Homebodies - Puttering with projects

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

Some time ago, the young men in my life  (son and grandson, in case you’re wondering!) came to help clean out the shop. Ed’s shed. I made it clear that I wanted the table saw, the mitre saw, the hand saws, the drills, the sander, the side grinder, oh, and leave all the drill bits and chain saw. There was a moment of silence, and my son quietly asked, “how often do you think you will use them?”

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Faithfully yours - The many faces of generosity

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

Many years ago, an electrical fire destroyed a family’s home. No lives were lost, but everything inside the house was destroyed. Within 24 hours, the displaced family had found temporary housing. Donations of food, clothing and furniture were collected. A year later, they moved into a new home on a farm they were in the process of buying when their home was destroyed.

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Right in the centre - Calling a spade a spade!

By Ken Waddell

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

“To "call a spade a spade" is a figurative expression which refers to calling something "as it is”, that is, by its right or proper name, without "beating about the bush"—being outspoken about it, truthfully, frankly and directly, even to the point of being blunt or rude and even if the subject is considered coarse, impolite, or unpleasant.” –Wikipedia-2017

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My perspective - Future of the family farm

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

According to the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), over $50 billion in farm assets are set to change hands over the next 10 years. Canada’s farm population is ageing and there will be a huge change in the country’s agricultural landscape as these ageing farmers sell their farms and retire. 

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Homebodies - Everything old is new again...

By Rita Friesen

The Neepawa Banner

The tiny house movement is apparently taking America by storm. I admit, I am intrigued by the concept, even watch the television show whenever I can. The settlers of the Canadian prairies mastered tiny house living. My mother-in-law could recall living in a soddie, also known in Mennonite culture as a semlin. Basically a home built of sod, dug down into the earth before forming the walls of sod grass. Even the roof was made of earth. One door, perhaps a window, luxury if it was a glass one, practical if it was one of oiled paper.

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