Even though our winter was the shortest, mildest one we have experienced in years, it is still exciting to have the summer months upon us. As we enter the fifth month of 2016 and the greenhouse officially open, you can revel in all the sights and sounds of summer around us.
Revolution dance are done competition season and are preparing for the year-end recital May 13 and 14.
Ball season kicks off a Softball Fever and a Baseball camp May 14. The very next day, a showcase of all divisions of both softball and baseball, Unity Minor Ball Day, will be held on May 15.
May 27 to 29, the diamonds will host a Girls Prairie League Softball tournament. GPLS is an Alberta-based girls鈥� league. Formerly an 鈥淎鈥� division league, in 2015 they decided to expand by adding a 鈥淏鈥� division that enabled Unity teams to join in.
Battlefords Ladies鈥� Softball League was the only option, and it included only bantam and midget age groups, and playing two games a week did not allow any practice time for these teams. Some investigation was done and in 2015 a team from the pee wee, bantam and midget divisions all entered in this league. This year there will be teams in squirt (U12), pee wee (U14), bantam (U16) and midget (U18).
Before the decision to enter this league was made, each age group had their own parent meetings to discuss the pros and cons. Playing all league games tournament style on weekends leaves time during the week for teams to practise while allowing the 鈥淏鈥� teams in Unity to play good, competitive ball. In the 鈥淏鈥� division, there are three weekend tournaments.
Unity could play host to up to 30 teams the last weekend in May. Last year there were 23 teams in the league, however some additional communities had asked to join.
With an average roster of 12 players per team, and the addition of parents, siblings and local fans, there is the potential for more than 600 people at the diamonds.
The Lions will be looking after the gate. Organizers will be looking for volunteers for scorekeeping, announcing, merchandise, 50/50 and prize tables. Contact Scott Gilbert at 306-228-2366 or Roy Mock at 306-228-7058. Once the volunteers have been enlisted and a game schedule is received, a parent committee will assign duties.
Softball fans can watch for only $5 for a weekend pass with kids 11 and under free.
Games are likely starting early afternoon on Friday with all four diamonds being used throughout the weekend, and full days of softball action both Saturday and Sunday.
Unity鈥檚 turn to host is on 鈥淧ink Sox鈥� weekend, which is a weekend set aside where all the players and most of the coaches wear bright pink socks in support of breast cancer awareness. The pink socks will also be available for purchase by fans or fans can show their support by wearing any pink attire.
Hoja performed at Unity Public School along with some other schools. A local dog trainer brought Herbie the therapy dog for a visit. May will also bring the track meet as well as a mini camp for those kids playing tackle division of Unity Minor Football.
At St. Peter鈥檚 school, the Grade 6 class is preparing for their upcoming drama performance accompanied by dessert theatre to help fund their year-end trip.
At UCHS, football players had equipment fittings, picked up and delivered their 鈥渕om鈥檚 pantry鈥� fundraising products and will now have camp at home as well as attending the camp in North Battleford. Track students are practising. Badminton season for juniors finished up this weekend with district playdowns while senior badminton has a couple more weeks left before conference and district events take place. Junior high track meet is set to take place May 10 with districts to follow.
The museum Sunday brunches are officially over for the season. Some of the work that is needed at the museum has begun, including repair on the boardwalk. There is always room for an extra set of hands (or six) to help with these jobs.
The golf course is open. Why not grab the clubs and hit the links? The golf club executive have another busy year lined up and with the addition on the clubhouse there is plenty of room for a bite to eat or post-game refreshment.
Why not come to St. Peter鈥檚 Church on Sunday, May 1st for the 鈥淧raise and Raise the Roof鈥� fundraise? See amazing local talent in dance, choirs, bands, choral speaking and piano all performed to raise funds for the roof repair at the church. A silver collection will be taken as well as donations.
聽Coffee row folks know coffee is the most important meal of the day. There was plenty to talk about on the topic table this week that started with spring seeding, weather predictions, theories for this year鈥檚 Rider season as well as anticipation for all the excitement lined up at the ball diamonds this year. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time 鈥�
