One week away from Halloween and it seems like we just celebrated Thanksgiving! I don't know about you folks but this year is just flying by for me.
Some of our farmer friends are celebrating completion while there are still some who are actively working to get this year's crop off. We are crossing our fingers for a successful completion for everyone, and for an increased desire and effort by our government and rail lines to move as much grain as they do the other products we see travelling on our tracks.
Flu clinics have begun. Please check notices around town or the website www.hrha.sk.ca for details on upcoming clinics. I attended the first one Oct. 14 and business was brisk.
There was plenty of excitement at Delta Co-op Oct. 16 as players gathered with their game cards to enter the "Members Matter Most" contest, taking their chance at over $1,000 in prizes. This project was partnered with Unity Credit Union and offered some fun for folks for the couple of weeks preceding Co-op Week celebrations.
Delta Co-op expanded their campaign this year to include all four of the communities they serve, partnering with credit unions in those communities.
In Unity the top prize winner was Kristi Baker, whose name was not only drawn for a subsidiary prize but in the top three and she chose the winning key that opened the box earning her the $500 top prize. Karen Clark won the $250 second prize while Rochelle Simmineau won the third prize along with a secondary prize as she, too, was able to fill two game cards for entries.
Unity Minor Football wrapped up their season Oct 13. Both Unity teams played on the consolation side with the Unity Red team defeating Macklin 46-32 while the Unity Black team defeated Kerrobert 24-22 in an exciting match.
Unity gals, Kelsey Wildeman and Shelby Solomko, travelled to Calgary to take part in Canadian Collegiate Softball Association National Championships Thanksgiving weekend. Coming off a bronze medal in the Western Canadian championship the weekend before, hopes were high for success.
The Ontario teams were strong but the U of S ladies finishing just out of playoff contention after losing to Durham College by one run. Kristin Walz, who played for the University of Calgary Dinos, was also not part of playoff Sunday as their team lost a thriller of a game to the University of Regina by a score of 1-0.
This weekend, Unity has five softball girls travelling to Palmdale, Calif., with the 222 Fastpitch U16 and U14 teams. Coached by former Team Canada men's players, Keith McIntosh and Dean Holhein, these girls will be playing competitive softball throughout the winter. Unity U16 players are Marina Gampe and Samantha David. The U14 girls are MacKenna Vany, Morgan Mock and Josey Huber.
In baseball, we are still watching Unity's Rhett Feser as he competes with the Niagara New York College team. Rhett has seen the mound several times.
Hometown golfer, "Woody," was not only named the Alberta Collegiate Athlete of the Year for his golf success, he headed off to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association National Ping Golf event in Quebec Oct. 14-17. Torrential rains hat pummelled the area Oct. 16-17, forcing the cancellation of the championship.
This was not the way Justin Wood wanted to finish up at nationals, however he now sets his sights on another event coming up in November in Phoenix, Ariz.
Sunday, Oct 26, is the United Church fowl supper. You may still be able to get tickets at Our Drug Store.
St. Peter's Parish annual fall supper will be held Sunday, Nov. 2 with tickets available at St. Peter's Gift Shop or Wildeman Sports. Tickets are $10.
If you love to shop in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere with some unique merchandise come to Ladies' Night Out 2014. If you need more information, you can contact Dixie Berki at 306-228-3227 to register. Admission is $5 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Unity Community Resource Centre in memory of Shirley Parkinson.
St. Peter's School choir will be singing at mass this Sunday and, as we all know, Mrs. Keller does a fabulous job with these students, so come and join them for their gift of music.
The staff attended two days of professional development Oct. 20-21. Coming up for the school are preparations for Halloween. You can check out all the latest photos and what's happening on the new St. Peter's Facebook page.
Unity Public School is also decorated for Halloween. The school held their annual book fair this past week with Mrs. Schultz-Abel once again doing her fabulous work of combining the book fair theme with decorations and contests.
The UCHS SADD committee is bringing in guest speaker Greg Drew, Oct. 28. Everyone is welcome to see his presentation, which starts at 9 a.m. Besides Thanksgiving Monday, students had no school Oct. 20 and 21 due to professional development days for the staff. Now it's nearly report card time as student-led conferences begin Nov. 4.
Volleyball teams are more than half way through their season. Senior teams compete in league play Tuesdays, while junior teams enjoy league play Wednesdays. Teams are preparing for upcoming district and conference playdowns. Warrior football is into playoff season as well.
Hockey season is fully underway. The midget AA team has hosted a game while the Miners will be seen in exhibition play squaring off against the Luseland Mallards Oct. 24.
Unity Minor Hockey is once again icing 10 teams. This will send some teams to Wilkie and Cut Knife arenas for some practices and games as the Unity arena cannot fit in practice and game times for 10 minor hockey teams, one senior men's hockey team, several recreation hockey team including one ladies' rec team, as well as Unity Skating Club events and public skating times.
The Unity Curling Club is now on Facebook. Ken, Gerry and the boys have been working hard to finish the ice. League curling is set to start Oct. 28. The first bonspiel on the agenda is the Bramiche Farms sponsored ladies' bonspiel Nov. 14-16. The Sifto cash spiel is Dec. 5-7.
Did you know you can rent the curling rink lounge or one or more of the sheets of ice for a very good price? Book early as these are both popular bookings. And, if you haven't registered for this curling season yet, you can call the curling rink lounge at 306-228-2212.
The Unity Facilities Committee is holding their annual steak and lobster dinner next month. You will want to make sure you get your tickets for this gourmet meal. The event also offers auction items. You can contact the town at 306-228-2621 or check out their website at www.townofunity.com for more details.
Unity Credit Union and Delta Coop partnered Aug. 20 to ride the Big Bike for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The two businesses challenged each other to fundraise, with Delta Coop staff winning the challenge raising more than half of the $10,925 that came in. The credit union riders on team "CuCo" dressed in bright neon and outfits reflecting the 1980s while the co-op staff donned their Rider green. These efforts earned them a surprise package recently from Pamela Hujber, manager of the Big Bike Saskatchewan saying, "You have incredible spirit. Thank you for your great leadership. Your team has been named top rookie fundraiser of 2014, as well as the Team Spirit Award." These awards are now displayed at the co-op and credit union. Province wide, close to $300,000 was raised in 2014 on the Big Bike campaign.
Coffee row enjoyed lots of special treats last week as several locations of Delta Co-op had coffee and goodies served celebrating Co-op Week. As well Unity Credit Union served coffee and goodies on Credit Union Day. Now, they say, they are saving up for Christmas goodies.
What's on the topic table this week? Well, the Riders of course. Quarterback theories are thrown around like the football itself. The latest losing streak of our beloved Riders is a concern and folks are waiting with bated breath on the latest game to see if we are still sweating or can breathe a small sigh of relief. Harvest talk is also dominant as folks can converse freely on what crops produced well this year, who is finished this year's harvest and their hopes that everyone will be done soon. The weather is never too far off the table either as, after enjoying a pleasant fall, the winter word creeps back into the conversation.
There is nothing better in a small community than walking into a place and hearing the stories and laughter that come from our folks on coffee row. Keep it up folks; those around you enjoy your daily gatherings as much as you do! So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
