Where did the first month of 2013 go? Even though winter feels it has dragged on forever, because it started way back in October, it also feels the first month of the new year has just flown by - although driving conditions have been less than favourable with a warm weather system that slicked up roads with pavement frost, as well as freezing rain that visited us Jan. 17, in addition to more snow. This winter reminds me of the "song that never ends, it just goes on and on, my friend."
Minor Hockey Weekend once again showcased all the skills and talents in the multitude of hockey teams in the Unity Minor Hockey program. Championship banners won last year in league and provincial playoffs were raised. It was a busy day of draws and fun at the arena with each team getting to play one game throughout the weekend so fans could see how well our minor hockey program is doing. The Midget A Lazers continue their undefeated streak. Teams are now in the last legs of regular season play and will begin league playoffs in early February. Teams entered in provincial playdowns will soon begin these games as well. The Unity Midget A team starts their provincial quest Feb. 1, hosting Rosthern at 5:45 p.m. in the first round.
And don't forget, the Unity Miners hockey team are still playing exciting senior men's hockey. They hosted the Kerrobert Tigers Jan. 22. In their last two regular season games, they will play the Luseland Mallards Jan. 25 and Lloydminster Feb. 1. Come out and support the team and watch some great live hockey action.
Remember Owen Garratt, married to former Unity resident Karla Elder, is a contestant on Canada's Greatest Know It All, airing Mondays on the Discovery Channel. You can watch the program, then log on to discovery.ca (not discovery.com) and cast your vote for Owen.
UCHS students have started finals for semester one. Basketball teams are in full swing taking part in tournaments to prepare them for district playdowns in February. And it won't be long until the badminton rackets are back out and swinging. As well the drama club have regular practices for their spring production, which will be part of the regional drama festival, hosted this year right here in Unity. Watch for more details on this event.
Senior high school curling districts will be held at the brand new CUPlex in North Battleford Feb. 6 and 7. Top two teams from districts within each category will advance to regionals Feb. 15 and 16, also to be held in North Battleford. Coach Kyla Snell is excited for the strong teams competing in senior high curling this year. We will keep you posted on their playdowns as they happen.
In other curling news, both junior and senior 4-H curling teams advanced from regional competitions to provincials being held in Rosetown in early February. Congratulations, junior team of Reece Gilbert, Dawson Ireland, Kaitlin Ireland and Cyane Sperle, on capturing the silver medal at this event to earn a provincial berth. Congratulations, senior curlers Kyla Van de Meutter, Robyn Sperle, Megan Babchuk and Emma Greenwald, for advancing as well.
I forgot to add last week in our curling report that the junior curling program goes strong until March 11. Senior high and league curler, Jonathan Neigum, as well as regular curling club player, Alton Irons, along with several parents who rotate helping roles, lead 15 kids through skills development and game play. Kids are thoroughly enjoying all aspects of curling through the instruction of these two fellows. Neigum noted a large number of high school curlers started out in the junior program.
Junior curling teams head to districts in Kerrobert Feb. 26 and 27. They are: boys - Spencer Powell, Cody Thompson, Todd Bazely, Zak Bos; girls - Robin Sperle, Cyane Sperle, Caitlyn Ireland, Caprice Sherwood; and mixed - Lyndon Jellison, Daphne Boser, Dakota Kloster and Marina Gampe.
Wanda Heitt, being part of Team Darlene Gilles, won senior women's provincials in 2012, earning them a spot in national competition in Surrey, B.C. This team heads to Martensville Feb. 20 to earn the chance to repeat as provincial champs. Team Brad Heidt, which includes sons Mitch and Drew Heidt, along with Unity curler Glen Heitt, won themselves a berth at the provincial Men's Tankard, after northern men's playdowns in Kindersley last weekend. Glen is also curling with Daryl Eddingfield, Bart Brown and Gary Maze in upcoming senior men's regional competition to hopefully earn a spot at northerns, again aiming for a provincial spot.
UPS celebrated Family Literacy Day, Jan. 22, inviting parents to join them in the library at UPS. UPS was happy to have Joseph Naytowhow and Sherron Burns join them for the day. Joseph is a First Nation storyteller and shared the art of this traditional way of storytelling. Sherron is the arts education learning consultant for the Living Sky School Division.
The Unity Skating Club heads to Kindersley Feb. 2 for regional competition. Unity will host the Canskate Fun Festival Feb. 10 with approximately 35 Unity Canskaters and a number from out of town showing off their new skills.
A reminder that Feb. 9 is the last day to purchase tickets from any Lions member for the Hot Tamales dine and dance being held in Unity, sponsored by the local Lions club. Call the town at 228-2621 if you need further details.
Also coming up in February is the Unity 4-H Club's craft retreat weekend Feb. 1, 2 and 3 at the Legion Hall. The event runs Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 8 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can come and go as they please during those hours. Cost is only $95 which includes meals and snacks. Registration can be mailed to Box 773, Unity, S0K4L0, or dropped off at JayDee AgTech. Deadline for entry is Jan. 28.
The Unity and District Chamber of Commerce's Celebrate Unity night, recognizing outstanding individuals and groups in the community, takes place March 4. Tickets will be on sale for $35 until Feb 20 and then become $45. Contact any chamber member or the Town of Unity for more details.
Motorists have noticed a traffic detour on a common route heading out of Unity. From natural deterioration due to age, the bridge over Suicide Creek is being replaced. This bridge is located on Highway 14, approximately 6.9 kilometres east of the Highway 21 junction 21 near Unity.
The project will include the demolition of the existing timber bridge as well as the construction of a new precast concrete bridge. Once the bridge is erected, the work will also include asphalt surfacing across the newly constructed bridge. During the construction period, traffic is being accommodated on a local, temporary detour adjacent to the existing bridge. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane and controlled with the use of traffic signals. Speed will be restricted to a maximum of 30 kilometres an hour for the duration of the one lane operations.
Coffee row folks haven't seemed to notice the NHL is playing again. Why would a person want to rush back to watch after their last four months of arguing over money? Discussion does, however, involve the upcoming curling playdowns that involve several Unity teams, as well as the Season of Champions on TV. The "rowers" are also putting in guesses on what remains in store for winter as well as making some spring predictions. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week
