Will April showers bring May flowers? Or will April snow melt, and even more winter weather, bring April flood woes? Keep tuned in, folks. If you thought your winter was interesting, it appears this spring is trying to outdo winter's performance.
The ninth annual Delta Co-op Easter egg hunt was another success, even though it was postponed a week due to extended hockey playoffs. Although turnout was down from previous years, many families came to participate.
Delta Co-op staff spend several months stuffing thousands of plastic eggs with chocolates and prize tickets for the participants who range from 0 - 10 years. Divided by age groups, kids are sent scrambling to the arena floor to gather eggs. It's a clean sweep and staff then return to the arena floor to scatter hundreds more eggs for the next age group. Kids eagerly crack their eggs to reveal possible winning tickets.
Multiple donations from various businesses, groups and individuals in the community add to the wide array of prizes offered each year. Each egg, regardless of prize ticket, includes yummy chocolate treats. Sifto cooks up hotdogs for each participant, and serves them free of charge.
Co-op staff always laugh that it takes months to prepare for the event yet it takes only a mere hour before they are cleaning up again. However, the delightful giggles and smiles of children participating is a wonderful thank you to the organizers. The staff is already planning next year's 10th anniversary egg hunt.
The UCHS travel group returned home April 9 from their travels through London, Paris, Rome and Venice. There will be many tales to tell. Unity folks were appreciative of photos and postings on their Facebook site throughout the trip.
Tonight and tomorrow are the public performances by the UCHS drama club. Tomorrow night's performance includes the dessert theatre. Thursday's performance is only $7 for adults and $5 for students, with age five and under free. It begins at 7:30 p.m. in the UCHS gym. Friday's dessert theatre starts at 7 p.m. for only $10 for adults, $8 for students and $3 for kids five and under.
As well, the drama festival is coming up April 19 and 20, where the club will present the same two plays the public will see this week. 16 in 10 Minutes or Less is a play depicting the lives of high school students, age 16. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde is a familiar story to many of us. As always, with the talents of the club and their director, the audience will get the full live theatre experience with lights, sound, set, costume, efficient stage crew and fine acting.
Music festival performers are in the final stages of preparation for the 87th annual music festival to be held the week of April 15 - 19, with showcase performances on Sunday, April 21 at UCHS, at 2 p.m. Entry numbers are up this year and it will be an amazing week of piano, vocal and school performances. Vocal entries take place at Unity United Church Monday through Thursday and senior and junior piano take place Tuesday to Friday at the Unity Baptist Church, both vocal and piano sessions being at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Why not show your support for participants and organizers/volunteers by supporting one or more of the festival's performances? Complete programs listing participants and venue places and times are available at Our Drug Store and Crystal Clarity.
Students are back to school at UPS. The music festival performances that include the school's entries are April 16 and 17, with UPS hosting the afternoon session of April 17. And parents, don't forget the UPS School Community Council annual general meeting is. April 17 at 7 p.m. in the UPS gym. Everyone is welcome.
St. Peter's School staff and students have also returned from Easter break and they too, will be putting the finishing touches on their music festival performances. St. Peter's hosts a school performance session at 9 a.m. April 16. Mrs. Keller is always sure to have a "wow" factor with her music students so be sure to check it out.
Saturday night the Unity Miners Hockey Club is hosting this year's SWHL League awards at the Unity Community Centre starting with supper at 6 p.m. and awards and entertainment to follow. Entertainment includes comedian Marty Hanenbert and Clark Robertson, who is infamous for his Don Cherry impersonations. Tickets are $30 for supper and entertainment or $15 for entertainment only. Contact Carleen at 306-228-9315 for more details.
The parent group that stepped up to rescue Unity's soccer season will hold registration April 15, starting at 6:30 p.m., in the rink lobby. If you require more information, contact Heather Poitras at 306-228-2131.
Ball players are anxious for that snow to leave the diamonds as. For now, players have to be content with pre-conditioning in the rink.
The Unity and District Heritage Museum is still looking for a summer guide who can work from 2-5 p.m. on weekdays. Longer hours can be arranged if requested. There are only two more Sundays for museum Sunday pancake brunches. The next museum meeting is April 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Adanac Hall and everyone is welcome to attend.
A spring trade show will be held on the curling rink surface from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 20. Featuring a variety of businesses, there will be plenty of variety to get a head start on Mother's Day shopping. For only $2, you can shop as well as enjoy snacks and refreshments, in addition to door prize draws.
The Unity Facilities Committee is meeting soon to discuss a strategy for soliciting sponsorship to add to the $250,000 grant earmarked for the new swimming pool. As well, the town will be completing the elevator project at the community centre hall. The project is slated to begin this month and be completed for late June.
We sadly said goodbye to a long-time business in downtown Unity when Ultra Sports closed their doors for good, April 6. Many people stopped in to thank Larrie and Corinne for their many years of business in Unity. Their store is one we will all miss.
Unfortunately another store has recently put up a going out of business sale. Combined with several real estate signs on downtown locations it makes it worrisome for our small community that, in spite of growing population and housing starts, is seeing the effects of big shopping centres on its business community. Try to remember when travelling away from town to shop: at home, you have the convenience of close parking, quick access to merchandise and the benefits these businesses turn back to the community.
The coffee row table reviewed the week of world men's curling and their impression of this year's Team Canada who played in the gold medal game. Of course, the weather topic never gets too far off the table either as everyone is predicting what spring thaw will look like. Sadly, store closures have also been on the discussion table. In spite of the weather and the closures, this is a fun group full of laughter and optimism. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week
