Sigh.the weather. What can be said that hasn't been said for months already
Unity Composite High School (UCHS) hosted Regional Drama Festival last weekend with much success. Eight schools made UCHS their home April 19 and 20 as the best in lights, sound, tech, set, costumers and acting were competing for top nods in the Region 6 drama festival.
This was a big undertaking for the school as drama teachers, supporters and students did the lion's share of the work in setting up, cleaning up and hosting duties throughout the weekend that included decorating, meals, a dance and awards banquet. Of course, the drama parents were a big bonus to the workforce throughout the weekend.
Audience numbers were up and you could not go away disappointed from the fine display of talent and skills portrayed during the weekend's events. It was a fabulous weekend to enjoy nine live theatre productions right here in Unity for the bargain price of only $5 per session.
Although Unity did not come away with any big awards, several of their cast and crew were chosen for Spirit of Festival and Sask. Drama Association Certificates of Merit.
This ends high school drama for four graduating students. Congratulations, Jonathan Neigum, Wynona Hansen, Shelby Solomko and Cierre Olfert, for your past six years with UCHS drama. You were all crowd pleasers and the standing ovation received after your Friday performance, along with the many accolades given by visitors to the cast, especially for Jonathan's outstanding portrayal of dual characters, shows that the audience loved you!
A business shop, just west of Unity on Highway 14 was destroyed by fire, the afternoon of April 15. There were no injuries. No cause has been determined for the blaze.
Who would have thought April 13 would bring about road conditions that hampered three teams travelling to the annual SWHL awards dinner and evening in Unity? However, the show must go on so the small crowd enjoyed a delicious supper and fabulous entertainment with comedians Marty Handeberg and the best Don Cherry impersonator out there, Clark Robertson.
Unity was shut out of the league awards with Luseland/Dodsland Mallards picking up a fair number of nods. The new Miners executive are already working on ways to improve upon the team and marketing the team for next year's season.
UCHS held their windup basketball banquet April 16. Top nods in junior boys went to Brandt Bertoia for top rebounder, Marshall Weber for most sportsmanlike and Brett Kuhn for MVP. Byron Hauta and Dylan Bosch tied for most improved while Damien Bowery won the fighting hard award.
Junior girl winners were top rebounder McLane Bertoia, most improved Caitlyn Ireland and Elise Stifter was MVP. Krista Chung won most sportsmanlike.
The senior boys' award winners were Brian Makrell who won both top rebounder and MVP, Zane Maze for most sportsmanlike, Brade Mielkie the fighting hard award and Brandon Greter the most improved. It was the third year in a row for Maze to win most sportsmanlike.
For senior girls, Madison Action won MVP and double award winner Elise Stifter won top defensive player and rookie of the year while Alan Neil won most sportsmanship. Kyla Van De Meutter won top offensive player and Terra Fedirko won most improved.
UCHS is into conference badminton playoffs this week, with winners advancing to regional playdowns for a chance to earn a berth to provincial playdowns. The school has also started track practices indoors until the weather co-operates outdoors.
Congratulations, UCHS Grade 12 student, Robin Belliveau who earned dual gold in skating, a rare achievement out of Unity Skating Club. Robin earned gold dance earlier and this April was able to cap that off with her gold skills.
The Unity Public School (UPS) School Community Council annual general meeting was held April 17 with a dozen people in attendance. Most notable topic to come from the meeting was the soon-to-be retirement of long-time principal, Doug English, at the end of June.
Also congratulations, Mrs. Soloski, for being named Volunteer of the Year at the 87th annual music festival showcase. In addition, her Grade 3 class took home top honours for their choral speaking piece, Things my parents should know about my brother/sister!
And UPS is excited anticipating their annual Junior Genius program presentation for the public April 30.
St. Peter's Grade 6 class is putting on a fundraising live theatre show, with dessert April 30 and show only May 1. It will be held in the school gym and tickets are available by calling the school at 306-306-228-4141. Last year's Wizard of Oz production was a huge hit so you won't want to miss this year's show.
A big congratulations to the St. Peter's choir and instrumental number, along with several students who won awards at this year's 87th annual music festival showcase.
The 87th annual Unity Music Festival held their showcase of talent April 21 with 45 numbers performing. Five performers from this year's event were chosen by adjudicators to move on to the provincial level; they were Katherine Ulrich, Rondi Kapiniak, Rachel Mamer, Jason Keller and Alison Kuhn. The tremendous talent was a treat on a Sunday afternoon. Congratulations to organizers, volunteers, accompanists, teachers and performers for treating others to your gifts in music.
