Oct. 13 means that in 18 days we will celebrate Halloween. And, how about those Blue Jays?
Like it or love it, Mother Nature decided she and the weatherman were going to agree on early snow. It鈥檚 not at all conducive to farmers trying to get crops in the bin. And, it wasn鈥檛 just a snowfall but a few days of downright nasty weather creating some nastier road conditions.
Saturday, join the local volunteer firefighters as they host their annual open house to recognize Fire Prevention Week. 2016 certainly brought to our attention the value of firefighters when the tinder dry conditions in Saskatchewan and Alberta created extreme fire hazards. Coverage of the Fort McMurray fire showed us first hand the work firefighters have dedicated themselves to do.
Unity鈥檚 Fire Chief, Leroy Timmermans, encourages residents to come out to their open house. 鈥淚t is our hope that interested parties will see at this annual open house what it is like to be a volunteer firefighter, as we are always looking for dedicated people to join our organization,鈥� says Timmermans.听 鈥淚t is a very rewarding job and we have lots of cool toys.鈥�
Timmermans provided statistics for the 2015, which included 25 calls 鈥� 11 Stars Air Ambulance landings, eight false alarms, four motor vehicle accidents and two fires. So far this year there have been 25 calls 鈥� seven Stars Air Ambulance landings, three motor vehicle accidents, two fires and 13 false alarms.
鈥淎s you can see with the increased number of home security systems the number of false fire alarms is on the rise,鈥� the fire chief notes.听 鈥淎 helpful reminder to people to make sure the alarm companies have a current phone number of the person who is home the most frequent, so they can call to verify whether or not a smoke alarm is going off as a result of a fire and not just someone burning toast.鈥�
Timmermans also says when firefighters are responding to the fire hall in their personal vehicles they will have four-way flashers on and ask drivers to pull over.
He encourages local business owners to encourage employees to consider joining the department.
Unity is fortunate to have a contingent of dedicated volunteer firefighters who choose to commit to weekly practices and meetings as well as keep up to date on safety and rescue training.
鈥淔irefighting, one of the few professions left that still makes house calls.鈥�
Luseland hosted the CTV Hometown Tour on Oct. 3 and had plenty to show off in their small community. Their news footage was shown on Oct. 6 evening news. The whooping crane exhibit, one of only two in the province, the threshing machine graveyard, the band program at the school and all the beautiful trees in town were just some of the many aspects featured. Did you know Luseland is home to renowned businessman Jimmy Pattinson?
At St. Peter鈥檚 School, mass for the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila is Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.. Starting Oct. 16 is Education Week recognition that includes the theme 鈥渟uccess for all.鈥� The week features an author visit and family reading night, Jersey spirit day and a seniors鈥� tea. The choir and band will be performing at the tea Thursday, Oct. 20. Oct. 21will the pyjama day that starts off with a pancake breakfast in the church hall sponsored by the St. Peter鈥檚 School Community Council, with parents invited to attend.
Unity Public School, will also be celebrating Education Week Oct. 16-22. Throughout the week the students will have opportunities to leave compliments for other students on a compliment board. Each class will also participate in a 鈥渢inker lab.鈥� Tuesday, Oct. 18, the school community council will be hosting Family Literacy Night. There will be a guest reader, and then parents will have a chance to read with students. Oct. 19, the students will participate in a school-wide buddy reading event. Oct. 20, Pam Welter听 Heartland Health will lead a wellness workshop. Oct. 21, there will be a 鈥淲rite-Topia Inspiration鈥� event in the gym.
At UCHS, Warrior football got to experience football in the snow. The Warriors next game is at home when they play host to Martensville on Oct. 14, so they are hoping for some big fan support for the game. Junior Volleyball teams will be playing in district championships next weekend while senior teams take on conferences then districts.
A work party took place at the curling rink in conjunction with registration nights Oct. 11 and 12 and curling season will begin on Oct. 25, with the junior program starting the first week in November. T
Winter sales at the Anglican Church hall will begin the last Thursday of each month. November and December will be Christmas-themed sales. Tables are only $10. Contact Val at 306-228-4536.
Coffee row folks are discussing the arrival of snow, far too early in everyone鈥檚 opinion as well as the resurgence of hockey at the area, Rider improvement and the Jays run for the playoffs. There is always a sense of enjoyment from those taking part or those who get to witness these daily gatherings. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
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