Enjoy how long the sunlight lasts on the first day of summer and all the great things there are to enjoy about summer. And hoping you recognized your dads properly last weekend as I forgot to remind the readers about Father's Day in last week's column.
Let's hope our weather pattern isn't set up to repeat itself from the June 15 wild weather activity that saw several tornados in the area in addition to hail and a flash flood along Highway 21.
UCHS was proud to have 77 of their students honoured at the Living Sky School Division Hall of Fame awards celebration. The awards were for academics, athletics, arts and culture and leadership. UCHS was proud to have five students achieve Great Distinction academic awards in senior high, meaning they have a 95 per cent or higher average. Those students were: Adam Wallace, Jonathan Neigum, Justin Wood, Shelby Solomko and Zohair Rafeed-Hamed.
The evening consisted of the ever-famous, always loved candy buffet. Student artwork from around the division was displayed, including several wonderful pieces from our own UCHS fine arts program. Following a delicious dinner served to over 800 in the Battleford arena, students and guests were treated to guest speaker Rueben Mayes.
A former NFL football star, Mayes held his audience captive in his energizing and motivational address to the students. He was given a standing ovation for his part in the program. Rueben also stayed on stage and personally shook the hand of each and every student honoured that evening.
UCHS exam week has started and will continue to June 27. Student report cards can be picked up June 28 from 1-3 p.m. The school will celebrate 34 graduates in a ceremony June 29 at the UCHS gym, starting at 10 a.m. Here the scholarships will be awarded, as well as the valedictorian speech given. Later that day the formal portion of the ceremony takes place at the curling rink arena beginning at 7 p.m. Congratulations to the graduation class of 2012.
Both elementary schools have been holding year-end field trips for various classes, as well as wrapping up the last instruction leading into year-end report cards. UPS will have their annual awards day June 26 as they honor academic, leadership and athletic outstanding achievements, in addition to saying goodbye to their Grade 6 class. St. Peters will hold their year-end celebrations June 27, starting with mass at 11 a.m. and the awards ceremony and student talent show at 1 p.m. Report cards can be picked up June 29 for these students.
Provincial teams in both baseball and softball are gearing up for upcoming provincial competitions. Unity is playing host to the peewee C division of softball July 8 weekend. Softball and baseball still have league play on track as well. Fans are welcome to any game on any night of the week. The bleachers have plenty of room, the trees provide plenty of shade and the booth is always open.
Watch for details on the Summer Games' tryouts being held in Unity. This will send a team to the upcoming Saskatchewan Summer Games in Meadow Lake, August long weekend.
And with softball, tryouts will also be held in Unity for bantam-aged girls to form a Zone 7 team to compete at the annual Fall Ball Zone Provincial Championship to be held in Moosomin September long weekend. The inaugural event was held in Unity last year and was a huge success. Local softball coach Brent Weber will be coaching this year's Zone 7 team along with long-time coach Don Robertson.
Friday night slo-pitch will wrap up tonight. There were a good number of teams this year and all participants enjoy having the diamonds available to get some physical activity as well as have some fun with their teams.
Congratulations to Blake Robertson who was picked up by the Lloydminster Bantam AAA Twins for their provincial run. Blake was also selected for the bantam Summer Games' baseball team competing at Saskatchewan Summer Games this August in Meadow Lake.
The Unity and District Chamber of Commerce is holding a networking social June 27 at 6:30 p.m. For only $5 you can enjoy a burger, beverage and banter. Come enjoy some fellowship with fellow business owners, but your attendance needs to be confirmed by calling Gerald at 228-2688.
Unity Motocross Club is hosting the provincial motocross race at their tracks, next to the airport, July 7. They are still in need of flaggers and you can earn $500 for your club or organization by doing so. Call Carolyn or Dwaine at 228-4113.
When the weather is just too darn warm during the day, you can always head down to the swimming pool. There is public swimming every evening from 7-8:30 and weekends from 2-5 p.m. The pool also offers aqua-sizes, following public swimming, in the evenings during the week if you are looking for a great way to get a workout - Wednesdays beginning June 20 and ending July 4, from 8:30 - 9:30. In July and August, they will run from 9-10 p.m. Following aqua-sizes, in July and August, there will be a moonlight swim from 10-11 p.m. Watch for posters at the pool for upcoming activities.
The fundraising barbecues have been popping up around town. The Rebekahs held theirs last Thursday at the Family Fine Foods location, the Legion was previously at the co-op and there is sure to be one upcoming at Parkview Place. Busy parents running to kids' activities always appreciate this quick meal stop to take one less "to do" item off their lists.
Unity and District Heritage Museum is open for visitors. Why not take your guests there when you have visitors in town? The museum committee works diligently to have all buildings and equipment ready for visitors throughout the summer. They are also working on the finishing touches to their annual Canada Day celebrations, held at the museum grounds each year July 1, beginning at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and concluding with fireworks after dark.
Remember Unity Motors is still working during their renovations. The temporary office trailer set on their lot will accommodate customers in this location until most of the indoor renovations are complete. Staff assures everyone that it is "business as usual" and the inconvenience will be short-lived.
Even though KC Rescue's fundraising bottle drive is over, you can still direct your recyclables to their cause by stating at Sarcan that you wish your returns to be earmarked to the KC Rescue fundraising program.
The broadcast time that Unity is anxious to hear is July 1 at 5:30, to learn if they are a finalist in this year's TSN Kraft Celebration Tour which will have the TSN sports team visiting 10 communities in 10 days across Canada. Check out their entry online and decide who you are going to vote for in the upcoming competition, starting July 9. Unity has had much success with hosting big events in the past and is anxious to show off these skills again with this competition.
Coffee row folks always have plenty of topics on the table. The preseason game for the Riders didn't go so well and there was certainly a lot to ponder on that game. There are plenty of ball games in town to review and they are even starting to share their plans for the summer ... So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week ...
