Well, there was some celebration on May 15 when some much needed, long anticipated, three-tenths in rain arrived. It wasn鈥檛 the soaker everyone was hoping for however for now, it will help.
You will want to stay tuned to posters around town, social media, the local paper and this column for all the great things upcoming in Unity in the days and weeks ahead.
May 23 - Opening Day of Unity Farmer鈥檚 Market at Adanac Hall
May 25 - Community Garage Sale
May 25 - U14 mini tournament at the diamonds
May 26 - Member鈥檚 Golf Tournament
May 26 - Unity Minor Ball day all day event at the diamonds
May 28 - UCHS Grad Ecumenical Grad service at St. Peter鈥檚
May 31 - UPS Track and Field meet
May 31 to June 2 - Unity Western Days
June 1 and 2nd - Baseball tournament at the diamonds
With the Unity Western Days activity next weekend, know that there will be a full weekend offered of activity that will include a meal on Friday and the announcement of the 2019 Unity Citizen of the Year, followed by a dance with Stereo Playground. The parade takes place Saturday starting at the rink at 1 p.m. Who doesn鈥檛 love a parade? Rodeo action begins Saturday at 5 p.m. with the next round at 2 p.m. Sunday. This year鈥檚 rodeo will include local participants Ryder Zunti, Kaybree Zunti and Twila Zunti. Sunday of rodeo weekend, the Baptist Church will host a pancake breakfast at the Agroplex from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. followed by the Christian Cowboy Association entertainment. The Unity Airport is hosting lunch on Sunday, June 2 with the opportunity to watch other flying enthusiasts land and show off their planes. Rodeo queen winner will be announced on Sunday鈥檚 performance. Lots of spills, thrills and community fun at this year鈥檚 event. Take in one or all of the events this hard working committee has lined up.
The Richardson Pioneer Outdoor Rec Plex saw some improvements with the unsightly old pool fence removed, opening up the space greatly, as well as four new basketball hoops installed. Tenders are now open for Phase 2 of this ongoing development and thanks to community fundraisers and sponsorships, this progress can continue.
Community barbecues are part of the weekly happenings in Unity. So far, volunteers raised just over $1,500 for the Mental Wellness program in Unity that holds seminars and workshops and offers other helpful tools. The Unity Hospital Auxiliary was the lucky beneficiary of the barbecue held in conjunction with the Delta Co-op Home Centre grand opening and raised close to $1,000. More barbecues to come. Who doesn鈥檛 love a delicious barbecue burger? Also an easy way to contribute to the causes that host them. Watch for posters and social media posts that advertise the next community barbecue event upcoming.
UCHS has thoroughly enjoyed the tradition of the 鈥減rovincial banner run鈥� that they have got to enjoy with a number of sports and activities this year, and have high hopes for track and field offering yet another one of these send offs. Welcome back to the UCHS robotics team who earned a trip to the Canada Wide Science fair in Fredericton New Brunswick. Remember the grad ecumenical church service will be May 28 at St. Peter鈥檚 church. Grade 9s will get to experience 鈥渢ake your kids to work day鈥� on May 29. June鈥檚 list of 鈥渢o do鈥檚鈥� include: UCHS awards night June 6, Living Sky School Division Awards night June 19 and exams begin June 20 with grad cap and gown service at 10 a.m. on June 28. All of this is in addition to the last stages of classroom work before the year ends.
UPS track and field will take place on May 31, with June 4 alternate day if weather does not permit. Field trips begin on June 7 and continue much of June. June 18, the UPS Kindergartens will enjoy a year end celebration with June 24 the Grade 6 year end celebration.
At St. Peter鈥檚, May 23 is the date set for division track and field for Grades 4 to 6. May 24 is a Grade 6 soccer tournament in Cut knife. Students will be part of World Catholic Education Day for mass, lunch and activities with Father Greg at the Holy Rosary Shrine at Reward.
Pickleball continues to grow. Wednesdays and Thursdays are full of enthusiastic participants of all skill levels and all generations. Come on out to the Unity curling rink and try your hand at this growing sport. Equipment is provided. For now, the schedule will continue each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays until the last week in June; and then, plans are being put together for a wind up fun tournament. Hopes are that players will continue in the Outdoor Rec Venue when they are able and plans are being scoped out about using one of the school gyms for the winter.
This weekend is the community wide garage sale on May 25, with the full map printed in the May 17 issue of the Press-Herald. As well, you can pick one up at the town office. Parkview Place is still seeking donations for this event to help with their activities fundraising. As well, if you are extra shop enthusiastic you can head to Wilkie as they also hold their town wide garage sale the same day.
Unity minor ball was grateful for the donation of $3,272.92 which represented the remainder of the profits seen from the 2016 Western Canadian U21 Fastpitch event held in Unity (remember the other $10,000 was presented for the Walking Path and Outdoor Rec Venue improvement). You can watch plenty of ball games This weekend, U14 is hosting a mini tournament and the midgets are hosting a game on May 25. Every team in every division of both baseball and softball will play a game on minor ball day May 26. The booth will be open and there is plenty of room for fans in the stands. Come and support your favourite player and/or team and enjoy cheering for some ball games with other community ball enthusiasts. You can also support Unity Minor Ball by purchasing one of their sports trip tickets, available from any player.
Senior Cardinals have home games upcoming this month on May 26, two games vs Meadow Lake as well as taking on the Unity Midget Cards. They have five games on the road in June with only two at home games. Stay tuned to their social media accounts and posters around town or the NSRBL website for game dates.
The Unity Midget Cards have three games on the road in May but will square off against the Senior Cards as part of minor ball day, May 26 with a 6 p.m. start.
Tonight, May 23, the Unity Soccer club is hosting a fundraising barbecue at AG Foods on from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. You can see their weekly games posted on Facebook and come down and support your favourite team or favorite players.
I understand spots are filling up quickly, so note that registration forms are now available through the Town of Unity website or by emailing [email protected] for the second annual 鈥淯nity Roadster Classic鈥� 3 on 3 ball hockey tournament with funds earmarked once again for the Richardson Pioneer Outdoor Rec Venue development. Cost is $100 per team, guaranteed three games. Age categories are five to adult. The event also includes raffle table, door prizes, kids zone with bouncy houses, the Balloon Man, face painting, photo booth and more.
Everyone is welcome to the UCHS grad ecumenical church service slated for May 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter鈥檚 church.
Mental Wellness support group continues to meet Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the hospital boardroom. Anyone is welcome to join in. Follow the Mental Wellness group on Facebook for updates.
Try your hand at Lady Luck. Come out to the Chase the Ace fundraising lotto, hosted by the Unity Lions Club, which has begun again at the Legion Hall Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. with four community groups benefitting from the proceeds.
The Unity Farmer鈥檚 Market will start again soon. May 23 is the opening date at the Adanac Hall and it will run every other week featuring a lunch catered by Jan Taylor. Contact Carmen Bowker at 306-210-7733 for details or to book a table. Follow their Facebook page for all the updates.
While the museum pancake brunches may be over the activity at the museum is not. 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.
Parade entries wanted for the Saturday, June 1, Western Days Parade, with line up at 12:30 and parade starting at 1 from the Unity Community Centre (deadline to enter May 17). Also, 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.
Coffee row folks are sharing gratefulness for the rain that came on May 15. They are also reviewing all of the exciting happenings in our town with the grand opening of another enhanced business location as well as remarking on other business developments and work. They continue to be full of enthusiasm for all that is on tap for upcoming events in Unity. Local sports activity also keeps the topic table full of lively conversation. 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...
