Will he or won't he? I am longing for Mr. Groundhog to predict an early spring. This darn winter started way too early and I am ready for thoughts of spring. I must say, I am certainly appreciating appearances by the sun just a little longer each day. But these endless "travel not recommended" notices due to ice, fog, more snow and other such winter weather are getting tiresome.
We still are no closer to solving the mystery of the bridge reconstruction on what was referred to as Suicide Creek east of town. Area residents know it as either Adanac Creek or Eagle Creek. We have had a variety of stories and theories presented, none similar to another which makes this mystery even more intriguing. Let me know if you have any more pieces to this puzzle.
UCHS students finished finals for semester one. For those of us with graduates this year, that means only one more semester until our kids are done school.
UCHS basketball teams are still in full swing taking part in tournaments to prepare them for district playdowns upcoming in February. Madison Acton has been lighting up the court with a noticeable number of game MVPs, earning her a season to remember in her senior year. Both junior and senior teams in both boys' and girls' divisions have been faring well in action this season. And it won't be long until the badminton rackets are back out and swinging.
The UCHS Drama Club is ramping up practices for their spring productions, which will also be part of the regional drama festival, hosted this year right here in Unity in April. Watch for more details on this event.
UPS had to change the date of their Literacy Day and it will now be Feb. 5. Also the school is actively collecting the soon-to-be extinct pennies for 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 to take into Telemiracle in Saskatoon.
St. Peter's School students have been "paying it forward" by purchasing "bricks" for $2 to help build a church in India. The school has raised just over $1100. Congratulations, St. Peter's students! Father Jonny was to deliver the funds when he visited there in January. The school will be hosting their annual Are you as Fit as a 6th Grader, Feb. 8. This is a fabulously fun competition between Grade 6 students and members of the community in a variety of athletic challenges.
It's playoff time for minor hockey teams who are now in the last legs of regular season play and will begin league playoffs in early February. The peewees start their provincial playoffs in Turtleford in a two-game total point series, with the second game due in Unity Feb. 15. The bantams drew Meadow Lake in their opening round. The undefeated midget A team won their opening two-game total point series against Rosthern Jan. 26, playing the second game in this series Feb. 1.
Come out and see some terrific playoff hockey and, if nothing else, come enjoy the colours and mullets of playoff season. You can check the arena schedule on the Town of Unity website or posted at the arena.
And don't forget, the Unity Miners hockey team are playing their last regular season game tonight, Feb. 1, against Lloydminster. Come out and support the team and watch some great live hockey action. They also will open their provincial playoffs against Perdue soon.
The initiation division of Unity Minor Hockey hosts their home tournament at the arena Feb. 9.
The Unity Skating Club is heading to Kindersley tomorrow, Feb. 2, for regional competition. Unity will host the Canskate Fun festival Feb. 10, with approximately 35 Unity Canskaters along with a number from out of town showing off their talents in a non-competitive, group environment. The club is also in preparations for their annual ice carnival to be held March 1, the theme being "A few of my favourite things".
This weekend at the Unity Curling Club are Senior Men's Regionals with the local team of Glen Heit, Daryl Eddingfield, Bart Brown and Gary Maze competing. The annual JayDee AgTech Men's Bonspiel starts Feb. 5. Coming up after this is the annual Oilmen's Bonspiel, followed by the Bramiche Farms Annual Ladies' Bonspiel And there is always regular league nights and high school teams preparing for their high school playoffs so there's plenty of live action curling to watch. Call the curling club at 228-2212 if you need any further details.
We are also closely watching Team Gilles, including Wanda Heitt, at their provincial playdowns and Glenn Heitt curling with team Brad Heidt as they head to the Sasktel Provincial Tankard in Melfort.
The museum is having a gift certificate fundraiser with the draw being made March 17 at their St. Patrick's Day supper. They are also now selling tickets for this St. Patrick's Day meal with only 80 tickets being sold, so contact Bill Meek to get yours early. The Sunday pancake brunches continue every Sunday until the end of April. For only $6 you get a hot meal. You can beat the crowd before church as it starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. The proceeds from these brunches go a long way toward museum upkeep, hall costs and future events. Feb. 20th is the annual general meeting and the museum is always in need of new members. In addition, they still need someone to take over as curator at the museum. The museum board thanks all who support them year round with attendance, donations, volunteering and interest and they look forward to another great season.
Tickets for the Valentine's weekend dine and dance featuring the Hot Tamales Feb. 16 at the Unity Community Centre are only on sale until Feb. 9. No tickets will be sold at the door. For only $35 you can take your valentine out for a delicious dinner and an awesome dance band. Contact Jim Sego at 228-3982 or Joe Reddekopp at 228-3907 or any Lions member for your ticket purchases. Get yours while they last! The Lions Club works hard to provide funding for a number of causes in the community including: donations to new imaging equipment at hospital, memorial park improvements and UCHS annual bursaries and proficiency medals. As well they are planning on proceeding with several requests for other local projects in the near future.
This weekend in Unity is the Unity 4-H Club's craft retreat weekend, Feb. 1, 2 and 3 at the Legion Hall. The event runs from Friday at 6 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Coffee row folks still haven't rushed into conversation about the NHL resumption. They are debating whether Geroy Simon was a good acquisition for the Riders or a good unloading manoeuver by the B.C. Lions. Discussion also includes the upcoming curling playdowns that involve several Unity teams, as well as the Season of Champions on TV. The "rowers" are also putting in guesses on what remains in store for winter as well as making some spring predictions. 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
