Right in the centre - Not always as it appears

By Ken Waddell

The Neepawa Banner

Over the years, I have personally experienced many situations where things weren’t always as they appear. In business, in community work, in our personal lives, we are always learning more about how things work. I have learned for example, that in politics, it is about ability but it’s also about availability. Fortunately, we get some very competent people into politics, but we lose out on the contribution of many competent individuals because they may not be available. Maybe they are too busy to get involved or too timid to step forward.

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Faithfully yours - Christmas is a time to relate

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

In his first public statement following his election, Pope Francis set out his vision for a Catholic church that was prepared to use its resources and influence to help those who were most in need; the poor, the prisoners, the refugees, the displaced and the homeless, to name but a few.

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Homebodies - A winter wonderland and wondering

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

The pristine blanket of snow has not only covered a multitude of sins - (yes, even with the long open fall, not all the yard projects were completed!) - it has transformed an ordinary walk into a wonderland. There really is no ‘ordinary’ walk, every day there is a subtle shift in colour and in the progress of the season. If one looks. But this heavy covering snow has created deep and mysterious shadows under the trees while street light reflections brighten every path.

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Observation - Dec. 9, 2016

By Addy Oberlin

The Neepawa Banner

The other day we all agreed that winter was here. It started to rain, but because the temperature was below zero, it all turned into ice. Cars were caged in a layer of ice. Streets became skating rinks. It was too dangerous to even put one foot outside the door. Even my dog slid right down the deck to the stairs. The saltshaker came in handy.

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My perspective - Keeping the lights on

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

Skyrocketing expenses have put Manitoba Hydro in the headlines again, but this time, it isn’t related to multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects. The crown corporation was in the news this week with the release of its 2015 payroll.

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