March came in like a lamb, but will it go out like one too, as the pig spleen predictors foretell?
The end of March brings that yearning desire by our farmer friends to get out working in their fields. With a much milder winter than we are accustomed to, will it be an early start or will the lingering need to exercise the might of Old Man Winter surprise us all?
Provincial election day is near! Don’t complain if you don’t vote. Voting is a privilege denied to many around the globe. Exercise your right to vote.
Exemplary service awards were given out at the Celebrate Unity event March 7. Tomi Watt was recognized for her willingness to step into several roles upon the Watts’ move to Unity from Cut Knife, upon retirement. Tomi serves as secretary for the Unity Food Bank and the Superannuated Teachers Association as well as a board member for the Unity Community Resource Centre. Tomi also is a substitute teacher at UP, and teaches Sunday school at Unity Baptist Church. Tomi is the secretary for Luseland Bible Camp and heads the fundraising committee for the new pool at the camp. Tomi also volunteers for meals on wheels and, it was noted, there isn’t much she will turn down.
Moody’s Equipment was acknowledged by the Paw Park for providing grounds maintenance at the off-leash dog park, supplying equipment and employees for the summer season as well as moving snow on occasion in the winter. The Paw Park notes it is a large task and Moody’s Equipment has taken it on wholeheartedly, resulting in many compliments received on how wonderful this park is.
The third exemplary service award was given to Scott Gilbert. To say Scott is a “volunteer extraordinaire” is an understatement. He has served in numerous roles as coach, on executives, volunteering for programs and much, much more. His list of commitments in the past 20 years is lengthy and none of these programs, activities or organizations could imagine their success without him. Scott was also awarded the Red Cross Lifesaving Award after successfully performing the Heimlich maneuver on an 11-year-old boy who was choking at a public school event. Previous attempts were unsuccessful and, once the obstruction was dislodged, Scott typically downplayed his role. Along with the multiple commitments Scott has in various organizations, committees and executives, he is a busy dad to two kids while running his own business. The nomination also read, “Scott serves where he sees a need and because he chooses to be part of his community, knowing it takes residents of a community to help its many operations run successfully. Scott has taken on all of these roles not for the recognition or accolades but because of his desire to be part of the community’s growth and success.”
Unity Public School has a whole lot of apparel in the lost and found. Students, and parents, are reminded to check through the bins to see if any of these lost items may belong to their homes. Students took part in the “student vote” activity and UPS is anxious to see if the students speak for the voters of this province. April 13 is music festival day at UPS from 9 a.m. to noon. UPS will recognize the International Day of Pink April 13 while April 22 they will be reminding kids about the Earth Day “Lights Out Canada” event.
St. Peter’s School is excited for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation taking place April 23 at 7 p.m. in St. Peter’s Parish. To prepare their hearts for this journey the Grade 2s have been learning several prayers, Bible stories and about the miracles performed by Jesus. Participants have also been learning the Apostle’s Creed and the main parts of the mass. Father Greg and Father Dan made this a wonderful experience for each student.
The music festival is just around the corner! Many grades, the choir and the school band will be participating. The band portion of the music festival will take place April 11 beginning at 9:15 a.m. The school is fortunate to have the adjudicator stay for a band workshop with the students. The school music festival will be at St. Peter’s gym April 12 starting at 9:15 a.m.
The final festival performance will take place April 17 at 2 p.m. at UCHS. Parents are welcome to take pictures and videos at this time. Festival books may be purchased at Our Drug Store and Wildeman Sports Store.
Unity Composite High School drama is ready to present their spring production April 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m. at UCHS gym. One of the strongest components of the drama season will be experiencing the productions and drama festival for the last time. Mrs. Roxane Mamer, long-time director, hopes to be riding off into the sunset.
