Category Archives: Culture

This week’s paper

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You definitely need a copy of next weeks paper, the June 22nd issue of the Unity-Wilkie Press-Herald. Find out whose kids are graduating and how grown up they all look! Yes, it’s our annual Grad issue!

Along with all the grads, you will find plenty more to read and see, including:

  • coverage of the official grand opening of the Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre last week;
  • wrap-up report for Revolution Dance, including recital photos;
  • a special donation is made by a Unity family to the maternity ward at BUH; and
  • information on Heartland Health’s 2015-16 budget and operational plan
  • elementary school track photos;
  • a sod-turning ceremony for Eighth Avenue Estates and more!

Below – Bobbing for Bottles was just one of the many carnival games set up for kids at the opening celebrations for the new swimming pool in Unity, Saskatchewan.

Unity swimming pool fun and games

Next week’s paper

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There were plenty of events to cover in Unity over the week and so it’s another full issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald. Look for:

  • photos and a write-up from the French Legion of Honour ceremony for Bill Fleming;
  • an interview with retiring Unity Baptist Church pastor, and faithful Faith Matters contributor, Bruce Moir;
  • photos and award winners from the UCHS awards night; and
  • provincial track results for UCHS, McLurg High School and Luseland School.

Bruce Moir’s final Faith Matters column, the police report and a NSRBL report also are provided for our readers.

Below, Bill Fleming cuts the cake after being formally presented with the French Legion of Honour, at Parkview Place in Unity, Saskatchewan June 6, 2015 – 71 years to the day after he landed at Juno Beach in France as part of the D-Day landings in the Second World War.

William Fleming

Celebrity “Bull” Riding

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15 brave individuals tried their luck at “bull” riding at the Unity Western Days rodeo May 23 and 24, 2015. Results are in the June 8th issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald but here is a photo of the thrills and spills of each of our local courageous (foolhardy?) celebrities, in order of their performances.

Saturday, May 23

Trevor Senger:

Celebrity Bull Riding at Unity rodeo

Scott Brownlee:

Unity Western Days, Celebrity Bull RidingScott Purcell:

Celebrity Bull Riding at Unity, SaskatchewanShae Guth:

Unity Western Days - locals rideAdam Tuffs:Local rodeo action at Unity SK

Mathieu Kiefer:

Celebrity Bull Riding, Unity SKDan Feser:Unity Western Days Celebrity Bull Riding

Joel Schell

Unity's celebrities ride cows!

Kevin Martin:

Celebrity Cow Riding at Unity SK

Ryan Zunti:

Unity Western Days

Dustin Wallace:

Western Days at Unity SK, 2015

Colton Timmermans:

Cow 1 - Celebrity Bull Rider 0Leila Ward:

All smiles even after being bucked off!Rob Jackson:

Unity Western Days, Celebrity Bull RidingBryce Woytiuk:

Out of the chutes ...

 

 

 

 

Next week’s paper

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The June 1st (JUNE! oh my!) issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald will feature plenty of Unity Western Days coverage, including:

  • congratulations to and a list of achievements and contributions by Ken Parker, Unity’s 2015 Citizen of the Year;
  • Western Days parade photos and results; and
  • a general Western Days wrap-up report with rodeo photos.

The only thing missing will be the results and photos of the Celebrity “Bull” Riding, which will be in the June 8th issue.

Not only Western Days coverage of course! Also in the paper are more serious matters such as details on the Town of Unity 2015 budget, passed earlier this week at a council meeting, and the RCMP report. Along with some baseball on the sports page and many new events being advertised, subscribers will find a wealth of entertainment and information in next week’s Press-Herald.

Below, Unity’s own Twila Zunti competed in the ladies’ barrel racing event at the Unity rodeo May 23. Twila is a entrepreneur (Junction 21 Tack & Feed) and a member of the Western Days committee. (Stay tuned to unitystories.com for more rodeo photos which will be uploaded soon.)

Twila Zunti, barrel racer

 

Unity Western Days Decorating Contest

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Congratulations to the Unity Credit Union – winner of the Press-Herald’s Western Days decorating contest for businesses. The credit union transformed their branch into an old-time saloon, complete with a poker game in progress, wanted posters hanging from the ceiling and plenty of cowboy hats and liquor bottles.

