The Unity curling rink and hockey rink, of course, continue to be active this time of year. Unity Comprenesive High School was proud to have high school senior teams win district play downs to qualify for their respective regional Play downs Feb. 18 and 19.
The senior boys' team, skipped by veteran Dakota Pilat, veteran third Kyle Bower, Kevin Bloder and Jonah Kratchmer travelled to Neilburg Feb. 18 for their run at regional curling play downs, after advancing as Battlewest District silver medalists. They, unfortunately, met their match in both of their opening draws and were unable to advance to Saturday's playoffs.
The senior mixed curling team, skipped by Devon Boser, third Shelby Solomko, second Jonathon Neigum and lead Mikayla Brandle, were the youngest team in the regional pool in Maidstone. They continued their winning streak by dominating their opening draw against Colonsay. Their second matchup against St. Walburg was challenging, but they kept composure and won the match by a score of 7 - 5. This win advanced them to the A final Saturday morning. The senior mixed team won their way to provincials in 2010, with only Solomko as the remnant of that team for 2011. However she also was a member of this current mixed team ever since their first year of junior high school curling and this team showed their chemistry and experience was an asset for them as they won the A final over Maidstone to advance to senior high school provincial championships in Regina March 3 to 5.
Following this event will be the annual oil person's bonspiel, which always attracts a number of teams, held March 5 weekend. They have booked the same band, Paradise Road, for their dance as it was such a success last year. Come on down and watch some fantastic curling. There is free admission to the Saturday dance to go along with this event.
The high school junior curling teams are competing in Unity for their chance to win the Battlewest District title. The UCHS mixed team held this title for two consecutive years. There are strong entries in boys', girls' and mixed categories, so hopes are high for a repeat in the win column.
The curling rink action will continue March 11 weekend with the annual ladies' bonspiel. Immediately following that weekend will be the annual last chance bonspiel sure to draw some big name curlers as it has in the past. So if you aren't getting enough curling action on TSN these days, be sure to drop by the curling rink for some live curling excitement.
In the hockey rink, the Unity Miners played to the second round of provincial play downs against Wynyard. However, after game one in Wynyard the team took a beating of 9 - 3 that puts them down, needing to win the next matchup by seven goals as it is a two-game total point series. This action will take place in Unity this weekend so the team is hoping for lots of noise from home town fans to boost their mountainous job of advancing out of this series.
After advancing in their league playoffs with Eatonia the Miners are waiting to play their second round of league playoffs against their next opponent, Eston.
The Unity peewee team is the only team still in provincial play downs and won their second round of playoffs against Kindersley and will now advance to third round against whichever team wins in their division from round two.
All other teams are in their playoffs and all divisions of hockey will either be continuing, or ending their league playoff hopes for this season.
The last minor hockey tournament of the year will be the annual novice tournament, also on March 5 weekend. They are expecting a six-team round robin format with plenty of prizes to be won and much fun to be had. Unity is known for hosting some of the best kids' hockey tournaments around.
The Unity Skating Club is gearing up for their annual carnival, which will be held on March 11. Their theme is Dreams. This club was successful at Interclub competition in Biggar this winter and will be proud to show you their hard work and successes at the annual carnival.
Away from the rink, the UCHS basketball teams are gearing up for division and conference play downs, which will swing into full gear after the school break Feb. 21 to 25.
As well the drama club is working feverishly on their annual spring play and to attend drama festival in April. Their play, Harry Potter Musical Parody will be sure to entertain. Under the direction of Roxanne Mamer this term, this play will host a sea of actors, singers and musicians. Past musicals have been big hits for the club, so be sure to catch a glimpse of this production when it is released.
All three schools are working on their Telemiracle projects. At UCHS each grade has either held or will hold their annual fundraising event for Telemiracle. Activities have included a slave auction and movie afternoon. The Unity Public School will hold their first ever garage sale for Telemiracle March 1 and 2.
In the community, Lenten lunches will begin in early March presented by the Unity Ministerial Association. They rotate between the churches in Unity. This is your chance to worship and share food and fellowship during lenten season.
A Kinsmen Snowmobile Rally will be held this weekend in Unity, even thought I mistakenly reported it as last weekend, which was instead the annual Senlac snowmobile rally. There is a good amount of snow around, with more fresh powder received this week. This fresh snow will be certain to add in the success of this event. The Kinsmen have earmarked their funds this year to go toward the new ground floor hall fundraising project.
March 7 has been designated by the Chamber of Commerce as celebrate Unity night and all the committees who put on fantastic events throughout 2010, as well as new businesses are invited to come and be celebrated by their community with dinner and a comedian. There are still tickets available for those who may want to attend this celebration.
A good hearted community group is putting on an event, MS Liberation Therapy fundraiser, featuring Double Vision comedy/magic act. The evening will be held on March 12 and features supper and the entertainment. As well as using this event for a fundraiser, this group, spearheaded by Tim Guth, will be accepting donations for local MS sufferers who are choosing to have liberation therapy in their fight against MS. Unfortunately, although this province has the highest number of MS patients in Canada, and with a large, advanced MS research centre in the Saskatoon City Hospital, this province or country still does not offer the liberation therapy treatment for MS patients. And those patients wishing to be part of this groundbreaking, yet controversial, treatment are forced to seek treatment at various places out of the country, with the large costs being absorbed entirely by the patient.
The Unity museum is gearing up for their St. Patrick's day supper on March 17 at the Adanac Hall on the museum grounds. The meal will feature traditional St. Patrick's Day food of corned beef and cabbage along with all the great accents that go along with this meal. This meal, along with the regular Sunday pancake brunches are the main fundraisers for the year. Membership continues to drop due to aging membership, so there is always a need for more members, and some younger ones to help meet the manpower need for these meals and maintenance at the museum. The museum strives to be a legacy for Unity as well as providing a historic reference to Unity's past. The local pioneers have left many memories and artifacts so we are doing our best to preserve both the physical and memorable aspect of our history for future generations. So make a resolution in 2011 to support the Unity museum at either one of their Sunday brunches, or by bringing your relatives in for a tour amd encouraging your children or grandchildren to come and have a look. The museum is conveniently located just past the ball diamonds/regional park.
Coffee row has been busy discussing the ground hog theory of an early spring. With the recent rash of cold weather and more snow, some are doubtful spring is on the horizon. But with all the indoor excitement still in our rinks and community centre, at least there is some solace that we can pass the winter days away in a warm building anxiously waiting for spring to arrive.
As you can see, a flurry of winter activity is keeping Unity busy these days. That's all for this week.
