The ninth month of 2015 appears to be clipping along as quickly as all of the rest. Add in the usual busy fall activities restarting and it won’t long before we are looking October in the eye. And, excitingly enough, it appears we will be watching the Blue Jays in post-season. Now how exciting is this?
The seemingly success story of our blue bins has certainly helped clean up the unsightly recycle area. Folks are also doing their best to keep up on the fall yard work as leaves are beginning to trickle down and gardens are in the process of being completed. It is still enjoyable to see bike riders and walkers out enjoying the nice weather while it lasts.
Unity Public School is well underway with a number of returning activities in the works such as cross-country, which has already held its first meet on a nice fall day. In addition, there is also soccer, choir and participation in the annual Terry Fox Walk, marking the 35th anniversary of this event this year.
UPS staff and students are still adjusting to another large enrolment, the new nut alert policy and some minor changes in classroom locations.
Working parents will appreciate the opportunity to participate in the brand new after school program being offered. Town of Unity, Unity Community Day Care, Unity Public School and St. Peter’s School have partnered together to develop and implement an after school program. The program will provide a safe, educational and structured environment for children to go after school from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
This program is held in the student services room at UPS and is also available at St. Peter’s School. Tenielle Heitt is the after school program co-ordinator who is organizing activities, play time, homework time and physical activity. The cost will be $5 for a drop-in fee and $75 for a monthly fee. If you are interested in this program, contact Tenielle at 306-821-0701 or unitycommunitydi-rector@gmail.com.
St. Peter’s School has also leapt into their fall activities that include cross-country running under the experienced leadership of Mr. Baum. These students have also taken part in their first cross-country meet.
Mrs. Keller has the gift of music echoing in the halls once again as both choir and band practices have begun. And St. Peter’s School is also happy to participate in the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Walk. It will not be long before we can once again hear the beautiful music that the St. Peter’s students offer in the community, at school events and in church.
Unity Composite High School is geared up for welcome week activities which include four full days of fun as the school and senior and SLC students host a slew of activity that includes the always popular pajama day that in turn includes a free breakfast sponsored and served by the Delta Co-op. Tuesday is camo day as well as the noon burger sale with proceeds earmarked towards the Surine family fund and Terry Fox. Friday is school colour day as well as the first big pep rally of the year for the first home game of the Warriors as well as opening sets for the senior girl Warriors hosting their home tournament.
Students will take part in the Terry Fox Walk Sept. 24, the same day as the infamous chili cook-off where teams will be vying for title of best chili.
Staff are still adjusting to the large influx of Grade 7s who have migrated to the high school.
SLC, ACTIVATE/PSCC and yearbook committees have reconvened. School sports keep both gyms busy as cross-country running and volleyball season are already underway as well as Warrior football being back in action. The teams welcome fans to come cheer them on during their season
SADD has begun again and students look forward to those famous taco salad days as part of the SADD fundraising efforts for the programs they offer. UCHS is also committed to the annual Terry Fox walk as part of their wellness programs. And Cordell is back in the booth with his hot lunches; always anticipated and always enjoyed.
A warm welcome is extended to new Unity United Church Minister, Gary Johnson and wife Verna Kocski, who arrived to take over the Unity Meridian Pastoral Charge from their former home in Moose Jaw. Gary has been out and about the community, meeting and greeting residents as well as now filling the pulpit at the United Church.
There was an information meeting Sept. 16 from 6:30- 7:30 p.m. at the CE Building, next to the United Church, for Sparks, kindergarten and Grade 1; Brownies, Grades 2-3; and Girl Guides, Grades 4-6.
Guiding is a safe, inclusive, all-girl environment that invites girls to challenge themselves, find their voice, meet new friends and make a difference in the world. When your daughter joins Girl Guides she is embarking on an incredible journey. Each year, from approximately September to May, she will have the opportunity to be part of weekly activities and fun outings with friends in her own age group. For more information or to register, call 1-877-652-0644 or go to www.saskatoongirlguides.ca.
Football fans, remember that, because of the field upgrades, both Warrior football and Unity Minor Football are in action on the field at UPS. Volunteers do a great job of setting up all the equipment so the field is fully ready and pro-looking for each game that is hosted in Unity. Watch the next rising football star as they host home games during their season which runs to early October in both tackle and flag divisions; and high school football.
The rink will soon be once again a meeting place as hockey season kicks into full swing. Fans can check out the arena schedule posted each week or log onto the Town of Unity website for details on any of the exciting action upcoming at the rink. Don’t forget, hockey players, to register for 3-on-3 hockey, which will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10 with registration only $50. Contact UMH president, Dan Feser at 306-228-8123 to register.
Minor hockey registration has taken place this week with numbers again in the high factor ensuring multiple teams in various divisions once again, testament to the strength of the Unity minor hockey program.
Be sure to watch the electronic town sign, local bulletin boards and social media for updates on the many registrations that will be taking place this fall.
Midget AA tryouts will take place Sept. 26 and 27 at the Unity arena, with ice times at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Interested participants are asked to contact Dwayne Scott at 306-228-8284or Stan Weber at 306-228-8014 if they require further information.
The Unity Miners will be holding their hockey tryouts/camp in the near future; watch for details around town, in this column or at the rink.
And speaking of the rink, it won’t be long before curling season will be back in action too. The Sifto cash spiel has already been set for Oct. 30 weekend for interested teams.
Only one more week until the annual Unity Fall Fair and Trade Show. Consider entering your home grown or homemade projects in the fall fair portion with multiple categories in baking, produce, canning, sewing, quilting, photography and much more – prizes are awarded! The fall fair portion of this event is held in the upper hall of the community centre.
The trade show portion of this annual event will be held in the curling rink and is a great place to browse for unique products or fan favourites. It also tends to be the one stop visiting station for those who come to shop as well as reconnect with friends and neighbors.
The Unity Ag Society will host a booth with plenty of homemade goodness as well, so you won’t go hungry.
Once again Unity Credit Union and Delta Co-op are partnering to host the Saturday morning pancake breakfast with proceeds earmarked to the new Unity Community Day Care project.
Come and support this terrific annual event that offers the best venue for meeting up with friends and neighbours after the summer; eating some fantastic food; shopping at some unique vendors and just generally experiencing a unique event right here in Unity. Supporting the Unity Ag Society at this event in turn helps support the Agroplex and other ag society events.
You don’t want to forget to get your name in to be on the home team playing the Montreal Canadiens alumni hockey team featuring plenty of former NHLers. As well there are spots open for officiating the big game, for equipment handlers and security for the Habs alumni as well as a “Thrill of a Lifetime” experience that includes your very own jersey and playing with the alumni and plenty more excitement to boot.
The minor hockey draft night, Oct. 1, will be an opportunity to be selected for these fabulous opportunities, part of this big ticket hockey event. Please contact Carey Baker at 306-228-2621 for more details on how you can bid on your place on the roster or some of the other opportunities available.
Coffee row folks have dual hot sports topics to talk about– of course, the Blue Jays bringing on their best at the right time is very exciting as many of these rowers can easily remember their last capture of World Series! And the Jays are much more fun to watch and talk about than the Riders right now, sad but true. Extended rains September long weekend was certainly not the harvest happenings our farmers were wanting to talk about. There is no lack of upcoming activities to review or anticipate as you can see by the lists in this column. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …
