It's Mother's Day weekend - please do something nice for your mom, whether it's flowers, a dinner out, a nice gift or even a phone call to say you love her and miss her. Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there. We can certainly appreciate all you have done once we become mothers ourselves.
Water, water everywhere! Boy, oh boy, it didn't take long for the water woes to begin once the serious thaw started. And add in more snowfall at the end of April and occasional rain. We can see now what the landscape looks like, something we imagined when all that snow kept coming this winter.
Although it appears to have subsided in places, our thoughts and prayers go to neighbouring communities who are suffering flooding.
A big shout-out to our often underappreciated or undervalued nurses during National Nurses Week, May 5 - 12. There are many of us who have experienced their kindness and care.
UCHS is in track season. The local meet is slated for May 22 so that has the track club kids kicking it up to prepare for their competitions. From this meet, winners will advance to the district track meet May 29 and 30 with those winners advancing to provincial competition.
The SADD group left for their annual conference May 7, taking 17 students.
Legion members were on hand at UCHS to award six students for the poster and literary entries that won locally and moved on through district, regional and provincial levels to win as well. Grade 11 student, MacKenzie Chorney, won second at the national level for her fabulous artwork.
UPS generated much excitement April 30 when the entire Grade 6 class presented their Junior Genius projects to the public. The gym was alive with the sights and sounds of "under the sea" including large replica models of an octopus, a penguin and other disturbing looking sea creatures. Each student was well versed in their research and it was an enjoyable presentation for both attendees and the students who presented.
UPS also had the Legion come to their school to present Andrew Kratchmer with his prize for award-winning work that went beyond the local level.
St. Peter's Grade 6 class did a fantastic job of their fundraising live theatre show. Congratulations to the Grade 6 students who wowed the audience with their dual night production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
The Legion was also at St. Peter's for a presentation to a student who went beyond the local level for poster/literary awards, winning through the annual Remembrance Day program.
Even though they appear dry and most of the snow is gone, the town's recreation department would still like to see the ball diamonds off limits until at least this weekend. The town urges players and teams to stay off the diamonds so they can dry properly, to avoid damage. Because of the wet venue, the Spring Fever softball camp moved to St. Peter's School diamonds and the Inside Pitch camp May 6 was held on the Cardinals' diamond. It is hoped the annual Minor Ball Day slated for May 11 will still be a go.
The Midget Girls' Panthers team, using their inspiration from WE Day as well as the 'pay it forward' theme, took a Sunday afternoon before practice to pick up garbage around town.
The Miners' annual slo-pitch tournament is May 24, 25, and 26. There is a 24-team limit and slots fill up fast, so register your team for a fun weekend with some cash prizes. There is also a home run derby Saturday.
Speaking of We Day inspiration, the trio of gals who held a fundraising bake sale at Easter time to benefit the Frocklage Fire Fund and the Unity Community Resource Centre are at it again. This time they are holding a fundraising bingo May 14 at the Friendship Centre to benefit the courtesy car.
Unity School of Dance will hold their year-end recital Saturday and Sunday with times at 7 p.m. Tickets in advance are $8 for adults and are available at Our Drug Store or Sister's Flowers. At the door tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. It is the last year for two long-time members of the club, Justine Herle and Shelby DeBelser.
Unity Western Days is fast approaching. The committee is looking for parade floats to take part in the parade slated for the morning of June 1. In addition to citizen of the year nominations being requested, the committee will soon have rodeo queen contestants out and about in the community.
Swimming lesson registration will begin May 21-23 from 1-5 p.m. at the town office. The swimming pool plans have been released. This exciting new infrastructure project is slated to begin as early as June, with hopes of completion by the end of October. As well, the town will be completing the elevator project at the community centre hall. The elevator project is slated to begin this month and be completed for late June.
Another "shop mob" was held May 4. This is the third such event to be held. Another good turnout came out to have a little fun with their cash as the group surprised a local business. This is one of many shows of support the chamber and town creates to assist the business community.
Let's support our local Legion. Their group is getting older and smaller but they still forge on with projects to help with maintaining their hall and offering programs in the community. Right now these members are putting on a 50/50 draw with a first prize of $777. They will hold a barbecue at Family Foods May 16 at 5 p.m. in support of the cemetery veterans' section rejuvenation project. They will hold another barbecue June 20 for the same cause.
May 7 was the 68th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the Legion asks you to join in thanking these Second World War veterans still active in their branch: Comrades Si Campbell, Bill Fleming, Cec Hayward, Fred Wagner, J.P. Boser, Don Haight, Lloyd Gilles and Reg Lloyd. There cannot be enough thanks given for their wartime effort as well as many years of dedicated service to make Unity Legion Branch No. 90 what it is today. From the bottom of our hearts - thank you!
Coffee row has definitely been discussing the water that has taken over the landscape. Concerns for neighbouring communities suffering from flooding is prominent. Discussion also revolves around how long this excess water will last and how much it will affect property and upcoming seeding. And, on the occasion where the weather is not up for discussion, small tidbits about theories regarding the upcoming Rider season are being heard. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week
