As January clips along so do the theories on what the rest of winter will hold for us. Up to this point, 鈥淚 have got no complaints鈥� or 鈥淏oy, this has been a nice winter for a change鈥� have been heard multiple times. Will we pay for those kind compliments to Mother Nature or will we get to keep enjoying a mild and relatively storm-free winter?
I know one thing, the temperature within Rider Nation got hot Jan. 14 when it was announced fan favourites John Chick and Weston Dressler were released. Twitter feeds lit up faster than fireworks on Canada Day and the fallout will remain for weeks and months as fans come to grip with the constant changes coming through Riderville. The outrage was evident and as one fan so eloquently stated, 鈥淩ight, because who wants honest, hardworking talented and committed all-star pros on their team?鈥� I think it will be some time before the fire ignited from this move by the new staff in Riderville will be extinguished. Let鈥檚 keep hoping folks. Until then, know the player in the No. 7 jersey was undoubtedly the most popular at Mosaic.
Speaking of the Riders, I do have to extend a shout out to Riders CEO Craig Reynolds for the hand-written note sent to long-time season ticket holder, Charles Bonogofski. Numerous supporters of Charles the Rider office to let them know this 23-year season-ticket holder was ailing from cancer and could use a pick me up. Charles and his wife Doreen not only made the regular round trip to Rider games they were notable in Rider promotions throughout the province including the 1995 CBC contest asking fans to show a sign. The Bonogofskis painted the Rider logo on their prize bull. They were also part of Unity鈥檚 run for Riderville in 2010, as well as the Rider Pride Hockey Tour in 2011. Along with the note, Charles was gifted a panoramic photo of Mosaic Stadium at this year鈥檚 Labour Day Classic. Its stories like this that show the team also makes efforts to give back and show appreciation to their fans.
Jan. 24 will crown a new 14-year-old in our house. Happy birthday, Landon.
At Unity Public School, home of the Bears, there is a non-stop slate of action taking place. The school鈥檚 first Pin Day of the year was held Jan. 13. Those who ordered, received the new Red Cross pink shirts and UPS will be wearing these to show everyone the school belief of building positive relationships with fellow classmates. Wearing pink clothing will earn students bonus house points. Each year, UPS takes part in their commitment to fundraise for Telemiracle. This year they are holding events Fridays in January and February. The cost is $1 per activity and they are selling helping hands for $1. Last Friday was hat day, this Friday is ice cream treat day and next Friday is a highly anticipated event 鈥� gum chewing day. In February there is movie and popcorn day and Feb. 12 is pajama day. Basketball teams are on the court now, too.
St. Peter鈥檚 School, home of the Saints, is taking no breathers this January. The choir, after having performed multiple times before Christmas, sang at mass Jan. 17. In addition to the learning components for St. Peter鈥檚 students, there is plenty of fun stuff, too. Jan. 29 will the hot pizza lunch sale with the Grade 2s providing dessert. Basketball players are already on the courts with the Saints teams looking forward to the Knights of Columbus free throw competition this Sunday at 2 p.m in the school gym. All kids ages nine to 15 are invited to attend and winners of each group can advance to districts. Contact Mr. Wilgenbusch at 306-228-2928 for more details. Curling is part of the physical education program right now as kids head to the rink to learn more about curling. They will finish up their week with a mini bonspiel this Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Peter鈥檚 students are also enjoying skate times during their gym classes. And after the weather didn鈥檛 co-operate in 2015, the ski trip has been rescheduled for Feb. 4.
Unity Composite High School, home of the Warriors, shows no sign of slowing down. Next week, semester finals take place for both junior and senior high then it will be off to a new semester. Basketball teams are ramping up the second half of their season and curling teams in both senior and junior divisions have just weeks to prepare for their upcoming district playdowns in the second half of their season.
