2010 was such a big year in Unity with so many big events such as Top 5 Riderville run, Western Canadian Fastball Championships and Provincial 4A Girls' volleyball host, to name a few. Unity loves to host events and 2011 will be no different.
We started the year off with the Rider Pride Hockey Event Jan.15. We are still enjoying reviews from that event from photos posted both on the riderville.com website as well as Shomari Williams' updates on his Facebook site.
Following that event Unity hosted men's regional curling playdowns which led to the following weekend, Jan 20 -23 hosting of Northern men's curling playdowns. The Saskatchewan Curling Association president commented on the wonderful facilities in Unity, as well as the success the community has had with hosting big events and suggested that Unity should be hosting a provincial men's or women's championships in the future.
Curling is a big part of our community. This weekend, Feb 4 to 6, Unity hosted 4-H provincial curling championships. Seven junior teams and six senior teams qualified from all over the province.
Unity's senior team came up against tough competition from Keliher in their opening draw and lost a close one to them as well as a close match to Aberdeen leaving them winless and out of the competition.
Unity's junior team fared a little better leading them to Sunday's playoff round but were cornered by Keliher who advanced to win over Sheo in the final.
It was a successful and enjoyable weekend for the participating 4-H clubs across the province.
The rink didn't have much time to rest as the annual men's open bonspiel started Feb. 8 and runs through until Feb. 13. In the past the Unity Curling Club has seen as many as 28 teams registered and this year felt successful with 23 teams entered.
Alson in curling news, Glen Heit's rink of Heit, Gary Maze, Bart Brown and Daryl Eddingfield advanced through to the Senior Men's Tankard held in Kamsack Feb. 10 to 12, so good luck to this team in their hunt for a Provincial title.
The Darlene Gilles rink, which included local Wanda Heitt, returned from the Women's Scotties Provincial Championship feeling good about their record for their first trip and vow to try again to return to this championship.
High school basketball is nearing their play downs. Both junior and senior teams have seen action at various tournaments throughout the province, although the January weather hampered travel or activity at some of their events.
Hockey playoffs will be quiet in Unity this year as many teams have already completed their provincial runs. Left to play in provincials are the peewee team, who advanced to the second round of provincial playoffs after defeating Martensville. They will now be up against Kindersley.
The Unity Miners won their first provincial game against Porcupine Plain Feb. 5 and Porcupine Plain returned to play in Unity this week. They are also up against Eatonia Huskies in the first round of league playoffs.
Feb. 12, the initiation hockey team will hold their annual tournament with six teams registered at the event. Parents in Unity are known for providing top class action, prizes, and other activity for their tournaments.
We would be not reporting all these sporting events if it were not for the strong commitment of coaches to their teams' seasons of regular practices, games and tournaments. This is a huge undertaking that does not go unappreciated by the parents of the players and the players themselves.
The Unity wildlife group held their annual wildlife supper Feb. 5 with another successful evening. Again, another event in Unity is only successful because of the strong groups of volunteers who put in plenty of time preparing the meal and setting up the evening.
All three schools in Unity are preparing for their annual Telemiracle fundraisers with various events. St. Peter's School and Unity School of Dance is most proud of Presli O'Donnell who sucessfully audtioned to perform at this year's Telemiracle 35 to be held in Saskatoon.
Everyone in town was glad to celebrate on coffee row the news of several ground hogs declaring only six more weeks of winter. Although, being from Saskatchewan, we all understand six weeks of winter could bring a lot of snow and cold that will make us appreciate spring whenever it chooses to arrive. And after the Feb. 5 weekend of rain, snow, blowing snow and blustery conditions, we are all hoping that groundhog is accurate.
The Lions Club is holding their Valentine's supper and show, Feb. 11, featuring none other than Elvis.
Until next week, this is the news from Unity.
