Cards and letters with memories and good wishes are being sought as longtime Escalon resident and retired educator Gino Farinelli will be celebrating 80 years this month. Family members hope to surprise and honor him with a birthday card shower near the 30th of October. Students, colleagues, and friends are being asked to provide a memory to share with Mr. Farinelli for his 80th birthday. His greatest honor and joy, his family added, have not come from the many public commendations over the years, but from grateful students who were positively impacted during his 32 years as an Agricultural Instructor at Escalon High School, starting in 1973.

Many thanks in advance from the family and friends of Gino; those sending cards are asked to keep it quiet, as the birthday card shower is planned as a surprise.

Send cards to: 13627 Escalon-Bellota Road, Escalon, CA 95320.