This months Mental Health Awareness Week took place in an unprecedented time for all organisations, and the legal profession particularly should take this time to learn a new normal. In recent years, wellbeing has become something of a buzzword, akin to marketing trend or hashtag, however the meaning goes somewhat deeper - what can the employer offer its employees to tackle the ongoing challenges, and are we communicating enough on the subject? The legal profession in recent years has been giving priority to wellbeing initiatives partly to show how aware it has become of the importance of wellbeing, but that does not necessarily mean this issue is engrained in employers cultures and minds.

The Covid-19 crisis has given us time to think about whether we dedicate enough time to this essential ingredient to business success. Mental health and wellbeing in the workplace should be part of the DNA of the business, the structure and, most importantly, the culture which is what defines a company. These times make it all the more difficult to keep in touch with employees and monitor both individual and team wellbeing. Until we realise that the wellbeing of staff is the most crucial element of business success and approach this matter conscientiously with full understanding, we are far away from achieving the rewards.

There are some excellent initiatives in the legal profession at the moment, helping professionals to work more efficiently webinars encouraging us to share our tips for working successfully from home, discussions on the gradual return to the workplace, and communication ideas for virtual business development and staying in touch with clients. These initiatives are important and a welcome helping hand, however what is more important is for legal businesses to find out from their employees how they can feel supported, training staff to manage a time which stressful and can cause anxiety to many.

One example of a pre-existing initiative which could be mirrored successfully in other organisations in these testing times, is Herbert Smith Freehills Mental Health Champions Programme. The programme aims to train staff with interest in mental wellbeing on how to support others and sign-post issues. Hogan Lovells has created a promotion watch programme offering resilience training, a confidential helpline and other support mechanisms for those who have recently been promoted, which is known to be a stressful time for professionals.

At the Bar, a dedicated wellbeing website was created in 2016 by the Bar Council to promote mental health and wellbeing, not only for barristers but also for clerking teams and professional support staff, something of a breakthrough in the industry as many dont feel encouraged to open up about mental health. At Serle Court, for example, our barristers are succeeding in finding new ways to work, taking positive action to address those additional stresses is becoming part of the culture. However, the approach to understanding wellbeing in barristers chambers can be challenging given barristers self-employed status. How do we ensure our members wellbeing is being observed, and who is responsible for doing so? Is it the chief executive, the clerks, or other barristers or is it a joint effort of all, including peers? Perhaps more stringently, we should also ask whether barristers chambers could provide a human resource professional to evaluate this matter.

Technology plays a major role in this discussion. On different levels, it has enabled barristers and their staff to work from home. Some might argue that stress levels are reduced due to the lack of travelling, and being able to spend more time at home with family. However, in this new normal it also provides round the clock access to emails and phone calls arguing that the standard 9-5 working day no longer exists. It has always been a challenge to find the right balance between the Bar and family life, and this extends to staff some of whom feel they are never off work. How many times does an email get sent saying 'sorry to interrupt you on an evening or weekend'? In lockdown, one might even not even think twice about emailing at the weekend.

Serle Court has an excellent collegiate atmosphere and has introduced a series of small initiatives, which collectively ensure individual needs are at the forefront of the business. Regular meetings are held via StarLeaf; a weekly meeting between the clerking and business development teams to discuss individual opportunities and remote practice development talks with barristers focussing on work opportunities and wellbeing over the last few months. On a social level, our marketing team has introduced a weekly Not in the Pub, Pub Quiz and Friday night drinks, both welcome distractions from the working week.

Another good example of the integration of wellbeing into the legal profession is found in charitable foundations. One such foundation, LawCare, is dedicated to helping with mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession. Its Law in Lockdown: Leadership and Compassion Conference which took place on 20 May drew together Simon Davis, the president of the Law Society, and various leadership and wellbeing experts to address some very current issues. Such an important initiative to help us adjust to a very different world where we will need to cope with a very different way of living.

Perhaps the main challenge in addressing wellbeing in a company/industry is the need to challenge cultural norms. There is a business case for improving wellbeing in the legal sector as we need our barristers and lawyers to maintain the highest mental capacity possible, to be able to deliver their best level of performance to clients. A clear mental mindset is critical for this to be achieved therefore 'minds' are a precious resource and should be cared for. The Mindful Business Charter is all about committing to real change in how lawyers and their clients work, reducing avoidable stress in the workplace. Two particular points they highlight are respecting rest periods and mindful delegation. They are calling time on that long-held city attitude that professionals need to be always online to prove their commitment; a cultural mindset that professionals need to work long hours, with little sleep and constant accessibility.

As mentioned earlier, this has to a degree reached barristers chambers, exacerbated in those sets with a significant offshore practice. This remains unchanged where barristers are asked to meet the needs of their clients - the early morning calls with the Far East to late night calls with the Caribbean means the sun seldom sets on some chambers. It would require cultural change to reverse what has become a norm. Will the current crisis allow us to stop, think, and assess whether we should challenge these norms?

It is not just barristers that are affected by long hours, but also the staff. Some believe that a flexible working policy can also be a threat to the quality of work and training in the workplace. With all staff working away from the office, it could be argued that there is less of an opportunity to learn from others, including senior staff.

How do we attempt to replace those moments of connection at the water cooler or by the kettle? We will all need to think creatively as how to approach new methods of working and communicating. At Serle Court, the daily tea still happens despite not being in chambers. StarLeaf allows barristers to connect, perhaps with more meaningful discussion these days as members have had time to pre-empt what they would like to speak to their peers about. Perhaps investing in targeted initiatives such as training and mentoring, so that ways of interacting occur in more productive ways. We need to be realistic about the potential downsides and think creatively about solutions. But a collective attitude that we should all be looking after our own, and each others mental health and wellbeing should be our priority.

The real challenge has always been changing the cultural mindset in the workplace and dealing with the knock-on effects of making change to long-established working habits, especially if other competitor businesses are not making such changes. It could be said that the Covid-19 crisis has forced the hand of the legal profession. Does it risk losing a competitive advantage, or are the benefits for a business where wellbeing is part of the DNA such that it could provide a competitive advantage?

There is no reason why it should only be the large law firms that are concerned about employees mental health and wellbeing. We should all be looking to the day when every place of work, regardless of size, industry or location, consider mental health and wellbeing in every aspect of its work so that it is engrained in the culture and not separately defined.

John Petrie, Chief Executive, Serle Court

See more here:
'Well, being kind is the key ingredient to business success' - Law Gazette

Martin Blondel helped set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, named after the rugby league star who diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer in 2006 and given six months to live. Over the next few years, Prescott undertook a series of incredible physical challenges for charity, before passing away in 2013.

Blondel continues the foundations work, raising funds and awareness and supporting various charities. When lockdown hit, Blondel was struck by the now-famous video of a nurse crying on the news because she couldnt find provisions after long hospital shifts.

He contacted a friend who runs two pubs in the St Helens area and they turned them into essential stores for NHS staff and the elderly. Players from a local rugby league club, Blackbrook, have pitched in with deliveries, while local celebrities like Johnny Vegas have raised awareness and they have delivered over 10,000 orders so far, says Blondel, who was working a 20 hour day at the start of lockdown.

Parcels include basic foods like bread, eggs, bacon and milk, while the team of 32 volunteers deliver medication free of charge.

We have a wide reach of people who are willing to help others in adversity, as Steve taught us to do, says Blondel. Its been a real team effort, and Im absolutely overwhelmed, gobsmacked to have been nominated for this award.

steveprescottfoundation.co.uk

See original here:
Lockdown Awards: 40,000 of you voted now it's time to announce the winners... - Telegraph.co.uk

COVID19 is causing a lot of anxiety. It is really hard to keep a positive attitude when you know that the solution to the problem is still not clear. Many can suffer from mental health problems.

We all have been through bad situations in our lives even before COVID19 happened. How were you able to deal with it? Entrepreneurs often come across these challenges and this is the reason why 30 percent of startups do not get past their first year because the people behind them gave up.

In my almost 30 years in the business, I have not been spared from going through struggles. I must admit, it is not easy getting out of these dark holes.

You just need to be patient and program your mind to take little steps until you free yourself from fear, hopelessness, and insecurity.

When I feel troubled, I pray hard and condition my mind that everything will get better eventually.

