One weekend left until the long weekend and summer is very evident in our midst. This includes bugs and we all know from what we’ve heard in the news, proactive is better than reactive with ticks and mosquitoes. As well, as our farmer friends are into a busy seeding season, be patient on the roads; they’re only doing their jobs, which feeds us all.
And continue to remember and remind all of your friends and relatives of the extreme fire hazards with this prolonged dry weather. Cigarette flickers have so many other options, so, if you know one of these, remind them they are endangering everyone’s livelihood and safety with this careless act. Everyone, please adhere to the watering restrictions as well until we can get some rain.
We continue to keep the Fort McMurray folks in our hearts and prayers as once this fire is extinguished they will be in the rebuilding process.
Junction 21 business owner, a busy mom of two and competitive barrel racer, Twila Zunti, opened a trailer at her business all week for people to drop off donations, which she delivered to a relief drop-off centre in Edmonton. UCHS kids held a collection day to send on Twila’s trailer.
The news of no property tax increase for 2016 was a welcome change, thanks to the number crunchers, mayor and council.
The Unity farmers’ market opens tomorrow at the Legion Hall from 2 to 5 p.m. One day a month the market will run from 4 to 7 p.m. with the first late-night market being May 20. Call organizer Carmen Bowker at 306-210-7733 for details.
After an extremely busy rink season, Unity parks and rec director Cora Fischer is ready for summer. Five summer students were hired as well as pool staff with a new head lifeguard this year in Danielle Irons.
With a busy season lined up for the regional park ball diamonds, folks will notice a sloped concrete pad has been put on the side and front of the washroom facility making it much easier to access with a wheelchair or assistance device. As well, all the diamonds were fertilized in preparation for their use from now until mid-August.
The regional park not only includes the five shale ball diamonds, but a playground and washroom facility, and borders the museum grounds.
The Unity Credit Union Aquatic should be opening late May or early June. Swimming lesson registration takes place May 18 to 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. in town council chambers. The options of private lessons and adult lessons will be available this year. The swimming pool also offers aquasizes and public swim times in additional to special events throughout the year.
The former swimming pool was filled with the dirt from the digging of the new pool as it posed a risk and liability for the town. There are no firm plans for a project to occupy this place at this time, but proposals are being received.
Summer Fun Centre will once again be offered for children ages five to 10. This program offers crafts, games and activities for kids in the community centre under the guidance of Summer Fun Centre student staff. Opening day is July 4.
The ball diamonds are the busiest venue in town. This weekend, come and watch Friday night slo-pitch, then Saturday come on down and watch the Softball Fever camp. During Minor Ball Day Sunday nearly every team in every division will be hosting a home game.
Kids at Unity Public School have much to do in the winding down of their school year. Here is a taste of the many things on the agenda in the next eight weeks. May 19 is Pink Day.
At St. Peter’s school, the Grade 6 class is preparing for their drama performance accompanied by dessert theatre to help fund their year-end trip. The evening of laughter and sweets runs two nights, May 17 and 18, as the class presents Little Red Riding Hood, a comedy by Ed Monk. All are welcome.
The St. Peter’s students will have their track and field day May 26. Grade 4 – 6 students will travel to North Battleford to compete in the Light of Christ Catholic School Division track and field meet May 31.
Unity Composite High School had their annual basketball windup handing out many awards and with good vibes going into next year’s season. Football players completed several days of spring camps in both Unity and North Battleford, lining up for now a nine-man football season in the fall.
June is another month full of activity with awards night at the school and the Living Sky division awards a couple of nights later. It’s all becoming more real that those Grade 12 students are in the last leg of their high school days as grad is set for June 30 with the cap and gown ceremony in the senior gym at 10 a.m.
This weekend, don’t miss out on Revolution Dance, wrapping up their dance season with their year-end recital May 13 at 7 p.m. and May 14 at 2 p.m. at the UCHS senior gym.
Some of the work needed at the museum has begun, including repair on the boardwalk. Unity Credit Union had volunteered with their staff for a good portion of this project in 2015, after which Delta Co-op offered their staff to complete the remainder of the replacement in 2016, doing so May 3, 4 and 5.
The annual Western Days event is upcoming the first weekend in June. Get in the spirit now and start thinking of decorating your business or home, or lining up a float for the parade. It’s a great annual community event and is made even better by the support of the community.
Coffee row folks know coffee with a friend is like capturing happiness in a cup. Census time certainly has provided “fodder.” And of course, the Alberta wildfires and relief effort is a non-stop topic on the table, as is spring seeding, weather predictions, theories for this year’s Rider season as well as anticipation for all the excitement lined up at the ball diamonds this year. So you see we keep busy in Unity with activities and wisdom from our friends on coffee row. Until next time …
