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All the planning and preparation is over, Christmas is here. Have a blessed, healthy and very Merry Christmas, folks! If you are travelling, drive safely and be prepared for changing conditions.
In the busy hustle and bustle of the holidays, take time to visit a shut-in or help an elderly neighbour with some shovelling. Demonstrate the good will gestures of what Christmas is all about. Don鈥檛 forget our churches that will all host a Christmas Eve service and can give you the peace and serenity we all seek at this time of year. The music alone will be sure to soothe the soul.
The biggest news out of Unity this past week was the Russia vs Team Canada East game held Dec. 12. More than 750 people packed the rink to watch these teams face off in a pre-tournament game of world junior A hockey prior to the tournament in Kindersley Dec. 14-20. Fans were not disappointed as, even though Russia outscored the Canadians, it was a quick game showcasing the best in these players. See complete story in another section of this paper.
The Unity Composite High School drama production was fantastic. The drama club does a fabulous job of set design, costumes and lighting as well as fine-tuning the talent of actors, actresses, singers and dancers who all perform in the production. What a terrific addition to have the St. Peter鈥檚 School band performing live music to accompany the productions.
The UCHS annual fruit sale was all distributed this week as well, thanks to the many, many volunteers and student sellers who helped make this massive task much more manageable by all pitching in to help unload the truck, sort, distribute and deliver the orders.
St. Peter鈥檚 School had some great excitement before school was out as Principal Volk and his wife welcomed their first family members with twin boys who were born Dec. 11. The staff and students are anxious to meet the next generation of St. Peter鈥檚 students and are very excited this Christmas package arrived safe and healthy for Mr. Volk and his wife, Patti.
Unity Public School wrapped up this week with a Family Fun Night Dec. 18, full of festive fun, food and games for all students, parents and grandparents.
School is officially over until 2015. Kids can now enjoy alarm-free mornings until the new year. Parents can enjoy a little less hectic of an activity schedule while attempting to get some extra chore help around the house. University and college students are heading home for Christmas break, sure to look for the familiar cooking and spaces of home and a welcome reconnecting with former classmates.
Hockey talk is prevalent following the exciting big game featuring Team Canada East vs Russia at the arena Dec. 12. Fans were in for some of the highest calibre hockey right in their own arena. The action didn鈥檛 stop there as the Peewees Lazers hosted their home tournament right after this game on Dec. 13 and 14.
The Unity Miners will continue their league action with a game in Wilkie Dec. 19.
For all divisions of hockey, it is best to check the schedule hanging at the rink or log on to either of these websites: or .
Attention curlers, near and far 鈥� here is what is upcoming at the Unity Curling Club. First, the annual Boxing Day Funspiel for those who choose to be active rather than shopping or sitting on their couch eating leftovers! Register now at the curling club at 306-228-2212.
Next on the agenda is the Sifto/Compass Minerals sponsored Cash Spiel for senior men and women, running Jan. 9 to 11 featuring a $7,000 prize payout. At the end of January, the club will host the senior women鈥檚 qualifier and February opens with our two big spiels, the JayDee AgTech Men鈥檚 Open from Feb. 10 鈥� 15 and then the Oilmen鈥檚 Bonspiel from Feb. 26 to March 1.
Both the Bramiche Farms Ladies鈥� Open and Year End Funspiel are slated for March.
The Unity Curling Club has a Facebook page so check it out for all the latest updates, photos of our spacious lounge, far-end camera viewing, long spacious windows at each sheet and some curling action. Come play in or visit the curling club everyone is talking about.
Don鈥檛 forget the annual Secret Santa campaign is looking for volunteers to help assemble and wrap for deliveries the night of Dec. 22. The committee does a fantastic job of continuously seeking donations, picking up those donations, then shopping to fill in the gaps to fulfill those names that have been submitted this year. Volunteers then select from these donations for their 鈥淪ecret Santa鈥� names, as well as wrapping and assembling their hampers ready to deliver that night.
The work party is at 7 p.m. at St. Peter鈥檚 Hall, so feel free to join in as many hands make light work.
You will notice a number of businesses in Unity holding some great specials for Christmas. In addition, some locations are offering extended hours for the last week before Christmas.
Remember all the benefits of taking advantage of the 鈥渟hopportUNITY in Unity鈥� and visit local businesses first when completing your Christmas lists. These retailers have set up shop here in Unity for our benefit so let鈥檚 reciprocate by supporting them back. It鈥檚 a win/win situation for both shopper and storekeeper.
In fact, the local sports store, Wildeman鈥檚 Sport Excellence is getting ready to move to their expanded location 鈥� how exciting is this? A new store in its first year of operation expanding. They are holding a one day only moving sale on Dec. 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you鈥檙e around, check it out!
If you are looking for a New Year鈥檚 Eve event, Bluez on 2nd is holding a New Year鈥檚 Eve formal with a surf and turf meal. Advance tickets are on sale now. Also, Danny and the Dusters are playing a New Year鈥檚 Eve gala in Macklin.
Coffee row folks are enjoying all the festive fun in our community. Christmas always brings brighter smiles, happy conversations and the sharing of plans for the upcoming holidays as rowers look forward to either their travels or the company they will be receiving. The coffee row table is welcoming, non-judgmental, theoretical and lively. Something that we would all miss were it not part of our daily community culture. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
