Valentine's day is over. I hope you aren't spending a year making up for what you may or may not have done for your special someone. Halfway through February and we are still experiencing one of the mildest winters many can remember. Although it is nice to have escaped the stormy and cold weather for the most part, it does bring to mind thoughts of how seeding is going to start with the lack of snow to provide adequate moisture. And Monday is Family Day. Turn off those electronics and plan to spend a quality day with your family. You won't regret it.
The Jay Dee Ag Tech men's bonspiel was a tremendous hit. For the first time in a few years the event exceeded expectations for entries with 27 teams registered. The youth movement made a definite statement throughout the weekend as three high school teams were entered, two of them playing into Sunday and one of them advancing to a Sunday final. The NBCHS team definitely had some heads turning with their fearless style of play and precision execution. Winners were: A event - Mitch Heidt team from Kerrobert, who also won the corporate booth for three draws, for 10 people; B event - Martin Berg, Ken Parker, Brent Hepting, Neil Ehnisz; C event - Lloyd Sloboda, Dwayne Flasch, Christ Schmidtz, Jeff Hayes; D event - Curtis Bowker, Keith Schell, David Watt and Darren Brebner.
High school curling district playdowns that began Monday of this week in Unity saw the Unity Composite High School mixed team of Jonathan Neigum, Shelby Solomko, Justin Sopyc, Mickayla Brandle and Devon Boser advance to regional playdowns starting Friday at Unity Curling Club. From this next level, teams can advance to high school provincial playdowns the first weekend in March.
The 4-H team of Kyla Van de Meutter, Robyn Sperle, Megan Babchuk and Ainsley Bowey are headed to regional curling 4-H playdowns held in Biggar, hoping to earn a provincial berth, but were unable to advance.
The Glenn Heitt team, with Heitt as skip, Daryl Eddingfield at third, Bart Brown at second and Gary Maze at lead, had a great record, losing only to their long time nemesis Brad Heidt at Northern Senior Men's playdowns last weekend in Kindersley. They earned a provincial berth. Glen's wife Wanda will be competing with team Darlene Gilles in Senior Women's Provincial Playdowns in Gravelbourg later this month. As well, congratulations to the team of Lorne Action, Dennis Boerrichter, David Johnston and Art Sieben who went to the Elks provincial championships as defending masters champions.
Provincial playdowns and league playoffs for hockey have begun. Midget AA have been eliminated by Meadow Lake. Bantams have been eliminated in their first round. Peewees entered peewee C provincials and played against Spiritwood in the second round, but were unable to advance. This leaves all divisions now focusing on winning league titles. Atoms have completed their first round of league playoffs and will face off against none other than each other for the league title. These two teams are as evenly matched as they come. The initiation division tournament held last weekend was a big success in large part due to parents and organizers. Novice division will be hosting their home tournament soon after
UCHS is on the last week of their annual magazine drive. If you are interested in renewing or starting a subscription to your favourite magazine, give the high school a call and they will set you up with one. The funds raised from this project go to help many activities in the school. Basketball season is nearing the playoff portion with junior teams heading to playoffs the beginning of March and senior teams the weekend after. Staff and students are looking forward to the school break next week starting with Family Day Monday.
Upcoming for our museum is the St. Patrick's Day corn beef and cabbage supper. This will be held on March 17 and tickets will soon be on sale. There will be only 80 tickets sold. The museum will also be having a draw for a $1,000 grocery voucher March 17. These tickets are on sale around town and by members for $10 each. Proceeds are going towards an office building. Eileen Sword is the main contact for these tickets if you have any questions.
The museum office fund is now at $17,195, but we still need another $30,000 to begin this project. This building will be used for storage, history archives, important papers and pictures, main office/registration, and will be heated all year. The museum is also in need of a director/curator, a person who would be interested in fundraising, volunteer organization, daily activities and promotion of UDHM. Our current curator would like to pass the position on - well she is nearly 98 years of age, and she can't do as much as she used to at the museum. If you are interested please contact Unity Museum, Box 852, Unity, Sask. S0K 4L0. If you have any questions please contact president Bill Meek 228-2214.
Museum members thank all who provide support through fundraisers, funeral donations and attending Sunday pancake brunches. The cost is only $6 per plate. Don't forget every third Sunday is the special brunch. Circle these dates - Feb. 19, March 18 and April 15. The last winter brunch will be April 29.
Legion members are selling the next round of tickets for their 50/50 lottery. The Legion members are raising funds to repair the roof on the Legion Hall.
The Unity Chamber of Commerce is looking for someone in Unity and district who is making a difference in our community through their volunteer contributions. To nominate someone, please send your letters to the Chamber at Box 834 or drop off your signed letters at Unity Credit Union, attention Danielle Wildfong. The award recipient(s) will be recognized at the Celebrate Unity Event March 5. The evening consists of supper, program, a comedian and door prizes. Tickets are available from Unity Credit Union and Sunrise Wellness Spa. Prices increase after Feb. 28.
Coffee row folk have been discussing, of course, the unusually mild winter we have had and trying to decide if they can remember another one any better. As well, many of these participants at coffee row are curling fans, so they are looking forward to the beginning of the curling championships starting with Scotties in Red Deer and the soon to arrive Brier the beginning of March. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week ...
