While we are able to enjoy so many places and spaces outside in these extraordinary times, it is still hard to fathom that we have been part of pandemic protocols for five months now. Aug. 9 marked 150 days, according to our premier.聽
It has been a blessing in these cautious times to be able to enjoy walks and bike rides throughout our community鈥檚 walking paths and around towns, watching yards and flowers evolve and being able to distance visit others who are out for an afternoon or evening stroll or ride. Remember, when strolling or riding past any one of our senior complexes be sure to give a wave as they love the interaction with their community.聽
While the shortened ball season was nothing players, coaches or fans dreamed of, they were thankful nonetheless for the opportunity to have some kind of season. The two softball teams enjoyed team bonding and gathering for a game they love, even if it did only include a few exhibition games. Both the junior and senior cardinals also enjoyed a reduced season, however they were able to experience a revised season in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League. In one game playoff series, the senior cards defeated the juniors by one run to advance. Although the next game for the senior cardinals was their last as the Standard Hill Lakers beat them to take them out of the remainder of playoffs. Sadly, the diamonds are quiet once again but everyone is hopeful for a full return to all the excitement ball season brings to the community.聽 Congratulations to Braden Poleris, senior cardinals and Tanner Huber, junior cardinals, who were voted their team MVP鈥檚 for the season. Huber was also in the top 10 for both pitching and batting stats for the league.
The parks and recreation department has done loads of work this summer freshening up community spaces that included painting the pool park, assisting with surfacing and other work to get the Richardson Outdoor recreation park up and running as well as numerous days on tree clean up from multiple wind storms that had resulted in plenty of branch, leaf and tree remnants to clean up.聽
The Unity Museum is still open with sanitizing stations and distancing protocols in place.聽 They were thrilled to have their new sign erected at this location and the quieter summer allowed plenty of time for upkeep and maintenance. The museum was also thrilled to be location for CityTV filming for a television series they run and featured Unity鈥檚 own Will Ballantyne.
Ten years ago, Unity was in the 鈥淩un for Riderville鈥� that included painting an enormous Rider logo and markers on main street as the community banded together to compete in this contest, that saw Unity take runner up status.
Back to school plans were announced Aug. 4 with Living Sky School Division announcing their plans and individual school plans to be upcoming. Divison and school staff know that changes will be ongoing as everyone adjusts and adapts to a new normal.聽 Be patient with the process and ask questions when clarification is needed.聽 Remember everyone is trying to adjust together.聽
The theatre has re-opened with distancing rules and protocols in place. As well, its summer, so you don鈥檛 want to miss your chance at ice cream either at the downtown location or the mobile ice cream bike that makes its way around town daily and nightly while weather permits.聽
Don鈥檛 forget to continue your support of our community businesses, which have supported our events, activities and community for many years. We have seen many reasons to love local during this prolonged pandemic and the best way to say thanks is to return your support to them.
Gardeners have appreciated the heat combined with timely moisture that are making their growing projects prosper. Sometimes that means friends and neighbours get to benefit with garden harvest surplus or learn the latest canning recipe shared for our own produce picking.聽
Continue to follow government guidelines on social distancing, group size gatherings, mask guidance, hand washing etc and we will persevere over this virus. Stronger together by pulling apart.
Here鈥檚 hoping this finds you all safe, healthy and socially distanced. Until next week...
