I have been happily reporting on the busy months of activity in February, March and April 鈥� and along comes May, which will host no lack of things to do in Unity.
Our first thoughts are of much needed moisture in this province, including our area. With seeding operations underway, here鈥檚 hoping and praying the rains come in a timely manner. Here鈥檚 hoping our friends and neighbors from Biggar have seen their long standing fire extinguished by the time you are reading this issue.
Fire 鈥� with the extensive dry spell experienced across Saskatchewan 鈥� we knew it was a possibility. The dry remnants left on fields from fall are just like tinder and have created all kinds of havoc across Saskatchewan with wildfires and grassfires. These times make it more evident what our volunteer firefighters do for the safety of our communities, so please send some treats to your local fire hall, or buy them a cold drink next time you鈥檙e out and about and be sure to say thank you.
Country Ford held a week long car show and sale also benefitting several community charities with daily fundraising barbecues at the Agriplex in conjunction with their show, so a big thank you to this business for choosing a 鈥済ive back鈥� feature of their week-long event.
Chase the Ace officially began yesterday, May 1, so come on down to the Legion Hall each Wednesday and try your hand at lady luck and support the Lions Club, who distributed over $30K in their last round of Chase the Ace, thanks to your support.
The Town Meeting on April 25 brought concerns over a number of issues, all of which take dollars to resolve.
I am going to play catch up a little on news that I have missed during a busy time in writing this column. I felt very honoured to have won the SWNA 2019 award for Best Saskatchewan Recreation Story. Also a big congratulations to my teammate, Helena Long, who won three bronze awards, a testament to the work we are committed to in your small town paper.
Congratulations to Si Campbell who received a 50-year pin for his long time commitment and dedication to Unity鈥檚 Royal Canadian Legion.
Congratulations to the multiple scholarship winners at Unity鈥檚 2019 Music Festival. We have so much talent in this community. Special congratulations out to those performers who earned provincial recommendations: Jenifer Deuchar, Sophia Ulrich, Matthew Witzaney, Zenon Orobko, Anthony Witzany and Owen Keller We wish them the best as they head to orovincial music festival this weekend.
Congratulations to UCHS drama team who will be performing at Provincial Drama Festival this weekend in Regina. Break a leg!
Congratulations and thank you to the organizers of the new sports phenomenon 鈥� pickleball 鈥� which started last night and will continue every Wednesday at the Unity Curling rink at 7 p.m. for everyone of all ages and abilities. There was a great turnout on their first night and with the enthusiastic response it received, hopes will be for even bigger turnouts in the days ahead. Contact Richard or Karen Briggs if you have any questions on this new sport being offered in Unity.
This weekend the Unity Community centre will be busy as it is the Unity Sports Wall of Fame Induction event that will induct more than 20 teams as well as two individuals. Congratulations to all inductees and those who supported them in their success story.
While the museum pancake brunches may be over, the activity at the museum is not. Coming up is the Hobby Show next weekend as well as opening day activity. Please encourage visitors to come and view this fine facility in Unity that so many hands have helped create, maintain and showcase for everyone鈥檚 enjoyment.
Unity Western Days is looking for rodeo queen contestants as well as volunteers for the multiple activities they will have in conjunction with this event. Contact Brian or Bryce Woytiuk at UMP if you are interested.
Unity Minor hockey is holding their annual meeting on May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Armada Conference room and everyone is welcome to attend, with executive positions available as well as concerns and kudos being addressed.
For the minor ball program, save the date of May 26 for the annual Minor Ball Day featuring at least one game for every division of the ball program on that day, including the learn to play kids. As well, the midget Cardinals have joined the senior Cardinals in the NSRBL and games have begun this month.
Senior cards will be on the road for their opening game of the season and will return to the home diamonds on May 16 for their home opener. Friday night slo-pitch has begun.
UCHS welcomed back their travel students who returned from Greece and Italy. UCHS held a wonderfully successful student led conferences accompanied by a career and post secondary fair for students to get some clarity on what is needed for area jobs and post secondary plans. Badminton is now complete and track season is the last remaining sports on the school calendar. Warrior football will hold their spring camp next week. May means it is just eight weeks away from the end of the school and last of high school for graduating students.
UPS staff and students take on the last couple months of this school year with some new lesson learning, a new sports season and soon field trip activity to begin. May 31- Track and Field (June 4 - Alternate Track and Field Day). June will be a month of educational field trips for Grades 6, 5, 4 and 3, while the Kindergarten year-end and Grade 6 year-end celebrations take place later in June.
St. Peter鈥檚 School students and staff, following their Easter break, will jump right into the last leg of their school year with some new lessons on tap as well as some new extra-curricular activities ready to go.
Coffee row folks are full of community spirit, reviewing the fun, busy April that took place and all of the activity lined up for May. Spring fever, sadly, included fire conversations but there was still abundant optimism as talk of seeding, gardening and spring activity and bird sightings is prevalent. So you can see life is full of fun and activity in Unity and our friends at coffee row sharing this traditional part of our community culture. Until next time...
