This weekend kicks off summer with the first long weekend. Whatever you are doing or where you are doing it, be safe, be smart and be mindful of others. We don鈥檛 want to see another spike in cases two weeks from now.
You鈥檝e heard the saying 鈥淭he cat came back 鈥榗ause he couldn鈥檛 stay away?鈥� Well the bats came back because they couldn鈥檛 stay away. Six hundred bats that were part of the massive removal from the Unity arena attic this winter were returned by the Living Sky Wildlife Rehabilitation group May 12. They were put into various bat houses around town built and funded by volunteers.
Fire bans remain in place in surrounding RMs and the fire crews have been kept hopping this seeding season, so please be mindful of fire hazards. Remember, you must have an approved fire pit in town and it must have a grate. No garbage or yard waste may be burned in it.
Continue to pray and hope for rain for our parched province and our farmer friends. It has been a long, dry spring already.
Our pharmacies in town are now also offering vaccines. Take advantage of multiple opportunities to stick it to COVID, so we can be out of this scenario sooner than later.
One business recognized during the 鈥淐elebrate Unity鈥� event was Our Drug Store, marking 100 years in the community. A trio of enterprises that include Moon Chung businesses, Dr. Clark chiropractor and Geraldine Barrett with Sunrise Wellness Spa all marked 40 years of business in Unity. Two businesses took the leap into opening their doors during the pandemic, so congratulations to Wiggles and Whiskers Pet Supply and Sam鈥檚 Family Hair Care.
Speaking of our businesses, they continue to show their commitment to this community through volunteer efforts, donations and sponsorships. Unity Motor Products, with the help of GM Canada, donated 1,000 masks to organizations throughout Unity, including Unity Community Resource Centre and Heritage Manor. Unity Credit Union made donation two of five ($5,000 each) to help fund the new rough mower at the Unity Golf Course.
I must acknowledge the teamwork consistently given by Brian Woytiuk (general manager of UMP), Terry Smith and Deryl Richards. I can hardly think of a single action completed in Unity they haven鈥檛 been part of. They were a large part of the volunteer labour that helped complete the upper hall community centre renovations. When there is a Western Days event, they are at the rodeo grounds for weeks leading up to, during and after the event. Recently, these three amigos were part of the bat-house building effort and assisted wildlife volunteers in returning these mammals May. 12. Give these guys a safe air high five or buy them a coffee next time you see them, as some of what we take for granted in town is because of the actions of these guys. And, be aware this paragraph does not diminish numerous other volunteers who choose to give back wherever and however they can.
UCHS staff and students send their best wishes and will be enjoying the last few weeks of Mr. Bick鈥檚 classes and enthusiasm at the school, as he has chosen to retire after this school year. The time is ticking away for Grade 12s in the last few weeks of their high school experience. It is not yet known what graduation will look like for these young folks.
St. Peter鈥檚 congratulations Mrs. Keller on her retirement after a 35-year career. Certainly her gift of music through the school, in church and throughout the community at various performances will be missed. Also congratulations to Father Greg for his Lumen Christi award given by the Light of Christ Catholic School Division for his numerous contributions to the school and Here鈥檚 hoping this finds you all safe, healthy and socially distanced. Until next week ...
