Beware the Ides of March! So says William Shakespeare in his Caesar tales 鈥� Or is it the second Friday the 13th this year that has you nervous? It鈥檚 all in in the optimist or pessimist viewpoint that you live by.
While mid-March is upon us we may be wondering how much longer of this winter we have to endure? It鈥檚 the constant mood swings of Mother Nature that has us puzzled this year. The temperature was -31C plus wind chills March 4; by the next day water was gushing down the streets in plus temperatures. I, for one, am certainly looking for signs that spring is closer than we think.
The talk of the town right now has been about the new mandatory residential single stream recycling program that will come into effect May 1 of this year. An open house with both an afternoon and evening session took place March 5, with another one upcoming April 8. Residents will be receiving pamphlets outlining the program and how it will work; as well as they can come into the town office to receive one.
The lifespan of our landfill is not a long one and a newer, more efficient method than the current depot in place needed to be found. Landfill diversion is the goal and a recycling program more conducive to everyone could be the key the town is hoping for. I, for one, think as a homeowner this is a great program and I welcome it.
St. Peter鈥檚 School continues to experience a very busy period leading up to Easter break. Coming up is St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Spirit Day March 17 where everyone is encouraged to 鈥済et their green on.鈥� Student-led conferences will run in conjunction with the Scholastic Book Fair March 18 and 19 from 4 鈥� 7 p.m.
Grade 2 students continue their preparations for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation; as well as the student body will continue to learn and journey together in their faith study this season of Easter.
Don鈥檛 forget 鈥� the SCC sponsored family dance is April 17 and silent auction items and replies are needed by April 2. It will be a great night of fun and fellowship so you won鈥檛 want to miss out.
And never to be forgotten are the musical talents offered by St. Peter鈥檚 choir and bands as well as the choral speaking groups all of whom are feverishly practicing for this year鈥檚 Unity and District Music Festival. St. Peter鈥檚 is hosting the school portion of the festival April 22.
The return from school break at Unity Public School also means a whirlwind of activity that includes practices for the upcoming music festival, and stepping into the next paces of their curriculum.
The Division II curling bonspiel was held last Friday and was a huge hit for all participants. Multiple snow creations on the playground are proof that the sun is warming that snow away, making for great conditions to build all kinds of white things outdoors.
Pink shirts have been ordered at UPS as Unity again takes part in the provincial anti-bullying Pink Day campaign. Student-led conferences will take place March 25-26. Welcome to new UPS secretary, Mrs. Tara Ralston, who has taken over for the retired Mrs. Roth.
At Unity Composite High School, senior basketball is in the tail end of the season as teams feverishly prepare for conference playoffs hoping to earn a provincial berth. Congratulations to the senior girls鈥� basketball team who not only hosted a tournament and earned silver but also put on a pink game that included a burger and bake sale that raised $2,000 for cancer research.
UCHS was also cheering loud for their girls鈥� curling team competing at provincials in Prince Albert March 6 and 7. The girls brought it every game, battling some very tough matches and a marathon opening day that put them in a tiebreaker, however the medal round eluded them.
Badminton season is in the beginning stages and track and field season will begin in early April with indoor practices.
That鈥檚 not all at UCHS as the travel club is just weeks away from their trip to Spain and Morocco, while also already planning for the next excursion, to Costa Rica, with early-planning-stage meetings underway. The Regional Drama Festival and spring production for the drama club is coming up in only five weeks so the drama club students are in high gear preparing for these events. And the next phase of the @UCHSActivate campaign is 鈥淗ey Dude, Include!鈥� Watch their Twitter account for all the latest updates on this great campaign.
Here is what we know for hockey so far. Congratulations, Peewee White team that decisively captured the Highway 14 League championship title. The peewee provincial team is on to the northern final starting March 13 in Unity. The bantams are still playing in both league and provincial playoffs. The midget AAs are also still in contention.
You could catch a playoff game on any given night at the rink. No experience necessary to be a fan and there is always plenty of room in the stands to cheer for your favourite team or favourite player. Come and enjoy a coffee or some rink food and visit your friends or neighbours while cheering on some live hockey games. Check the arena schedule hanging at the rink or online at the Town of Unity website, see whose team your favourite player is on and come and cheer them on.
