It鈥檚 been nine months since we rang in the New Year and here we are kicking off fall with September already. The town is busy with kids going back to school, harvesters working in their fields and all of the regular fall activity either having begun or ready to begin.
I would be amiss not to use this opportunity to wish my significant other a happy 29th anniversary (Sept. 6).
If you are like me, in spite of current Rider woes, you remain supportive and are in awe of what these pro athletes do in our province both during the season and beyond the season. Yet another example of this has benefited a cause in our community. Darian Durant, who is not even playing this season due to injury, discovered the sad tale of Dan and Melissa Surine and their twin girls. He decided to jump into action, putting his star power along with items from his team and teammates towards a fundraiser to benefit the Surines. You don鈥檛 see this in all sports. Choosing a stranger to help out in time of need is noteworthy enough. Asking the province who has supported you in your pro football career to come along on that helpful journey is another admirable deed. Kudos once again to the Riders for instilling not only Rider Pride but Saskatchewan pride and the automatic choice to give back to everyone in the province that supports you and your career. God bless Darian Durant for once again taking a leadership role and putting his heart, soul, star power and wallet into a worthwhile cause. Let鈥檚 keep that prayer circle going for the Surines during their time of need. You can also choose to donate to their ongoing cause through the gofundme campaign set up for them.
Congratulations to Paige Schultz, Hannah Feser, Aryanne L鈥橦eureux, Devyn McLean and Abby Rutley who were part of the Zone 7 team competing at Fall Ball provincial championship and earned the gold.
Plenty of groups and organizations have reconvened after the summer hiatus. Revolution Dance will be doing their annual chocolate blitz Sept. 9.
Unity Composite High School, Unity Public School and St. Peter鈥檚 elementary school all had students back in their hallways Sept. 1. Kids were excited to reunite with friends they hadn鈥檛 seen over the summer as well as meet some of the new staff at each school.
The annual 鈥渇un day of golf鈥� Sept. 12 is set to benefit the UFC鈥檚 ground floor hall fundraising initiative. Golfers can register now by calling the golf course at 306-228-3688. There is over $150,000 in prizes being offered.
The annual Candace Heitt memorial run is Sept. 20 at the golf course. This annual memorial run benefits the Candace Heitt bursary given at the high school as well as contributing to the paving paths in Unity. You can register for the half marathon, three-person relay, 10K or 5K run. You could also call the golf course for more details on this event.
The first year of the brand new Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre was deemed a rousing success. The number of swimmers was up compared to other years and users were all happy with new features and new venue.
Unity minor football is in full swing. Folks can head to east fields of the high school and watch the next rising football stars as they host home games during their season which runs to early October. Flag football for Grades 2 to 6 will hold registration and first session at Warrior field on Aug. 30th at 1 p.m.
3 on 3 hockey will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 10 with registration only $50. Contact UMH president, Dan Feser at 306-228-8123 to register. Minor hockey registration is Sept. 10.
Buy your tickets early for the 18th annual 鈥渄ance for the health of it鈥� event being held Oct. 17 at the community centre. This event always sells out early. Contact Peter at 306-228-3847 for tickets or more information.
In addition to Parkview Place having a very busy summer full of activity that included events held right at Parkview Place and those that took them out of town including a recent dinner cruise on the Prairie Lily out of Saskatoon. The long-term care centre also enjoyed some delightful events over summer that included musical groups entertaining and a barbecue.
Congratulations to Guy鈥檚 Furniture who are celebrating their one-year anniversary in Unity Sept. 8-19th. We always love celebrating our business success stories in town.
The annual Unity Fall Fair and Trade Show is Sept. 25 and 26. Once again Unity Credit Union and Delta Co-op are partnering to host the Saturday morning pancake breakfast with proceeds earmarked to the community daycare project. To book a vendor table lease contact any member of the Ag Society or contact the town office at 306-228-2621. Fall fair booklets will be out soon for those wanting to enter home grown and home made goods.
The host committee for the upcoming Montreal Canadien hockey alumni game, to be hosted in Unity Nov. 27, has met to fine tune their plans. Plans are progressing quickly and there are many exciting features to report. The 50/50 will be guaranteed and tickets should be available starting mid September. People can bid for the chance to play with the Canadiens, coach alongside Guy Lafleur, officiate the game and many more opportunities are open. Two lucky bidders will have a chance for a 鈥渢hrill of a lifetime鈥� that includes personal Canadiens experience throughout the event. VIP tickets will be sold for joining the team for a social post game.
Coffee row folks 鈥� well as can be expected, Rider season is very much still on the topic table, including the good, the bad and the ugly.聽 Harvest happenings are a continual discussion topic as folks theorize on just how hurtful this spring鈥檚 prolonged dry weather has been and if these late rains will make yet another dent in progress and yields.聽 The odd prediction of wildlife activity is also up for discussion 鈥� are those geese gathering to leave soon and does that mean early winter? Does the increase in moose and deer activity mean they are preparing for winter? It鈥檚 all up for discussion with these representatives of the masses. Feel free to join these coffee rowers as you are guaranteed to learn something and sure to leave with a smile, as this part of our community culture is as regular as our morning sunshine and just as bright too! (That ought to earn me a coffee, don鈥檛 you think?)
So you keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
