Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. We welcome submissions of one-time or ongoing gatherings in the region. To have an event featured, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Festival Cancellation
Officials with the Farmington Fall Festival have announced the cancellation of the event for this year. Originally planned for Saturday, Oct. 17, organizers said the turnout of vendors was lower than anticipated and they have decided to cancel the fest. They are hopeful of bringing it back to Jacob Strojan Park in Farmington, at 25626 Elm St., adjacent to the Farmington United Methodist Church for next year.
Woodward Ride
Riding With Angels, based out of Oakdale, will host a community gathering featuring prayer, horseback riding and fellowship starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Woodward Reservoir. The event will begin with a group prayer, followed by a trail ride. Afterward, attendees may visit the organization’s canopy for individual prayer for themselves, loved ones or other concerns. Horseback riding is not required to participate. Community members may also attend to receive prayer, enjoy light refreshments or learn more about the Riding With Angels organization.
Dancing Fun
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group is always looking to expand its membership. They meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. Adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
History On Display
Members of the Escalon Historical Society Museum welcome all area residents to stop by and tour the museum, at 1630 Main St., Escalon, to learn about local history and browse the gift shop items. The regular museum hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Also, a reminder that the first Wednesday of each month is designated as Reminisce Day with attendees encouraged to share stories from the community’s past, with refreshments served. The Oct. 7 reminisce program starting at 1 p.m., will focus on the Ralph Verschoor family and longtime local business, Ralph’s Garage.
Bingo Games
Scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 4, Designer Bag Bingo is coming back, hosted by Soroptimist International of Oakdale. This signature fundraiser will be hosted at the Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale, and is open to all interested throughout the area. Organizers said that this year, attendees will enjoy 10 bingo games with premium designer handbags as the prizes; an expanded raffle; and new interactive game experiences. Doors open at 1 p.m., Bingo starts at 2 p.m.; tickets are for sale on the group’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/sioakdale
Walk And Talk
All area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Acoustic Music
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continues until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Apply For Scholarship
Women who serve as the primary wage earners for their families and seek financial assistance to continue their education or receive training can now apply for the Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. Information about the application is available at the Soroptimist International of Oakdale website (www.sioakdale.org) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sioakdale), or by contacting Ruth Bright via email at nitis1975@yahoo.com. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15. The Soroptimist International of Oakdale club will provide a $1,000 cash award to its award recipient, who will then advance to the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region level.
Zombie Color Run
Lace up your sneakers and get ready for the Zombie Color Fun Run, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23 on the campus of Escalon High School. The fundraising event is being put on by the Escalon High School Art and Music departments with a 5 p.m. start time at Escalon High School. Costumes are encouraged; there will be prizes, music and food available for purchase at the event. Cost to register is $25. The Color Run posters for this year feature artwork by EHS students and include a QR code for signing up.
Brennan’s Parlor
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Bazaar And Luncheon
Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., will be the site for the 29th annual Holiday Bazaar, scheduled for Halloween; Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Save the date and mark the calendar for this popular pre-holiday event. Organizers note the 3 p.m. closing time, so there will be ample opportunity to stop by, shop and eat, before heading home to get the kids ready for trick or treating. Featured will be handmade crafts, gifts and holiday items, needlework, an opportunity quilt, wood crafts, homemade jams and jellies and frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies. Those attending can also enjoy a luncheon featuring soup, pie and beverage for $13 per person.
Widowed Persons
Open to those throughout the area, the Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-318-5100.
TOPS Meeting
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
