The upcoming months bring a number of activities to our community, so be sure to stay tuned to this column, Facebook promotions and posters hung up around town.
Feb. 6 is the last date for nominations for those who should be included in the Chamber of Commerce 鈥淐elebrate Unity鈥� event. Call or text Helena at 306-228-8780. Tickets will be on sale soon.
When you see a nurse or doctor make sure to extend a special thank you. This winter has brought about a number of illnesses that kept the clinic and hospital very busy over Christmas and into the new year.
The 鈥淯nite for a Miracle鈥� campaign is going strong, with schools taking part with their various fundraising projects. Community spirit days have been a big hit, too, with plenty of jerseys donned last Friday. This coming Friday is hat day. Don鈥檛 forget to purchase your 鈥淭elemiracle Toonie鈥� tickets for a chance to win over $950 in cash prizes. Brad Johner and the Johner boys will be performing in Unity Feb. 11 for the 鈥淭reat your Sweet鈥� fundraising event, with 100 per cent of the proceeds from this night going towards the campaign. Corporate tables have already sold out, so organizers have made more available. It seems every day we hear of another business, group, organization, or individual who have come on board this fantastic fundraising campaign to join forces to donate to Telemiracle 41.
Unity Motor Products has offered money to this campaign with every new vehicle purchased and every oil change completed, as well as matching all staff donations during spirit days. Crop Production Services is also offering to donate $25 for every sale of combined purchase of 70 litres start-up and one jug of L1700. Delta Co-op is donating two cents a litre of fuel purchased at the pumps Feb. 7, 8 and 9. The Unity Home Centre has an authentic Carey Price WCH jersey to win for any donation of $5 or more. Committee members Jeremy Wagner, Zayden Wagner and Darren Stifter have all volunteered to have their heads shaved. The top two individuals sellers at the two elementary schools will get the duty of shaving those heads!
On the evening of Jan. 16, RCMP constable Riley Corcoran facilitated a public information session on community crime prevention. While Cst. Corcoran was the main speaker, seven other members of the Unity, Wilkie and Macklin detachments were present.
Around 40 people attended including members of councils, RMs, businesses as well as community members.
Corcoran spoke on how citizens and businesses can protect themselves from property crime, fraud, break and enters and vehicle thefts. Small town residents feel comfortable and safe in their surroundings and as a result become complacent.
Corcoran reminded citizens that simple tips can reduce becoming a victim of these types of crime. Lock doors and close windows all the way. Park in a well lit space. Keep valuables out of view or lock them in the trunk. Do not leave keys in your vehicle. Close curtains and blinds when not home to keep valuables out of view and always lock your doors. Property crime and vehicle thefts are, for the most part, preventable.
There are many ways to protect against fraud. Never provide payment or sensitive information on a call that you did not initiate. Do not send any personal or sensitive information through email as the channel is not typically secure. Review your credit report at least once a year to look for unauthorized accounts that are open in your name. When shopping online, ensure you are using a secure website to make purchases; look for secure transaction signs such as a closed lock icon and 鈥渉ttps://:鈥� in the address bar.
It is important to remember legitimate lotteries and contests do not require you to pay a fee or tax to collect your winnings. Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust. Scammers are counting on the fact that you will act quickly if you believe there will be consequences. If something seems off about a certain situation, take time to think about it before making a decision.
Corcoran concluded that crime prevention is a community effort. Although it is the job of the police to respond to calls each day, many of the crimes committed can be prevented by taking a few extra steps to help keep property, vehicles and communities safe.
Don鈥檛 be a victim. Throughout the evening it was noted that unsecured firearms that are stolen are often used in another crime. The owners of the stolen guns can then be charged for wrongful storage of a weapon.
UCHS is nearly done semester one exams and students have been studying hard in preparation. Semester two begins Monday. Each month, it is tradition at UCHS for a different class to hold a Telemiracle fundraiser. A dessert auction was held Jan. 19 raising funds for the campaign. Basketball continues to rule the courts while both junior and senior curling continue to rule the rinks. Regional drama festival group will continue to put in multiple rehearsals for their production at this year鈥檚 regional drama festival, held at UCHS this year. Junior high students are looking forward to the upcoming ski trip Feb. 9.
Unity Public School continues with their fun Friday Telemiracle fundraising efforts and students are all challenging each other in the 鈥渉elping hands鈥� competition to see who gets to shave those committee members鈥� heads. Their 鈥淲riteopia鈥� project has completed the critical thinking challenge with the 鈥淢ost Magnificent Thing鈥� initiative/
St. Peter鈥檚 School is also enjoying their participation in 鈥淯nite for a Miracle.鈥� The division two students will be enjoying some fun at the curling rink next week. Some students are part of the junior curling program at the Unity Curling Club while others are just learning the sport. They will finish up their curling week with a mini bonspiel Feb. 2. St. Peter鈥檚 staff and students continue to demonstrate their commitment to 鈥淯nite for a Miracle,鈥� with Valentine鈥檚 Day scheduled for red and pink day. They are asking for a small donation to participate.
The Unity Midget AA Lazers still sit in second spot and their momentum is high going into their last leg of league action before playoffs. Be sure to catch their last home game Feb. 19. The Unity Skating Club will also be hosting a fun fest in February and are preparing for their upcoming ice carnival in March.
Next weekend curling fans will be tuning in to the Saskatchewan Provincial Tankard as team Heidt is one of the teams participating and includes our very own curling club president, Glen Heitt, as part of the team. The annual Men鈥檚 Open bonspiel continues through to Sunday playoffs.
The Unity Wildlife Federation wildlife supper is coming up Feb. 4. All tickets are sold out. A waiting list has been created for potential cancellations. You can call Brent Heitt at 306-228-7182 to be added to the list. On scoring night, Tyler Gilbert鈥檚 moose was only one-eighth of an inch shy of qualifying for the Boone and Crocket Club records and will surely be a topic of conversation come Feb. 4.
The Lions Club fundraiser supper is being held on Jan. 29 at the Legion Hall from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Come out for a full course roast beef supper for only $12 and support your local Lions Club. You can contact Cliff for tickets at 306-228-3753.
Congratulations Morag Riddell, the January winner of a $50 gift card from Our Drug Store through the ShopportUNITY free app promotion.
The Lions Club are selling fundraising coupon books for $20 with a potential of $800 in savings. I know one coupon alone more than paid for our book. Jan. 31 is the last date to purchase your 2nd Avenue Cinema Entertainment books that offer free movies, punch cards and聽 buy one get one admittances.
Residents can log onto the town of Unity website and find information about proposals for pathway expansion in Unity as well as the newly released business assessment plan.
Canada 150 plans are starting to take shape around us as Tramping Lake is planning their centennial in conjunction with this confederation anniversary. Luseland is also hosting a big 150 party in their community.
Wilkie Outlaws now stand at a record undefeated win streak of 14-0. They still have tickets available for 鈥淩ing in the New Year Lotto,鈥� with a $25,000 grand prize up for grabs. As well, the Outlaws are determined to win their bid for Kraft Hockeyville 2017.
Coffee row folks have noticed the sun comes out a little earlier each day and leaves a moment later each night. Local hockey and curling action are a topic for discussion as well as the ever-popular weather theories. It鈥檚 no secret that the community鈥檚 goal for the 鈥淯nite for a Miracle鈥� campaign to benefit Telemiracle is getting nearer, which is a hot topic of conversation in many social circles. And these folks also know there is plenty of activity lined up for February and March. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
