Right in the centre - Please listen more

By Ken Waddell

Neepawa Banner & Press

For a number of reasons, I held off writing this column until Wednesday morning, which is really pushing the patience of our staff. The paper gets sent to print on Wednesday and we can’t be late. Printing presses are like trains, they are supposed to run on schedule.

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Right in the centre - Manitoba Agriculture a shadow of what it once was

By Ken Waddell

Neepawa Banner & Press

When word came down last week that the Province of Manitoba was closing 20 Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) offices across the province, it came as a bit of a jolt. MASC offices were formed a number of years ago, when Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation and Manitoba Crop Insurance were combined. This latest move from Manitoba Agriculture is part of a 25 year shrinking of Ag services by the province.

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Right in the centre - We need hope and fairness

By Ken Waddell

Neepawa Banner & Press

The seemingly never-ending battle against COVID-19 is grinding everyone down. Now, the C-19 battle is nowhere as bad a the 1918 Flu, at least not so far. The C-19 battle pales in comparison to the desperation and losses in the Battle of Britain or the Siege of Stalingrad. We all get that, or at least, I hope we do.

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Column like I see 'em - When it comes to COVID, hindsight is...

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

Well, 2020 was quite the year, wasn’t it? I’m sure we’re all glad to be looking at it through the proverbial rear-view mirror right about now. With that in mind, I wish you all a happy New Year and, hopefully, a 2021 that is full of joy, vaccinations (if you want one) and a bit more hugging. 

Now, while the state of the world is not magically better just because we’ve changed a 0 to a 1, it still feels just a little bit easier to see the light amongst the darkness. The road to get here, though, over the past 10 months, has taken quite a few twists and turns. 

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Right in the centre - Fifty years in the making!

By Ken Waddell

Neepawa Banner & Press

In January 1971, my wife Christine and I moved to Neepawa. We bought a little house at 261 Fourth Avenue in Neepawa for $4,000. I set to work in my new job as Assistant Ag-Rep under the watchful eye of my boss, the late Alan Nebbs. My job was to help with the 4-H Club program, tag along after Mr. Nebbs and occasionally offer advice to farmers. There is a rare farmer in the area that is kind enough to say that my advice was helpful.

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