Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Mark the calendar for the annual Spaghetti Dinner, served up each January at the Escalon United Methodist Church. This year’s event will be the 28th annual and it is planned for Saturday, Jan. 28 at the church, corner of Highway 120 and Brayton Avenue. Hours for the dinner are 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and this is an ‘all you can eat’ dinner. Tickets are $8 for adults, children 5 to 12 are $4 and under 5 are admitted free. Dinner includes spaghetti with meat sauce, salad with Italian dressing, garlic French bread, an ice cream cup dessert and punch or coffee to drink. Take-out dinners available as well. For more information, call 209-838-2020.
*****
A few days remain to enjoy Modesto on Ice in downtown Modesto, running now until Sunday, Jan. 22. This family-friendly ice rink offers public sessions, as well as figure skating and hockey lessons. The ice rink is located at 1131 11th Street in downtown Modesto (corner of 11th and K streets). For operating hours, visit www.modestoonice.com.
*****
The Escalon High School and El Portal Middle School Band Boosters organizations are planning their annual Trivia Bee for Saturday, Jan. 28 in the high school’s Performing Arts Center. This year will be the10th annual Bee and the theme this year will be “Disney …” Teams are being sought, with teams of three needed, either three students or one adult with two students. The competing students must be in fifth grade through 12th grade. The entry fee for each team is $150 and sponsors are also being sought for teams. Sponsorship includes dinner for all three team members. A pasta dinner catered by D’Boni’s will be served starting at 6 p.m. and the Trivia Bee will begin at 7 p.m. Sponsors of teams can have their business name included in the advertising program for the evening. Sponsorships must be in by Wednesday, Jan. 25. Dinner tickets must be purchased by Friday, Jan. 20. For more information, contact April Adams at 209-606-6487 or Melanie McPherrin at 209-603-0172.
*****
There’s still time to visit Delicato Vineyards and enjoy the 29th annual Fine Art Show, which continues through Saturday, Feb. 4. Delicato Vineyards is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is on Highway 99, four miles north of Manteca. The public is encouraged to visit the judged art that will be on display throughout the Tasting Room. All art in this show will be available for sale on a first come first sale basis.
*****
The Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club will be hosting its annual Super Bowl Omelet Breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 5 at the Escalon High School cafeteria. Funds earned from the event will go to provide scholarships for Escalon High seniors. The event runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and costs $8.50 per person; breakfast includes a wide choice of omelet fillings, biscuits, fruit salad, pastries and drinks. Tickets may be obtained from any Escalon Sunrise Rotary member or by contacting Duane at Bank of the West at 838-7371.
*****
Riverbank welcomes the REO Speechtrain Toastmasters Club 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, Jan. 25. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
*****
Chocolate Lovers’ Hoedown – a buffet dinner plus community hoedown and chocolate auction is set for Saturday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Manzanita Building, in Sonora. All are encouraged to come ready to eat and dance. The dancing will include line, round, and circle dances, and will be called Rachel Phillips. The buffet dinner will be prepared by Chef Dave Ingram of Chef Dave Cooks! Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at The Mountain Bookshop in the Junction and Schnoog’s. For more information, call 962-0805.
