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Congratulations to the 2016 graduates as you celebrate your school years Thursday. Wishing you all a safe and happy graduation and good luck in your next adventure ahead!

Only because I know Keith from Maidstone reads this column regularly, I will remind him – just in case he forgot – that my friend Michelle has a birthday next week. Here’s to a happy birthday, Michelle, and here’s hoping this was a good reminder for Keith.

A pending postal strike? Not an event anyone is hoping for but be sure you take ownership in information posted on where you can pick up flyers, newspapers and other items that will be looking for a different delivery method during strike action.

There will be no farmers’ market July 1 or 8, but make sure you come back July 15 at the Legion Hall beginning at 2 p.m.

Next weekend head on down to the diamonds to watch the Unity Panthers girls’ softball team compete at the U12 provincial championships. Action on the diamonds begins Friday and will run all weekend into championship Sunday.

The remainder of teams in both baseball and softball will continue practices and games leading up to their respective provincial quests in July. August long weekend the Western Canadian U21 junior ladies’ softball championship will take place at the diamonds.

There are a number of athletes in preparation for their participation in the upcoming Saskatchewan Summer Games in Estevan. Baseball and softball teams both carry Unity players on their roster and there are three Unity boys on the Zone 7 basketball team. Teams such as track have Unity hopefuls competing for Zone 7 as well.

School is out for the summer. Congratulations, students, on your accomplishment. Wishing everyone a safe, relaxed and happy summer and I look forward to filling this column with your activities once again in the fall.

Congratulations and best wishes to Martin Berg who served his last year as a teacher at Unity Composite High School following a 30-year career in education, 26 of those years at UCHS. Berg was also coach and mentor for many of the sports programs and was on the coaching teams that helped bring home a provincial gold medal for nine-man football and a bronze medal in provincial curling for the mixed team, as well as some basketball and volleyball accolades. Berg and his wife have been active travellers and he plans to continue these adventures in his retirement.

Canada Day activities are planned at the museum Friday. The day starts with a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a church service at 10 a.m., with opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. There will be a barbecue lunch and concession all afternoon along with community entertainment and activities, Lions kids’ games and horse and wagon rides along with rides in the old apple truck. Will Ballantyne will perform with his band from 2 – 4 p.m. Fireworks will once again take place after dark at the northwest corner of town.

Don’t forget to bring your visitors and guests to the Unity museum and show them this terrific venue. Take a step back in time and enjoy all that is on display and so well maintained at our museum.

Although there were some minor setbacks earlier, the Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre is now in full swing with lessons, early bird swim, aquasizes and yes, public swimming. Cooper the co-op mascot, showed up for opening night of public swimming and had a little fun with the kids while handing out some treats.

Summer Fun Centre will begin July 4 and run until Aug. 19 for children five to 11 years of age, every weekday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 – 4 p.m. As well, the town offers a summer preschool program for children three and four years of age at the community centre, offering education, physical activity, crafts and games from July 5 to Aug. 12.

Sadly it seems like there are still some people who are intent on creating chaos with their destructive behavior as the pool has seen some recent break-ins as well as there being some other recent vandalism around town. We all need to be the eyes and ears in our community. It is important to report suspicious behaviour as you could very well be stopping a criminal act in progress.

Coffee row folks are excited about summer and all of the activity they will be attending either in Unity or in their travels. Even though coffee row sees some reduced numbers at times over summer, there is always plenty to talk about for those in attendance and, when some of the regulars return, they are happy to hear of each other’s tales of summer adventures. Community barbecues, weddings, anniversaries and reunions are upon everyone now and this gives everyone plenty to smile about and plenty to anticipate and reminisce about in the days ahead. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …