May long weekend and you know what that means? In addition to an extra day off for many people it means the highways are busier with long weekend travelers and that will include RV traffic as well as farm traffic as they prepare for seeding. It is more important to arrive safely than to try and hurry your trip.
UCHS has so many things on their agenda for the last eight weeks of school so staff and students are committed to staying on track for all of it. Congratulations to Raydon Brown and Luke Sperle who advanced undefeated from badminton regionals to advance to provincials May 11 weekend, stay tuned for results. A big thank you to staff and senior high students who welcome incoming soon-to-be Grade 7s at Newcomer’s night on May 9. Warrior football held their spring camp May 7-9, with many players also taking part in the football camp that was held in North Battleford May 11. This week on Tuesday May 14 was junior track and field day. Everyone will enjoy the long weekend May 22 and get right back at it May 23. Remember the grad ecumenical church service will be May 28 at St. Peter’s church. Grade 9s will get to experience “take your kids to work day” on May 29. June’s list of “to do’s” include: UCHS awards night June 6, Living Sky awards night June 19 and exams begin June 20 with grad cap and gown service at 10 a.m. on June 28. All of this is in addition to the last stages of classroom work before the year ends.
UPS has plenty on the go for their last eight weeks of school. Grades 4 and 5 got to participate in the Unity Ag Society Farm Safety Days on May 8. May 13 and 14 students will be part of farm safety presentations. The Grade 6s will play in the annual Grade 6 soccer tournament. Track and field will take place on May 31, with June 4 alternate day if weather does not permit. Field trips begin on June 7 and continue much of June. June 18 the UPS Kindergartens will enjoy a year end celebration and June 24 will be the Grade 6 year end celebration.
St. Peter’s staff and students were excited to learn of the newest addition to Principal Volk’s family – a new little baby boy. Grades 4 and 5 go to enjoy Ag Safety day at the AGriplex on May 8. Grade 6 students took part in the newcomer’s night on May 9 at UCHS where they will be heading in the fall. May 15 some fun was had with Grade 6s hosting an evening of improv as they raise funds for their year end celebrations. Audience members had the pleasure of the band performing at this event, too. May 23 is the date sent for division track and field for Grades 4 to 6. May 24 is the Grade 6 soccer tournament in Cut Knife. Students will be part of World Catholic Education Day for mass, lunch and activities with Father Greg at the Holy Rosary Shrine at Reward.
A big thank you out to the Unity Ag Society for hosting Ag Safety Education Day on May 8 and to all the presenters who helped teach the kids about safety on the farm, in the yard, in the community and at home.
Pickleball continues to grow. Wednesdays and Thursdays are full of enthusiastic participants of all skill levels and all generations. Come on out to the Unity curling rink and try your hand at this growing sport. Equipment is provided. For now, the schedule will continue each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays until the last week in June; and then, plans are being put together for a wind up fun tournament. Hopes are that players will continue in the Outdoor Rec Venue when they are able and plans are being scoped out about utilizing one of the school gyms for the winter.
This Saturday, join Unity United Church and neighbours in wishing Mary Burton Lesson fond farewell and best wishes in her move at a come and go event at Unity United Church on Saturday May 18 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Next weekend is the community-wide garage sale on May 25. Parkview Place is seeking donations for this event to help with their activities fundraising. You can pick up a map from the town office. As well, if you are extra shop-enthusiastic you can head to Wilkie as they also hold their town wide garage sale the same day.
Next weekend, put May 26 on your calendar as it is the annual minor ball day with every team in every division hosting a game. The booth will be open and there is plenty of room for fans in the stands. Come and support your favorite player and/or team and enjoy cheering for some ball games with other community ball enthusiasts. You can also support Unity Minor Ball by purchasing one of their sports trip tickets, available from any player.
You can also check out the NSRBL schedule on their website or see the May 10 issues of the Press-Herald that lists home games for both the Midget Cardinals and the senior men’s Cards.
Swimming lesson registration opened yesterday and will continue today until 7 p.m. at the Unity curling rink lobby. As well, all lessons can be registered for May 22 and May 23 in this same location. It’s getting close to swimming season folks. Watch for updates on opening dates of the Unity Credit Union Aquatic Centre.
Soccer has begun on UPS and UCHS fields. Come and cheer on your favourite player and team. The Unity Soccer Club is hosting a fundraising barbecue at AG Foods on May 23 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Registration forms are now available through the Town of Unity website or by emailing unityballhockey@gmail.com for the second annual “Unity Roadster Classic” 3 on 3 ball hockey tournament with funds earmarked once again for the Richardson Pioneer Outdoor Rec Venue development. Cost is $100 per team, guaranteed three games. Age categories five to adult. The event also includes awesome raffle table, door prizes, kids zone with bouncy houses, the Balloon Man, face painting, photo booth and more.
Everyone is welcome to the UCHS grad ecumenical church service is slated for May 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s church.
Mental Wellness support group continues to meet Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the hospital boardroom. Anyone is welcome to join in. Follow the Mental Wellness group on Facebook for updates.
Try your hand at Lady Luck. The Chase the Ace fundraising lotto, hosted by the Unity Lions Club, has begun again at the Legion Hall each Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. with four community groups benefitting from the proceeds.
The Unity Farmer’s Market will start again soon. May 23 is the opening date at the Adanac Hall and will run every other week featuring a lunch catered by Jan Taylor. Contact Carmen Bowker at 306-210-7733 for details or to book a table. Follow their Facebook page for all the updates.
It takes folks from out of town to come and appreciate some of the offerings here in Unity we take for granted. Let me list them off for you: Mini golf at Bluez, year round nightly movies at 2nd Avenue Cinema, Jack’s Pizza also has a games room for patrons, several fitness options in Unity from yoga to crossFit to gyms, come and watch week nights ball games or Friday night slo-pitch or Cardinals baseball during their season which includes two Unity teams this year. Pickleball is free for participants each Wednesday and Thursday at the curling rink. Take a ride or stroll on the multiple walking paths throughout Unity. Only a month away from the swimming pool opening. The Richardson Pioneer Outdoor Rec Venue is available for outdoor enthusiasts. Several options of playgrounds around town for kids, including the newly updated Kin Park bordering Centennial crescent and Jubilee Bay. Watch for signs around town as fundraising barbecue season has begun at various venues. The ice cream store is open again. Plenty of shopping opportunities in downtown Unity. Several restaurant choices as well as some spa choices to treat yourself or your family.
While the museum pancake brunches may be over the activity at the museum is not. Coming up is the Hobby Show next weekend as well as opening day activity. Please encourage visitors to come and view this fine facility in Unity that so many hands have helped create, maintain and showcase for everyone’s enjoyment.
Parade entries are wanted for the Saturday June 1 Western Days Parade, with line up at 12:30 and the parade starting at 1 from the Unity Community Centre (deadline to enter May 17). Also, Unity Western Days is looking for rodeo queen contestants as well as volunteers for the multiple activities they will have in conjunction with this event. Contact Brian or Bryce Woytiuk at UMP if you are interested.
Coffee row folks are full of enthusiasm for all that is on tap for upcoming events in Unity. They are sharing their pride in our community spaces and places and continual line up of activities that take place here. Rain, there is always talk about rain and lack of and hopes for when it will come again as April showers did not bring May flowers in Unity. Local sports activity also keeps the topic table full of lively conversation. 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 ...