Watching the news and reading other information shared in various social media platforms about various tragic news can all be discouraging, especially for entrepreneurs who need to sacrifice so much. It is fortunate that some businesses were able to continue their operation despite the enhanced community quarantine.

But the situation is still not normal, and it may drive people crazy thinking about how to survive this global disruption.

Keeping a Healthy Mind COVID19 has changed our lives. But, instead of seeing the situation in a negative way, consider this as the best time to bond with the family and at the same time to give yourself the much-deserved break.

Develop a powerful attitude. Acknowledge and accept that you need to play a role and you have the ability to change course. You can say: I failed to take care of my family by providing them what they need because I spent so much time with work and with other people that I overlooked their needs. But, I can do better. I can work harder for the family and will have quality time with them.

Lets say you are an entrepreneur and your business has been terribly affected by our current situation. But you may still have a lot of products which can still be sold at this time. There is still time to turn things around. You just need to believe that you can still salvage your business and that your employees will still be there to help you.

Give yourself time to be with yourself. Learn to know yourself more. Make a small part of your house as your meditation spot and tell family members to stay away from that spot when you need to meditate.

You need to relax your mind and body and not be overwhelmed with what is happening. Give your brain time to fix itself. We can only do so much on our end.

Get a night of good sleep. Enjoy the comfort of your bedroom and savor the moments of not having to be up and too busy.

Not everything is within our control. Getting anxious doesnt help. It can hurt you more than you think. When we immerse our thoughts with negative things, it weakens our bodies. Instead of lingering with such thoughts, throw your energy into a workout. It can be fun, too if you do it with the whole family.

Maybe this is also the time where you can show your family the side that they havent seen, like cooking for them, initiating a game that the whole family can enjoy, letting the kids learn how to clean their rooms or other skills.

Focus on what is in front of you instead of thinking of so many things all at the same time. If we are still not back to the normal that we knew, the only way to live healthily and sanely is to take one day at a time. You only hurt yourself more if you linger on negative thoughts.

Make your mind busy with something positive and something that can still make yourself productive even if our movements are still limited due to the pandemic. Believe that this is just another chapter of your life and that we can all bounce back to where we should be.

If you think that it has become too difficult for you to handle this kind of stress, there are people whom you can turn to professionals who can help you be enlightened. Just hang in there!

-------------

If you or a member of your household are feeling anxious, depressed or mentally stressed, you can reach out to the Philippine Mental Health Associations Psychosocial Online Support through:

Facebook Email: [emailprotected]

SMS: 0917-5652036 Tel. no. (02)8921.4958; 8921.4959

The National Center for Mental Health also has crisis hotline responders who can provide psychological first aid and suicide first aid for those in distress. The following hotlines are open 24/7:

Landline: 7989-USAP (8727) Mobile: 0917-899-USAP (8727)

mental health, entrepreneurs, COVID-19 impact on mental health, anxiety, Philippine Mental Health Association

Continued here:
Business Mentor: Maintaining your mental health during the pandemic - ABS-CBN News

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Fr. Joe Miksch of St. Isidore Catholic Church performs a blessing in 2017. Miksch said recently he is optimistic about the future of churches, though acknowledged he isn't sure what the impact might be from COVID-19 going forward.

Jim Thelen, pastor at 1C Church in Columbus, poses for a photo inside the facility. He's hopeful the pandemic will result in more blessings and people reconnecting with the faith.

Church leaders in Columbus appear to be hopeful about the future of the communitys need for spiritual nourishment amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

When the fear subsides, well see more people coming to church more often, said The Rev. Jim Thelen, of 1C Church, 2200 28th Ave. I think theres going to be a higher priority to going to church.

For the last 15 years, Thelen noted, church attendance has been declining due to families other obligations, such as vacations or sporting events. The pandemic, he said, may have, in a way, reprioritized peoples faith.

The losing the sense of community over the last three months, I think, has caused people to really feel and sense the need of that, Thelen said. I also notice people who have never experienced church - as in coming to church - and have experienced it online. Some are just going to stay online (because) theyre liking it, theyre being fed and nurtured and feeling like theyre being cared for.

He predicted that this group of people will form a new community of online-only attendees. Thelen cited one instance in which individuals from Bulgaria stumbled upon 1Cs live streaming services and now plan to attend online regularly.

I think thats going to be a whole new community, he said. We, the leadership at a church like 1C, need to ask how do we engage them, how do we minister to them when theyre just online. A church service is great, but I think theres more need involved. Were starting to talk about that.

Read the original post:
Keeping the faith: Columbus churches optimistic about future spiritual needs - Columbus Telegram

I feel: sad, frustrated, angry, anxious, depressed, unsure, afraid, annoyed and upset.

These are all words and direct emotions that Im sure we all can testify to feeling or being effected by over the past several weeks. As a healthcare worker and first time expectant mom, Ive shared in many of the above myself. The ongoing coronavirus crisis has impacted all of us, but each in a unique way.

Many have been unable to work, many have lost their jobs and many continue to work as they are deemed essential workers but now are facing very different work conditions. Aside from our professional roles, our personal roles have been directly impacted as well. Parents are now also full-time teachers, graduating students lack the traditional ceremonies that they have worked years towards, expectant parents face very different pregnancy and birth journeys than they had originally planned, those who have lost loved ones are not able to honor them with a traditional funeral service, and many have postponed long awaited celebrations. Our worlds have been turned upside down at all levels. We are no longer in control of certain aspects of our day to day lives.

Mental health is an area that I feel, as a society, we tend to not discuss as openly and as non-judgmentally as we should. In light of the ongoing pandemic crisis, for many it has taken an even further backseat in their level of importance. Suicide remains one of most common causes of death in the US. Globally, every 40 seconds someone dies from a suicide. Though over more recent years, we are making strides toward mental health promotion and awareness, our progress is not enough! As a society we need to all be more aware of the impact and effect that our own mental health plays in our day to day actions. I strongly feel that now more than ever we should embrace and be more aware of resources and actions to promote our overall mental well-being.

The first thing I will say about being aware of our emotions regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, is to allow yourself grace, time to process how you feel and time to grieve. We all are facing unique difficulties and what some may feel troubled by others do not, and that is OK! As with processing any cycle of grief we need to ask ourselves, OK this is how I feel, now what? As Ive mentioned, we all are feeling differently as we all have our own unique circumstances. First and foremost, be aware that there is no shame or negative stigma associated with how you feel, know that it is okay to seek professional help if you need to. Those who feel debilitated or unsure of how they are feeling should be encouraged to talk to their health care provider.

We have a wonderful wealth of resources available for counseling and psychiatric care in our local area. There are counseling services available in many towns in McKean and Potter counties, many of which are offering counseling services to be completed remotely via video or phone calls. Many primary care offices are offering video and phone visit options as well.

Additionally, there are many things you can do to help yourself remain grounded during these uncertain times. Find joy in an activity or hobby. This varies from person to person but we all have something that brings us joy. This may range from listening to music, journaling, reading, or spending time outdoors to get fresh air. In keeping with social distancing, many communities continue to have their walking trails open or have availability to walk around town for means of exercise. Exercise is one of the most readily available forms of therapy that we can do for ourselves. We all vary in what we can physically do, but we all have the means to do something with the resources that we have. I encourage you to work with your health care team to discuss good options for exercise that may be the right fit for you.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, I would urge you to utilize the crisis prevention phone number: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Below are a few of the local resources for mental health services in our area. I also encourage you to reach out to your primary care provider for additional resources that they may be able to offer you.

In the upcoming weeks and months, I urge you to frequently check in with yourself about how youre feeling and what measures you can do to promote wellness in your day to day. As one of my favorite authors often has said-

We have control over two things in this world-our attitude and our effort. Rachel Hollis.

I encourage you to try to remain positive, seek joy in your day to day new normal and not to be afraid to seek professional help when you need it!

Dickinson Mental Health Center: dickinsoncenter.org, 877-364-2178

The Guidance Center: guidancecenter.net/locations/

UPMC Cole has non-crisis mental health therapy available by appointment in Coudersport, Port Allegany, Shinglehouse and Emporium and via telehealth from patients home/office. To schedule an appointment call 814-260-5681.

The following are crisis resources that are available in our local area.

Crisis Services:

Kristy Clark, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner at UPMC Cole.

See the original post here:
I feel...: A response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis - The Wellsboro Gazette

4 Bedroom Home in Holland - $519,000 - 4195 Sqft

Sprawling walkout Ranch built with a commitment to value, ease of living, and attention to detail. Custom solid doors,handmade woodwork, engineered wood flrs, solid suface countertops,kitchen cabinets crafted with functionality and ergonomics in mind. 260 LED lights throughout, central vac, built ins, dry bar, wide stairways and hallways, 4 season room wired for sauna and plumbed for a hot tub too. More sq. ft. in L.L to add another bedroom. Oversized, heated 5 car garage w/ 2 drains and epoxy showroom floors. 2 overhead doors give you access to the back of the house from the main garage and the lower storage room. This home even has a 50 amp service plug available for your RV. Impeccable home you won't want to miss!

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The difference with distinction! Better than a spec, your custom Craftsman home awaits your finishing touches from cabinetry to trim, flooring to lighting fixtures. Let this builder and designer help you finish this home for your style. A step up to LP Smart siding makes this home stunning and boasts the Craftsman appeal. Enjoy the warmth of the gas fireplace as you entertain in this spacious kitchen featuring solid surface countertops, large island with pendant lighting, under cabinet lighting and more. The deck off of the dining area extends your enjoyment to the backyard to take in the scenic scenery of the bluffs north of Holmen. Zero entry access from 3 car garage to separate laundry room and back closet. The master suite featuring a tiled shower, double sinks & spacious closet.

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Elegant one owner home with an amazing view of the river. Enjoy this breathtaking view out every window of this custom built home. 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 4+ car garage. Great room with vaulted ceilings shares a two way fireplace with the formal dining room. Master bedroom with walk in closet and private bath. Lower level has rec room, family room, and a full size wet bar, that all walks out to the lower deck. Don't miss your chance to own this one of a kind home with a million dollar view!

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SELLER SAYS BRING OFFER! Like brand new construction! A 2BR, w/the possibility of another 3rd BR, in lower level, if an egress window were put in. 3,196 finished sq ft. Open floor plan w/cathedral ceilings. Cherry kitchen cabinets & appliances w/cherry fronts & center island, formal din rm w/see thru fireplace that can be seen in living room, breakfast nook, entry & 2 bdrms & 2 baths on 1st floor. Lower level has family room w/built in entertainment center, office, full size wet bar w/seating, 1 bath & laundry. Oversized extra deep 2.5 c garage, large deck off din rm, & on a cul-de-sac. Inground sprinkler & new roof & new garage door & some new siding. Live here and start enjoying River Town,USA.

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If you have been waiting for the right opportunity to move into August Prairie, the time is now! This custom built ranch was designed to entertain and also offers privacy w/the extensive, professionally landscaped yard (w/built-in fireplace, gas grill, pergolas, hydrawise/smart irrigation, etc.). The main floor features an open concept kitchen(ss appliances, granite counters), custom built-in dining bench seat, spacious living room (gas fireplace,built-in entertainment center) all on beautiful hickory flooring. Addt'l features include: split master set up, Jack-n-Jill bath, main floor laundry, heated garage w/dual access to basement, massive entertaining space and built-in bar in LL, office, ample storage, custom light fixtures and so much more!

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A hidden Gem! This large sprawling ranch is everything you have been waiting for. Open concept sitting room with bay window and good sized kitchen welcome you into the home. A large dining room opens up to the (West wing) which has a floor to ceiling built in bookshelf, gas fireplace perfect for entertaining around and a spiral staircase leading up into the loft! Master bedroom connects to a bonus room which would be perfect for an office or a nursery. Lower level offers an additional bedroom, a bonus room, excercise room and an additional family room with a gas fireplace. With so many oppurtunities you wont want to miss viewing this home!

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This is a great La Crescent neighborhood and features a well landscaped lot with vinyl fencing in rear yard. Open kitchen, dining and living area. Maple cabinets and plenty of counter top space. 2 bedrooms up with a nice master bath. 2 bedrooms down and bath and sauna. Finished family room with wet bar and full size windows with a walkout to the rear door. Mud room on main floor has laundry hook ups behind drywall.

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So very secluded is this 2002 Farmhouse style home with front porch, dormers, and a rear deck and large screened in deck. All you have to do is turn the key and unpack, it is that nice! Main floor has 1/2 bath, hdwd knotty pine flrs in the living rm & dining rm & hall. Mst Bdrm w/walk-in closet & bathroom suite w/corner jetted tub, shower, dbl sinks & private deck. Soaring ceilings in the living rm w/stone gas fireplace, full wall windows, kitchen w/island w/range, wall oven, microwave & new fridge. Dining Rm w/screened in deck overlooks wooded backyard. 2nd level has 2 bdrms, full bath, & bonus rm. Lower level has huge family rm, 4th bdrm/exercise rm, full bath, bar area, is set up to have a mini kitchen for in-law quarters, & has in-flr heat & so does garage. Too much to say, come see!

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Spacious 2x6 construction, 5-bedroom home on large private lot with an abundance of wildlife for backyard neighbors, including deer and turkeys. Located 3-4 miles from schools and shopping in the rapidly growing Holmen School District. One-owner home with many upgrades, including new septic system (2016), roof (2014), and hot water heater (2018). Sun room, screened porch, hot tub and pool included! Kitchen appliances and quartz countertops installed about a year ago. 1/2 bath/laundry is stubbed for shower/tub. Garage is insulated and has entry access on three sides. Available for immediate occupancy.

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You'll enjoy this Durkin built home on Castle Mound golf course. All the emphasis is where you want it to be. Big kitchen with island, Quartz counter tops, beautiful cabinets & a great view. Covered patio off the dinette for nice shade. Comfortable great room. Master Bedroom with awesome master bath featuring a tiled shower & big counter, double sinks. Main floor office & bath. Off the garage nice cubbies for dropping everything off before getting into the main area plus main floor laundry right there. Lower level features 2 bedrooms with built in desks plus bath with tiled shower, a big family room & bar area. Lower also has great windows for natural light. Outside there is a large patio in the back 3 car garage plus plenty of off street parking. Don't miss out on this great home

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One of historic Fountain City's original farmsteads purchased in 1854, soon after the original home was first built. Sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the westward skies, enjoy the amazing sunsets from your covered porch, decks and from almost every window in the home! Public boat doc is right below this home and enjoy the 24 'x 40' garage for your vehicles and toys. 12' x 30' screened porch adds to the 2,400 sq. ft of decks, patio's and porches. Enjoy this stunning restored Farmhouse, new blacktopped driveway, 700 Day-lily's in the front to enjoy! 2 master suites; one on main and one on 2nd floor. Handy-cap accessible for years of enjoyment! Mud rm (w/d hookups installed) /half bath off your rear entrance/car port for convenience. Amazing property to purchase and enjoy!

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Beautiful, classic home with views of Lake Winona! Enjoy the recently remodeled kitchen with breakfast nook and new stainless appliances. The kitchen opens up to the dining room and family room. Great spaces for entertaining friends and family. Relax by the gas fireplaces in family room and rec-room or the natural fireplace in the living room. New flooring through-out the house and refinished original hardwood floors. Large master bedroom with sun room, walk-in closet and master bath. Convenient 2nd floor laundry. New furnaces and air conditioners. Great house for the whole family and conveniently located near Lake Winona and an abundance of walking/bike paths.

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Custom built A-Frame home located on 1.43 acres. This home offers amazing views from every room. Huge master bedroom with sitting area, walk in closet and master bath with walk in tile surround shower and double vanity. Kitchen has a large island and two additional islands for entertaining. Kitchen also has a built in buffet, Maple cabinets, and porcelain tile floors. Enjoy friendly family gatherings in the lower level rec room that walks out to a private patio with hot tub. Special features throughout include: central vac, speaker system, six panel doors, hot tub, two sided fireplace, heated and cooled garage, main floor laundry and so much more!

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Total seclusion, yet close to the City & River! 8.28 Acres w/this walkout ranch built in 05. 40x50 heated shop w/walk-in cooler & 20x18 kitchen, 1/2 bath, deer process rm, 14' overhead & 8' doors. 3,144 finished s.f, & 438 unfinished s.f. Custom Hickory kitchen cabs, Ashwood cathedral ceilings, hickory wood flrs in the kitchen, liv rm & dinette. In-floor heat in the basement, upper office, garage & shop. Nat gas furnace all of home. Colored stampcrete concrete patio, basement flrs, office, & covered front porch. Stairway from 2.5 car gar to walkout basement. Walk-in closet for mstr bdrm w/full bath. 1st flr laund,rear deck off din rm, & 4 BRs, 2.5 BAs. Pond, chicken coop, 60x40 fenced garden w/watr hydrant. New steel roofs, flooring, kit countertops Lots of wildlife & rm for your animals.

