Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Join the fun and sign up for the new season of the El Portal Bowling League. The local league will start the season with a brief meeting on Thursday, Sept. 6 at McHenry Bowl in Modesto at 9:15 a.m. in the conference room. Bowlers of all ages and abilities are welcome to come and bowl with the league, which helps raise money for sixth grade science camp. Bowlers meet each Thursday at McHenry Bowl at 10 a.m. for the weekly competition. Contact league secretary/treasurer Janice Alcantor to sign up or for more information about the league if you are interested; call 209-838-2942.
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All in the community are encouraged to come enjoy food and fun on Friday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St, Escalon, at the annual Bunco Event to raise money to help provide food vouchers at local food markets for residents in need during the Christmas holidays. Tickets will be on sale for $20 at the door and include a potato bar for dinner, followed by the Bunco games. Proceeds are given to the EMA (Escalon Ministerial Association) for the food vouchers. To reserve your Bunco ticket or for more details, call the church office at 838-7695, or you can purchase your ticket at the door. This fun evening will feature prizes for the Bunco game winners, a door prize, and raffle tickets on sale for some neat items.
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Local bus service eTrans is providing service to Escalon’s Small Town Roots Farmers Market on Saturdays. Continuing through Oct. 6, eTrans will operate service on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Interested customers may call (209) 541-6645 15 minutes in advance for a ride. The fare for this service is $1.50 one way for adults and students and 75 cents for seniors, persons with disabilities and Medicare card holders. Regular One-Day, 10-Ride, and 31-Day Passes are also accepted on this service.
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Escalon Historical Museum officials are seeking several different years of Escalon High School yearbooks. They are looking for the following years to add to the collection: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2013. Those that would like to contribute to the museum can just drop the yearbooks by or call the museum, 838-7080 or 838-7176, to make arrangements for the donation. The museum is at 1630 Main St., Escalon, and is open Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is also open by appointment for school tours.
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Delicato Family Vineyards, 12001 S. Highway 99, four miles north of Manteca, will host its final Summer Artisan Market on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stay cool inside, sip wine and shop, with local food products, jewelry, wearables, handcrafted items and more being offered. The public is encouraged to sip the newest wine releases chosen from the current tasting menu while shopping the displays. The wine tasting fee is $5 (waived for Delicato Wine Club Members) and there is no entry fee to browse the Artisan Market. Also available for purchase will be personal pizzas baked onsite by the Rock Pizza Oven.
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The Modesto Film Society inaugurates this year’s Modesto Architecture and Design (MAD) week celebration with a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic North By Northwest, showing on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m., at Modesto’s historic State Theatre. General admission tickets are $8, and may be purchased on line or at The State Theatre box office, weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. More information about the film or MAD week activities may be obtained by contacting www.thestate.org, www.modestodesign.org., or calling The State Theatre at 527-4697. The theatre is at 1307 J St., Modesto.
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American Veterans First, headquartered in Riverbank and serving the Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon area and beyond, has announced that, through a generous sponsorship from Reese Farms of Farmington, they have partnered with the Stanislaus County Veteran’s Service Office to provide free transportation for the second annual Sail to Recovery program, Take A Veteran Sailing, on Saturday, Sept. 22. Veterans and their family members who pre-register for the second annual Sail to Recovery program Take A Veteran Sailing with the Stanislaus County Veteran’s Service Office at 3500 Coffee Road Suite 19, Modesto, may receive a ticket for round-trip transportation free of charge, while supplies last. Contact the Stanislaus County Veteran’s Service Office to reserve your spot at (209) 558-7380.
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McHenry Mansion Foundation is hosting its 32nd Annual Fundraising Table Setting Luncheon in October. Two options are offered for this fundraising event. There is a Table Viewing and light refreshments on Monday, Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets for viewing may be purchased at the door. Cost is $10. A Luncheon is offered on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Doors open at 10:30 a.m., the luncheon is served at noon. Reservations are required for the luncheon and the cost is $40. Call Penny Binney at 209-576-1059 to make reservations. The fundraiser will be hosted at the Seasons Event Center, 945 McHenry Ave., Modesto.
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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. 12. 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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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley at the Riverbank Community Center. Doors open Wednesdays at 9 a.m.; the center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., and 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.
