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Celebrate Unity evening recognizes many

In spite of Mother Nature throwing some curveballs at the Celebrate Unity committee, starting with the feature entertainment unable to arrive and other such glitches, the committee was pleased to say the evening was one of the best they have had.

In spite of Mother Nature throwing some curveballs at the Celebrate Unity committee, starting with the feature entertainment unable to arrive and other such glitches, the committee was pleased to say the evening was one of the best they have had.

Attendance was at a record high with more than 195 people in attendance. Barry and Sheila Houser along with Will Ballantyne graciously agreed to step in and fill the entertainment void and did a fantastic program.

A small committee of eight plans an evening to celebrate the many good parts of our community that might otherwise go unrecognized. Five new businesses were acknowledged recognizing that the business community is what helps Unity thrive and the chamber seeks to have others discover the shopportUNITY in Unity.

Daley’s Heating and Plumbing, Found Treasures, G.N. Warnd Firearms Fixer, Inspired Memories Wildeman Sports Excellence, Guy’s Furniture and Veritas Design Technologies were in the new business category.

Five milestone anniversaries were celebrated for local businesses that included KP Gardens for 25 years, Ducherer Builders and Len Grant Trucking for 30 years, Compass Minerals – Sifto Canada Corp for 65 years and Delta Coop for 85 years.

Three committees were recognized for their work hosting big ticket events in Unity that not only promoted the sports they were hosting but helped fuel economic spinoffs for the community. Provincial senior men’s and women’s curling held in Februrary 2014 brought multiple teams, officials, fans and Sask Curl representatives to town. The summer brought another large event when the Pee Wee Panthers hosted provincial softball in town and the year was capped off by a whirlwind planning that resulted in a pre tournament World Junior A hockey game to town.

New managers and retired ones were also acknowledged. This group included retirees Don Robertson, Petro Canada; Louise Robson, Unity United Church minister; and Maureen Robertson, UCHS principal. New managers, owners and others who were recognized included Father Greg Roth, new St. Peter’s Catholic Priest; Dr. Vikram Boparai, Unity Dental clinic and Lional and Liala Mardell of North American Lumber.

Exemplary service awards included Bob Burns for more than 50 years of commitment to the Unity Golf Club and the Unity firearm safety program. Ron and Lucy Koenig were also recognized for their years of dedication to the Special Olympics program in Unity. And Shirley Parkinson was recognized posthumously for her years and years of commitment to keep the Sparks, Brownies and Guides program operating. She was also acknowledge for her involvement with the UCRC, breastfeeding programs and Kids in the Kitchen program through the interagency committee. Shirley’s daughter Sarah and other family members were on hand to accept this award.

While it is impossible to recognize everyone that shines in achievement, service and commitment within the community, the committee has formed a set of guidelines they hope will help select those recipients who are most deserving in the past year. And they encourage residents to submit nominations for those they feel should be on the agenda for the next year’s Celebrate Unity event.

The evening begins with a meal, followed by the presentations and wraps up with entertainment. A program giving a brief biography on each honouree of the evening is published for those in attendance. This celebratory evening recognizes many of the factors that help make Unity a community that is active and growing.