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Spacious 2x6 construction, 5-bedroom home on large private lot with an abundance of wildlife for backyard neighbors. 3-4 miles from schools and shopping in the rapidly growing Holmen School District. One-owner home with many upgrades, including new septic system (2016), roof (2014), and hot water heater (2018). Sun room, screened porch, hot tub and pool included! Kitchen appliances and quartz countertops installed about a year ago. 1/2 bath/laundry is stubbed for shower/tub. Garage is insulated and has entry access on three sides. Available for immediate occupancy.

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Upgrade to this fabulous open concept ranch in one of Holmen's most desirable neighborhoods. Open concept living with all the amenities you are looking for. Custom Amish made cabinetry with granite countertops. Stainless steel appl, large pantry, and plenty of workspace. Good sized eat in kitchen area which leads out to your cover patio. Large living room and hardwood floors throughout the main level. White trim and doors. Convenient first floor laundry. Master Bedroom has large walk in closet and amazing walk in tiled shower with multiple shower heads. Finished lower level with 4th Bdr, rec room, family room with theater equipment, exercise room and wet bar with granite tops. Large corner lot, easy to maintain landscaping, and large 3 car garage.

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Amazingly spectacular views of the Mississippi River and Lake Onalaska come with this spacious 4 bedroom 4 bath home with breathtaking sunrises from your own small piece of paradise. Located on scenic Apple Blossom drive minutes from La Crescent you will find a One of a kind property situated on 6 private acres. Many great features include a 4 car attached garage, quartz counters, romantic master suite get-away with private balcony, 3 gas fireplaces, game/billiard room and bar room perfect for entertaining guests. house also features a small fenced pasture and pole barn with three horse stalls which could be converted to a 30 X 22 pole barn to house all your toys or a work space. Must see to appreciate all this great house has to offer.

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Gorgeous and spacious 5-bedroom home with plenty of room for you to enjoy! Master bedroom has 2 walk in closets and a master suit with extra closets for a total of 5! Awesome 3 tier deck overlooks the huge backyard. There's a 2.5 car attached garage along with a 2.5 car detached garage.

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This gorgeous open concept ranch nestled on a 1.5 acre lot has all the extras and modern conveniences. No lack of space in the kitchen with plenty of cabinets, a center island, and huge walk in pantry. Lockers off of the 2.5 car heated attached garage, plus a covered walkway to the 31x42 detached garage (with a 10 ft garage door). Master bedroom with master bath and walk in closet. The laundry is conveniently located near the main floor bedrooms. Main floor office with built ins. Lower level is finished with rec room, 2 very large additional bedrooms, full bath, hobby room, and plenty of storage. Cozy 3 season room off the great room. The perfect flat yard has an in ground sprinkler system and a fire pit with built in seating.

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Solid, spacious, 2x6 construction, 5-bedroom home! On very level 2-acre lot with plenty of privacy and abundant wildlife. Country feel, but only a few minutes from schools and shopping. One-owner home with many upgrades including quartz countertops (2018), Whirlpool stainless steel kitchen appliances (2018), new hot water heater (2018), new septic system (2016), and new roof (2014). Sun room, screened porch, hot tub and pool included! 1/2 bath/laundry is stubbed for shower/tub. Garage is insulated and has entry access on three sides. Back of property borders public lands. Within short distance of park and bike trails. Half acre lots in the area are selling for $50,000 and more! Immediate occupancy possible.

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Beautiful home with tons of class. Watch sunsets over the Mississippi River. Home tucked into almost three acre wooded lot. Wild life is abundant at this property wrapped by the river and bluffs. Many large windows to take advantage of the views and sunlight. Master suite offers patio doors to private balcony, walk in closet and gorgeous tiled bath with walk in shower, double vanity and big tub. Huge rec room with wet bar, stone fireplace and its own half bath. Outside there is a custom fire ring with swinging chairs. Lots of storage.

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Unique floor plan offered in this home located in an active neighborhood within walking distance of Prairie View Elemantary. You will enjoy the sunrise over the bluffs & sunsets over the horizon. You are greeted by vaulted ceilings in the living room that offers comfortable living w/gas fireplace, large open kitchen that invites gathering w/pensiula & dining space w/access to the covered deck & back yard. The bedrooms are all on one side of the home, yet set up for privacy w/the master featuring dual vanity, WIC & whirlpool tub & separate shower. A 1/2 bath conveniently located near the kitchen & entry from the garage. The finished LL includes family & recreation space w/plumbing for you to add a wet bar, space for toys or crafts, office, 4th bedroom &3rd bath perfect for guests.

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Country Living at it's finest in this elegant Brick beauty. All one level living in this marvelous 3 bedroom, 2 bath home On over 2 acres of landscaped yard. Enter to the beautiful formal living room/Dining room with Brazilian hardwood floors, with trey ceilings, then on to the kitchen & living rooms which offers more hardwood & tile to enjoy. Warm & cozy floors with in floor heat through out the home. Master bedroom with your own bathroom with Jacuzzi tub & a shower with walk in closet. Two more bedrooms on the main floor. Main floor Laundry truly make this all one level living.French doors to your private deck to enjoy all that nature has to offer in this beauty of a home.

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Well cared for and meticulously maintained quad level home! Large spacious rooms with vaulted ceilings, open concept living style, formal dining rm, mud/laundry rm off garage. Beautiful bright windows through out make this a natural lighted home. Large master suite, over sized living rm and family rm both with gas fireplaces and rec rm with pellet stove. Large flat yard to enjoy, 2 lots included which total 1.28 acres. Children play set also included which is located on second lot. This is a fantastic home to purchase if you are looking for spacious, well cared for home in the popular Holmen area!

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Very tasteful and elegant 2 story contemporary with soaring ceilings in the great room! Large beautiful windows through out this home makes it very naturally bright. Main floor also has a generous sized bedroom and bath, formal dining and den or office. Unique loft space on the 2nd floor, master suite, 3rd bdrm and 2nd floor laundry. Over sized bedrooms through out the home, theater room in lower level along with large family rm, 4th bdrm and bathroom. Private deck off of the dining rm and some of the yard is fenced in. Large 3 car heated garage with extra space for toys. Close to parks and extra recreation space. Home Warranty included to buyer for 1 year at closing. Main and second floor in process of being repainted too! Take advantage of this great buy!

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Sprawling country estate. This very special property offers amazing views, perfect sunsets, nature trails & plenty of wildlife.This LR Ross built home has just the right orientation to take full advantage of this spectacular site. The spacious home boasts large great room with expansive windows & a live in kitchen designed for a chef. The adjoining family room has a cozy fireplace and takes full advantage of the beautiful views. The master wing includes a fireplace, walk out covered patio and wonderfully designed bath. Plenty of room in the lower level with a large bar room, rec room and non conforming 4th bedroom and bath.Best of all the covered patio adds an incredible outdoor living space. If you have been longing to move to the country this amazing retreat is sure to please.

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Look no further for quality, amenities, and peacefulness with amazing views from everywindow. You found it here wrapped up into this gorgeous walkout ranch home, nestled at the end of a cul de sac on a country setting. The kitchen is designed with modern convenience, quartz countertops a large multilevel island, central vac and pantry with a generous amount of shelving. The vaulted grand living space has an inviting warmth from the electric fireplace with custom made hearth and mantel. A large mudroom with a separate laundry room and a 1/2 bath off the garage entrance. The wide stairway leads you to the lower level walkout with rec room that has space to feature a pool table, and a full bath and much more space beyond. Heated garage with showroom flooring, double doors to the backyard.

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Better than new! All the landscaping is done for you! Cathedral ceilings in the Kitchen, Dining rm, & Living rm w/gas fireplace. Granite countertops, oak floors, island, new light fixtures & appliances. 4 season sun rm leads to the large deck w/a gas line piped to the grill, & there is a fenced dog run and campfire patio. Master Br has it's own full bath, 13x6 walk in closet & there are 2 other bdrms & a full bath on the main level. Lower level has 2 storage rms, a full bath w/jetted tub & shower, huge family rm, and a kitchenette w/snack bar, & 2 more bdrms w/daylite windows. 3 car attached garage is insulated, sheet-rocked, has floor drains & is plumbed for a natural gas heater. There also is a stairway from the garage to the lower level family rm for easy moving!