The PSCC/Activate group is spreading their mission to other schools. UCHS continues their fundraising for Telemiracle, already having held the Grade 12 burger sale in the fall and the Grade 7 movie afternoon before Christmas as well as the Grade 8s holding their bake sale/auction Jan. 14, which garnered $950. Up next are the personal assistant auction and a couple more events to help rack up the fundraising total for UCHS.
There is a new class at UCHS under the direction of Mrs. Orobko. Active living is geared for level 20 students and available one semester per year. It encompasses maintaining an active lifestyle and focuses on individual fitness more than team games. This is the first year this unique class has been offered and hopes are high it will catch on for upcoming terms.
The 鈥渒ids can cook too鈥� program is being offered from Feb. 22 to March 24 for Grades 5 students at the home economics lab at UCHS. The cost is only $60 and forms must be returned to the main office of either elementary school by Feb. 5. This program teaches kids to assist in meal preparation and safe food handling. For more information, parents can contact the Unity Community Resource Centre at 306-228-4042.鈥�
Unity Curling club is recognizing Curling Day in Saskatchewan, Jan. 27,聽 with a week of events at the club. Junior curling is Monday and they will kick it off with bring a buddy night followed by snacks and refreshments. All week, fans are invited to watch some terrific talent during league curling nights offering snacks and specials.
Gentlemen, don鈥檛 forget to register your team for the annual Jay Dee Ag Tech men鈥檚 bonspiel at 306-228-2212. While league curling is still keeping the curling arena folks busy, they know there is plenty of action yet to come including high school junior district curling coming up Feb. 23 and 24 also a whole slate of bonspiels after the men鈥檚 event including the oilperson鈥檚 spiel, the sturling spiel and the ladies鈥� bonspiel.
Speaking of curling, how cool was it to see Team Heidt in a photo along with Team Koe who both participated in the Mecure Perth Classic bonspiel in Scotland. Team Heidt has a long reputation for curling success in Saskatchewan with all of the family starting with dad Brad and carried on by Drew, Mitch and Josh. Some of these gents are part of the super league curlers at the Unity curling club.
These are usually the hottest tickets once they are released so if you are interested, I鈥檇 be purchasing tickets for the Unity Wildlife Supper as soon as you can by calling any member of the wildlife group or the town office.
The Lions Club donated another $5,000 to the Unity swimming pool in their commitment to give $50,000 to this new recreation facility over the next five years. The Lions work hard to serve the needs in their community including gate operation at community events, as well as their raffles and Christmas tree lots. As with any service clubs and organizations, they are always looking for new members. Contact Joe Redekopp at 306-228-2662 if you are interested.
If you enjoy a great meal, live entertainment and celebrating success stories in our community, you won鈥檛 want to miss the Chamber sponsored Celebrate Unity event set for March 7. This year, the evening is featuring Sapphire, a fire performer and hoop dancer. The evening starts out with happy hour, followed by a catered dinner. The program follows presenting accolades to milestone anniversaries in the business community as well as honouring exemplary service of citizens who were nominated. Tickets will available in February.
This year marks the 40th anniversary for Telemiracle, Saskatchewan鈥檚 only telethon. Many of us hold fond memories of sitting with friends or family all night to 鈥渞ing those phones,鈥� hear heartwarming stories from recipients and donors or watch the fabulous Saskatchewan talent on tap each year. Unity will be watching their own Presli O鈥橠onnell, who was selected from the talent pool at auditions back in November. Don鈥檛 just let the schools represent fundraising from our community. Think of something to help raise money for this most worthy cause to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
Coffee row folks love to review the standings of their favourite local hockey teams as well as a curling team or two. They are certainly talking about the exciting curling season of champions on TV, most recently the Continental Cup from Vegas. And there definitely was talk amongst rowers about the shocking news of the release of Dressler and Chick. You can be assured these folks can lay it all on the line when sharing what they鈥檙e passionate about in the news, yet no matter which side of the topic table they are on they always reconvene the next day with a smile. So, you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