Unity Credit Union, Unity Western Days 2015

 

Unity Credit Union, Unity Western Days 2015

Unity Credit Union, Unity Western Days 2015

Unity Credit Union, Unity Western Days 2015

Unity Credit Union, Unity Western Days 2015

And congratulations to Wildeman Sports Excellence for their second place finish, on the strength of their wonderful window display, which unfortunately does not translate well into a photo but here’s a hint.

Wildeman Sports Excellence, Unity Western Days 2015

 

 

 

Unity Sports Wall of Fame inductions – Builders

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At the 2015 Sports of Wall of Inductions held in the Unity Community Centre May 9, three individuals were inducted in the Builder category. To be eligible for induction as a Builder, an individual must have contributed 25 years or more to sports in Unity, Saskatchewan. All three 2015 Builder inductees were well over the 25-year mark in their contributions.

Jim Lee began his involvement with hockey in Unity when his son began playing 34 years ago. After his son ended his playing days, Jim volunteered with the Unity Miners and the Wild Goose Hockey League, helping the team win the senior A and senior AAA provincial championships in the early 1990s. He was also with the team for two league championships, one with the Wild Goose league and the other with the Sask West Hockey League.

The team won the SWHL championship again in 2014 and, although Jim had resigned in 2013, many of the players had started their senior careers under his reign.

Unity Sports Wall of FameJim was also on the organizing committee when Unity hosted the Allan Cup in 1996.

A contributor to multiple sports in Unity, Saskatchewan, Bob Burns has taught firearms safety in Unity for 54 years, completing his latest class the week before the 2015 induction ceremonies. He was a valued hockey referee for over 30 years, with Unity Minor Hockey, the Wild Goose League and the East Central Alberta League.

Unity Sports Wall of FameWith baseball, Bob was on the executive of the Unity Cardinals from 1962 to 1983, assisting to construct the Unity Cardinals facility still in use today. Bob is also a founding member of the Unity Golf Club, starting work in 1952, contributing tirelessly to make the Unity Golf Course the incredible facility it is. He is still an active member of the Unity Golf Club.

The last induction of the evening was Adolph Fischer, who contributed over 30 years to both hockey and ball in Unity. A founding member of the Unity Miners Hockey club in 1978, he served on the executive for many years and was league president in 1992 and in 2009.

Unity Sports Wall of FameAdolph played ball, being a member of at least eight championship teams. He became an umpire in 1985, contributing over 30 years to both baseball and softball as an official. He has umpired at national, Western Canadian and innumerable provincial championships, and at the Saskatchewan Summer Games and International Aboriginal Games. He estimates that he may officiate between 150 and 200 games per season.

 

Western Days are here!

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Head to downtown Unity anytime after 12 noon when the Unity and District Chamber of Commerce starts their lunchtime barbecue. Pick up a burger fresh off the grill parked on 2nd Avenue East near the Bank of Montreal building, then the Lions Club will have a selection of pies available for dessert. They will be set up near the Unity Credit Union.

The annual Western Days parade starts at 1 pm and will come down 7th Avenue East from the Unity Community Centre, then down Main Street all the way to Railway (1st Avenue) where it will turn west and then turn again to head down 1st Street West back to 7th Avenue.  Here are a couple of 2014 Rodeo Queen contestants and others riding in the 2014 parade.

Unity Western Days parade

After the parade, check out the vehicles in the Show and Shine in the Delta Co-op Food Store parking lot. They will be set up and ready to go by 2 pm, along with a flea market. You never know what bargains you might find!

Then the rodeo itself, what the weekend is really all about starts out at the rodeo grounds at 5:30 pm. There will be bouncy castles for the kids, a food booth and beer gardens along with all the rodeo action, including locals trying their luck at Celebrity Bull Riding.

Unity SK rodeo 2014

Tonight Longshot plays at the rodeo dance, 9 am to 2 pm

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 24,  the schedule includes a pancake breakfast hosted by Unity Baptist Church from 8 to 10 am, slack rodeo events at 9 am and complete rodeo action at 2 pm, including more locals trying their luck as bull riders.