Seriously, when is the last time, on May 3, you were still seeing snow in the area and talking about snow? However, when we celebrate the warm weather, we begin to see what winter has left behind in some crumbling town streets due to high water levels and winter maintenance wear and tear. In addition, around the area, the water has started to flow. By the afternoon of April 27, several highways were hampered by water flowing over them as a result of overwhelmed culverts and rising water levels.
Unity Composite High School hosted both junior and senior badminton conferences April 23 and 24. Juniors who advanced to district playdowns in Wilkie April 26 were: girls' singles, first Megan Bloder and second Krista Chung; boys' singles, first Tyson Senger; girls' doubles, first Kayla Weber and Lauren Wallace; boys' doubles, first Jaden Hofmann and Byron Hauta, second Dylan Bosch and Lyndon Jellison; mixed doubles, first Ashley Mock and Ayob Rafid-Ahmed.
Unity had seven teams representing UCHS in junior districts. UCHS returned with a bronze medal earned after a very long day for competitors and meeting up with some tough competition.
In senior badminton, UCHS had several teams advance to district playdowns in Spiritwood the weekend of April 27 with winners advancing to regional playdowns for a chance to earn a berth to provincial playdowns. As of press time, these results were not yet known.
The school is holding track practices indoors until the weather co-operates.
The 11th annual Snolympics was held at UCHS for junior high students, April 25. This fun-fuelled event full of enthusiasm, crazy costumes and shenanigans added plenty of brightness to an already sunshiney warm spring day. It's a fun way to promote fitness.
The SADD group was proud to receive $1,178 as the proceeds from the annual Lions chocolate bunny drive. This goes a long way for their motivational media, programs and speakers throughout the year to drive home their message of students against drinking and driving. The students also host multiple taco salad sales throughout the year to help fund their programming and aid in their travel to the annual SADD conference, which will be held in Toronto this year with 17 students attending.
Congratulations to the 34 kids in the Steve Nash youth basketball program who had their windup tournament in North Battleford April 27 and 28. After several months of conditioning and skills, coaches Darren Stifter, Jeremy Wagner and Lindsay Brebner led the teams in this event. The kids had a blast, parents enjoyed cheering on all players, regardless of teams, and it is a great way to end another b-ball season.
As baseball players continue to condition in the arena, they are more anxious than ever to get out on the snow-covered diamonds. There is still plenty of snow to melt so players and coaches are hoping for some warmer temperatures to help.
The Lady Rustlers fastball club are seeking pitchers and players for their season that runs May through June. Contact Kelsey at 228-9855 for more information or to give your name to be part of this team.
The St. Peter's CWL will host their spring tea and bake sale Saturday, May 4 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the church hall.
Unity School of Dance will hold their year-end recital next week, May 10 and 11, with show time at 7 p.m. Tickets in advance are $8 for adults and are available at Our Drug Store or Sister's Flowers. At the door tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. You won't want to miss all the talent, costumes and choreography of the dance group as they perform this year-end showcase.
Hey, here is an opportunity for you. Carmen is looking for vendors for a potential Unity Farmers Market - "Make it, bake it or grow it" - promoting locally produced products and foods. You can contact her at 306-228-2237 or 306-228-7733 for more details.
There will be a come-and-go newcomers' social, May 5 from 7 - 9 p.m.at the Chase Pilates studio at 203 Main Street. They invite all newcomers to Unity, no individual invitations required. Coffee and crumpets will be served. For more information contact our Welcome Wagon hostess, Noella at 306-228-7838.
The Unity Western Days committee is looking for 2013 Citizen of the Year nominations. You can contact Mary Ann Gaetz. Unity Western Days is slated for the first weekend in June.
Heartland Health is holding their annual volunteer recognition night Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. in St. Peter's Church hall. Dessert, refreshments, entertainment and lots of door prizes. All those who have volunteered in Unity are invited to attend and it is a free evening, offered as a thank you for the volunteers who are valued in the community. Please RSVP your attendance to Celeste at 306-228-2666, ext. 251.
The Unity and District Heritage Museum is still looking for a summer guide to work from 2-5 p.m. weekdays. Longer hours can be arranged if requested. The museum is always in need of fresh faces, enthusiasm and ideas to keep it operational and one of the sources of pride for our community.
After a five-month absence, Unity Family Foods opened their doors with Val and Darcy Thomas, along with Mike Wismer, at the helm, opened their doors April 26. The parking lot was full and many folks took the opening day as an opportunity to check out the new grocery location.
It's funny how things in a community that its own residents take for granted are those heralded by visitors as being great assets. Many visitors to the UCHS hosted Regional Drama Festival commented on the variety of shopping available in downtown Unity (most visitors came from small-town Saskatchewan).
They were thrilled there were three or more locations for giftware, many restaurants to choose from, several places to get flowers, five places to choose greeting cards, a tire shop that provided over and above service after hours when needed, a theatre that included digital surround sound, as well as unique shopping establishments - all included in their kudos. Of course, there were many praises for the warm welcome received not only at the school but by everyone in town. We need to share this enthusiasm of visitors for the variety of businesses in our own community.
Again the Unity paper holds more than a dozen job openings in a variety of areas. This is an indication of a growing community. The town and chamber of commerce have been working aggressively on a variety of initiatives to have people recognize the opportUNITY in Unity. Remember, we're all in this together. Contact the town of Unity at 306-228-2621 for details on the job openings or your interest in investing or being part of this community.
A big thank you to the Royal Purple who have been sharing funds with a number of causes in Unity. Twenty-six members served 1,750 meals in the past year. We don't just get to enjoy the food they prepare. These ladies choose to donate the funds made from their catering projects back to the community.
They recently donated $4,000 to the elevator project at the community centre hall. They have spent hours and much energy lugging food and supplies up and down those stairs and were excited to hear this project is going to be completed this year. They recognize it isn't just caterers and bartenders who will be grateful for the elevator, as they know there are many residents who could use an easier way to get up to the hall.
The Royal Purple also donated a $1,000 gift certificate from Cinema Satellite to the Frocklage Family Fire Fund. There are a number of other annual donations this group makes, giving back to their community.
Why not support our Legion by purchasing one of their lotto tickets to win $777 in cash? It's a small group left to maintain and pay for upkeep on their building, that we all enjoy using in town. Currently they are ready to repair their roof. Let's show these guys we appreciate the many things they offer in our community by supporting this lottery.
Happy milestone birthdays to two special people - Don Wallace and Faye McLean. I understand the celebrations were memorable, being no surprise as both of these folks are memorable people, always sure to generate a smile in their friends and family.
It's never too early to think of a great Mother's Day gift for those moms. The greenhouses are open and the seasonal yard merchandise is out or you can get creative and make a basket of her favourite things. Even better, make a special visit or take her out to dinner and/or a movie.
Coffee row has definitely been discussing the water, moving rapidly in our ditches and, recently, over some roadways. How long this will last or how much effect it will have on property and upcoming seeding is a much debated topic. And could we be or are we hearing small tidbits about theories on our upcoming Rider season? So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week
