Valentine's Day is soon upon us. Take this as your official last minute reminder to do something extra special for your loved ones. Support your local community by taking your valentine out to dinner at one of the many establishments in town. Check out a local flower shop or retail store to pick up something special. I am a valentine baby, so I was brought up on red birthday cards, pink frosted heart-shaped cakes and other Valentine traditions that all came from small-town Saskatchewan stores, and a very creative, loving mother's hands.
This month is full of birthdays for our family and I look forward to each one of these celebrations with happiness. Happy birthday Janelle, my mom and my husband and my dad, sister-in-law and mother-in-law, who all share a birthday! "The more you celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate in life." - Oprah Winfrey.
A shout-out to everyone who called to give me their versions, tales and recollections of the Suicide Creek mystery. Mr. Horsman, I enjoyed our conversation and thanks for calling me. Thank you to everyone who offered some help in solving the case. However, we will leave the mystery unsolved.
And I am thankful for Wiarton Willie in Canada and Punxsutawney Phil in the United States, as they both, thankfully, predicted an early spring.
This flu season has been a nasty one. Schools have been hit hard, with stomach flu making its rounds before Christmas and the recent respiratory symptom flu in January. Wash, wash, wash your hands, folks and, if you are sick, stay home and stop the spread of it.
Starting Feb. 4, banks, credit unions and retails will stop distributing pennies. You can still deposit them but, as the government looks to remove this coin from circulation, these are the preliminary steps in place. Experts predict there are millions of pennies in jars and containers in Canadian homes. Unity Public School is collecting pennies for Telemiracle.
UCHS basketball teams are in the last part of their season. Junior boys and girls have been playing games and tournaments. District competitions are at the beginning of March. These teams are coached by senior players, with staff advisors. The senior girls' and boys' teams have also had success in competition so are ramping up their preparations for district and conference playdowns.
The UCHS drama club is preparing their production, Jekyll and Hyde, and 16 x10 which includes five smaller one act plays. As UCHS is hosting the regional drama festival in April, they want to ensure they have a top-notch club performance ready.
UPS is holding a penny drive for their Telemiracle fundraiser. Polar Water generously donated the use of some large bottles for these coin collections and the tally will be counted and rolled Feb. 26.
The UPS School Community Council and parents are planning recognition events Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Past events have included parent-provided supervision so the staff can enjoy one of the many lunches provided this week in the staff room.
St. Peter's Schoolis hosting their annual "Are you as Fit as a 6th Grader" competition Feb. 8. This is a fun competition between Grade 6 students and members of the community in a variety of athletic challenges. The school is also preparing for the upcoming music festival, with the school portion taking place in their venue April 17.
St. Peter's Telemiracle fundraiser is asking students to donate 25 cents for the privilege of wearing a variety of things to school such as sunglasses, pajama bottoms, backwards shirts, favourite jerseys and hats. They have set a goal of $200 and, if students make the mark, they earn an extra 10 minutes at recess.
Feb. 11-15 is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Just one day spent in a classroom would give everyone a new appreciation of our teachers and staff at all three schools. Students and staff look forward to the annual February break, Feb. 18 to 22.
The Midget A Lazers just keep on rolling. They are undefeated in league play and swept their two-game total point series with Rosthern, winning their away game 9-3 and their home game 6-0. They now wait for the winner of North Battleford and Martensville to determine who they play next in their provincial title quest.
The Miners captured a win in their last game of the regular season against Lloydminster. The team will open their provincial playoffs against Perdue soon.
Sunday, Unity Skating Club will host a Canskate fun festival with approximately 35 Unity Canskaters along with a number from out of town showing off their talents in a non-competitive, group environment.
Unfortunately, Glen Heitt who was part of the Brad Heidt foursome at the men's provincial Tankard lost out in the C qualifier to Steve Laycock. The team had a successful weekend, even having one match against Brad's son, Josh. We will now be watching Glen as his senior men's team qualified for Northern Senior Men's Playdowns in Outlook this weekend.
Glen's wife, Wanda, who curls with team Darlene Gilles and Brad Heidt's wife Tracey, along with Darlene Kloschinsky, are heading to Senior Women's Provincials in Martensville Feb. 20 weekend. This team is looking to defend the title they won in Gravelbourg last year.
The JayDee AgTech Men's Bonspiel is in progress, coming into playoff weekend with over 18 teams competing. After this is the oilmen's bonspiel, Feb. 28 to March 3. This is followed by the Bramiche Farms Ladies' Bonspiel.
This weekend 4-H curling teams are competing at provincials in Rosetown with the junior team, coached by Glen Stevens, including Kaitlyn Ireland, Cyane Sperle, Dawson Ireland and Reece Gilbert. Glen also coaches the senior team of Kyla Van de Meutter, Robyn Sperle, Megan Babchuk and Emma Greenwald.
Congratulations to Unity Motor Products who have now completed their renovations.
Congratulations also to 2nd Avenue Cinema who celebrated their 20-year anniversary. We are so fortunate to have a theatre in our community that strives to bring in the new releases and keeps their prices economical for all patrons. Coming up is the popular Trailerfest, with free admission.
Unity is very proud of former resident Maeson Stabbler, son of Cory and Michelle Stabbler, and grandson of Val and Vicky McLean and Dorothy Stabbler. Maeson has earned a 2013 Alberta Great Kids Award for his commitment and work in holding a fundraising hockey tournament to benefit the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton. The inaugural Stabbler Stollery Showdown raised over $23,000 for the hospital, thanks to the big heart and "pay it forward" notion of Maeson's.
The Unity Community Resource Centre wants residents to know they are much more than a used clothing centre. In addition to the bulletin board containing job postings in the area and lists of furniture to be given away or sold, residents looking for items also post on this board. Their computers, offering high speed Internet, are free to use. There are community services offered such as public health nurses, moms and tots meetings and play group and the community food bank.
The board hopes to expand on some of the services they can offer but, as with anything that needs renovations, money is needed. And because the UCRC is non-profit, they look to donations. Why not come in and see all the UCRC has to offer and consider helping them out either physically or financially, so they in turn can help others in our community?
Coffee row folks are still discussing curling season, including our own Glen Heitt at the provincial men's Tankard. They are also giving their thoughts to Team Virtue, the new representative for Saskatchewan men's curling, as well as the Season of Champions on TV. The "rowers" are putting in guesses on what remains in store for winter as well as making some spring predictions The demise of the penny brings up some sentimental stories. On occasion they can be heard discussing bridge construction east of town, especially the Suicide Creek name mystery. They can also be heard pondering future downtown business openings and closings, in addition to their laughter and optimism for each day. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week ...
