Did he or didn’t he? The mysterious ground hog – did he predict an early spring or sadly tell us to expect more winter? However, if the “more winter” entails what we’ve had so far, we certainly can’t complain!
I must say, it’s quite a pleasant, smile-evoking surprise to receive a phone call from folks in another community who read the Unity column and call to voice their appreciation for this news. It is gratifying to know our community’s news is of interest to those in communities other than our own and also a reflection on the wide area the Regional Optimistserves and is appreciated.
I’ve had more than a dozen regular, local blood donors voice their concerns over the mysterious cessation of the local blood donor clinics that used to come to Unity three times a year. Supposedly it had nothing to do with the large number of donors who regularly attended and filled the quotas each time. Donors have now been receiving calls asking them to make the two-hour round trip to Biggar to donate. For working folks, this is an option that will not work. Donors are mystified by this change and at a loss as to why – when the need for blood always seems to be there – that a well-attended clinic was pulled from our community.
February brings a plethora of birthdays to our family, numbering eight! So here’s to a month of cake and celebrations, starting with a big ole happy birthday to my niece Janelle.
All three schools will be recognized next week for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week held annually and this year falling Feb. 8 to 12, preceding the school break. This is a great opportunity to show your thanks for everything our teachers and school staff offer our children during their school years. Contact your local school community council and see if you can help with any of the plans for this week.
At Unity Public School, everyone loves the return of the nice weather and snow creations are prominent on the playground. The school continues their commitment to Telemiracle fundraising with an event every Friday in January and February. Basketball teams are on the court and it won’t be long until February break is upon them. Following the break, the choir and oral speaking participants will be busy practising for music festival. And, in unique but fun winter fashion, the French students held “Carnaval” at UPS during the afternoon of Jan. 28, proving learning and fun can go hand in hand.
St. Peter’s School ski trip has been rescheduled for Feb. 4. Basketball season has begun and it won’t be long before the band and choir are practising for the upcoming music festival following the February break.
Unity Composite High School finals for semester one are all wrapped up and semester two began Feb. 1. Drama kids are busy practising for their regional drama festival and spring productions.
Senior high curlers have a week before district playdowns in Spiritwood while the junior curlers’ district event is a little later in February. Curlers are keeping busy fine tuning their game before competing as UCHS in these events, playing home and away series with neighbouring schools. The junior teams have taken in a few area bonspiels as well to assist with the development of their game prior to district events.
Basketball teams have hosted tournaments the last three weekends at the school and continue to improve their game as they head toward district events coming up in February.
The school has replaced their February magazine drive with the popular fruit sale program. Watch for students canvassing for another round of delicious, fresh fruit starting Feb. 2.
Congratulations to the Unity Peewee Lazers provincial team, the Unity Peewee Lazer Whites and the Bantam Lazers from 2015 who got to witness their championship banners raised Jan. 16, adding to the long line of winning banners captured by teams in Unity. Hopes are high for some repeats and more banner-raising ceremonies to come.
Hockey season is rampant with action as teams are wrapping up league play and heading into league playoffs as well as provincial teams beginning their quests for more banners to hang in the arena. It is best to check either the schedules at the rink on the TVs or the Town of Unity website as they will be the most accurate, up-to-date account of all the games upcoming at the hockey rink. The Midget AA team is also skating full speed into the second half of their season and have offered some terrific, fast-paced hockey games for spectators. Come on down to the rink at any time to cheer on your favourite player or team and see some great live hockey action at the local arena.
The Miners will face off against the Biggar Nationals in the first round of Sask West Hockey League playoffs. Don’t miss a moment of it as the coffee is always on, there’s always a fellow fan to visit with and there’s plenty of action to enjoy!.
Saskatchewan boasts of curling royalty with successful curlers such as Sandra Schmirler and team, the Richardson foursome, Amber Holland and Brad Heidt, whose boys also have joined the ranks of competitive curlers in Saskatchewan. CurlSask is pleased the government declared a provincial day of curling as it provides us with a chance to recognize and grow our provincial sport. This day gave CurlSask the opportunity to promote awareness and increase participation in Saskatchewan’s curling clubs.
At Unity Curling Club, they chose to host a week of activity, posting notices both at the club and on their Facebook page regarding the activity taking place. Junior curling kicked it off Jan. 25 as junior curlers were invited to “bring a buddy” to come and experience curling with them. More than 45 kids took to the ice along with four instructors and four helpers to run some drills on curling fundamentals and then experience a mini-game with all participants.
In true curling fashion, the importance of fellowship post-game was also involved when all participants were invited into the curling club lounge to enjoy some snacks and refreshments as well as put their names in for a number of draws that included a 2016 Continental Cup poster, Scotties souvenirs, curling pins and even a game-worn jersey from the 2006 Canada Cup from Olympic gold medallist – and now curling announcer – Joan McCusker.
It was evident early the junior curlers were anxious to show their buddies and spectators the skills they have developed in this year’s junior curling program. The buddy participants, who sported smiles throughout the evening, clearly enjoyed their curling experience. It was apparent that those parents, grandparents and friends who came to watch also enjoyed their night out at the Unity Curling Club.
These were the goals set out by CurlSask who initiated Curling Day in Saskatchewan. The remainder of the week, the club invited fans and friends to come down to the rink and enjoy lounge specials and snacks while watching league curling throughout the week that continued to shine the spotlight on local curlers and the sport.
Speaking of curling achievements, a unique eight-ender was earned on the late draw of the Tuesday league night. As it became more evident this prestigious scoring opportunity was about to unfold, fans from the lower lounge started to funnel to the glass to watch. With no disrespect to the opposition, who quite frankly had played a terrific game up to that point, everyone at the rink seemed to agree that some games one team can’t do anything wrong while the other team can’t seem to do anything right. Some quick “eight-ender” pictures were taken to mark the occasion and, in the true gentlemanly, friendly nature of the sport of curling, both teams met in the lounge for a beverage, sharing some fellowship following this game.
Remember the UCC Facebook page always brings you the latest updates or you can come on down to the rink and check out the schedules. Next week, it is hoped to be a full house for the annual JayDee AgTech men’s bonspiel with registrations being accepted by calling the rink at 306-228-2212. While league curling is still keeping the curling arena folks busy, they know there is plenty of other action yet to come including high school junior district curling coming up Feb. 23 and 24 as well as a whole slate of bonspiels after the men’s event including the oilperson’s spiel, the sturling spiel and the ladies’ annual.
You know what season is getting ready to gear up? Ball season, and it’s going to be an exciting one. Registration takes place March 1 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. with the annual meeting to follow.  This year, Unity has secured the bid to host the Western Canadian U21 ladies’ fastptich championship and there are more events on the horizon.
If you enjoy a great meal, live entertainment and celebrating success stories in our community, you won’t want to miss the chamber of commerce sponsored “Celebrate Unity” March 7. This year, the evening is featuring Safire – a fire performer and hoop dancer. The evening starts with happy hour, followed by a catered dinner. The program follows, presenting accolades to milestone anniversaries in the business community as well as for exemplary service of citizens who were nominated.
You can help your community through the current economic slowdown. Commit to making the majority of your purchases of products and services right here in town. There is a variety of businesses that can look after what you need. Consider the free parking, friendly service and avoidance of long lineups and busy city driving as well as the opportunity to give back to the businesses that support so many events and activities throughout the year in our town.
Coffee row folks welcome February with optimism. They are optimistic that the slightly longer days will bring spring soon. Optimism abounds for the success of local curling and hockey teams in their upcoming playoffs. And optimism is there for our community that continues to band together to host exciting events and help each other out in creating a community we all feel safe and can enjoy living in. You can be assured, these folks can lay it all on the line when sharing what they’re passionate about in the news, yet no matter which side of the topic table they are on, they always reconvene the next day with a smile. So, you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …
