Lögberg-Heimskringla - 24.09.1999, Side 1

Week at a glance
Eagles recovering
The endangered eagle population in
lceland is finally on the rise
K.N. Júlíus honoured
President Grímsson among those to
pay tribute to poet in Mountain, ND
Friday 24 September 1999 • Number 34 / Föstudagur 24. september 1999 • Númer 34
Lögberg
Lögberg stofnað 14. janúar 1888
Heimskringla stofnað 9. september 1886
Sameinuð 20. ágúst 1959
Heimskringla
The Icelandic Weekly
Registration no. 08000 Agreement no. 1402161 113th year/113. Árgangur
“The oldest ethnic periodical still publishing in Canada”
Hecla Ferry sign dedicated
Photo: Harley Jonasson
News
Astra-Zeneca in
cooperation with
Þorsteinn Loftsson
THE PHARMACEUTICAL GIANT ASTRA-
Zeneca has entered into coopera-
tion with Þorsteinn Loftsson, professor
in phamiacy, and his research team at
the University of Iceland. The purpose
of the cooperation is to look for new
methods in the fight against various
diseases in the central nervous system,
such as MS and Alzheimer’s, through
the use of so-called cyclodextrins.
Þorsteinn Loftsson said that
cyclodextrins are natural combinations
he has studied since 1986, with a view
to utilization in medicine.
“I have worked on developing var-
ious drugs in connection to these stud-
ies, with Einar Stefánsson, professor in
eye diseases, among others. The stud-
ies have been supported by the
Icelandic Research Institute. We have
attained a certain level of knowledge
and skills which Astra-Zeneca is inter-
ested in. Representatives from the
company visited Iceland last year and
the result of that visit was that we stud-
ied two drugs for them. The intention
is to use one of these drugs against
Alzheimer’s and the other against MS.
This work went very well, and as a
result two men from the company vis-
ited Iceland last March and signed a
contract with us,” said Þorsteinn.
He said this was a recognition of
the team's research and that the coop-
eration shows that it is possible to do
world class research work in Iceland.
This is also financial gain as Astra-
Zeneca supports the team’s research
financially and by granting access to
specialized, state-of-the-art equipment
at the company’s headquarters in
Sweden.
Þorsteinn said that this was an
interesting recognition. ”lt is in every
way encouraging and works like a
vitamin injection.”
The pharmaccutical company
Astra-Zeneca is among Europe’s ten
largest pharmaceutical companies,
News continues on page 5
This speech was originally delivered on
Canada’s Parks Day, July 17, 1999.
David Tomasson
Deputy Minister
Manitoba Natural Resources
am pleased to have the opportuni-
ty to be with you this afternoon to
celebrate two significant events—a
dedication ceremony to commemorate
the history of the Hecla Island FeiTy
Crossing, as well as Canada’s Parks
Day 1999.
I bring greetings on behalf of the
Minister of Manitoba Natural
Resources, the Hon. Glen Cummings
and the Department. The Minister is
also celebrating Canada Parks Day
today at a special event in Spruce
Woods. There are a number of events in
our provincial parks to celebrate this
special weekend.
Approximately ten years ago the
Federal Provincial Parks Council of
Ministers initiated Canada Parks Day.
This national celebration, held the third
Saturday in July, promotes public
awareness and encourages community
involvement in our parks.
In 1995, the “Take A Hike” event
was introduced as part of the celebra-
tion, In each year since then, a variety
of educational and entertaining Parks
Day events and activities have been
organized in our provincial and federal
parks.
One of the special events is the
Honourary Natural Resource Officer
draw for children between the ages of
seven and twelve. This unique program
gives youth from across Manitoba the
opportunity to spend a day with one of
our Natural Resources Officers, and the
opportunity to learn more about our nat-
ural resources and the important work
our officers do.
In support of Canada’s Parks Day,
the Minister has announced that the
requirement for a Park Vehicle Permit
for this weekend (July 16-18) has been
waived.
I am also very pleased and hon-
oured to celebrate and participate in this
dedication ceremony to commemorate
the history of the Hecla Island Ferry
Crossing.
The ferry service began in 1953
with a small four-car feiTy from
Riverton Boat Works. The four-hour
trip to Riverton became a forty-minute
drive.
Five years later (by 1958), the first
ferry was replaced by a large one. This
ferry could transport up to eight cars,
and on most days ran for fourteen
hours, from eight in the moming to ten
at night moving up to 5,000 vehicles
each season. Many people enjoyed vis-
iting and getting to know each other as
they waited to cross on the ferry.
There are a number of people that
worked on the ferry over the eighteen
years of its operation. You will remem-
ber Captain Jorias Doll, Captain Grimsi
Please see Hecla on page 6
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