This weekend, the Unity Curling Club hosts the annual Bramiche Farms Ladies鈥� Open bonspiel with the theme of 鈥�50 shades of green.鈥� Always geared to fun, this event is a sure hit with all participants so come on down and share in the fun and watch some curling or enjoy a refreshment with your favourite curler in the lounge.
League curling is winding down and the curling club is now looking for entries, as an individual or team, to take part in the year-end mixed fun spiel March 20 and 21. You can call the club at 306-228-2212 to find out more details.
You know what鈥檚 on the agenda already? Ball season, that鈥檚 what! Unity Minor Ball registration will take place today, March 12, from 6:30 鈥� 8 p.m. at the Unity Community Centre with the annual meeting to follow, encouraging everyone to attend to help plan this year鈥檚 season. Unity Minor Ball Day is slated for May 10.
This year鈥檚 Ducks Unlimited banquet and auction will take place Saturday, March 21 at the community centre with supper, silent auctions and raffles. Contact Bill Fraser or Cinema Satellite for tickets.
Also upcoming is the Revolution Dance Showcase of the Stars March 22, one night only with tickets available at Our Drug Store. Come see the talent of this local dance school performing live.
It鈥檚 annual meeting time too. Delta Co-op has their annual meeting slated for March 17 at the Legion Hall. Unity Credit Union has their annual meeting set for March 24. Come and hear about the success of these businesses in your community. There is always a great meal to be had.
The museum will hold their annual St. Patrick鈥檚 Day supper March 17. Not sure if there are any tickets left but they could use your support. Check with any museum member for details.
The last couple of Lenten Lunch events are taking place March 19 at the St. Peter鈥檚 Catholic Church and finishing up March 26 at the Baptist Church with everyone welcome to attend the short worship service and enjoy fellowship over lunch. There will be an offering basket at each event.
In the theme of events leading up to Easter 2015, the annual Way of the Cross Walk will once again take place on Good Friday, April 3. Beginning at 10 a.m., the walk will start at Unity United Church and end with hot chocolate and hot cross buns at the Anglican Church hall. Everyone is welcome to journey the Stations of the Cross together.
Here is a fabulous story from a group of dance lovers in Unity who call themselves 鈥淒ance for the Health of It,鈥� and formerly known as Unity Little Assembly Dance Club. Since they began holding an annual polka fest in Unity, the group committed all proceeds to go towards wellness programs in the Town of Unity.
Here is the list of the giant contribution this little group has given over the years to our community: 1998, $4,367.92, Unity Health Centre; 1999, $5,652, Unity Health Centre; 2001, $5,000, Parkview Place; 2002, $5,000, Parkview Place; 2003, $5,000, Parkview Place; 2004, $500, Bob and Wanda Stabbler Foundation and replacement of 30 tables at the community centre; 2004, $2,500, Parkview Place; 2005, $5,000, Parkview Place; 2006, $2,500, Parkview Place; 2009, $5,000, Unity Facilities Committee 鈥� new hall project; 2010, $5,000, Unity Facilities Committee 鈥� new hall project; 2011, $10,000, Unity Facilities Committee 鈥� new hall project; and 2014, $5,000, Unity Hospital Auxiliary.
This puts their donation total at a whopping $60,519. This could not have done without the support of local businesses who donate door prizes and individuals who donate food.
Coffee row folks certainly are chatting up the two biggest events this weekend 鈥� Telemiracle and the announcement by Bob McGrath that this was his last appearance, as well as the Brier finale, especially with Team Saskatchewan earning a bronze and Saskatchewan boy Pat Simmons drawing to the button to win for Team Canada.
Weather draws many sighs as well as accompanying theories of what鈥檚 next as far as winter and potential spring and its much anticipated arrival. As consistent as the cup of coffee they enjoy, reviewing life in their community and in their province is part of what these folks do and their wisdom and laughter offers plenty of smiles by those who experience it. No matter what side of the story topic these folks are on, one can always be reassured that they will reconvene again tomorrow. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week鈥�
