It's official. June is nearly over and graduation is upon our community, amongst many others. Congratulations to the UCHS graduating class of 2014. Enjoy a safe grad weekend.
Only five more days until TSN reveals the top 10 selections in the Kraft-TSN Celebration Tour. Will Unity be in this magic number? Let's hope so. Tune in, folks. You can see both nominations on the TSN website. If we're in, you will need to mark your calendars for July 21 and start voting feverishly for our cause so we can not only win the prize but a great event with the TSN on-air crew.
Unity United Church will enjoy its very last service with the Reverend Louise Robson June 29. Her humour, zest for life and dedication to both the church and her community have been and are much appreciated.
School is out. Report cards will be picked up tomorrow and high school is complete with graduation ceremonies being held tomorrow as well. Enjoy your summer, staff and students, and I look forward to writing about you again in the fall.
Did you know that every Wednesday from 1 -4 p.m., you can head to the Unity Friendship Centre and enjoy an afternoon of playing cards. Any card game costs only a toonie and helps keep the doors open at the Friendship Centre. There will be a draw each week for the toonie winner as well.
Much of the regular season for minor ball teams is over. It's now provincial ball season for teams. The two squirt teams play this weekend for their chance to win a provincial title. Next weekend, the peewee girls host Provincial Peewee B Championships in Unity. Come out to watch some great ball games as well as supporting the home team.
The Midgets and Bantams are away for their provincial weekend July 4 to 7 and hopes are high for a title to be earned. The UK Royals, who hosted junior B ladies' fastball provincials last year are looking to three-peat their provincial title and will travel to Moosomin for their event July 4 to 7 as well.
U16 players, Jensen Chorney and Brennae Hofmann, are part of the Lloydminster "A' Rebels and will take part in their provincial championship weekend July 18 - 20 in Strathmore, Alta.
Good luck to all teams competing at their respective provincials. Unity has a long history of success in softball divisions so we look forward to reporting on some more success stories. Thank you also to all of the coaches and managers who dedicate so much time out of their schedules to develop these teams into the winners they are. Also thanks to the fans in the stands who keep these players inspired each time they hit the field.
On the baseball side, provincial events start a little later into July so they still are playing tournaments and exhibition games. One mosquito team, two peewee teams and one bantam team are vying for provincial titles in 2013.
Summer Fun Centre starts July 7. It is held each Monday through Friday at the community centre for kids ages 5 - 11 years. Or you can register your kids in the summer preschool program taking place at St. Peter's. Or, if you need to improve your swimming skills or just want to take a dip, the pool is well into its summer season with plenty of fun events planned this summer. Note - the pool will be closed June 27 due to graduation, with many of the lifeguards involved in that event.
Register or check on any of these programs by either logging onto the town website at www.townofunity.com or calling the town office at 306-228-2621.
Come out to the museum grounds July 1 to enjoy a pancake breakfast, church service, museum viewing, barbecue lunch and concession, musical entertainment, kids' activities, wagon and old apple truck rides, cake and a delicious supper capped off by the traditional fireworks. The committee is still looking for volunteers so you can call 306-228-1221 if you can help out. This is one of the many ways to support our local museum and community organizers of this annual event.
Speaking of our fabulous museum grounds, it has been a whirlwind of photo shoots for graduation this year. The fabulous background, rustic props and unique photo layouts it offers makes it a popular venue for special occasion photos. Isn't this one more great reason to support your local museum?
The sad truth this year is, even with multiple callouts for help, the museum is understaffed. In essence, what this means is that there may be days when no one will be able to open up, however there are phone numbers on the gate you can call if needed. A summer guide is still needed.
The other unfortunate news is that the weekend of May 31 to June 1, some scoundrel or pack of scoundrels found it necessary to smash windows on some vehicles and buildings, as well as leaving empty beer cans in the flower pots. It is very distressing to see the hard work folks have put into the museum over the years destroyed by such insensitive and careless individuals. The museum group is asking residents of Unity to keep an eye out during the evening hours for suspicious activity and to report it.
Please consider volunteering at this fine venue, a huge part of our community culture, tradition and heritage. The museum meetings are every third Wednesday at the Adanac Hall on the grounds at 7:30 p.m. It's important to have sufficient volunteers, members and committee members to keep this beautiful part of Unity sustainable.
The weekly farmers market continues each Thursday at the Unity Friendship Centre. They are always looking for new vendors so consider booking a table if you have garden produce, extra perennials or other market product you could sell. The theme is "If you can bake it, make it or grow it," the Unity Farmers Market wants you. Contact organizer Carmen Bowker at 306-228-2237.
Kids can come to the Delta Co-op sponsored Kids Club pool party June 30 and enjoy a swim, hot dogs and juice from 2 - 5 p.m.
And keep those in our community who need our prayers in mind, whether they have recently suffered a loss in their family or have a loved one afflicted by illness. Do what we do best and offer whatever you can to lend a hand to a friend or neighbour in need of some comfort, assistance or just a friendly visit.
Coffee row enjoys the discussion on weather, changing weather patterns and theories for upcoming summer weather. They are happily discussing this year's farming season. These folks also enjoy reliving the latest ball game from the diamonds, or predicting what this year's Rider season will hold. Any topic that is being discussed will carry several sides of the story in favour or against yet none of the participants leave without a laugh or a smile and a "see ya tomorrow" assurance. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
