It's the end of May already. This just doesn't seem possible. I know grad parents are feeling the sentiments as they watch their kids go through their last month of high school. Let's hope for a long, warm summer that is relatively storm free, so we can enjoy all the wonder that comes with summer's arrival.
It's the talk of the town and it happens this time every year. The annual Western Days takes place in Unity this weekend. The weekend will be full of action. Friday night there is a roast beef supper at the Agroplex followed by the announcement of the citizen of the year. The celebrity bull riding hat sale will take place starting at 9 p.m. with entertainment featuring Hillbilly Blunt Revisited and Lonely J.
Saturday you can head downtown to the Chamber of Commerce barbecue starting at noon behind the Bank of Montreal. The parade will take place at 1 p.m. starting from the community centre. Saturday's rodeo performance starts at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night the cabaret kicks off at 9 p.m. with Longshots providing the dance music for the night.
Sunday there is a free pancake breakfast, starting with the cowboy's breakfast from 8:30 to 9 a.m., followed by Unity's own Will Ballantyne. A pancake and sausage breakfast starts at 11:30 a.m. sponsored by the Unity Baptist Church. Sunday's rodeo performance starts at 2 p.m.
At Unity Composite High track season is on. Track athletes that qualified for districts competed May 28 and 29 with hopes of earning a provincial berth in Moose Jaw. The invitation has gone out for the annual awards ceremony at the high school.
At Unity Public School kids have a busy schedule for June. June 13, both the Grade 5s and Grade 3s head on their field trip. June 18 is the pre-kindergarten celebration day. June 19 is the Grade 4 class trip. June 23-24 the Grade 6s hit the road for a big celebration/farewell to elementary school class trip and return to their Grade 6 celebration day June 25. June 23 and June 24, will see the two classes of kindergarten having their celebration days. With this Friday, May 30th being track and field day it looks like a very busy last few weeks of school at UPS.
St. Peter's school students also enjoyed a fun game of soccer facing off against the local RCMP detachment as part of Police Week.
The ball diamonds had a new attraction this week when a mamma duck made an emergency delivery underneath a picnic table by the main diamonds. Busy ball nights caused quite the upheaval for her, but she showed fierce maternal protection instincts and she is still sitting on those precious seven eggs.
Whether it's ball weather or not, the ball diamonds are full of activity. Last weekend the venue was full of action the Miner's slo-pitch tournament as well as several provincial tryouts and baseball clinics. The softball teams in the Battlefords Ladies' League are into their season hosting a game on home diamonds each Monday and Wednesday during the week. All other teams in both baseball and softball divisions are also playing games and holding practices.
The Unity Farmers' Market continues each Thursday at the Unity Friendship Centre. If you enjoy fresh, home made, home baked or home grown products then you won't want to miss this shopping venue. Each Thursday the event runs from 2 p.m. to 5, or whenever sell out is, whichever comes first. You can enter a table for one event or several by contacting organizer Carmen Bowker at 306-228-2237. Watch for a special Western Days Farmers' Market next weekend.
Sunday, June 8 is the Purina Walk for Dog Guides event organized by local volunteers and the Lions Club to ensure people who have disabilities are able to receive dog guides at no cost. One hundred per cent of the funds raised go toward training and placing dog guides. Beginning at the Unity Community Centre at 1 p.m., it's a great opportunity to go for a walk as everyone is welcome and you don't need to have a dog to take part.
Although the new swimming pool won't be quite ready for opening day, swimmers don't need to worry as the old pool will be in operation and ready to go for public swimming and swimming lessons until the new pool is ready to roll (hopefully later this summer).
Coffee row enjoy reviewing the action at the local diamonds whether it is the Cardinals they follow or one of many teams in the minor ball divisions. Many will take in the rodeo activity and will be sure to have lots to talk about the next Monday. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next week.