It鈥檚 the middle of April already folks. Have we seen the last of winter? Does spring thaw have you itching for gardening and yard work?
While I want to wallow in weather woes I must think of all of the positive things upcoming in our community. Spring (even though the environment and thermometer doesn鈥檛 show it yet) brings spring teas and spring activities. There is no doubt Paula will have some terrific events upcoming at Parkview, perfect for community interaction. Spring is the perfect time for purging and by perusing the acceptable items lists on both Sarcan and the Unity Community Resource centre you can find a good home for many of those treasures. Or you can start preparing for a spring garage sale as some people鈥檚 trash in another鈥檚 treasure. Once, and if ever, this snow dissipates, the annual crocus search can begin (something that was eagerly anticipated every year with my grandmother). The annual spring bird watch is on as reports of the return of our feathered friends have been on the rise; most eagerly anticipated the robin as he is a sure sign spring is nigh. The fun about when the weather improves is the mass influx of people to the outdoors re-greeting and re-meeting their friends in neighbors in the great outdoors. Of course, spring also brings about the evolution of those dreaded potholes and street volcanoes however the spring runoff is always fun to watch, relaxing to listen to and enjoyable when the kids discover some excess water in their neighborhoods.
Right in your hometown arena this weekend is a new, big event, and a popular returning event taking place at the Unity community centre. New business JDS RV & POWER SPORT will turn the arena into a summer setting with their spring indoor RV & ATV show. Admission is free and the event will run all three days of April 13, 14 and 15. Upstairs in the venue those energetic quilters will be hosting their 鈥淨uilt til you Wilt鈥� event showcasing some mastery skills in quilting with some finished products on display while other projects will be undertaken during the weekend.
Next weekend, the community centre will play host to the spring indoor trade show for a unique shopping experience with a number of vendors set up in the curling rink offering their goods and services; be sure to check it out. Show runs from 9 to 5 on April 21 with 35 vendors so far; as well as a food booth on site and a toonie collection at the door to benefit Grade 6 year end trip at UPS.
The Greenhouse has opened! What a refreshing taste of spring and summer for us winter weary people. Tammy and staff are open until 5 daily and May will be until 10 daily. The team at the Greenhouse are now also doing fresh cut flowers and bouquets. The steady stream of cars coming and going here are evidence that everyone is hungry to get their green on.
Lions Chase the Ace fundraiser has begun and will continue every Wednesday at the Legion Hall from 5-7 with the draw taking place at 7:15. With other communities seeing great stories coming from this wildly successful game, it is expected the crowds and winnings will keep growing and growing.
Unity Credit Union Laugh And Learn April 20 at 6:30 p.m. that will include appetizers, drinks comedian Tom Liske and presentation. Tickets available at UCU only $10.
Starting Monday, the town will be humming (no pun intended) with activity as the annual Music Festival will take place. Did you know Unity holds one of the longest running music festivals in the province? The week long event brings to town competitors, their supporters, adjudicators and other interested parties so be sure to give them all a big warm welcome as they come to attend this annual event. Better yet, find out where and when performances are and plan to attend one or more to help support the festival and the year long of planning by organizers. April 16 to 19 will be a busy one in Unity with the United Church hosting vocal and musical theatre performances every day at 9, 1:30 and 7. Piano numbers are Tuesday to Thursday at the Baptist church. Band is at St. Peters on the 17th at 1:30 as well as St. Peters will play host on April 17 at 9:15 a.m. to school performances, as will Unity Public School at 9:15 on April 18. Don鈥檛 forget the best of the best showcase takes place with final performances and awards given at UCHS senior gym April 22. Congratulations to participants, music teachers, supporters and organizers for once again showcasing the gift of music in Unity.
UPS staff and students are right back in the thick of things as they are down to their last few days of music festival practice for song and choral speaking; with school performances slated for April 17, followed by the final showcase on April 22. Students enjoyed their experience at UCHS ACTIVATE day yesterday and have come back with renewed enthusiasm for this message of kindness and inclusion. This part of April signals the last quarter of this school year meaning there is plenty to pack in for learning and fun at UPS.
At St. Peter鈥檚, staff and students are also in the final legs of preparation of choir, band and choral performances for the upcoming Music Festival. Grade 2s continue preparation for first reconciliation upcoming in May, while the Grade 6 class sets their minds to making the most of their last three months of elementary school before they migrate to the high school in the fall.
At UCHS, student led conferences and career fair are on tap again, set for April 26. Both junior and senior gyms are busy with drama practices and a full load of senior and junior badminton singles and teams as well as track practices indoors until the outdoor weather cooperates a little more. Another successful ACTIVATE day was held yesterday and students will follow that up with a review on what could be improved or changed for next year. The drama team is in the tail end of their fine tuning of 鈥淟ose Not Thy Head鈥� which earned a provincial berth; coming up in Regina the first weekend of May. The last quarter of the school year makes for slight anxiety for some about packing it all in before year end, or getting all the 鈥渢o do鈥� lists accomplished for graduation. Nonetheless the learning, life lessons and activity continue full steam ahead at UCHS. Congratulations Emma Baker and Miss Riddell who were part of 鈥淓ncounters Canada鈥� experience in Ottawa over the break.
Coffee row folks are urging on spring, having had enough of cooler temps, this awful term used too often known as polar vortex and still white surroundings. As well, they continue to keep each other up to date on community activity. The farm component of these coffee row tables is also full swing into conversation about the end of calving, the thoughts of spring seeding as well as weather forecasts for the upcoming growing season. So you can see life is full of fun and activity in Unity and our friends at coffee row sharing this traditional part of our community culture. Until next time鈥�
