Be thankful folks! When you see the disease, conflict and natural disasters in other parts of the world, we need to be thankful for the stable, peaceful, beautiful province and country we live in. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
St. Peter's School is jumping into October with a variety of activities coming up that will include choir practices and the AR program kicking into full swing.
St. Peter's School was thrilled with their cross-country program this year. Runners were: novice girls, Kierra Bosch, Cassey Koberinsky, Aithel Sumaya, Jenna Wildeman, Zya Taylor and Isabella Lefebvre; novice boys, Denim O'Donnell, Hunter Sperle, Colbey Frocklage, Braedon Coons, Logan Middleton, Thomas Snell and Karson Blanchette; and peewee girls, Abby Rutley, Olivia Poschenrieder and Aryanna L'Heureux.
The team worked hard and performed great at every meet. Real improvement was evident because of the commitment these youngsters put into long distance running. At districts in Spiritwood, something spectacular happened for the St. Peters novice boys. Something no school has ever done and will be very difficult to do in the future. History was made! A clean sweep of the top three in an age category - Colbey Frocklage, bronze; Denim O'Donnell, silver; and Hunter Sperle, gold! Congratulations, boys.
St. Peter's students will celebrate Education Week with the theme of "Supporting and Celebrating Success." The short week begins by having a Saintswear Family Reading Night Oct. 13, Jersey Day Oct. 14 and the annual seniors' tea and celebration Oct. 15. That week will wrap up with Pajama Day and a pancake breakfast in the church hall. Sounds like a ton of fun at St. Peter's this month!
Unity Public School students are excited about all the great things that come with October. Reece Gilbert was one of the success stories in this year's cross-country season, (hoping to have full details next column). Choir has started up. Fall decorations revolve around harvest, thanksgiving and Halloween. It's a fun fall lined up at UPS.
Unity Composite High School has so much on the go. UCHS is very proud of their cross-country team this season as well. The team, coached by Michelle Van de Meutter, went to the Battle West District Championships Sept. 24 in Spiritwood. It was a great day for racing. Kabri Rutley is a district gold medallist while Damien Bowey and Kyla Van de Meutter each took home district bronze.
After all was said and done, Megan Babchuk, Cayla Laturnus, Kyla Van de Meutter, Ben Robertson and Damien Bowey qualified for provincials in Kamsack which were held Oct. 4. As well, there is a provincial age classification cross-country meet in Saskatoon Oct. 18, which Kabri, Ben and Damien will be competing in.
Senior golf boys Tyson Senger, Cody Thompson and Dax Desmarais won silver in districts. Congratulations!
The SADD committee is bringing in guest speaker Greg Drew, Oct. 28. Everyone is welcome to see his presentation, which will start at 9 a.m. Besides Thanksgiving Monday, students have no school Oct. 20 and 21. Then it's nearly report card time as student-led conferences begin Nov. 4.
Did I mention 2014 UCHS graduate Allison Kuhn won a $10,000 ag scholarship through the co-op that not only helps pay for her education but offers an internship in the summer? Also Adam Wallace, another 2014 UCHS graduate, was recently awarded $1,000 from Edwards School of Business for getting the top mark in a university course he took while in high school. Adam has been invited to attend a banquet in November for this accomplishment.
Congratulations, Marina Gampe and Samantha David, on capturing a spot on the 222 U16 winter fastpitch team that will be heading to their first tournament in October. The U14 girls, including Josey Huber, Morgan Mock and MacKenna Vany, also will be heading to Palmdale, Cal. to compete in their first tournament.
Also congratulations to Irene and Lorne Acton whose twin granddaughters, Haley and Mackenzie, are playing this winter on Team Saskatchewan and preparing for softball in the 2015 Jeux Canada games.
Speaking of fastpitch, Kelsey Wildeman and Shelby Solomko headed to the Western Collegiate Softball Association league championships in Strathmore, Alta., Oct. 3 weekend, playing with the University of Saskatchewan ladies' team. The U of S girls have already secured a berth at the national collegiate championships after capturing the WCSA title last year. That will take place in Calgary Thanksgiving weekend.
And we'd be amiss to mention ball and not mention Rhett Feser who is working hard at Niagara New York College and has had some impressive starts on the mound. I'll keep you posted on his progress.
3-on-3 hockey has begun which means a full slate of hockey practices and games is soon on the horizon. The men's team, the Unity Miners are pleased to welcome several teams to their league, meaning there is now a north and south division. Should make for some great senior hockey.
The Unity Skating Club held registration Sept. 30 and look forward to another season of skating fun. CanSkate will take place Mondays and Thursdays with group test and senior skate coming up as well.
Check out the website www.unityminorhockey.com if you need more details. Or you can view the complete arena schedule at www.townofunity.com
The curling rink is "hurrying hard" to get curling season ready. The annual meeting was held Oct. 6. Registration nights are slated for Oct. 14 and 15, starting at 7 p.m. in the curling rink lounge. New curlers are welcome; you can sign up as an individual or a team or a spare. They'll find a spot for you. Call the lounge at 306-228-2212.
Unity Minor Football is in the tail end of their season with playoffs soon and the championship taking place Thanksgiving Monday. Check out the updates on their Facebook page that includes photos from the UMF day.
October is lining up to be another busy month with activities planned throughout the month starting with the annual trade show and fall fair last weekend. Coming up is the Investors Group Comedy Night as well as other fall events like the annual area fall suppers. Watch this column, or posters around town, for details on these upcoming activities.
Again, may I remind folks reading this column from near or far, there are a number of job opportunities listed in our local paper or on the Town of Unity website at www.townofunity.com. Check it out!
Coffee row is dissecting the Rider season - weighing the pros and cons of Sunseri vs Doege at QB and welcoming the news that Darian will return soon. Everyone is hoping the weather will co-operate so our farmer friends can complete this year's harvest. Coffee row is certainly a terrific part of community culture where you can share a story, a smile, a debate and a coffee and, no matter which side of the topic you support - they all reconvene again with smiles and laughter. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
