The final Community Dinner hosted for this year by the Escalon American Legion Post 263 was put on Saturday night, Oct. 18 at the Legion Hall on Second Street in Escalon. The October dinner featured the annual chili cook-off and this year’s winning entry was submitted by Gary Brenner, center in photo, with last year’s champion, Dee Ann Blowers, at left, taking second place honors this year. Third place went to Ray Sweeten, at right. A panel of four judges sampled and rated the chili entries in order to determine the winners. The Post will next have its annual Veterans Day parade, ceremony and barbecue chicken dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and is still accepting entries for the parade. Then in December, the holiday dinner is put on for Post members. Community dinners will resume in January 2026, with the popular Soups and Stews Night first on the schedule.

Times Photo By Marg Jackson