Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Come experience Heritage Day on Saturday, Aug. 31 at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum. Visit the museum, 11793 Micke Grove Road, Lodi, for a day full of history, nature, arts and craft and more, featuring blacksmithing, gold planning, quilting, tours, tractor demonstration and more. The Heritage Day activities are free with standard museum admission; hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For prices and more information, call (209) 331-2055 or by email at info@sanjoaquinhistory.org.
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Saron Lutheran Church is again sponsoring its annual Bunco Night, with all proceeds dedicated to the Escalon Ministerial Association’s food voucher program during the upcoming holidays. The church address is 1742 North St., Escalon. The Bunco Night is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6, beginning at 6 p.m. for registration and a potato bar dinner. Bunco starts at 7 p.m. and will include gift certificates for game winners. Ticket prices are $20 for Bunco and dinner, Raffle tickets are $1 each or 25 for $20. For more information, contact the church office at 838-7695 or Becky Emery at 480-1562.
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Escalon High Class of 1974 will gather for its 45th reunion on Saturday, Sept. 21 beginning at 5 p.m. The festivities will be at the Escalon Community Center Park and will feature a no host taco truck for dining. For more information, contact EscalonHigh1974@gmail.com
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Local service organization 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.
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This year, Women’s Center-Youth and Family Services (WCYFS) Promising Pathways program will host its second annual youth event TAY End Game (formerly known as “A Path to Success”) on Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Teen Impact Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Youth are encouraged to attend. Come enjoy a day of fun, food, activities and more. WCYFS has been providing services and programs for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth in San Joaquin County for more than 40 years. For questions or additional information, call (209) 941-2611.
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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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Journey Transport has announced complimentary local transportation to and from doctor appointments within San Joaquin County for World War II veterans. Caregivers are also encouraged and welcome to ride along to the appointments at no charge. Journey Transport Social/Specialty is a multi-faceted, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). For more information, contact Journey Transport at 209-981-0433.
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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, Sept. 4. 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.
