By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Escalon Fun Bunch Members Enjoy Tea, Music And More
sr plan
Working cooperatively to put together the recent Senior Fun Day, a special tea party, were Fun Bunch personnel, from left: Lois Tilbury, Tina Jensen, Ann Shaddix, Cindy Moreno, Peggy Rocha. Marg Jackson/The Times

An afternoon tea party was on the agenda recently for members of the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch, complete with festive hats, live musical entertainment, finger foods and some prize drawings.

Hosted at the Escalon Community Center, the gathering saw dozens of local seniors come together for the event, billed as ‘The Guys and Dolls Tea’ and were treated to violin music by Rodolfo ‘Rod’ Mendoza. There were also sandwiches, pastries, fruit, water, and cold and hot teas. Many also took the opportunity to model some unique and colorful hats. Some of the stories behind the hats were shared and a trio of friends showed up with perhaps the most talked-about headgear. They each wore a small plate with a tea cup on top of it, the cup filled with some bagged teas.

“I just wanted to make something different,” Wendy Ross said of the hats she and friends Judy Lopez and Dianna Gardner wore for the May 18 festivities.

“We’re a walking tea party,” quipped Gardner.

There were some drawings for gifts and each senior citizen in attendance also had the opportunity to take home a small bucket that included some tea bags, some cookies and a package of flower seeds.

Addressing the group, Peggy Rocha – a member of the planning committee for the tea – suggested that, once they had emptied the small decorative bucket, they fill it with some flowers or treats and leave it on the doorstep of someone they know that could use a little cheer.

Rocha, along with Ann Shaddix, Lois Tilbury, Tina Jensen and Cindy Moreno are those involved in planning most of the senior activities for the group.

The Senior Fun Bunch continues to meet on a regular basis, finally getting back to in-person events. They maintained the group during the pandemic, but did a number of ‘drive-thru’ style activities and some outdoor events.

The Community Center had several tables set up on Wednesday, May 18 for the tea party and there were only a handful of empty seats, as local seniors enjoyed the opportunity for some socialization.

Meanwhile, Rocha also reminded those attending that the Senior Steppers walking group meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. at Brentwood Park, corner of Justin and Mission, for some exercise – walking at whatever pace fits you best – and then some stay and visit after finishing their walking route.

Also, the June event for the Senior Fun Bunch will feature a Hawaiian theme and is scheduled for June 15.

cups
With tea party the theme, special hats were also encouraged for the Fun Bunch gathering on May 18. This trio wore their tea cup hats, from left: Judy Lopez, Wendy Ross and Dianna Gardner. Marg Jackson/The Times