If you didn鈥檛 like what the groundhog told us, hang on to your hats to see if the lion or lamb shows up tomorrow for weather predictions. And, did foggy November bring us wet weather in 90 days? This second half of winter sure seems to want to outshine the first half! Another wallop of snow arrived Family Day long weekend. Depending which forecasting method/source you believe, winter has another few weeks to exercise its wrath before we will start to edge into spring. I, for one, am ready for spring and I love the extra daylight hours being extended a little each day.
You can be sure that the Brier will be on the big screen throughout the Oilperson鈥檚 bonspiel this weekend taking place at the Unity Curling Club, so you have your choice of live action curling on the ice or joining your favourite curler or team in the lounge to watch the Brier and enjoy a beverage. As well, everyone is welcome to join their free social and dance upstairs in the community centre March 2 featuring the music of Danny and the Dusters.
Don鈥檛 forget to 鈥淩ing those Phones鈥� this weekend as part of Saskatchewan鈥檚 only telethon 鈥揟elemiracle. My family and I will be on air sometime throughout the broadcast presenting some memorial donations in memory of my mom, Sophie McConnell. We found a photo we will be sharing of her answering the very first phone at the very first Telemiracle back in 1977. As well, watch for UCHS student, Jennifer Deuchar who will be performing as part of Saskatchewan talent and our local Kin Club who will be presenting the proceeds of their Jeffrey Straker fundraiser as well as other donations they have collected.
Hockey teams are still playing for either a league or provincial title including the Unity Miners who are holding their own against their archrivals, the Wilkie Outlaws. With that being said, catch the action while you can as it is that time of the year when it鈥檚 either win and move on or lose and go home. Congratulations to the four Unity Midget AA Lazers named to top 160 prospects for the SaskFirst program in the province 鈥� Lee Burt, Kyle Heintz, Tylin Hilbig and Brandon Kelly.
Changes are always on the go in Unity鈥檚 business sector. Unity has been excited with all of the new businesses, new owners of retiring businesses and upgrades/renovations to existing businesses. Unity Credit Union transformation can be seen daily and this long process will be over and worth the wait for members and employees alike. There is a new business coming to downtown Unity starting with Fitness on Main, next to Our Drug Store. Padgett Accounting has relocated to the former pilates building. There is a new Main Street boutique across from the Legion. Have a look at their website and see all the great products they have to offer.
The 鈥淐elebrate Unity鈥� event featuring Trevor Panczak is taking place on Monday, March 4, and will highlight these additions and changeovers as part of their program, in addition to organization and individual recognition. Stay tuned to next week鈥檚 column for all the updates on this event and what鈥檚 exciting and being celebrated in Unity.
There still might be tickets available for the Knights of Columbus Pattison Children鈥檚 hospital fundraiser next weekend March 8. Contact any K of C member in Unity for details.
March 3 is the annual Unity Skating Club Ice Carnival.
March 15 to 17 is the annual Bramiche Farms ladies bonspiel and the following weekend will be a first for the Unity Curling Club as they are hosting a year-end doubles funspiel in the spirit of the hottest new version of curling. Check out their Facebook page for all the details.
Outdoor Rec Venue and Wilson Hill users are making the most of the odd days of nicer weather and lighted venues to continue using these outdoor sports facilities we are fortunate to have.
UCHS is in the midst of plenty of action as high school districts for junior basketball took place pre February break with the junior boys capturing a bronze, while the junior curling districts will take place following the break in Kerrobert. The senior basketball divisions are now into their playoff hunt as well. Travel club is just weeks away from their Greece tour heading out over Easter break. Grade 12 students know that they have four months, less some school vacation days, to fine tune their academics, scholarship applications, post-secondary plans and graduation ceremony planning.
St. Peter鈥檚 extends their deepest sympathies to recently retired teacher Mrs. Ruder on the loss of her husband and send her lots of love and prayers in this sad time. Students are also getting excited as they guess when Mr. Volk鈥檚 new baby will arrive and if there will be a new daughter or son added to his family. A continued reminder that the Grade 3 class is collecting can tabs that can be dropped off at the school for an initiative to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer.
Unity has long enjoyed 鈥減ay it forward鈥� actions and combines that with a strong sense of community pride and volunteer commitment. Many venues and organizations have benefitted. The Unity arena was recently the beneficiary of a complete dressing room overhaul thanks to the Unity Canucks rec hockey team. Team members say they have either been a UMH alumni or arena user, or have kids that have either used or are currently using the arena so they wanted to give something back. More than 125 man hours and multiple generous business donations enabled them to overhaul dressing room number three to align it more with Lazer colors. As well, they have renewed all bench brackets and benches for future installation and upgrades to keep with this new red, black and white theme. Our community is blessed with many groups and individuals of all ages who continue to contribute to maintenance, upkeep and upgrades in our many places and spaces around town.
Ball season is hovering over all this activity. Some players have started their spring training; some have been in winter long programs. Registration has already taken place and on the horizon we have players still in the running to earn a spot on the Western Canada Summer Games teams. It won鈥檛 be long before we will have migrated from the rink to the diamonds for the other favourite sports season in Unity.
Coffee row folks are looking for a lamb both to start and finish March as they echo the sentiments of many hoping for winter鈥檚 end to be upon us. Chats also include a full slate of activity upcoming in the community. While planting season may have edged into the conversations now, the men are more likely to discuss the fields while the ladies are enthusiastically discussing greenhouse and garden growing options. So you can see life is full of fun and activity in Unity and our friends at coffee row sharing this traditional part of our community culture. Until next time...