Arriving at dress rehearsal, Roxane could be seen doing what she has done since 1996 – gathering costumes, fixing costumes and lining them up for the rehearsal. This doesn’t even account for her costume search pre-production, as well as her maintenance of the costume inventory all season. It was easy to see her personal, vested interest in what was being laid out for the actors in the wardrobe category. However, this is no way depicts everything she manages during UCHS drama seasons.
Mamer been part of the Regional Drama Festival circuit since 1996, missing only two – giving her 18 solid years in the “ins and outs” of what it takes to perform a successful drama festival production.
Graduating this year are three Grade 12 actors — Billy Robertson, Sharlee Zazalak and Iza Belle Lucenio ‑ who have been with the drama club since they arrived at UCHS. All of them have fulfilled lead character roles memorably.
This year’s spring production is entitled The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza and is a retelling of some well-known Greek myths – think Monty Python meets vaudeville. The production is guaranteed lots of visual gags. It’s wild and silly and will be led by two narrators attempting to cover the entirety of Greek mythology using audience participation. The play culminates in a heart-pounding, five-minute, two-actor version of The Iliad that is fast paced and completely silly. There are plenty of costume changes as several actors play more than one role. The set designs are truly and regally Greek and the set crew has fine-tuned the sound, light and set changes.
Mamer has written seven plays for the UCHS drama program; three of which were full two-act musicals incorporating popular music performed by the UCHS actors. Although there has never been a win at regionals, Roxane is pleased to say the UCHS drama program has placed second five times.
This year’s production involves 23 students of which eight are crew and set while 15 are actors. Their commitment has involved hours and hours of rehearsals including many 8 a.m. rehearsals that take that special kick-start of commitment to adhere to.
If anyone was wondering if badminton was a dying sport, there are 78 students from Grades 7, 8 and 9 signed up for junior badminton. That is 53 per cent of our junior high population.
UCHS is also excited to have a team taking part in Robot Rumble 2016 April 14 in Saskatoon.
It’s been a successful, busy season at the hockey rink. Not only did Unity Minor Hockey manage 12 teams, the rink also played host to the Unity Miners and the Wilkie Outlaws, in addition to a half dozen rec teams and the Unity Skating Club.
This year’s hockey season resulted in an atom A and B league championship, a bantam provincial – just last weekend in Wynyard, congratulations, Lazers – and league championship, a Midget AA championship and we got to experience the excitement of the Wilkie Outlaws as they finished in both league and provincial finals.
The curling rink finished up the week before Easter. The club made their TV draw; congratulations to Don and Sharon Reiter on winning that 60-inch addition to their home. As well, Team Schell was presented the Canadian Curling Association “eight ender” award won this past season. Congratulations to Keith Schell, Kevin Leeson, Brent Ackerman and Brent Hepting. The club was also eagerly following Team Heidt, including UCC president Glen Heitt, as they competed at the Canadian National Senior Men’s curling championship in Digby, N.S.
A work party March 29 took out the ice and boards and did other maintenance needed to officially close down the curling club. Thanks once again to the UCC executive who work so hard to plan the entire season. As well, thanks to lounge manager Sharon and co-manager Darlene as well head icemaker Gerry and assistant Rick.
After the arena ice is removed, the rink will be used as temporary indoor ball fields until the outdoor diamonds dry up. As well, the rink will play host to graduation and the Summer Fun Centre.
The arena will be a busy place April 16 playing host to two big events. The Delta Co-op Kids’ Club spring fling egg hunt is set for 11 a.m. sharp. Kids ages 0-10 can take part and there is plenty of room for parents and grandparents to come and watch the fun. And for the shoppers, there is the mini spring trade fair on all day with plenty of vendors to browse.
Coffee row folks never have a shortage of advice and, even though I’ve heard there is a flavour or embellishment when it comes to a golf game or fishing trip, one still recognizes the value of our participants in coffee row. Right now, the conversation revolves around the upcoming election, spring seeding predictions, weather theories and the last of one sports season as it evolves into the next. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …
