Under sunny skies May 23, residents of and visitors to Unity, Saskatchewan, turned out to watch the cars, trucks, floats and people participating in the 2015 Unity Western Days parade. Please see the June 1st issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald for the list of parade winners.
Rodeo action at Unity Western Days, Unity, Saskatchewan, May 23, 2015
‘Above is Unity’s own Twila Zunti competing in the ladies’ barrel race.
Intermission featured both a kids’ and an adults’ boot race, sponsored by Junction 21. The adult race’s photo finish necessitated a coin toss to determine the winner.
The June 1st (JUNE! oh my!) issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald will feature plenty of Unity Western Days coverage, including:
The only thing missing will be the results and photos of the Celebrity “Bull” Riding, which will be in the June 8th issue.
Not only Western Days coverage of course! Also in the paper are more serious matters such as details on the Town of Unity 2015 budget, passed earlier this week at a council meeting, and the RCMP report. Along with some baseball on the sports page and many new events being advertised, subscribers will find a wealth of entertainment and information in next week’s Press-Herald.
Below, Unity’s own Twila Zunti competed in the ladies’ barrel racing event at the Unity rodeo May 23. Twila is a entrepreneur (Junction 21 Tack & Feed) and a member of the Western Days committee. (Stay tuned to unitystories.com for more rodeo photos which will be uploaded soon.)
UNITY SK RCMP REPORTS for May 5 to 11, 2015
RCMP received a complaint of a break and enter and vandalism at a residence on Jubilee Bay in Unity, Saskatchewan. This matter is still under investigation.
A 20-year-old Saskatoon male was charged with possession of cannabis marijuana when the drug was located in a vehicle during a traffic stop.
A member acted as a mediator between two individuals in a land disagreement.
There was a fire by the Unity dog park. The fire was extinguished by Unity firefighters.
Police received a report of a grass fire northeast of Senlac, SK. Members attended as buildings and livestock were threatened by the fire but it was extinguished by Unity fire department before anything could be damaged.
RCMP attended a collision between a vac truck and a train near Unity. The vehicle driver sustained minor injuries. This matter is still under investigation; alcohol is considered a factor in the accident.
There was a report of cattle on Highway 14 near Senlac. The cattle owners removed the animals from the roadway.
Police received a report of an unwanted person at a residence. Members transported the individual to another residence. No charges were laid.
Members spoke with youth about drugs at the request of a parent.
There was also one false alarm and one traffic complaint.
Persons with information about crimes being committed are urged to call the Unity RCMP detachment at 306-228-6300; the Wilkie RCMP at 306-843-3480; or the Macklin RCMP at 306-753-2171. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-8477, or *8477 on the SaskTel Mobility Network. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information which leads to the arrest of person(s) responsible for any serious crime. Crime Stoppers is anonymous and does not subscribe to call display, nor are your calls traced or recorded.
You can also submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Congratulations to the Unity Credit Union – winner of the Press-Herald’s Western Days decorating contest for businesses. The credit union transformed their branch into an old-time saloon, complete with a poker game in progress, wanted posters hanging from the ceiling and plenty of cowboy hats and liquor bottles.
And congratulations to Wildeman Sports Excellence for their second place finish, on the strength of their wonderful window display, which unfortunately does not translate well into a photo but here’s a hint.
At the 2015 Sports of Wall of Inductions held in the Unity Community Centre May 9, three individuals were inducted in the Builder category. To be eligible for induction as a Builder, an individual must have contributed 25 years or more to sports in Unity, Saskatchewan. All three 2015 Builder inductees were well over the 25-year mark in their contributions.
Jim Lee began his involvement with hockey in Unity when his son began playing 34 years ago. After his son ended his playing days, Jim volunteered with the Unity Miners and the Wild Goose Hockey League, helping the team win the senior A and senior AAA provincial championships in the early 1990s. He was also with the team for two league championships, one with the Wild Goose league and the other with the Sask West Hockey League.
The team won the SWHL championship again in 2014 and, although Jim had resigned in 2013, many of the players had started their senior careers under his reign.
Jim was also on the organizing committee when Unity hosted the Allan Cup in 1996.
A contributor to multiple sports in Unity, Saskatchewan, Bob Burns has taught firearms safety in Unity for 54 years, completing his latest class the week before the 2015 induction ceremonies. He was a valued hockey referee for over 30 years, with Unity Minor Hockey, the Wild Goose League and the East Central Alberta League.
With baseball, Bob was on the executive of the Unity Cardinals from 1962 to 1983, assisting to construct the Unity Cardinals facility still in use today. Bob is also a founding member of the Unity Golf Club, starting work in 1952, contributing tirelessly to make the Unity Golf Course the incredible facility it is. He is still an active member of the Unity Golf Club.
The last induction of the evening was Adolph Fischer, who contributed over 30 years to both hockey and ball in Unity. A founding member of the Unity Miners Hockey club in 1978, he served on the executive for many years and was league president in 1992 and in 2009.
Adolph played ball, being a member of at least eight championship teams. He became an umpire in 1985, contributing over 30 years to both baseball and softball as an official. He has umpired at national, Western Canadian and innumerable provincial championships, and at the Saskatchewan Summer Games and International Aboriginal Games. He estimates that he may officiate between 150 and 200 games per season.
Head to downtown Unity anytime after 12 noon when the Unity and District Chamber of Commerce starts their lunchtime barbecue. Pick up a burger fresh off the grill parked on 2nd Avenue East near the Bank of Montreal building, then the Lions Club will have a selection of pies available for dessert. They will be set up near the Unity Credit Union.
The annual Western Days parade starts at 1 pm and will come down 7th Avenue East from the Unity Community Centre, then down Main Street all the way to Railway (1st Avenue) where it will turn west and then turn again to head down 1st Street West back to 7th Avenue. Here are a couple of 2014 Rodeo Queen contestants and others riding in the 2014 parade.
After the parade, check out the vehicles in the Show and Shine in the Delta Co-op Food Store parking lot. They will be set up and ready to go by 2 pm, along with a flea market. You never know what bargains you might find!
Then the rodeo itself, what the weekend is really all about starts out at the rodeo grounds at 5:30 pm. There will be bouncy castles for the kids, a food booth and beer gardens along with all the rodeo action, including locals trying their luck at Celebrity Bull Riding.
Tonight Longshot plays at the rodeo dance, 9 am to 2 pm
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 24, the schedule includes a pancake breakfast hosted by Unity Baptist Church from 8 to 10 am, slack rodeo events at 9 am and complete rodeo action at 2 pm, including more locals trying their luck as bull riders.
Eight individuals were inducted into the Unity Sports Wall of Fame at the 2015 induction ceremonies held May 9 in the curling rink portion of the Unity Community Centre.
Before thanking the committee for the honour, ringette player Brooke Robertson checks out the photograph which will hang in the Wall of Fame.
Shown at the podium making their acceptance and thank you speeches are:
Hockey player Scott Brownlee
Hockey player Adam Tuffs (his daughter did not want to be left without Dad at the table)
Hockey player Greg Brown
Golfer JP Boser
Also inducted into the Wall of Fame were hockey players Curtis Brown, Rhett Gordon and Scott Wagner but they were unable to attend the induction banquet and ceremonies.
A little bit about farming, a little bit about policing, a little bit about agricultural safety, a little bit about Western Days, a little bit about football, a little bit about faith – just some of what awaits you in the May 25th issue of the Unity Wilkie Press-Herald. More specifically, check out:
Add in Faith Matters, the RCMP report, school news, a David Letterman inspired Top 10 and some ads for events upcoming in June and it’s another jam-packed paper full of local information.
Below: Unity Credit Union transformed itself into a old-time Western saloon for the week leading up to Unity’s Western Days. Check out the paper AND watch for more photos to be posted at unitystories Monday.
UNITY SK RCMP REPORTS for April 28 to May 4, 2015
NOTE: There have been a number of break and enters reported. RCMP asks that the public contact them when they see suspicious activities occurring in their community.
CN Police reported damage to a railway crossing arm. No police action necessary.
RCMP issued a 60-day roadside suspension when the vehicle driver blew a warning while providing a breath sample.
Members attended a residence after receiving a noise complaint. Consequently, no other complaints were received.
Members attended the Unity Composite High School career fair to provide information to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the RCMP.
There were also four false alarms.
Persons with information about crimes being committed are urged to call the Unity RCMP detachment at 306-228-6300; the Wilkie RCMP at 306-843-3480; or the Macklin RCMP at 306-753-2171. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at1-800-222-8477, or *8477 on the SaskTel Mobility Network. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information which leads to the arrest of person(s) responsible for any serious crime. Crime Stoppers is anonymous and does not subscribe to call display, nor are your calls traced or recorded.
You can also submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.