There still may be celebrations happening in your home as family events are always still plentiful over the holidays. Some may be feeling the melancholy that it鈥檚 over for another year however there still is some scheduling down time as school and events take a brief hiatus to allow everyone some holiday happiness with their families.
With the local paper on a brief hiatus over the holidays returning to regular issues Jan. 11, stay tuned to this column for all the latest and greatest in Unity so you won鈥檛 miss a beat.
You might be breathing a sigh of relief that Christmas is over or you may still be in celebration mode continuing to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. While town activity will have indeed slowed it doesn鈥檛 mean there is lack of things to partake in. We have a couple great in town sledding hills 鈥� a smaller one in Kinsmen Park for the little ones and the most popular Mount Wilson behind the community centre and ball diamonds that includes lights for the night time sledders. The rink will be back in full swing including a variety of games that will include the Miners back at home for the first time since early December. While the curling rink will be a little quieter they will appreciate the break as once January hits it is a full blown non-stop action movie in this venue with multiple events upcoming in 2019. Remember the Outdoor Rec venue is also lit and can be used any time of the day or night for skating. And, if you are not an outdoors person you can always enjoy a movie at our 24/7/365 day theatre showing all the latest in movies.
If you are needing an extra tax write-off for 2018, consider a last minute donation to any one of a number of community or provincial charities 鈥� they would be happy to get you a receipt for your generosity.
Regardless of where or what your new year鈥檚 plans are 鈥� please ensure you have a safe option for getting home.
Just like Christmas week, you will want to pay attention to the paper, posters in stores and online posts about holiday hours for your local businesses as some are closing early on Dec. 31 while most are closed Jan. 1.
School zones will be quiet this week and part of next but you will want to be mindful of kids on their break taking advantage of the wonderful playgrounds during the day at the two elementary schools and they may not be watching as close as they are accustomed to so there still could be little ones manoeuvering in these locations.
UCHS, UPS and St. Peter鈥檚 are enjoying their remaining Christmas breaks as they know once school resumes so will their busy, but fun, learning and school activities once again.
If your kids are whining they鈥檙e bored, send them to a senior鈥檚 home to shovel, or take some leftover treats from Christmas, or have a little visit, or build a snowman on their lawn. It鈥檚 a great way to share Christmas spirit and community camaraderie and you know it will be greatly appreciated.
Unity Curling club experienced a full house for the Boxing Day team with 20 teams participating and several more sat hopeful on the cancellation list. UCC is enjoying a brief lull in action before a very busy new year begins with multiple events on tap.
While the rink may have a limited schedule you can come on down Dec. 29, as the Unity Miners will host their only home game this month. Plenty of local talent to cheer for on this team.
I once again must express my thanks to readers from both in Unity and outside of our community for all of their kind words and comments all year. I don鈥檛 think I realized the reach of this paper and all of the community鈥檚 contributions to readers so it re-energizes me for the New Year to shall I say 鈥渒eep on, keeping it on鈥�.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year full of much health and happiness. Regardless what activity you are taking part in make sure to celebrate the year that is coming to a close and embrace the New Year and all of the opportunities it will present. Drive safe everyone!
I loved the movie New Year鈥檚 Eve that was released in 2011. One of the best portions of the movie came in a speech given by Jennifer Garner in her character reacting to what seemed an uncontrollable moment that she was supposed to be in control of. These words reflect one of the best messages I鈥檝e heard about the holidays and how we should approach the New Year. You see she was in charge of the ball drop in Times Square on New Year鈥檚 Eve 2011 and things weren鈥檛 going according to plan.
She observed, 鈥淎nd as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. It鈥檚 suspended there to remind us before we pop the champagne and celebrate the new year, to stop, and reflect on the year that has gone by, to remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken, the times we opened ourselves up to great adventures... or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt, because that鈥檚 what new year鈥檚 all about, getting another chance, a chance to forgive. To do better, to do more, and to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if... and start embracing what will be. So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let鈥檚 remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long.鈥�
Another character in that same movie named Sam, also delivered some wise words that I feel are worth quoting: 鈥淪ometimes it feels like there are so many things in this world we can鈥檛 control. Earthquakes, floods, reality shows... But it鈥檚 important to remember the things that we can. Like forgiveness, second chances, fresh starts... Because the one thing that turns the world from the longing place to a beautiful place... is love. Love and any of its forms. Love gives us hope... Hope for the New Year. That鈥檚 what New Year鈥檚 Eve is to me. Hope and a great party.鈥�
You see when it comes to writing something profound for our readers I couldn鈥檛 come up with the right words yet I kept remembering these lines delivered in this movie and thinking those are words I feel are worth repeating.
Coffee row folks numbers are still fewer as some are still travelling or enjoying home time with their families. They will be ready in the new year with plenty of stories to share of their Christmas experience as well as laying out hopes and plans for the New year. So you can see life is full of fun and activity in Unity and our friends at coffee row sharing this traditional part of our community culture. Until next time鈥�
