Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
The next meeting of the Escalon-Farmington Garden Club is set for Thursday, Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., and is open to all interested from Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon, Farmington and surrounding communities. An Open-to-the-Public Pumpkin and Pumpkin-themed Bake Sale starts at 2 p.m., with pumpkins, pumpkin-themed baked goods, and fall fairy gardens available for sale at the entrance to the Escalon Library. Proceeds benefit the EFCGC scholarship program for Escalon High School students. For more information, email escalonfarmingtongc@gmail.com or call 209-844-6213.
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Get ready to shop; the annual Citywide Yard Sale in Escalon will be hosted this Saturday, Oct. 5. This year marks the 27th year for the event, which gives residents the opportunity to host sales, advertise them on a citywide map and sell off some unwanted items. Sale hours are 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 5. Maps with all the addresses will be available at local businesses and City Hall beginning Thursday, Oct. 3.
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On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Escalon Chamber of Commerce will host its Sunday in the Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main Street Park, with a Halloween theme. The day will feature the seventh annual Homemade Halloween Costume Contest along with free pumpkin carving, music, games, prizes and more. The pumpkins will be supplied; carving will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the costume contest is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., with prizes for different age groups. The historical caboose in Main Street Park will be open for tours, there will be an antique car Halloween Decorating Contest and freshly popped popcorn will be available.
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The Oak Valley Art Society will be hosting its Annual Fall Art Show at the Escalon Library on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. Hours are Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. with a Reception Sunday with the artists from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are encouraged to stop by the library and have a look at the artwork on display.
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The Escalon High School Yearbook class is looking for some help; this is EHS’s centennial, and the yearbook will include some special features to celebrate it. Yearbook personnel would like to hear from families who have three or more generations who passed through the school, as well as the oldest alums. They are interested in people’s fond memories and funny stories and even where former Homecoming Queens, ASB presidents, etc. are now. Interested people can contact Yearbook Advisor Erin Headley at her email, eheadley@escalonusd.org or call the school at 209-838-7073.
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Gabriela Rios, Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) executive director, is the next presenter for MJC’s Positive People Speaker Series. The free, public presentation is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Mary Stuart Rogers Student Learning Center on West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto. Campus parking is available for $2. The speaker series, offered by the MJC Office of Campus Life and Student Learning, features local community members who have overcome challenges and obstacles to achieve their goals. For more information about the Positive People Speaker Series contact the Office of Campus Life and Student Learning at (209) 575-6700.
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Escalon FFA and the Escalon Agriculture Department are currently looking to gather data from past students and participants in the FFA program regarding their successes after graduating from the program. Those participating can remain anonymous; the goal is to gather information to help determine the validity of the program by learning how the FFA can impact students even after high school graduate. The survey can be found at the following website: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/85DH9YM.
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The local REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club gathers for regular meetings every Wednesday morning, 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., at Perko’s Cafe, Patterson and Oakdale roads, Riverbank. This is a fun way to learn the self-confidence and skills needed for public speaking. All are invited to come and check out the group. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 9. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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All are invited to the weekly meetings of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 that gathers each Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar Ave., Oakdale. The group features help with weight loss in a supportive setting. Residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome to attend. Call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 for information. You can also visit www.tops.org.
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The McHenry Mansion Foundation is offering a one of a kind tour of Victorian Funeral Customs just in time for Halloween. Open to the public, the event is scheduled at the McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., Modesto on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 28 through 30. Tickets are $7 online, at the Visitors Center or at the door. Self-guided walk-through tours of the beautiful historic Victorian McHenry Mansion will start at 5:30 p.m. with last entrance at 7:30 p.m. The Mansion will be draped in black crepe ribbon rosettes and display historic curiosities from the Victorian period and their fascination with death. Ticketed members of the public are welcome to visit the house and experience 19th Century embalming practices, death masks, séances, spiritualism and phrenology. For tickets or additional information contact the McHenry Mansion Visitors Center at 209-549-0428 or go online to McHenryMansion.org.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are hosted at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank. First time guests are admitted free. The annual membership fee is $12 and each Wednesday members pay $5 and non-members can enjoy a few hours of music and dancing for $6. The Golden Agers meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
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Soroptimist International of Oakdale is accepting applications for its Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. Women are eligible to apply if they have the primary financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents including children, spouse, siblings, and/or parents, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need. Women throughout the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas are encouraged to apply for an award. Apply online at http://bit.ly/LYDApply or contact Jackie Hair, Chairperson, sioakdale@soroptimist.net, (209) 840-2134. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.
