‘Tis the season to be jolly! December brings out the best in kindness and caring, so let’s do our part in maintaining that momentum all month and beyond. It is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the Christmas season.
Because next week will be too late, wishing an early birthday greeting to our favourite bus driver, Larry.
There was a fire Nov. 19 at the NWT in a grain dryer. Thirteen volunteer firefighters spent the better part of five hours extinguishing the fire. In a harvest that came complete with plenty of wet grain, it is hoped this piece of equipment is operational again soon.
Thursday is the annual Winter Wonderland festivities in Unity. Downtown activities include late night shopping at most of the downtown businesses. Delta Co-op hosts the St. Peter’s School bake sale as well as demonstrations and draws. The Lions Club is selling live Christmas trees. Our Drug Store is offering cookie decorating for the kids. Prairie Branches is hosting a bake sale and free hot chocolate. Sunrise Wellness Spa is hosting face painting, The Balloon Man, free foot massages and hot chocolate. Unity Baptist Church is hosting a family gingerbread house workshop. Even the Unity Library is offering some surprises. And don’t forget the sleigh rides, hot dogs and hot chocolate at the Unity Credit Union, with donations accepted for Secret Santa.
Saturday is Santa Day at 2nd Avenue Cinema, sponsored by the Unity Chamber of Commerce. Secret Life of Pets will be shown with show times at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. with treat bags and a Santa visit to follow each movie.
Sunday, the annual Christmas Service of Remembrance will take place at St. Peter’s Church, sponsored by the Unity Ministerial Association. This service of peaceful music, and speakers is dedicated to soothe the mourning soul. The service begins at 2 p.m. with a prelude of carols while the actual service takes place at 2:30 p.m.
Unity Public School School Community Council is planning a Christmas dinner for all staff and students for Tuesday, Dec. 13. The now complete basketball court, thanks to the fundraising efforts of students and generous donations from community members, is an active spot on the playground. The choir is practising a couple days every week to prepare for the upcoming Carol Festival on Sunday, Dec. 18.
At UCHS basketball season is in full court press. SADD will be hosting taco salad sales and the SCC is planning a dance affiliated with the senior boys’ basketball tournament. ACTIVATE is promoting 12 compliments of Christmas on social media as well as through their front foyer tree. Drama performances are next week. Instead of having a Walk of Silence as in previous years, students are selling candles for $20 each. The candles are a symbol used to promote awareness of women and children who are silenced every day worldwide. This fundraiser runs until Dec. 6 with a goal of raising $10,000 to help build a school in Kenya, a Free the Children initiative. The candles are individually boxed with a tag created by the Free the Children Club explaining the symbolism in relation to the We Are Silent Campaign. If interested please contact caprice.sherwood@lskysd.ca or contact the office.
The town’s recreation director position remains vacant after Cora Fischer left for another opportunity. Thank you to those who have filled in admirably keeping residents up to date on the arena schedules. And hockey fans, even without a senior hockey team, you are in for some fast-paced hockey action with the bantams, Midget A team and Midget AA teams. The Midget AA team has only two losses and Jaxon Georget the third leading scorer in the league.
The annual scoring night for the Unity Wildlife Federation is Dec. 10 starting at 5 p.m. A $5 ticket at the door includes lunch and refreshments. The wildlife awards and supper will take place Feb. 4.
The next Anglican Church “mall in the hall” will be Dec. 8 with additional dates coming up in the new year. Call Val Middleton at 306-228-4536 to book a table.
Christmas can be a stressful time for families who are already financially strapped. This is where the community’s Secret Santa campaign can help out. Collection bins are set up at Delta Co-op, Unity AG Foods and the Red Apple. You can donate new, unwrapped toys or clothing items. Contact Sharon Riou at 306-228-4264 or Bea Stephenson at 306-228-2494 if you want to submit a name of a family or individual that could use a hand this Christmas or if you need further details on the program.
Coffee row folks are loving the sights and sounds of Christmas. They enjoy reviewing the many activities that are coming up or have happened. They are anxious to share their “remember Christmas when” stories. The smiles and laughter echo throughout the venues that host these groups and are surely contagious to those who experience it. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …
