown this summer.
Rehearsals will start the week of May 5 working toward a six-week run, with its world premiere on June 20 — the exact 100th anniversary of the publication of Montgomery’s signature work Anne of Green Gables.
Non-Equity actors of all ages are needed for a cast of nine women, eight men and six children.
With few exceptions, cast members will be required to play at least two roles and up to six, and should relish the challenge of reinventing themselves throughout a single production.
There are only four simple dances — an eight-hand reel, a waltz, a jitterbug and a slow dance.
For a cast breakdown of all major roles, please visit the show’s official website.
 The first of two audition phases are being held online from now until April 5.
Performers on Prince Edward Island are being sought in particular, but others are welcome to audition as well. Read more:

By Rogier
… building the still, but hope to be in production later this year. The vodka will make a perfect PEI-gift, probably better appreciated than a bag of PEI potatoes. it’sa good example of a product that complements a tourism product.

Read More…

The Guardian:

Written by the Guardian:

 POOLES CORNER – A regional manufacturing facility will be established in Pooles Corner, with a combined investment by the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.
Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Premier Robert Ghiz  announced an the investment of $3.3 million to support the purchase and renovation of an 80,000 square-foot facility in Pooles Corner. Manufacturing has been identified as a priority area for both levels of government.
“This project is a great example of government and community partnering to create sustainable employment and attract investment to rural Prince Edward Island,” said Keddy. “This new centre will help P.E.I. seize the significant opportunities that exist within the advanced manufacturing sector.”

 Read More…

The Guardian:

Written By:STEVE SHARRATT

 MONTAGUE — An Italian-based company with worldwide sales in yacht and boat parts expects to begin production here early next year with an eventual staff of 100 employees.
“It’s tremendous news to help create jobs on Prince Edward Island and we welcome Opacmare to our province,’’ said Premier Robert Ghiz during a press conference Friday to announce the biggest thing here in employment for years.
Read More ….

 From: CBC News

 By:  CBC News

The Anne centenary is a big piece of this year’s tourism marketing campaign, and Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty believes Maritimers will be attracted to events they haven’t seen before. It might, she said, even turn Maritimers into Anne fans once again.

“There are a number of festivals and events that are being planned throughout the year in celebration of that, so we’re expecting that Maritimers, like Islanders, are going to be really interested in attending these events that are being planned,” said Docherty.
 
The tourism campaign in the Maritimes will use radio, television and print ads developed for use across Canada.

A website launched this week also marks the Anne centenary. Anne2008.com has a full listing of this summer’s festivals and events.

Read More …

From: The Times

BY: Sarah Maslin Nir

There’s such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I’m such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn’t be half so interesting.” So says 11-year-old Anne Shirley, the preternaturally wise redheaded protagonist of Anne of Green Gables and the nearly one dozen sequels penned in the early 20th century by Lucy Maud Montgomery, a minister’s wife from a remote Canadian isle. From the moment the charming tale of the loquacious orphan girl’s rocky upbringing in pioneer Canada hit the shelves in 1908, it was an unexpected instant success. Sequels, and its provincial author, were demanded internationally. If its appeal at its debut a century ago came as a surprise, what’s even more shocking is that in the years hence, its popularity has been unflagging. “In 100 years it’s never been out of print,” says Kate MacDonald Butler, Montgomery’s granddaughter. “Its popularity never seems to be dwindling, there’s more and more interest all the time.”

Read more…

From:Tellhistory

By: Tellhistory Webblog

I was surprised to find Tellhistory among the top sites in Google searches on “rum running.” Most visitors to this blog apparently come to read about Prince Edward Island where my parents built a summer house. This year Prince Edward Island, the “gentle island,” celebrates the 100th anniversary of the novel Anne of Green Gables.
As the summer tourist season approaches, I’ll add more posts about some of my favorite PEI museums and events.

Read more…

From: The Guardian

By:STEVE SHARRATT

GEORGETOWN — A development proposal aimed at blending heritage and health care has been presented to the Kings County capital and Mayor Peter Llewellyn hopes the provincial government will partner on the project.
It’s the brainchild of developer Paul McInnis of P.E.I.’s Waterside Developments who is proposing the construction a small care facility here that features a heritage look overlooking the waterfront.
As well, McInnis is involved in the restoration of the former Soloman store that he hopes will become a tourism-related shop like a café. Read More…

From: Island Heritage Study

BY: The IRIS Group

Just about every aspect of Island heritage was touched upon, from landscape, to folklore, to railroad history.  The preservation of our rural landscape — including churches, seascapes, and villages – was a recurring theme throughout the evening.  This included the issue of green space in the greater Charlottetown area, focusing on the old Upton Farm and the former federal Experimental Farm.  Related to this was a presentation calling for an expansion of the Island’s Heritage Road program. Read more…