We are into the fourth week of September and does it feel like fall yet? The trees are changing and the temperatures are dropping. Some, especially our farmer friends, are still hoping for a late burst of summer-like weather before the official fall weather hits us full time.
A rash of vehicle break-ins the evening of Sept. 13 has been a stark reminder for residents to lock their vehicles (although some break-in victims reported their vehicles were locked) as well as remove valuables from those vehicles. The importance of being responsible citizens and watching over our neighbourhoods and reporting suspicious activity is one method of reducing crime in our community.
The biggest excitement for Unity this past week was undoubtedly the Friday night lights football game hosting the home opener for the Unity Warriors high school football team. The intrigue began when the Unity Minor Football program held a lights game on Thursday night. Through plenty of promotion, the enthusiasm grew for the Friday night game under the lights. Estimations of the crowd was around 500 in attendance, the largest for any high school game.
Pre-game festivities began at 6:30 p.m. and the crowds just kept building. It was great for the mini flag football players and the high school players to see this much support for their games. The Warrior win certainly helped the energy and atmosphere of the night.
Congratulations to the Warrior parent volunteers who planned, organized, baked and cooked, sold 50/50 and assisted with setup and cleanup. The donors of the lights must also be acknowledged. This event would not have happened without their contribition and a big shout out to them for not only lending their lights but dropping them off, helping set them and then returning to pick them up.
Paving projects continue in Unity and although it has caused some minor traffic detours and delays the end result will be something we are all proud of.
St. Peter鈥檚 School is marking the 20th year of Accelerated Reading Program. With enrolment up at St. Peter鈥檚 this year to 154, Principal Volk is excited for the many things happening at the school and they encourage everyone to check out their website sp.loccsd.ca, or their Facebook page and Instagram account for all the latest updates.
Unity Public School is also reporting an increase in enrolment with the number now standing at 254. They have split the kindergarten class and the Grade 3s to help out with some big numbers. Coming up for the school is a PD day slated for Sept. 26, the Terry Fox Walk is on Sept. 28 and Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30 to raise awareness of residential schools.
At UCHS, with 270 students on board for this school year, you could say it is a 鈥渇ull house.鈥� Principal Weber looks forward to another year of learning with the school goals focusing on inclusion, expanding their use of educational technology and participating in the Living Sky School Division鈥檚 initiative to effectively incorporate treaty education in the classrooms. Welcome Week was a big hit. Sept. 12 kicked off with pajama spirit day and Delta Co-op bringing in muffins, fruit and milk for all staff and students to enjoy. Sept. 13 was plaid day and was complemented by the annual Grade 12 burger sale While the SLC and leadership crew led games on the front lawn. Sept. 14 was formal day and school picture day. Sept. 15 was jersey day and students also took part in their fundraising Terry Fox Walk Sept. 15, followed by a chili cookoff participated in by nine teams of staff, students and community members. Funds raised went towards the Terry Fox Association and cancer research. Throughout the week, the intramural house system collected for the food bank after learning of the depletion of their stock over the summer, with points awarded to top house collector. Friday was the grand finale with a school colour spirit day, a pep rally held in the gym and the home opener for the Warrior Football team held under the lights.
Senior girl鈥檚 volleyball will host their home tournament this weekend and all other divisions of volleyball are in full court mode for their season.
Rink season is now upon us and should be problem-free this winter with the installation of new compressors this past August. Midget AA tryouts are this weekend and 3-on-3 hockey begins Monday. Practice times are being finalized and soon the hockey rink will be back in full swing for this season.
Next weekend is the annual Fall Fair and Trade Show in Unity. The event is starting Friday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. and running until 9 p.m. Hours for Saturday, Oct. 1 are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a food booth all weekend with Unity Credit Union and Delta Co-op serving up the pancake breakfast Saturday morning from 8:30 to 10 a.m. with the proceeds earmarked for STARS air ambulance.
Dance for the Health of It will hold their 19th annual event Saturday, Oct. 15 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Community Centre. Contact Cliff at 306-228-3753 or Peter at 306-228-3847 for tickets.
Did you know its Unity Credit Union鈥檚 75th anniversary this year? Instead of holding one big event to celebrate, the management, board and staff there decided to do what they do best 鈥� give back to the community they serve. In honour of their 75th anniversary, they have been performing random acts of kindness throughout Unity this year. Currently they are at number 58 and counting.
There have been some noticeable changes on Main Street. Realty 2000 鈥� Heitt has undergone a facelift and looks spiffy. The Robertson house on the corner has come down and a new residence is being constructed where it stood. The Bargain Shop is undergoing extensive renovations inside and out. As well, the new rental unit on Main Street is now ready for tenants. Revolution Dance Studio has moved downtown as well. In last week鈥檚 column I neglected to mention the Fitness Studio is on the first block of Main Street to add to your choice of fitness solutions.
Another exciting development was the completion of the 8th Avenue Estates, complete now with street lights and paved road access.
Soon to be completed and officially opened is the new Delta Co-op fertilizer plant. Watch for details for the grand opening of this place coming up in October.
Coffee row folks are excitedly reviewing all of the activity that has been happening and is still yet to come this September as community activity kicks back into full swing. The paving work was of interest, as they watched those mighty machines work their magic on the streets they were revitalizing. Riders, Blue Jays and the upcoming hockey season are also on the topic table. Dismay at the rash of break-ins and pride in the development seen in our community are also topics up for discussion. A hot cup of coffee has never been more enjoyable than on these cooler fall mornings. 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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With the sun setting at one end of the field and the full moon at the the other, many fans enjoyed their first experience watching a football game under the lights at Warrior Field the evening of Sept. 15. Photos by Sherri Solomko
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When UCHS heard the call out from the Unity food bank looking for donations to replace depleted supplies from a month of high demand, the school added it to their welcome week activities, challenging intramural houses to see which team could bring in the most product, with the winning team awarded bonus points
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