February is clipping along and folks are definitely noticing the pleasurable experience of that sun being out just a little longer each day. Spring fever is starting to set in even though this has been an incredibly wonderful winter.
The big wind storm of Feb. 6 and the little cold snap Feb. 14 weekend is about the harshest weather we鈥檝e experienced so far this winter. Not a single soul has been heard uttering anything but wonderful comments. No matter how nice the weather has been, once that sun starts sticking around a little longer each day, I鈥檓 ready for spring.
Speaking of wild, windy weather, how about a shout out to those folks who have to travel in those conditions. The prolonged power outage should have had everyone appreciating their local SaskPower employees because, even though we endured the outage, they were the ones who had to head out in that nasty weather to get us turned back on.
There are quite a few jobs we easily take for granted until we need them and then we recognize their value. 鈥淲e often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.鈥� 鈥� Cynthia Ozick.
We are winding up February birthday fun in our families with the last three, which all land on the same day. Happiest of birthday wishes to my mother-in-law Anne, my sister-in-law Cindy and my dad Doug as they all share Feb. 22. The cake escapade continues.
Kids are back to school next week and there will be a flurry of activity for all the schools being that it is only five weeks before Easter break is upon them
Unity Public School is ready for Red Cross Pink Day activities Feb. 26. As well, division two students will finally get to enjoy their trip to Table Mountain for a ski day. Music festival practices will take place regularly as choral speaking and musical numbers prepare for the annual music festival.
St. Peter鈥檚 School is also busy practising for the upcoming music festivals, including their choral speaking numbers as well as the choir and the band numbers. Just before the break students enjoyed both a ski trip and a windup basketball tournament.
Unity Composite High School junior girls鈥� basketball earned district bronze in North Battleford Feb. 6. The junior boys鈥� basketball team earned district silver in Unity Feb. 6. All three UCHS senior curling teams advanced to regional competition coming up Feb. 26 and 27 and have high hopes of sending a team or two to provincial competition.
Junior curlers get to play on home ice for their district championships Feb. 23 and 24.
Staff and students will also jump right back into action following the break as basketball season for seniors will be wrapping up with district and conference playdowns. Drama students will continue to fine-tune their spring and regional drama festival productions. The Positive School Climate Committee is creating excitement for their 鈥淒ay of Activation鈥� in April.
UCHS held a one-day symposium for students on anxiety and strategies for dealing with it. See the complete story in the next edition of the paper.
UCHS alumni Tandra Fraser just completed her second expedition to Antarctica with her work in biological research. From this expedition, Tandra headed to England where she is moving for further studies.
Sadly, there is one less hockey team in post-season action as the Miners suffered an early exit at the sticks of the Biggar Nationals. However, you can still enjoy senior hockey as the Wilkie Outlaws, using our rink this winter, are on a hot steak and still playing in both league and provincial hockey quests.
The peewee provincial team is into round two while the bantam provincial team played last weekend in their second game of a two-game total point. They headed into the game with a seven-point lead, but final results were not known at press time.
Unity Curling Club was very proud of Coach Snell, who led three high school teams to regional berths. Team Hayes, Team Sperle and Team Powell will be once again heading to the rink with hopes of a provincial berth.
Although the men鈥檚 bonspiel was down in numbers, likely due to running into the February break, 16 teams competed for the finals of this annual event. Up next on the agenda will be the Oilmen鈥檚 Bonspiel the first weekend of March. You can register your team by calling the rink at 306-228-2212. The ladies鈥� spiel won鈥檛 be far behind.
The club will also be watching for UCC president Glen Heitt curling with Brad Heidt, as well as Team Lloyd Fell, competing at the Northern Men鈥檚 Senior Provincial curling playdowns.
Excitement is high for ball registration March 1 because there is so much to look forward to on the diamonds this season including Unity Minor Ball Day, GPLS softball league PINK SOX weekend the end of May, tryouts for the Saskatchewan Summer Games team, squirt provincials and the U21 Western Canadian Ladies鈥� Fastpitch championship being hosted in Unity.
That doesn鈥檛 even touch on what the baseball side of UMB banner will be up to this season. Following registration March 1, there will be an annual meeting. .
The museum continues to host Sunday brunches as a fundraiser for the many facets of the museum grounds and they appreciate and count on community support for these events. Up next for them is the annual St. Patrick鈥檚 Day supper with only 80 tickets available. Volunteers and committee members work hard to keep this facility 鈥渢he talk of the town鈥� and they continue to count on and ask for support of their community to keep this prized historic venue in tip-top shape. They are still in need of a curator and will always accept new faces for volunteer work or to sit on the committee itself. Won鈥檛 you consider this challenge?
Coffee row folks have been chatting about the local hockey and curling teams as well as their favourite sports teams on TV. There have also been plenty of Rider reviews with the multiple transactions that have taken place on a regular basis since Chris Jones appeared on the scene. Theories about upcoming winter remains as well as spring seeding are a continual topic when we live in a farming community. No matter what the topic is or which side of the topic table these folks sit on, you can be sure there are always some laughs and a promise to reconvene tomorrow to revive the camaraderie and conversation over a good cup of coffee. So, you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
