It is hard to believe and it almost feels too good to be true but I think spring has finally sprung!
Well this is the last of my rink news until the fall: Local girls Kelsey Wildeman, Sydney David and Heather Wood, playing with the West Central Midget AA Wheat Kings captured both the league title and the Provincial title. What an accomplishment! Congratulations to these girls, along with their teammates, coaches and parents, all who dedicated much time and effort this season to accomplishing these goals!
Secondly, Unity was not able to capture the best rink burger title. Odessa won the title and Unity came in fourth place out of five. The details of the decision making process was in the April 2 issue of the Star Phoenix. It was a privilege to be nominated and to be named one of the Top 5 rink burgers in the province is a pretty big deal too.
Some residents of Unity, including myself, had the privilege of taking in some games at the 2011 World Men's Curling championship in Regina. Although the winter weather made it frightful outside, the curling action and atmosphere in the Brandt Centre was fantastic. Many folks in Unity will be glued to their televisions this week and weekend to get their last curling fix watching Team Canada strive for gold in this year's World championship.
Ball teams are swinging into gear for ball season by having some light indoor practices until those diamonds dry up. Softball teams will be 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 their first event, which is Minor Ball Day May 15. Then the teams will be kicking into high gear for league and tournament play, as well as upcoming provincial playoffs, which two local teams will host this year.
UCHS is still busy with badminton season. As well the track team has started practices. The drama club is fine-tuning their production, a Harry Potter parody, to travel to Regional Drama Festival in Davidson on April 15-16. Once they return home from this event, they will be showcasing this semester's production in May for the general public. Watch details on this because it will include another dessert theatre, always a big hit!
Unity School of Dance is also gearing up for a busy season. The solo and duet performers held a showcase April 1. Some dancers are travelling to Saskatoon this weekend for competition. The weekend after the club is heading to Lloydminster. And during Easter break, the Unity School of Dance will be heading to the Annual Dance Festival in North Battleford. In early May they will showcase all of their club's talents at their annual recital.
The local 4-H club will hold their annual Spring Home and Farm Fair April 9. This annual event is a good way to put away the winter blues and come for a coffee, a shopping spree, or lunch that will be served throughout the day, and all while supporting the local 4-H club.
And if you are looking for another great event April 9, head on down to Parkview Place for their 60s fun afternoon. You will be able to have floats, homemade fries and homemade dessert for the mere cost of $5.00. Homemade fudge will be sold separately. Everyone is welcome from 2 - 4 p.m. to take part in this event. It will be a great place to stop when you are out enjoying the nice spring weather that has finally come.
The Unity Ministerial Association held their last Lenten luncheon this week. They are now planning the annual "Way of the Cross Walk" held on Good Friday. This is an interdenominational event that has worshipers travel the Stations of the Cross at various locales in Unity, while carrying a wooden cross to represent the path Jesus walked on the last days of his life. The organizing committee always provides golf carts and vehicles for those who have trouble walking, while the rest of the group walks along singing hymns in between stations. Following the walk, all participants are invited in for hot cross buns and coffee. It is an event for all ages and, if you have participated in the past, you know it is certainly an event of interest.
The Delta Co-op is gearing up for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Unity Public School. This event has been running for six years now. The co-op staff go to great lengths to get lots of prizes, stuff the eggs to be hidden, set up the event and arrange for volunteers from their staff and other businesses and organizations in the community to make this a fun family event. The event starts at 11:00 a.m. sharp at the Unity Public School grounds (if the weather is inclement, the hunt will be moved the community centre).
Volunteer Appreciation Night, recognizing the many volunteers who help make events and programs run so smoothly, will be held April 11 at St. Peter's Church hall at 7:00 p.m. They would like you to RSVP your attendance to Celeste Bridgeman. This event is sponsored by the Town of Unity and the Heartland Health Region volunteer services. The event will include refreshments, desserts, prizes and entertainment.
St. Peter's School will host the school portion of the music festival April 12. The local music festival runs the week of April 11th to the 15th in various venues about town and includes piano, other musical instruments, singing and choral speaking. This annual event is a great way for local talent to showcase their hard work and expertise. Performance times are 9:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Following the week of music festival, a gala performance will be held at the high school to showcase the top winners from throughout the week, and it runs on Sunday, April 17 at 2:00 in the UCHS gym.
April 13th is Anti-Bullying Day at UPS and all staff and students are asked to wear pink that day for this initiative. This campaign was started some time ago by a parent of a student who took their life due to bullying and, by participating in this campaign, you are showing that you are aware that bullying can be a problem and that you are willing to stand against it.
If you are looking for something unique to check out, why not come to the Unity Public School April 14 for their Junior Genius display? Grade 6 students have been working hard on their projects to showcase at this event. Students were to choose an area they were interested in and provide an exhibit for spectators to browse. The students are also able to answer any questions you may have on their project. Call Unity Public School or ask a Grade 6 student for times of this event so you can take it in.
The Miners hockey club, is sponsoring a ball hockey tournament at the rink on the April 15th weekend. They have had success with this event in the past. And since the diamonds won't be quite ball-ready yet, this is a good way to get the in-between hockey and ball fix.
Monday, April 18, the Unity Public School Community Council will hold their annual meeting. During this meeting, they will present their annual report as well as elect new council members for positions that have been vacated. Everyone is welcome to attend.
And now that the kids are out biking and walkers are back to walking outdoors, be mindful of this increased traffic, as well as excited children who forget their road rules.
Again, if you have news you would like me to report on, 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.
Coffee row may now have something new to discuss - this correspondent's article. Once it was discovered that Unity was included in the NB News Optimist, and that a coffee row section was being written, I was told this group is reading each week to see who is being picked on and what they might have been talking about. All kidding aside, this group has decided that spring indeed may FINALLY have arrived and are looking forward to warmer days with no more snow until late next winter - so they say! The robin theory . . . well it must be true because more than one person has admitted to spotting our spring bird. And so again you can see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week . . .
