The Unity and District Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Celebrate Unity banquet March 3 with a full program including recognition of long-time and new businesses, community volunteers, the New Horizon Senior Centre and more. The recognition ceremonies and presentation of awards was followed by the entertainment Mind Magic, performed by Louis Pezzani.
After Mayor Bob Abel addressed the crowd, MC Gerald Hauta introduced the first set of honourees – long-time local businesses who had celebrated a milestone anniversary in 2024.
Both Caltech Surveys and Jeff D. Tiffin, CPA, marked 25 years of business in Unity last year. Compass Minerals celebrated a 75-year anniversary in 2024.
Two businesses were acknowledged for an astounding 115 years of serving Unity and area – the Bank of Montreal and Press-Herald Publications.
The Bank of Montreal was the first bank to open its doors in Unity, as the Merchants Bank, March 10, 1909. According to a Unity Courier article published in March of 1949 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bank, the population of Unity in March 1909 was only 60 people. At the time of the 50th anniversary, the Bank of Montreal was still the only chartered bank in town although the population had grown to 1,400.
Sadly, despite a present-day population count of some 2,500 individuals, and after such a long-time of service to the community, the Unity branch of the Bank of Montreal will be permanently closing its doors in July.
On a happier note there are no plans to stop publishing what is today known as the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald. There has been a local newspaper in Unity since 1909 and while ownership and the name of the publication has changed from time to time over the years, Unity’s paper continues to be a source of true facts, real news, great stories and local advertising.
At a time when economic woes seem to be a constant topic in the news, how encouraging to be introduced to seven new businesses at Celebrate Unity. Four “stores with a door” – 4KS Feed & Supply, JC4 Scenic & Sip Clothing & Sport, Over the Rainbow Daycare and Unite Wellness Centre – are all owned and operated by local residents.
Frocklage Detailing and Property Services, Massage Therapist Tristan Halter and Winterhalt Tire also add to the exceptional number and variety of goods and services available locally from people who live and work in our community.
Adding to the vibrancy of Unity’s business community are not only long-time businesses marking special anniversaries and new businesses opening their doors; equally important are those individuals willing to purchase and run existing businesses. In this context, Jonah Kopp and Kyle Carlton, new owners of Heitt’s Plumbing and Heating, the Kal brothers, new owners of Jack’s Pizza and Sam’s Club, and Brittaney Herbert, new owner of Rise + Grind Coffee, were welcomed and congratulated by the Unity Chamber.
Retirees Glen and Larry Heitt were recognized for their years at the helm of Heitt’s Plumbing and Heating.
Businesses alone of course do not make a community, so a welcome was extended to Dr. Rahmanian and to Father Matthew Ramsay. Grant Rusk, retired RCMP sergeant, was recognized and thanked for his years of service.
The chamber of commerce appreciates visitors to town, who often spend at least a few dollars at some of the chamber’s member businesses. With this in mind, the committee that organized and hosted the Baseball Sask Senior Men’s Provincial Championships in Unity last summer, was also recognized and thanked.
The work done by New Horizon Senior Centre, which celebrated a 50-year anniversary in 2024, is also appreciated. Their motto is “No senior in Unity should be lonely” and they work to provide programming of all sorts to enlighten and entertain our local seniors. There is something going on at the New Horizon Hall five days a week and they encourage anyone over 55 years of age to check it out.
Each year, the chamber accepts nominations from the public for their Exemplary Service awards. A number of nominations were received this year and the committee had a hard time narrowing the recipients to the following.
First up was the staff at the Bank of Montreal, nominated by Vernon and Sadie Burns. The nomination read, in part, “[The staff] are knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and willing to take as much time as necessary to explain complicated procedures. They remember your name too.”
Manager Shanna Magnus, personal banker Joelle Boser, customer service rep Dianna Krieger and the recently retired Jill Sloboda were all on hand to be thanked and congratulated.
Lonestar Auto Repair & Towing, owned and operated by Daikota and Ashley Tanner, was another Exemplary Service award recipient. Lonestar was lauded not only for great service but also for keeping Facebook followers informed as to road conditions, taking on the Purolator contract, sponsoring children for summer camps or lessons and doing “their utmost to help their customers out.” Lonestar was nominated by Heather Quiring.
The third Exemplary Award winner was community volunteer Chris Martin. Martin is a long-time Unity resident, often seen at places and events around town throughout the year. But where she really excels is in her volunteer work at the Unity & District Heritage Museum. Whether she is training summer staff, greeting students on field trips, cataloging artifacts, or here, there and everywhere at July 1st activities, her passion for the museum and the preserving of Unity’s history shines through.
The nomination, by Azure McGonigle, noted Martin’s “passion for the museum does not just stop when the museum is closed for the winter. She often works behind the scenes, fulfilling requests from folks who are doing family history, updating a special binder designated to the veterans who called Unity their home and even researching items that are far and few between that just happened to be donated to the museum.”
Celebrate Unity truly is a community event, celebrating and uplifting not only excellent local businesses but all aspects of life here, including spiritual, cultural and sport. The evening was an opportunity to come together in a happy, positive atmosphere and celebrate Unity.
