The fun, festive season has begun. Residential light displays are becoming a beautiful addition to the night sky. Carols are ringing out from our radios and store speakers. Christmas events are taking place all over town. Take a moment to enjoy all the season has to offer.
The Sifto salt plant should be back in operation this week after an equipment malfunction led to some short-term layoffs at the plant. The boiler damaged was either going to be repaired or a portable one would be brought in temporarily to have them operational sooner.
The Unity Credit Union once again sponsored Winter Wonderland. Residents joined them in the credit union parking lot, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. for old-fashioned sleigh rides, complimentary hot dogs and hot chocolate too. A silver collection was taken for the local Secret Santa campaign.
UCHS students unloaded massive amounts of fruit from a semi Nov. 30 for their annual fruit sale. This is the biggest and most popular fundraiser for the school.
The UCHS drama production is right around the corner. It will be performed Dec. 13 and 14 at the high school and there are two productions this year. One play is directed by Mr. Bick, entitled Pirates love the Carob Bean, sure to bring laughter as Mr. Bick's plays always do. The other play, Pyjama Party, directed by Mrs. Gilbert, also holds high entertainment value. The UCHS drama club has been working on them feverishly since September. Show time is 7 p.m. and tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students.
The Kinsmen Club is offering tickets at the Courtesy Car Office for their annual seniors Christmas supper Wednesday, Dec. 14 at St. Peter's Hall. This club has held this event, free for all seniors, in our community for well over 25 years. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with supper being served at 6 p.m., with entertainment to follow.
The curling club has teams preparing for the seniors northern playdowns. As well, there are league games every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so come watch live curling action. The next bonspiel for the curling rink is the annual Boxing Day funspiel. If you are looking for an active way to spend Boxing Day with your family, why not sign up a team?
There is always plenty of hockey action to take in at the rink. On any given night you can watch a team from initiation to midget lace up for either practice or games. The weekly schedule is posted at the rink, as well as on the Town of Unity website. The Miners' schedule is also included in the weekly schedule at the rink, and there are posters about town announcing their next home game.
If you are looking for a fresh take on hockey, Unity has its very own ladies' team. I watched them in a game against the four-year-old Wilkie Panther ladies' team and I was impressed by the agility of the players. And they certainly were enjoying what they were doing.
If you are needing a ham for Christmas, the local Midget AA Lazers will be doing their annual ham drive the evening of Dec. 13.
The new doctor has arrived. Dr. Ilana Coetzee, husband Morné and son Luke. Welcome to their family.
The pancake brunches have begun at the museum for the winter months. This is the museum's main winter fundraiser so come join them any Sunday until April. The brunches run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Adanac Hall on the museum grounds.
The Lions Club are back at the North American Lumber lot selling their Christmas trees, but hurry to get yours because they arrived the middle of last week and usually don't take long to sell out. In addition, the club has their annual garden shed raffle, with subsidiary gift card prizes. The Lions Club does a lot to support our community and they appreciate support from residents for these projects.
The local chamber of commerce is again offering the Grand in your Hand promotion. Shoppers at participating businesses are eligible for entry into this draw that will see three winners of $1,000 in chamber bucks to be spent in the community. This is a fantastic promotion as it promotes all that our local businesses have to offer, as well as gives shoppers a chance at a terrific prize just in time for Christmas. There is plenty of variety in our community ranging from brand name clothing, to power tools to wellness products. And don't forget the variety of gift cards at many locations in town to help check off some of those folks on your list.
The chamber also sponsored the annual Santa Day movie and treats, with a visit from St. Nick himself. Kids of all ages were treated to the movie Kung Fu Panda 2, followed by treat bags and a visit from Mr. Claus, with photos available. This is a great project in our community as it enables parents to get some uninterrupted shopping done in town while kids are enjoying a movie. And Santa is a sure hit as he listens attentively to those Christmas lists.
As well in December, Unity United Church presents their annual Cantata. This year, they are doing a portion of it during each Sunday of Advent. This presentation by the United Church choir has become an annual Christmas tradition and one you don't want to miss.
And don't forget the annual Secret Santa campaign is underway. Drop-off points so far are the Co-op, Family Foods, Riou Law Office and Sears. This campaign, in conjunction with the local food bank, aims to make Christmas a little brighter for those in our community who can't afford the Christmas things many of us take for granted. This fine group of ladies has been doing this project for over 25 years. And if you need any help in getting yourself out of Scrooge mode, this is one worthy project to donate your time to.
And in line with your Christmas giving, the local food bank will be matched for every cash donation between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, generously done through the help of the Saskatchewan PotashCorp. The food bank appreciates the support from the community and they hope this campaign will encourage community members to include the food bank as part of their Christmas gifting process.
Coming up also in December is the annual community Christmas carol festival Dec. 18.
St. Peter's School choir has various events about town during the month of December. Watch for them Dec. 7 at 2:15 at long term care, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at Parkview and Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. at Luther Place. They will also perform in the annual school Christmas concert Dec. 16.
Unity Public School invited seniors to come visit their newly renovated staff, student and seniors' fitness room Dec. 5. UPS strives on building relationships in the community and this will be another way they can do this.
Dec. 21 is the UPS Christmas concert, sure to please all generations.
Town decorations are up as well as many residential light displays. Why not grab a friend or a shut-in and take them on a Christmas lights tour?
The community Christmas card has been erected next to the Courtesy Car Office on behalf of the Unity Health Care Auxiliary. To add your name to this card, please drop off your donation at the Courtesy Car Office as all proceeds will go to the auxiliary, who in turn purchase items for the care and comfort of local patients in our hospital and long term care units.
Coffee row folk have been admiring the Christmas lights and displays that are up around town. Discussion this time of year always moves to weather predictions, Santa's list and the inclusion or exclusion of names as well as the wonderful sights, sounds and activities of Christmas in our community. And so again you can see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week ...