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Custom built home with that Frank Lloyd Wright Style. This home offers high ceilings room to room. Formal living room and dining room with 11 foot ceilings and warm wood floors. Kitchen has quartz countertops and seating at the bar. Easy access off the kitchen to a private deck. Relaxing family room with cozy gas fireplace. Main level has 3 bedrooms and main floor laundry. Master bedroom with wal- in closet and private bathroom with a one of a kind walk in shower. Lower level has a 4th bedroom, bathroom, Rec room and another family room. Walk out to a very private patio that's covered by a pergola. Home has central vac, fenced yard and appliances included!

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Lovely to look at, and delightful to live in! You will adore this 2018 built, 5 bedroom ranch from the covered porch on the front step to the fully finished large basement. Warm and beautiful trim and flooring color finishes that are complimented with brushed nickel accents. The kitchen has custom Amish cabinets with stainless steel appliances that are less than 2 years old! Pamper yourself every day in the master bathroom with a walk in closet , double sinks and with upgrades that won't disappoint such as a walk in tiled shower! Invite your friends and family over and entertain in style in the open concept, vaulted ceiling main level living area! Split bedroom layout on the main , mudroom, main floor laundry and 3 car garage make this the home of your dreams!

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Another great build just waiting for you, let this builder and designer customize a new home with your design style in mind. The list of finishes start with a Craftsman style build featuring 1773 sq ft finished on the main, covered front porch along with zero entry access. An attractive entrance area greets you and invites you in to the open concept living space featuring a fireplace with rock, mantel and finishing touches to your liking with tray ceiling. Quartz countertops, pantry cabinet, pendant lighting over island with ample space for seating to entertainment. Split bedroom design, large back yard deck featuring maintenance free decking, enjoy the tree lined back yard that adjoins the 12 acre all natural park area. Garage and lower level to be drywalled, not finished. LP Siding

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A relaxing commute to Trempealeau from La Crosse or Winona can you give you the space you crave from yard, garage and home. Nestled on a rural 1.8 acre lot awaiting you to create your enjoyment from recreation, gardens or resting on the patio enjoying the view of the MN bluffs and scenic setting. A grand amount of natural light shines in this 2 story home offering Hickory cabinets with a spacious island and extends to the dining and living room. The remaining main level offers a half bath and laundry room. The garage features space for 4-5 vehicles with 10 ft ceilings, insulated walls, with room storage and more. The space upstairs is ample for any family with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and a bonus room which is a great space to a family/game room. The lower level offers addt'l space to finish.

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Beautiful and spacious describe the floor plan in this 5 bedroom ranch located in the sought after Seven Bridges Subdivision. Open concept main floor features a large kitchen, granite tops, tile backsplash, SS KitchenAid appliances, wood floors, The great room boasts high vaulted ceilings and skylight. Large dining area looks over the covered deck and green space to the rear. Classy master bath complete with tile shower and heated tile floor. Lots of room in this finshed basement for entertaining. Large 3 car finished garage. Enjoy the quiet neighborhood just minutes from Holmen. Must See!

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Value Packed home in Remington Hills, across from the neighborhood park. This well maintained home includes everything on your list! Vaulted ceilings greet you as you enter the home for an open feel, spacious dining area, kitchen with island w/main floor laundry/mudroom between the kitchen & garage entry. The garage is extra deep for storage, fenced back yard w/deck & patio area. The master suite includes a walk in closet & private bath. The LL is finished well with versatility in mind, a 4th bedroom is perfect for a guest suite or office w/a stone accented gas fireplace, plus a theatre room, all equipment included & 3rd full bath, plus plenty of storage space. All you need is here, move right in, home warranty included!

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MAKE AN OFFER! Just like new construction! Only all the landscaping is done! A 2BR, w/the possibility of another 3rd BR, in lower level, if an egress window were put in. 3,196 finished sq ft. Open floor plan w/cathedral ceilings. Cherry kitchen cabinets & appliances w/cherry fronts & center island, formal din rm w/see thru gas fireplace that can be seen in living rm & dining rm, dinette, entry & 2 bdrms & 2 baths on 1st flr. Lower level has family room w/built in entertainment center, office, full size wet bar w/seating, 1 bath & laundry. Oversized extra deep 2.5 c garage, large deck off din rm, & on a cul-de-sac street. Inground sprinkler & new roof & new garage door & a lot of new siding. Live here & start enjoying River Town,USA. Builder's own home w/lots of quality & personal care!

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Welcome to the ''Fugina House'' in the quaint and historic river town of Fountain City. 6 miles to Winona Mn. Beautifully restored. Built in 1898, this home was in the Fugina Family till 2016. Gorgeous sweeping views of the Mississippi. Many uses for this home: Current use was an ''Inn''- google for website, but would make a wonderful single family home for the next owner or live on the main floor and use the 2nd floor for Inn or B& B Business. Original hard wood floors, wood work, grand staircase. 5 bdrms, 4 bathrooms, 2 Living rooms, main floor kitchen and kitchenette upstairs. Spacious rooms, en-suites, 2 bdrms/suites share a balcony on the 2nd floor. Stamped concrete patios around the home, large back yard. Possible entry off of top street for future driveway and garage. Rare Find!

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Nothing more solid than an all brick home! Custom built walkout 2 story home, w/wrap around maintenance free deck to enjoy the 360 degree city & bluff views. 17 foot ceilings with beamed exposed trusses, 2 story brick wood burning fireplace, 3 family rooms. Kitchen has granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a beverage station, and a cubby that would make a great walk-in pantry. Ceramic tile in kitchen, laundry, & baths. Formal dining room, and 2nd floor loft w/3 bedrooms full bath, office, & family room. Large master bdrm w/walk-in closet & full bath nearby. A front patio above the 2.5 car garage & a rear patio that is wired for a hot tub. Whole home security system if you pay monthly fee. Seller will pay 1/2 of total estimate to re-seal coat patio above 2.5 car garage.

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Custom Built A-Frame home located on 1.43 acres on the edge of town. This home has amazing views from every room. Huge master bedroom with sitting area, walk in closet and master bath with walk in tile surround shower and double vanity. This kitchen was designed for entertaining. Large island and tow additional islands that allow for extra seating. Built in buffet, maple cabinets and porcelain tile floors. Enjoy get togethers in the lower level family room that walks out to a private patio. Special features include: central vac, speaker system, six panel doors, not tub, two way fireplace, heated and cooled garage, main floor laundry and so much more!

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This amazing home is turn key ready for a new family to enjoy. Wonderful open concept living with so much natural light. Spacious floor plan offers 5 bedrooms plus a den. Plenty of room for a home office. The great room has a cozy fireplace, vaulted ceilings, beautiful handscraped acacia wood flooring and oversized windows to take in the very well landscaped and fenced in backyard. Just off the kitchen is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy your morning coffee on the private deck. This is a very well designed floorplan with laundry right off the kitchen, split bedroom layout and lots of space in the lower level. Everyone will love the large family room for football games and family fun. The spacious storage room has access to the garage. This home is also located right across from the park.

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You will get what you want in this newer, well built and cared for 1800+ sq ft ranch. Custom built with all the amenities you desire with zero step entrances, engineered hardwood flooring and spacious open concept living with 10 ft ceilings. Large 2 step kitchen island, quartz countertops, walk in pantry and stunning backsplash. Main level gas fireplace, split bedrooms, double sink in both main and master bathroom and tiled master shower. Conveniences of a half bath off garage, separate laundry room with sink and heated garage with access to the lower level. Enjoy your summer on the stunningly large back deck which is partially covered. Be even more amazed at the space the lower level offers with bedroom, den, family & rec room area along with a mud room off garage steps.

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Upgrade to more space with this 5-bedroom home in one of Holmen's most sought after neighborhood. Open concept living with popular spilt bedroom design. Convenient first floor laundry. Spacious master bedroom with master bath featuring walk in shower, dual vanities and large wic. Finished lower level with massive rec room, full bar, 2 additional bedroom and full bath. Extra large 3.5 car garage with give you ample storage. Smart board siding and concrete patio in backyard.

