We could be halfway done winter or we could just be starting. The dreaded four-letter word in winter other than snow has definitely been cold. For those who love winter sports, they would like more fresh snow. For those who dislike winter, the prolonged cold has not been their friend. But we are reminded the days are now getting longer and that is always a welcome sight, although the sudden blizzard that blew over the majority of Saskatchewan on Jan. 11 was a stark reminder that Mother Nature rules the roost.
Celebrate Unity is always a terrific event. If you know of a business that has gone above and beyond or someone who has contributed significant time and dedication to community activities, groups, events or organizations be sure to nominate them for recognition. Deadline for nominations is Feb. 6. Call or text Helena at 306-228-8780. The event date is Monday, March 6. This event features supper, a brief awards ceremony and entertainment by the Dueling Pianos musical duo.
聽鈥淯nite for a Miracle鈥� fundraising campaign kicked off Jan. 9. It is spearheaded by Cherie and Jeremy Wagner.聽 Their family received Telemiracle funding when their son Zayden, at six months of age, was diagnosed with distal renal tubular acidosis. This diagnosis resulted in several years of trips to specialist聽 appointments, treatments and hospitalization. The Wagners have been grateful for the financial assistance they received from Telemiracle during that difficult time period and they want to ensure they can give back.
Cherie鈥檚 brother, Darcy Wildeman, is the chairman for Telemiracle 41, so Cherie thought this was a perfect opportunity to showcase the community spirit of Unity by creating a town-wide campaign. All three schools are doing their part and it is hoped community groups, organizations and businesses will also jump on board with something to contribute to the total.
An announcement at the Jan. 9 kickoff was the Valentine鈥檚 event called 鈥淭reat your Sweet鈥� which features supper, silent auction and the entertainment by Brad Johner and the Johner boys Feb. 11.
Community spirit days are being held with this Friday being hat day and next Friday being red/pink day. Community members can participate for $1.
The Wagners appreciate the number of individuals, groups, organizations and businesses who have contacted them to come on board.
Although Mother Nature definitely did her best to hamper the show on opening night, theatre people always stand by their motto that 鈥渢he show must go on.鈥� Those who attended are still talking about the musical theatre performance by the UCHS drama club. Little Shop of Horrors did not disappoint. All of the efforts by this group since September paid off in their performance dates, as audiences thoroughly enjoyed the music, dance, acting, set, costumes, props and all facets of this production.
A big bouquet to Unity Composite High School students Caprice Sherwood and Kennedy Mielke who are working diligently on their goal to raise $10,000 to help build a school in Kenya as part of the Free the Children campaign. As Caprice so eloquently states, 鈥渏ust because it isn鈥檛 happening here, doesn鈥檛 mean it isn鈥檛 happening somewhere else.鈥� They sold candles at Christmas and they collected 2,000 pounds worth of food at Halloween 鈥� which would have cost thousands for someone to purchase. They are now selling recipe books and Rafkis as well as hosting a coin drive, talent show and a walk to show how far women have to walk to gather fresh water for their homes.
Unity Public School are gearing up for their celebration of Literacy Day on Jan. 27. Based on the book The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, the entire school is working on a project called Unity Public鈥檚 Most Magnificent Thing. Students will be designing magnificent things out of empty boxes and practicing the stages of critical thinking along the way
UPS is participating in Telemiracle fundraising. Feb. 3 is cupcake treat Friday and the students are still looking to complete their participant list for pie in the face. Students participate with a loonie donation towards these fun Fridays.
St. Peter鈥檚 School had a role in the USCH鈥檚 Little Shop of Horrors production, as Mrs. Keller鈥檚 band played opening theme music for both acts Jan. 11 and 12. The Knights of Columbus basketball free throw competition will be taking place on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 11:45 a.m. in the school gym. All boys and girls ages nine to 15 are welcome. Winners of each group will receive a basketball and advance to districts. Please watch for posters with more information, or contact Mr. Dan Wilgenbusch at 306-228-2928.
Grades 4, 5 and 6 students begin participating in curling the week of Jan. 30 as part of their physical education聽 program. They will finish up their week with a mini-bonspiel on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Grades 4 to 6 ski trip to Table Mountain has been rescheduled to Friday, Jan. 20.
As the rink hosted minor hockey week last week, it is timely to mention those players who are playing hockey at higher levels. Luke Sperle, Garrin Scherr and Colby Ralston are all part of the West Central Bantam AA Wheat Kings. Colby is leading the team in scoring and also been chosen for the Sask First Showcase bantam team that played over Christmas and will face off again in March.
Colbey Frocklage and Hunter Sperle are playing for the Pee Wee AA West Central Wheat Kings, with Colbey sitting fourth in their league top scorers.
Alex Pernitsky who played most of his minor hockey in Unity is part of the Colarado College hockey team while Braden Lacoursiere is team captain in his final year with the SJHL, playing for the Flin Flon Bombers.
League curling will be off next week as the JayDee Ag Tech Men鈥檚 Bonpiel begins on Tuesday, Jan. 24 and runs right through until the weekend. Curling Day in Saskatchewan takes place Jan. 25. And Team Heidt is in the final stages of preparation for their quest to earn a Tankard title in early February in Tisdale.
There will be plenty of Unity fans at the Rush season home opener in Saskatoon this weekend. It will be exciting not only to watch this latest sports phenomenon but Unity folks will get to watch hometown girl Shelby Martin perform as part of the Crush dance team.
Coffee row folk are certainly enjoying a hot coffee on these cold January days. It doesn鈥檛 matter what venue is hosting the coffee college experience, there is never a lack of talk about what鈥檚 great in our community or what鈥檚 coming up in town. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time鈥�
