The view from my chair - Dickensian edition

Submitted by Alan Gillies

G.E.M. Media

‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through my shop,

Toys and guitars sat in the light of a Coke machine full of pop, 

Whilst I sat at my keyboards, both computer and piano,

Knowing I wouldn’t sleep until sometime tomorrow;

Read more: The view from my chair - Dickensian edition

My Perspective - What do we want

By Kate Jackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

Next summer, the lilies will still bloom in Neepawa, but there will be no festival. Last week, the festival board voted 13 to 2 to cease operations, meaning that there will be no future Lily Festivals in Neepawa. 

Read more: My Perspective - What do we want

Right in the centre - Peace among nations and at home

By Ken Waddell

The Neepawa Banner

Normally at Christmas time, an editor might write about the birth of Baby Jesus, the Son of God coming to earth as a baby. It’s usual to point out that Jesus is Our Saviour, come to earth to save mankind from sin and death. The story is well known, just not well followed.

Read more: Right in the centre - Peace among nations and at home

Right in the centre - Scanning the news

By Ken Waddell

The Neepawa Banner

Needless to say, as a local newspaper owner, I read a lot of newspapers. In recent years, I also read a lot of papers on-line. In general, newspapers have gone downhill. In contrast, our newspapers are very much holding their own and expanding. Our circulations are increasing a bit, our total sales are up and our profits are up slightly as well. All three are indicators of a newspaper’s health. Our papers are bucking a national trend.

Read more: Right in the centre - Scanning the news

My Perspective - We need more baskets

By Kate Kackman-Atkinson

The Neepawa Banner

Over the last few years, Canadians have sat smugly at the world table.  We weathered the economic recession and came out relatively strongly; we are expecting a federal government surplus in next year’s budget.  Unlike other developed countries, we have had no rioting in the streets, no crippling austerity measures and no soul shattering unemployment. 

But the news this week indicates that we might not have been entirely spared.

Read more: My Perspective - We need more baskets