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Beautiful and spacious describe the floor plan in this 5 bedroom ranch located in the sought after Seven Bridges subdivision. Open concept main floor features a large kitchen, granite tops, tile backsplash, SS KitchenAid appliances, and wood floors. The great room boasts soaring vaulted ceilings and skylight. Large dining are overlooks the covered deck and greenspace to the rear. Classy master bath complete with tile shower and heated tile floor. Lots of room in this finished lower level for entertaining. Large 3 car garage. Enjoy the quiet neighborhood just minutes from Holmen. Must See!

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Look no further for quality, amenities, and peacefulness with amazing views from every window. You found it here wrapped up into this gorgeous walkout ranch home, nestled at the end of a cul de sac on a country setting. The kitchen is designed with modern convenience, quartz countertops a large multilevel island, central vac and pantry with a generous amount of shelving. The vaulted grand living space has an inviting warmth from the electric fireplace with custom made hearth and mantel. A large mudroom with a separate laundry room and a 1/2 bath off the garage entrance. The wide stairway leads you to the lower level walkout with rec room that has space to feature a pool table, and a full bath and much more space beyond. Heated garage with showroom flooring, double doors to the backyard.

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Holmen living at its finest! This spacious home backs up to Halfway Creek for privacy right in town. 5 bedrooms & 2 conforming den/offices will never leave you w/o space. Whole home audio, huge deck, separate coffee bar & wine fridge area, granite throughout, 5x7 walk-in master shower, hot tub, & covered three-season porch are just some of the amenities of this custom built home! The heated & finished 4-car garage is an extension of the home, complete with a batting cage & a 50-ft stall for your ball player to get in practice. No ball player? No problem! There is lots of room for your toys or workshop! The huge kitchen-greatroom is the perfect place for entertaining. The lower level offers a beautiful patio w/ fire pit, steps away from the hot tub or space for the kids to play wiffle ball.

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This well appointed & cared for home will check the boxes on your list! Vaulted ceilings great you when you enter into the foyer, with a corner gas fireplace in the living room & lots of natural light. The kitchen features stainless steel appliances, an island & a dining area that leads to the partially covered deck. This home also offers another designated dining room if you like to entertain! The master suite features a walk in closet, & bath w/dual vanity, jetted tub & separate shower. You will love the recently finished lower level that features even more room to entertain in the rec area that includes a wet bar, family room, 2 add'l BRs & bath, a true laundry room with all the space you need, plus plenty of storage. This truly is a value packed home w/warranty included.

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Majestic estate with a million dollar view! Custom built one owner home. Features include a 2 story library/office, floor to ceiling windows, open concept living, large living spaces and a view of the entire Mississippi Valley from every room. Private 2 bedroom suite above the garage. Multiple decks and porches to enjoy the views! This home is one of a kind and must be seen! Call today for your private showing.

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Incredible view of the Mississippi River from this beautiful ranch home with walk out lower level. Cherry cabinetry , wood laminate floors with white trim and doors. Very classy home. Master suite on main level with walk in closet, built ins and full bath. Gorgeous view from the living room , dining area and kitchen. Main floor laundry room and large pantry. Three car garage on the main level and two car heated garage with pre stressed concrete on the lower. Handy persons dream setup. Lower level features two more bedrooms and another full bath and half bath. Two additional rooms for an office and hobby room. Wonderful deck to enjoy the view and watch the wildlife. Minutes to La Crescent and La Crosse so very convenient. Septic inspection and water test all completed and passed

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This is a wonderful home located in the quiet Queens Cove Subdivision. Well landscaped lot with access to several acres of green space. Exceptional kitchen with granite tops, cherry cabinets, appliances including a 6 burner stove. Double sided wood fireplace between kitchen and living room. Master bedroom with freshly painted bath. Office room and main floor laundry. Lower level is finished with huge family room, 4 bedrooms, bath and all with large windows and a walk-out to rear yard. Prestressed concrete garage floor for a 30 x 32 workshop below, heated and access from rear yard. Zoned heating.

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This Ranch 5 min. North of Winona, in Sunny Acres subdivision packs a punch! 3 bedrooms on the main floor and 3 bedrooms in the finished lower level. Open concept LR,DR,Kitchen with newer laminate flooring. Spacious master bedroom suite with his and her closets. Main floor laundry. Large family room with built in play space. Oversized 2.5 car garage with room to add a parking pad on the side. Deck overlooks flat backyard with plenty of space for a garden, storage shed or swingset.

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Building has been the Arches Museum. There is a small apartment that has recently been totally remodeled, the museum, and a parking lot. The property is beautiful with 2 creeks, hillside and spacious yard. A quaint bridge crosses the creek. Antique building in yard will be removed. Price includes new septic. Wonderful property for workshop, store or studio! Water:Shared. Sewer: Private. Amenities - Interior:Ceramic Tile; Dinette; Eat-in Kitchen; Kitchen Window. Amenities - Exterior:Driveway - Asphalt; Panoramic View. Basement Style: Slab.

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Big Homes Just Listed in the Coulee Region - Kenosha News

May 28, 2020 07:00 ET | Source: Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

multilang-release

OTTAWA, May 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) released its 2020 Canadians Deserve a Better Internet Report, which provides an overview of Canadians views on key digital and internet policy issues. The report will help inform policy discussions ahead of the Canadian Internet Governance Forum, which has been rescheduled to November 24th and 25th due to COVID-19.

Overall, the report shows Canadians growing anxiety about cybersecurity-related issues, including a significant drop in their willingness to disclose personal information for better content and services online. In 2019, 72 per cent of Canadians said they were willing to disclose some or a little personal information in exchange for valuable content or service. Only one year later, with the exception of online banking services, the vast majority of Canadians say they are unwilling to share their personal data in exchange for better online services.

Key Findings from Canadian Internet Users:

Executive QuoteIts clear from our report that Canadians are feeling the need to restore trust online. Right now, many Canadians worry that the dangers online outweigh the benefits especially when it comes to privacy. COVID-19 has shown us that going off the grid is no longer an option; digital forces are knocking on the front doors of our homes through new smart, internet-enabled technologies and digital surveillance tools. But Im optimistic that the entire sector can work together and strike the right balance that provides the assurances Canadians need to ensure the internet remains a trusted part of their everyday lives.

--Byron Holland, CIRA president and CEO.

Join us at the Canadian Internet Governance ForumThe Canadian IGF is Canadas leading multi-stakeholder forum on internet policy issues. This years event has been rescheduled from March to November 24th and 25th, and will be held online as an all virtual event in response to COVID-19. The inaugural Canadian IGF last year in Toronto brought together over 200 representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector to tackle public policy issues facing the internet.

The postponed event will feature a similar program as the original, including keynote speeches and panel discussions on issues including encryption, AI, cybersecurity and more. CIRA is one of the many organizing partners and this years presenting sponsor for the event. The forum is also sponsored by CANARIE, Cybera and ICANN.

About the Canadian Internet Registration AuthorityThe Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) manages the .CA top-level domain on behalf of all Canadians. CIRA also develops technologies and servicessuch as D-Zone DNS Firewallthat help support its goal of building a better online Canada. The CIRA team operates one of the fastest-growing country code top-level domains (ccTLD), a high-performance global DNS network, and one of the worlds most advanced back-end registry solutions. You can learn more at https://cira.ca.

Josh Tabish Corporate Communications Manager

Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)

Tel: 613-875-3741 | Email: josh.tabish@cira.ca

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Report finds massive drop in Canadians' willingness to disclose personal information for free online services - GlobeNewswire

Among many executive positions in an organisation, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is sometimes considered to be one of the most strategic, and rightly so. When the firm in question is an operator in the financial services sector, then the office becomes even more critical to be thrown to just anyone.

Besides being responsible for fiscal operating results, the CFO is the senior executive directly responsible for managing the financial strategy, decision and actions of a company. He tracks cash flow, analyses the companys financial strengths and weaknesses, and fill in for the lapses, reducing operations costs and increasing income.

In other words, we can say that the job of the CFO is to ensure that the company is highly profitable so that no matter how high its share price might be, if listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, it would still be termed undervalued.

This article looks at the CFOs in Nigerias tier one banks, their profiles, their last 3 years records and projections for 2020.

