It is not often that farm families are excited to be using their combines in spring. However, a fall full of wet weather and early snow brought just such a reality to the agriculture sector in our area.聽
Numerous harvests yet to be combined from last fall were present on fields earlier this April and it appeared all was going well for those who still had this fall work to be done. Sadly, the return of wintery weather April 23-28 was just another blow to the already frustrating circumstances farmers had been experiencing.
The weather is just one of many factors that contribute to the pressure a farmer faces and it is one of the many factors that influence a farm鈥檚 viability that are out of the farmer鈥檚 control. So once again, the agriculture industry is playing the waiting game with mother nature and until she decides it鈥檚 time for them to get back to work, they continue to be resilient as well as hopeful.聽
Please be mindful of our farmer friends 鈥� some of whom are still painstakingly working at getting last year鈥檚 crop off before they begin seeding this year鈥檚 crop 鈥� there will be additional equipment on the highways so exercise patience when travelling.
Vandals have decided to tarnish the town with their unsightly graffiti at various places around town. Vandalism prevention requires a group effort of community members who choose to report unusual or suspicious activity as well as take measures to prevent vandalism in the first place.聽
Some measures that can be taken are installing bright security lights; fences around property and security measures, whether it be cameras, dogs or community watch. Vandalism is covered at the property owner鈥檚 expense or the taxpayer, so let鈥檚 all do our job to be proactive rather than reactive to the results of this crime.
The Unity fire department is once again passing their gratitude to groups, businesses or individuals who contributed money or equipment. Updates included a SxS all-terrain vehicle, trailer and auxiliary equipment such as pump, water backpacks and lighting 鈥� all of which have already been put to use several times so far this spring. Hats off to our volunteer fire departments for their dedication to protective services for our community. 聽
May will have an array of events that have something to offer for everyone. May 1 was the Heartland Health volunteer appreciation night, which is a very generous gesture for our community volunteers and they appreciate being appreciated.聽
May 6 the UK Royals are hosting a one-day softball camp for younger players. May 7 is the annual 鈥淢inor Ball Day鈥� in Unity. UCHS Warrior football continue spring camps this week on Warrior field. May 10, the Unity Ag Society is hosting another 鈥淎g ED day鈥� at the Agriplex, offering numerous safety stations for kids to learn about the importance of safety. May 12 the always popular Unity Farmer鈥檚 Market will celebrate another season starting this day at the Legion Hall. May 13 will see the official grand opening of the new Hollyhocks Greenhouse situated in downtown Unity. May 17, UCHS will play host to the Living Sky School Division annual meeting and, with this year鈥檚 budget restraints, there is certain to be topics of interest for the public. Following the long weekend in May, Unity will be gearing up for the annual Western Days, which will be coming up the first weekend in June.
UCHS has been manoeuvring through a very messy parking lot following the underground power line replacement which has challenged the limited parking spaces around the school. Staff has been thankful for the patience of all drivers during this adjustment phase. They are now into the last sports season of the year, as track athletes are preparing for upcoming meets that will lead up to local and district track meets with the hope of qualifying for spots at provincials.
Unity public school students are practising up for their upcoming track and field day. They will be looking for volunteers to work in the booth and be a group leader. There is always plenty of room on the grounds for supporters, too.聽
UPS students continue to contribute to their community as K-6 can choose to be part of Earthsavers, which collects recyclable material from lunches, waters school plants and reminds all students the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling. Grade 6 students can choose to volunteer with the community meals on wheels program, where students are part of the team that delivers to seniors in Unity. Students participate in this program on assigned dates during their lunch hours. Grade 5 and 6 students volunteer to monitor kindergarten, Grades 1, 2 and 3 students over lunch and assist with opening difficult packaging, clean up after lunch and assist younger students dress in their outdoor gear. May 8 is a PD day for the school.
Students at St. Peter鈥檚 school are loving spring. Plans are being finalized on a number of classroom鈥檚 yearend field trips.聽 Principal Volk would like to extend a thank you to both students and families, along with our community of Unity, for the wonderful effort put into the hanging plant fundraiser this year and raised over $1900, allowing St. Peter鈥檚 to聽 help pay for their brand new chromebook computers that the students are already using.聽
Sunday, May 7 at 11 a.m. the families, sponsors, friends and congregation will gather to celebrate First Communion and Confirmation. In lieu of a bishop, Father Greg will preside at this celebration with us and confirm each of the children. St. Peter鈥檚 is so grateful to have Father Gregory officiate this special ceremony and ask for God鈥檚 continued blessing upon them. Tuesday, May 16-17 join the Grade 6 students for an Evening of Improv. All proceeds will go to the class field trip. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 7 p.m. Intermission entertainment will be provided by the St. Peter鈥檚 School Band. Tickets are $10 and are available at the school office.聽
Multiple teams have registered in both baseball and softball divisions. The Unity Soccer Club is ready to hit the fields, too, so there should be plenty of outdoor action to take in about town, once the weather behaves.
The museum is looking for a donated or borrowed camper trailer to be used for 2-4 weeks for volunteer work. Call Pat Uzelman at 306-228-2225 if you are able to help out. The museum will soon be holding 鈥渙pening day鈥� activities.