A large, long, and loud standing ovation was given to performer and recipient of Outstanding Performer of the Festival, Grade 12 student Jason Keller. Jason has long been part of the music festival and he is an eagerly anticipated entertainer at many community events. His talents will be missed as he moves on after his graduation.
As ball players continue to condition in the arena, they are more anxious than ever to get out on the snow covered diamonds. There is still plenty of snow to melt so players and coaches are hoping for some warmer temperatures to help them along. Unity will once again play host to the annual Spring Fever softball camp, in addition to the annual Minor Ball Day, slated for May 11.
Entry deadline for the Friday night co-ed slo-pitch league is April 30. Call Mike at 306-228-2111 or 306-228-7095 to register your team.
The Lady Rustlers fastball club are seeking pitchers and players for their season that runs May through June. Contact Kelsey at 306-228-9855 for more information or to give your name as part of this team.
The Unity Golf Club, although not ready to open the links quite yet, held their annual general meeting April 24 at the curling rink. Organizers are hoping to continue the momentum the golf club has gained by offering a continued variety of events, golf nights and tee off times.
The Unity Skating Club will hold their annual general meeting April 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Unity Health Centre. The club is in need of a new president so all interested skating parents are asked to attend to fill the vacancies on the executive in order to start next season with a full slate of officers.
The Unity Minor Hockey meeting is also April 29, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Armada Inn Conference Room. Everyone is welcome. Bring your concerns or bouquets. The executive is looking to lay some groundwork for next season.
The Unity Western Days committee is looking for 2013 Citizen of the Year nominations. You can contact Mary Ann Gaetz who is looking after this tradition in the Western Days program. Unity Western Days is slated for the first weekend in June.
Heartland Health is holding their annual volunteer recognition night May 6 at 7 p.m. in St. Peter's Church hall. Dessert, refreshments, entertainment and lots of door prizes. All those who have volunteered in Unity are invited to attend. It is a free evening offered as a thank you for the volunteers who are valued in the community. Please RSVP your attendance to Celeste at 306-228-2666, ext. 251.
KP Gardens Greenhouse is offering two new classes, with registration required. The first is a cooking demo May 4 on preparing fresh vegetables and herbs. The second class in container gardening is May 15. Please contact Kathy at 306-228-8029 to register for either or both of these sessions. KP Gardens greenhouse is now open.
Unity and District Heritage Museum is still looking for a summer guide. The museum is always in need of fresh faces, enthusiasm and ideas to keep our museum operational and one of the sources of pride for our community.
The swimming pool survey has come back with lots of positive feedback for suggestions and support for the proposed new swimming pool. Meetings have taken place with contractors and work will soon begin on this facility. As well, the town will be completing the elevator project at the community centre hall. The elevator project is slated to begin this month and to be completed for late June. The pool project is slated to begin in June and hopefully will be completed by late October. It makes for exciting developments for the community.
Remember the "You are amazing, as you are" event being held Saturday from 10 - 3:30 p.m. at St. Peter's Church hall for girls ages 9-12, with the focus on improving self-esteem, positive body image and celebrating uniqueness. Contact Kim Ducherer at 306-228-4184 or Evelyn Combres at 306-228-3332 for details.
KC Rescue will be canvassing the town for a bottle drive fundraiser April 30.
Again the Unity paper holds more than a dozen job openings in a variety of areas, an indication of a growing community. Add the demand for more workers with our community having doctors, a dentist, an optometrist, two grocery stores, several wellness centres, several insurance agencies, three financial institutions, a theatre and many, many more services and products - we are a happening place.
Although concern has been expressed about two recent store closures, residents must recognize the need to support their own community. These same businesses are supporting events listed every week in this column. It is a full circle - when we support them, they support us in turn. Wouldn't you rather choose to do business where you meet friends and build relationships, rather than be in a long line for checkout at a big box centre out of town.
The town and chamber of commerce have been working aggressively on a variety of initiatives to have people recognize the opportUNITY in Unity. Remember, we're all in this together. Contact the Town of Unity at 306-228-2621 for details on the job openings or your interest in investing or being part of this community.
Coffee row has moved on to baseball and football now that ice sports in town are officially over, although there are plenty of discussions as to predicted winners as this year's NHL playoff season begins. Of course, the weather topic never gets too far off the table either as folks continue to wonder if we are ever going to actually see spring. In spite of the weather, this is a fun group full of laughter and optimism. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week ...
