Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Escalon area. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@escalontimes.com.
Garden Club Meets
United Methodist Church in Farmington will be the site for the next Escalon-Farmington Garden Club meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m. The meeting will feature some Christmas fun and a gift exchange with a ‘Make It, Bake It or Grow It’ theme. There will be door prizes and raffle drawings, and snacks will be provided. The meeting is open to all those in the area interested in gardening or learning more about it. The United Methodist Church in Farmington is at 25626 E. Elm St.; for more information you can also call 209-613-8708 or email lorainenicholson@att.net.
Rotary Senior Dinner
Members of the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club will be hosting their annual Senior Christmas Dinner, set for Friday, Dec. 3. The event is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and is being put on at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. All local senior citizens are invited to join in for a lasagna dinner, Christmas caroling and fun. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Rotarian John Weeks at 209-470-2660 or jwfarm@aol.com.
McHenry Mansion Programs
On two Saturday afternoons in December, walk-thru tours will take place in the splendidly decorated Victorian McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., Modesto. The walk thru tours guided by docents in period costume will display the splendor of a Victorian holiday and are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 4 and Dec.11, 2021. Tours are free and reservations are not required. Tours begin at the McHenry Mansion Visitor Center and Gift Store at 924 15th St., in downtown Modesto. Due to COVID-19 restrictions masks are required and entry is limited while COVID regulations remain in force. For additional information go on-line to McHenryMansion.org or contact the McHenry Mansion Visitors Center at 209-549-0428.
Oakdale Women’s Club
Join in with members of the Oakdale Women’s Club at its Holiday Cheers program, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 7, at noon at the Oakdale Golf and Country Club. This year, in lieu of members exchanging gifts, they are bringing gifts for children and military veterans in Oakdale. Shop the Oakdale Women’s Club holiday boutique for unique gifts: handbags, jewelry, holiday table decor, succulent plant centerpieces, and more. Plus, sing and dance along with Santa and Mrs. Claus as the OWC membership celebrates good cheer for all. Those interested in attending are asked to make reservations (lunch cost $23) by Dec. 2; Call Karen at (209) 848-2231.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Drop in, or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15; contact Ellie DeJesus at 209-277-5584 or Lupe Padron at 209-573-5014. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Weight Loss Group
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church on Poplar. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight can contact Audrey for more information, call 209-765-7838.
Testing Site Open
Escalon Unified School District, in cooperation with the San Joaquin County Health Department and Fulgent Genetics, is hosting a COVID-19 testing site at the Escalon High School Performing Arts Center. This is free, rapid COVID testing and the site is open Monday through Friday, holidays excluded, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; enter on the Yosemite Avenue side. They will take drop-ins or you can make an appointment at https://sjc.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment. The site is open to all area residents; it is not limited to the school district, as anyone in the region is eligible to come in for the free rapid COVID-19 testing.
