You would think with winter being so long and Easter being so late this year, we might be treated to some warm, spring weather for the season. We are unsure as to why Mother Nature is in such a bad mood but we are hoping she can snap out of her unhappiness and reward us with a warm sun and more signs of spring.
Ball teams were hoping to be able to move outside for practices, but the persistent cold and snow are not making that feasible this week. Bantam and Midget girls teams are trying to get into shape for the start of their league May 4. There was a tremendous registration for ball again this year and some divisions will consist of more than one team, most notable being the Mosquito boys who could possibly be sitting with enough kids for three teams. Softball teams are treated to Softball Fever camp put on by Softball Saskatchewan April 30 at the local diamonds. All teams in Unity will be getting ready for the first big event, which is Minor Ball Day, May 15. The following weekend, the diamonds will host the annual Miners slo-pitch tournament which includes three days of tournament play and a dance Saturday night featuring Paradise Road, the great band we heard at the Oilperson's bonspiel. Then the teams will be kicking into high gear for league and tournament play, as well as provincial playoffs, which two local teams will host this year. Also, the Friday night slo-pitch league is starting April 29 and running every Friday until June 24. To enter a team call Mike at 228-2111.
Sixteen athletes competed in badminton at Conferences at UCHS, April 13; the winners advanced to Districts April 15 in Wilkie. Results of the junior playdowns were: gold medals won by the mixed doubles team of Mackenzie Chorney and Alex Pernitsky, as well as by the boys doubles team of Mark Ganter and Trace Sperle. Congratulations, UCHS jr. badminton players on your successes.
The senior badminton team travelled to Spiritwood April 16 for their Conference finals but unfortunately none were able to advance to regional play. The closest competitors were Charnele Jellison andEric Surine in mixed doubles, placing 4th overall, and Kelsey Wildeman in girls singles winning a bronze medal. Congratulations UCHS sr. badminton on your season.
The UCHS drama club, who presented a Harry Potter musical parody, returned from Regional Drama Festival, held in Davidson April 15-16, with six awards. Their play earned Best Technical Production Overall. Kim McAskill won an award of merit for back stage manager. Faith Boser won an award of merit for her spotlight running. Hannah Keller and Kelsey Ulsifer each won acting awards of merit. Hannah Keller also won the Spirit of Festival Award. Now that they have returned home from this event, they will be performing for the general public May 17, 18, and 19. Watch for details on this because it will include another dessert theatre, always a big hit!
Unity School of Dance, having done very well in competitions in Saskatoon, also fared very well in the medals at the Lloydminster competition this past weekend. During Easter break, the Unity School of Dance will be heading to the Annual Dance Festival in North Battleford, and in early May they will showcase all of their club's talents at their annual recital in Unity.
The Unity Ministerial Association will hold their annual Way of the Cross Walk, Good Friday, starting at 10 a.m. at the Unity United church. This is an interdenominational event for all ages, which will see worshipers travel to the Stations of the Cross at various locales in Unity, all the while carrying a wooden cross to represent the path Jesus walked on the last days of his life. The organizing committee will provide golf carts and vehicles for those who have trouble walking. Following the walk, all participants will be invited in for hot cross buns and coffee.
The Unity Museum held their last Sunday brunch of the season, April 17. This simple Sunday tradition through the fall and winter months has become an important fundraiser for the local museum. The museum has yet to set their annual spring cleaning date but are asking any volunteers that could spare a couple of hours or more to help get the museum back into summer shape for tourist and event season to give them a call. The museum office will open for the season May 1. Please include the museum in your list of places to see and to take our visitors to. The museum group does an excellent job of showcasing this sightseeing spot and need your help in promoting its grandeur.
You have seen folks sporting those cute daffodil pins as April is National Cancer Awareness month, and the daffodil is the national symbol for cancer awareness. April 27 is National Daffodil Day and you are asked specifically to wear your pin that day and lend a hand to someone who has cancer either by running an errand, making a meal or dropping by for a visit.
The UFC (Unity Facilities Committee, representing the new hall and swimming pool projects) will hold a community garage sale from 9 - 4 in the Unity curling area May 7. Tables are a bargain price at $10 each on a first come, first serve basis. There will also be a BBQ lunch available for purchase starting at 11:30 a.m. Project unveiling and presentation will be at 1 p.m. sharp. All proceeds from this event go to the UFC projects. If you want to rent a table or can volunteer for the event, contact Carey Baker at the town office.
The Unity golf course is getting ready for another golf season. The annual meeting will be held at the Unity golf clubhouse April 27 at 7 p.m. All members and prospective members are urged to attend. Information will be available on the progress of the new fairway and the plans for improvements to be made at the course in the coming year. Information will also be given on measures to be taken to prevent flooding of the course. Three executive members need to be elected. The golf club welcomes new members of all ages. The tentative opening date is April 30, and hopefully sooner if the weather permits.
Again, if you have news you would like me to report, feel free to let me know as I am glad for the support I have received so far. As well, I would like to carry news on all events and happenings around our fine community.
The female portion of coffee row has a different topic to discuss and that is the upcoming royal wedding, April 29. Will it match the hype that Charles and Diana's wedding stirred up? Will you be getting up at 3 a.m. to watch the proceedings from start to finish? And how many royal weddings has Lloyd Robertson of CTV covered? The male side of coffee row has been actively engaging in discussion on the ever so close federal election, due at a polling station near you, May 2. The topics are many and are debated and/or contested regularly. Most participants in this weekly forum agree that likely the same result will come of this election as the last four in the past seven years - another minority government, who have wasted our taxpayers' dollars to host an election nobody wanted but are forced into, and getting the same results. And a big sigh goes out knowing we will be repeating the process this fall for the provincial election, although most people feel we have a little more 'say' in the vote provincially than we ever have a hope for in a federal election. Farmers are anxious to get out in their fields. And as more signs of spring emerge, this experienced group ponders the start of golf season, ball season and the dreaded upcoming federal election. And so again you can see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week . . .
