Wow. The storm system that hit Unity not once, but three times in a 12-hour time span was something else. Although after we heard how hard hit areas near here, like Luseland, Primate and Macklin were pummelled, we were thankful that trees were almost the only thing we had to clean up. See story and photos in another section of this paper. Here's hoping that was a solo performance and we are done with storms like that for the season.
It was the last of the teams to head to provincial ball competitions the weekend of July 18 to 20. After three provincial titles were earned July 4 weekend the Bantam Panther softball team took their run at a provincial title in Moose Jaw. The team rallied from an extremely close first game loss, losing 1-0. However, they rallied to win continuous games to put them into playoff Sunday. Easily winning the quarter-finals the girls were hungry for a win, but unfortunately came out on the wrong side of another game losing by one run.
It was the baseball division's turn to take their crack at some provincial titles. My phone was humming all weekend with game updates as our mosquitoes headed to Meunster for the A2 provincial title and they were successful in doing so. The Pee wee AA team headed to Weyburn and also came home with a provincial title, giving some of these players three years in a row of provincial wins. The pee wee A2 team were the underdogs in the A2 category and they over delivered all weekend losing only to a strong Alameda team in the semifinal. The bantam boys endured a rainy weekend in Meadow Lake. After winning their first, they lost two games putting them in tough to advance. One win by an opposition team sent them home instead of to playoffs.
All that will be left at the diamonds is the bantam tryouts and practice for the fall ball provincial competition, as well as the UK Royals getting in some practices and games as they prepare for their trip to Western Canadian Fastball Junior Women's Championship. The Cardinals are in the playoff hunt after dropping the first game of a best-of-three playoff. Game two was held July 23 and if necessary, a game three will be held on the road July 24. Cory Wildeman was voted team MVP for this season.
July 24 the UK Royals will hold a fundraising barbecue to help pay some expenses for their five-day trip to Western Canadian Junior Women's Fastball Championships.
The Unity swimming pool was busy this week with their drowning prevention week activities. The lifeguards prepared a week of fun and education to reinforce the importance of water safety. Our lifeguards go to great lengths to engage the kids in both fun at the pool and water safety education. In addition to all of the activities, the lifeguards are hosting a barbecue and deck dance tonight at the pool.
New potatoes, kohlrabi, snap peas, fresh lettuce, strawberries and fresh home-made jam are now available at the weekly farmers' market each Thursday at the Unity Friendship Centre. Contact organizer Carmen Bowker at 306-228-2237 if you have produce you'd like to market.
Coffee row certainly had lots to talk about following the July 17 storm. They also are debating the highs and lows of this year's Roughrider team. Any topic that is being discussed will carry several sides of the story, yet none of the participants leave without a laugh or a smile, knowing they can resume the conversation each and every day in the same places with the same familiar faces. So, you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.