READ ALSO: Billionaire investors in the Nigerian Insurance space (2)

UgoNwaghodoh, Group CFO, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA)

Ugo is a seasoned financial analyst and accountant with experience spanning assurance, advisory, financial control, financial modelling & programming, strategy and business transformation, investor relations, corporate restructuring, risk management, mergers & acquisition, business integration and project management.

He has been the Group CFO at United Bank for Africa Plc since 2011, managing the performance, financial control, portfolio investment and investor relations among others. Before then he was the Divisional Head, Financial Control and Investor Relations between 2008 and 2011.

He also had a brief stint as Group Chief Compliance Officer, and as Head of Special Project (Corporate Mergers). He was Head, Performance Management, Strategy and Business Transformation for about 3 years, where he drove the cost optimization initiatives of the bank, and engaged in policy formulation.

Before UBA, he had worked as Manager, Assurance and Business Advisory Services with PriceWaterhouseCoopers Nigeria for 8 years, and 2 years in Kenya on secondment.

He has a degree in Accounting and Finance, and MSc in Finance & Management from the Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University.

He is a fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA).

His last 3 years performance

UBA, under Nwaghodohs watch, had a fairly unfavourable 2018 as cost to income ratio increased from 57.8% in 2017 to 64% in 2018, and profit after tax almost remained the same increasing only slightly from N78.59 billion in 2017 to N78.60 billion in 2018.

The bank, however, staged a comeback in 2019 with cost to income ratio reduced to 62.7% while profit after tax increased by over N10 billion to N89.08 billion.

Share price however declined from N10.3 in 2017 to N7.7 in 2018 and N7.15 in 2019, probably not Nwaghodohs fault though, since this happened across most financial services institutions. In addition, the bank also paid N30 million as fine to the CBN in 2018, a situation which led shareholders to cry out to Apex bank for what was termed unfair penalties.

Nwaghodoh, however, has a beautifully designed investor relations page to his credit, with answers to Investors FAQs, analysts reports and credit ratings for the bank, shareholders information and news among others.

Oluseyi Kumapayi, CFO Access Bank Plc

Kumapayi joined Access Bank in 2002. Before then, he was with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) where he served as Financial officer.

Kumapayi got his MBA from the Kellogg school of management, Northwestern University, and has been severally endorsed in Corporate finance, risk management and business strategy, financial analysis, mergers and acquisitions, financial modelling and investment banking.

He also attended the INSEAD course on Risk Management, London Business School (LBS) High Performance People Skills program, Euromoney, Assets and Liability Management, Strategy Master Class and Mergers and Acquisition. He is a Certified Chartered Accountant.

Now lets look at the banks three years performance under Kumapayi.

For the cost to income ratio, Access bank has remained profitable over the last three years, but now the question would be how profitable?

Cost to income ratio reduced from 72.40% in 2017 to 65.30% in 2018 showing that the banks strategies succeeded in reducing the ratio of cost to income and making more profits. However, 2019 recorded a negative progression to 68.7%.

This is in spite of the fact that profit after tax grew significantly to N97.5 billion in 2019, from N94.98 billion in 2018 and N53.6billion in 2017.

Overall, we can say the indices point to greater progress made in 2018, compared to 2019.

Note also that the merger between Access Bank and Diamond bank started in 2018, running through 2019 before it was eventually sealed with the launching of the new Access logo, and the slogan access more. The role of a CFO in a merger of this magnitude is ourightly priceless, given that not all merger talks result in a successful merger of assets, shareholders, and even management team.

There is also the acquistion of controlling equity interest in Transnational Bank Kenya Plc, which Access Bank undertook in October 2019.

Share price at last day of the year progressed from N10.45 to N6.8 to N10, showing that share price dropped most in 2018, which interestingly happened to be the most profitable year so far. In the same 2018, Access bank paid N20 million in fines to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Kumapayi has kept the investor relations page of the banks website duly updated with annual financial reports, investor news, credit ratings, upcoming events, shareholders information and news.

Oyewale Ariyibi, CFO, First bank of Nigeria Plc

Before becoming Chief Financial Officer at FBN Holdings Plc, Oyewale Ariyibi had worked with Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) as Chief Finance Officer, and at Standard Chartered Bank, Nigeria as Country Financial Controller.

He has a cumulative 23 years experience in banking and financial services, business assurance, tax management, business process review and consulting across several institutions.

He has been certified in areas such as capital raising, tax planning and cost management, operational risk management, strategic and corporate planning, compliance and business assurance amongst others, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (ACIT) and Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (ACIP).

So what has he done with First Bank in the last three years?

Profit after tax has been on an increase, from N47.78 billion in 2017 to N59.74 billion in 2018 and N62.09 billion in 2019. This is laudable given that 2016/17 was not the best times for the Nigerian economy.

Share price has however dropped from N8.8 in 2017 to N7.95 in 2018 and N6.15 in 2019.

This may be no fault of his given that he has managed to keep the cost to income ratio stable at 80.17% in 2017, 80.15% in 2018, but it increased slightly in 2019 to 81.31%.

Note that the FBN Holdings also paid a fine of N32.65 million to the CBN in 2018.

This trend can be considered worrisome not only because FBN holdings has the highest cost to income ratio among the tier one banks, but because it is the only of the five banks where cost to income ratio did not reduce over the last 3 years.

This probably explains why shareholders earned 0.25 dividends per share in 2017, 0.26 in 2018 and 0.38 in 2019, the least dividends declared by any of the top banks.

The investors relations page of the banks site is a bit unclear and it is not easy to access needed information, but once a site visitor gets past the initial confusion, one can see shareholders information, corporate governance reports, financial highlights, unclaimed dividends, press releases and news.

Ariyibi might need to ask some pointers from his colleagues in other tier one banks.

Recently, Ariyibi led engagements with regulators towards FBNs intention to divest its 65% holdings in FBN insurance Limited.

Mukhtar Adam, CFO Zenith Bank Plc.

Mukhtar Adam was appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Zenith Bank in 2018, and is currently the Group Head, Financial Control and Strategic Planning Group of the bank.

Before this, he was the banks Deputy CFO, and sometime before 2014, he headed the Financial Reporting, Tax Management and Strategic Planning Groups, overseeing the entire Zenith Groups financial reporting.

Adams worked in Financial Services Group of the Nigerian and Ghanaian practices of PricewaterhouseCoopers (now PwC), as a Senior Consultant, before joining Zenith Bank in 2007.

Adam holds a PhD in Finance from the Leeds Beckett University (UK); M.Sc. (Finance Financial Sector Management) from University of Londons School of Oriental and African Studies, (UK); MBA (Finance) from the University of Leicester (UK) and B.Ed. Social Sciences (Economics and Management) from the University of Cape Coast (Ghana).

Many feathers for one mans cap, we must agree!

He also holds a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), and Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana (ICAG).

So, what has Mukhtar Adam achieved for Zenith bank since he took over from Stanley Amuchie in 2018?

Its been three progressive years for this tier one bank as cost to income ratio has continued to decline from 52.70 in 2017, to 49.30 in 2018 and further down to 48.8% in 2019. Commendably, this progression is not just a result of cutting down operation costs, but increasing income.

Profit after tax for 2017 stood at N173.79 billion and increased to N193.42 billion in 2018 and spiked further to N208.84 billion in 2019.

Whatever magic wand Adams holds over the bank, it must be working well because among the five tier one banks, Zenith bank has consistently had the highest profit after tax for the past three years.

Share price of the bank also moved from N25.6 in 2017 to N23.05 in 2018 and further down to N18.6 as at last day of 2019.

However, this cannot be counted against him as share price is subject to a whole range of extraneous factors. In the 2018, the bank paid N10 million fine to the CBN.

With his input, the bank also maintains a detailed investors relations page with press releases, credit ratings, corporate governance reports and financial updates. In addition to the BOT which pops up to help guide a visitor through the page and answer inquiries, Adams also appears to be one CFO who spells out his key financial strategies on all aspects of the banks operations, on the investors relations page.

Adebanji Adeniyi, CFO, GT Bank

Adeniyi became CFO of GT bank in 2013.

Adeniyi has been certified competent in risk management, portfolio management, risks and investments, Operational dynamics and Associated Risks among others, and has over two decades of professional experience.

He gained his early experience from notable companies including PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Arthur Andersen (now KPMG).

His banking experience comes from his stint with Lead Bank Plc, and his years at GT Bank. He is a Fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA), and also holds a MBA.

So, what has he been up to in the last 3 years.

For Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, cost to income ratio reduced from 38.2% in 2017, to 37.2% in 2018, and to 36.1% in 2019

In addition to its gradual improvement, GT bank has maintained the best cost to income ratio among the top banks.

The bank has also maintained a high profit after tax after Zenith bank. GT Bank recorded N170.47 billion profits after tax in 2017 and this increased to N184.64 billion in 2018 and N196.86 billion in 2019.

Like other banks, however, share price has dropped over the years from N40.75 in 2017 to N34.45 in 2018 and N29.7 in 2019. In addition to this, GT Bank also received a heavy penalty of N24 million in 2018 from the CBN.

In terms of profitability, both for the bank and for investors, Adeniyi is getting it right.

The bank also has a well laid out investors relations page detailing corporate and financial information, outlooks and insights, upcoming events and investors news, shareholders information and annual reports.

Kudos!

Read more from the original source:
CFOs of FUGAZ and their 3-year performance record - Nairametrics

Just 34 teachers were dismissed for poor performance by the NSW Department of Education last year, sparking calls for better oversight of the state's educators to improve outcomes for students.

New data from the department showed the number of teachers dismissed actually increased to hit a 10-year high in 2019, out of an available workforce of 90,000.

Fewer than 600 teachers have been dismissed from the department over the past 11 years, with 179 leaving because they failed an improvement program. The same number were convicted of serious charges, and 171 were sacked for sexual misconduct.

Principals and the union said the data did not reflect the true numbers of teachers leaving because of performance issues, as many quit before the formal process finished.

But the figures come after an auditor-general's report found flaws in the department's monitoring of teacher quality across the state's 2200 public schools, and said it was not doing enough to help teachers improve.

In 2015, just six teachers were dismissed due to "inefficiency", or failing an improvement program, and the following year there were eight. But that increased to more than 30 in each of the past two years, after the length of the program was halved to 10 weeks and the department provided extra support to principals.

Last year, the department also sacked twice as many school leaders for performance issues than it had in the previous decade, dismissing two head teachers, an assistant principal, a deputy principal and a principal.

Other reasons for teacher and principal dismissal included alcohol dependency, breaching boundaries and unlawfully accessing a student's personal information.

Craig Petersen, head of the Secondary Principals Association, said the figures did not reflect the true number of teachers leaving the system because of pressure due to their professional performance, as many quit before formal processes were finalised.

Craig Petersen, head of the Secondary Principals Association.Credit:Janie Barrett

"There's a lot of things that principals and head teachers do at school before we get to a formal improvement program," he said.

"Some teachers pull the pin voluntarily, and the [department's] data is not capturing that. There's also few principals who would take on more than one [improvement] program at a time.

"They are exhausting, emotionally as well as physically, and it really distracts you from a lot of other things that need a priority."

Mr Petersen said empowering principals to select some staff on merit had reduced problems with professional performance.

Angelo Gavrielatos, the president of the NSW Teachers Federation, said there were performance issues in every profession, and the department's procedures which ensured a fair process had been negotiated with the union.

"The figures may not necessarily tell the full story because many people may separate from the service either through retirement or resignation," he said.

David Hope, the president of the Northern Sydney District Council of P&C Associations, said teacher performance was a difficult but important issue to address.

"Historically, the Department of Education has run a system which makes it almost impossible to dismiss any teacher on the grounds of performance an approach which has demonstrably failed to put the student first," he said.

"In recent years, the department has put a lot more effort into leadership training and professional development, and in redesigning the workplace with, for example, modern versions of team teaching."

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The department's data said it employed around 49,000 permanent teachers, and another 45,000 were registered to work on a casual basis.

In 2019, 53 NSW teachers were involved in performance improvement programs, which represented 0.06 per cent of the workforce. The auditor-general's report cited a UK report that assessed the quality of teaching as inadequate at 3 per cent of its schools.

Rachel Wilson, an education academic at the University of Sydney, said the data showed the need for a better understanding of the teacher workforce.

Jordan Baker is Education Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald

Nigel Gladstone is an investigative journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald.

Continue reading here:
Calls to ramp up scrutiny of teacher performance - Sydney Morning Herald

If you're new to Valorant and just got access to the Valorant closed beta, you'll see that it offers both a ranked Competitive mode and an Unrated mode. The regular Unrated mode is available from the start, while the Competitive ranked mode must first be unlocked by completing enough Unrated matches. Once Competitive mode is unlocked, players can start playing for a competitive rank, which is a reflection of their current skill level and will affect how Valorant's matchmaking system pairs them with other players in future ranked play. But not everything about Valorant's ranked system is clear from the start and you might be wondering how it works. How many Unrated matches do you need to play before ranked mode unlocks and how do you earn your first rank? And what are the Valorant ranks anyway? In this guide we'll break down all your questions about Valorant's ranked system, as explained in Riot's official blog, so you know what to expect when diving into Competitive ranked mode for the first time. A new Valorant launch date trailer just dropped, so with the game launching out of beta soon, now is the perfect time to learn how ranking works--but take note, your rank and all your stats will reset when the beta ends on May 28.

To unlock Valorant's ranked mode, which is officially called Competitive mode, you have to complete 20 Unrated matches. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, you just have to play 20 regular games through to completion. Winning or losing Unrated matches will have no effect on your rank once you do unlock Competitive mode. You are only graded on performance in a Competitive ranked match.

To get your first rank, you have to complete a total of five placement matches in Competitive mode. Your performance during these matches will determine your first Valorant rank. Find the list of possible ranks and skill badges, and a deeper explanation of how Valorant's ranked system works--including ranked tiers--below.

There are a total of eight ranks in Valorant. Each has three ranked tiers except for Valorant, the top rank possible. That makes for a total of 22 possible ranked tiers, each represented by its own skill badge. Riot has provided a handy graphic showing off its ranked system, which you can see below. The competitive ranks and their corresponding ranked tiers are as follows.

According to Riot, "winning games is the most important factor in gaining rank," but your personal performance plays a big part in that too. Performing "exceptionally well" can help you rank up faster, while performing worse than you have in previous matches can hurt your competitive rank. It gets a little more complicated, though. As Riot explains, the way Valorant determines your early rank puts much more scrutiny on your personal performance, but eventually, winning matches becomes the more important determining factor. Once you receive your Valorant competitive rank, you will be matched only with players within two ranks of yourself.

Much of the way ranked mode works, according to Riot, is built to combat smurfing, rank boosting, and ensure balanced matches for all competitive players. But be aware--ranked mode only just went live in late April, when the Valorant beta hadn't even been live for a full month, so the more nuanced ins-and-outs of this system may change as Riot gathers data and feedback.

No. Your rank doesn't reset in Valorant if you haven't played in a while, but if you're inactive for 14 days, it will be temporarily "hidden" until the next time you play a match. That doesn't mean it's disappeared or decayed, just that it won't be displayed for other players until you become an active player again yourself.

"We want to be confident that when others see your rank, it's an accurate reflection of your skill," Riot explains.

No. After the Valorant beta is over on May 28, all competitive ranks will reset, so all players will start fresh on Valorant's June 2 release date. You will have to follow Riot's instructions for achieving a new competitive rank based on the rules at that time. We don't know how the competitive ranked system might change before launch, so we can't say much more than that.

Valorant's new Competitive mode was introduced shortly after patch 0.49 was pushed, and it is currently only available in the EU and NA regions. Gameplay-wise, it is no different than Unrated mode. It is still 5v5 team-based matches, set in the same maps, with the same objectives and win conditions. You can still solo queue or queue up with a full five-person party. The only difference is that Competitive mode has a ranked system, which means after playing a few rounds unranked, you will receive your first ranked badge, and then only be matched with other players of similar ranks. Winning matches can increase your rank, and losing them can decrease your rank. That also means if you queue up with a party, you'll all have to be within two ranks of each other.

Valorant is still in closed beta until May 28, and the balance of its ranked system is likely to change even post-launch. We'll keep you up-to-date on Riot's Valorant updates, including future patches and other adjustments to its ranked system. For now, read up on how to get your Valorant beta key if you haven't already and--if you're ready to dive in--learn some top Valorant tips and tricks.

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Valorant Ranked System Explained: How Competitive Ranks And Tiers Work - GameSpot