September, why are you leaving us already? There are those folks who love sweaters and leaves and pumpkin spice everything, and there are those of us who are already tired of reduced sunlight and cooler weather.
September has been a full month already for things to do in Unity. The first weekend included two fundraising sports events, both well attended and supported and both reporting successful outcomes. Don鈥檛 forget any event hosted in our community is bound to bring in visitors and that in turn benefits everyone as our local economy is boosted and our town is showcased. These visitors often go back and tell others about all that is available in our community.
Congratulations to the brand new wellness business in Unity that held its grand opening on Sept. 21. What the Float offers float therapy and a massage therapist.
Stay tuned for updates also on the former Selkirk Hotel that has new owners who are in preparations for re-opening in the coming weeks.
At Unity Public School, a steady routine is now part of their school days. Cross country runners have competed at two meets and will be winding down their season. UPS will finish off September with the orange shirt day participation as well as their annual Terry Fox walk participation. Hallway bulletin boards are starting to show signs of Thanksgiving and October themes.
St. Peter鈥檚 school has also eased into a steady routine for their school year. Staff and students were thankful for the activity addition to their hallways, thanks to the Unity Kin Club. The student body is preparing for Thanksgiving by collecting for their local food bank. And, as always, the sound of music is a blessing to their hallways with both band and choir back in full swing.
At UCHS, last weekend was the senior girls turn to host their home tournament, but stay tuned as other volleyball teams will be taking their turns hosting in the weekends ahead. Tonight, the Unity Warrior football team takes on Wilkie in an exhibition game at 4 p.m. Boys golf competed at districts last weekend, while cross country is ready for their competitions leading to a provincial berth.
Unity Minor football continues to play both at home and away, and the tackle division remains undefeated.听
The next big thing on tap at Unity will be the annual Fall Fair and Trade Show taking place Oct. 4 and 5 at the Unity Community Centre. You can watch the local paper for details, as well as posters around town with the added bonus of following the Unity Ag Society Facebook page for the latest updates and news. The event will include the always popular fall fair displays upstairs in the community centre, with the trade show portion boasting 60 vendors to take place on the curling rink surface. Remember, Delta Co-op and Unity Credit Union are co-hosting a pancake breakfast on the Saturday of this event with proceeds going towards STARS.
Starting Sept. 30, the Unity arena will play host to the annual 3-on-3 conditioning hockey tournament, and it will run into Thanksgiving weekend. This means hockey season is imminent. The exciting news for senior hockey fans is the addition and return of teams to the SWHL, meaning you can watch the Miners play even more this season.
Speaking of rink season, tonight is registration for the Unity Skating Club from 6 to 8 p.m. at the arena.
At the rink this weekend are Midget AA tryouts running Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information contact Dwayne Scott at 306-228-8284.
Wednesdays continue to be a busy night in Unity as pickleball continues at the curling rink until their ice gets put in mid-October, and from there it will reconvene to the gym for the winter. Contact Richard Briggs for more details. As well, weekly Mental Wellness support group sessions continue at the Unity Health Centre, open to anyone who is in need or interested. The Lions Club 鈥淐hase the Ace鈥� also continues each Wednesday at the Legion Hall.
Today, Sept. 26, is the last Unity Farmer鈥檚 Market for the season. There is a lunch available and it is your last chance to take advantage of this unique shopping opportunity.
The Unity Life Association is holding a Life Chain in Unity on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 2-43 p.m. in front of the Armada Inn along Highway 21.
The Unity museum had some excitement last week when visitors from North Carolina delivered a piece of horse racing history. The Earl of Durham Cup was donated to the Unity museum by Robert and Charlotte Hamilton, grandchildren of Hugh Hamilton who owned the horse Price Pilsthorpe that won this trophy. Hugh Hamilton鈥檚 brother Justin Hamilton was the grandfather of long time Unity resident, Don Wallace. Don鈥檚 wife Edith and her family were able to tour the Hamiltons around Unity before taking them to the museum to deliver the cup to its new home. An interesting side note that the day before this cup delivery, William Ratcliffe and his wife from Waterloo came to research his grandfather Joseph Needham and it was discovered that Joseph was Hugh Hamilton鈥檚 bookkeeper while he was a businessman in Unity. Two grandsons connected and came to UDHM a day apart. 鈥淭his is why history is still alive and comes back when you least expect it,鈥� says Chris Martin of Unity museum. The museum has now closed for the season but watch for the popular pancake brunches to resume this winter.
Parkview Place held their fourth annual 鈥淕reat Zucchini Race鈥� last Saturday, and as always, it was great fun shared by residents, staff and community members.
Coffee row folks are certainly wondering what the rest of harvest weather will look like for our farmer friends, and they, like the rest of us are hoping and praying for continued cooperative weather to complete this year鈥檚 harvest. While the topic tables often review events that have happened in the community, they are also anxious to discuss what is coming up for events and activities in the community, and they are thankful there are many offered on a regular basis. Even though we are in the midst of federal election campaigns, no matter the political party anyone is in favour of, these conversations remain insightful with a dash of humour always added in. There is always room at these tables and plenty of laughter to be shared. So you see we keep busy here in Unity with wisdom, laughter and plenty of fun with our friends on coffee row.
听
听
