Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.
Modesto Gospel Mission is hosting a Back to School Block Party on Saturday, July 28 and donations of new shoes are being sought. Help prepare kids for a successful school year; donate shoes at the Modesto Gospel Mission Youth Center, 1400 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto. The block party runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and local kids in need will receive new shoes, haircuts, lunch, take part in crafts and games and more. For volunteer opportunities, visit www.allforgood.org and enter Modesto Gospel Mission under location.
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An emergency blood shortage is prompting the American Red Cross to issue an urgent call for eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – to give now and help save lives. On Saturday, July 28, local donors can give at the Oak Valley Hospital District, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Royal and Charter Oak Rooms, 1425 W. H St., Oakdale. Also, open multiple days and hours during the week, the Modesto Blood Donation Center is at 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto and the North Stockton Blood Donation Center is at 2888 W. March Lane, Stockton. To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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Saron Lutheran Church invites the community to its annual ‘Christmas Bunco’ on Sept. 7 at the church, 1742 North St., Escalon, starting at 6 p.m. The proceeds from the Bunco go towards food vouchers to help those in Escalon that are in need during the holidays. The food voucher program is hosted by the Escalon Ministerial Association. Tickets are available now in the church office. Contact Ann at 838-7695 or they are available after the church worship service on Sunday or at the door. Come for fun and fellowship starting at 6 p.m. for a delicious Potato Bar, Bunco and a Raffle that you will not want to miss.
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Lucky Lucky Hudson will be the final performance offered at Hutton’s Hamlet in Oakdale for their summer youth theatre series. Show times are Friday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Through a clever plot twist, up-and-coming teenage writer Steve Jenkins gets pulled into his own story. Lucky Hudson, his crime-busting hero, places him right into the comic underworld of nightclubs and back alleys with a nonstop parody of crooks and racketeers: Big Al, Little Al, and Medium Al, Ma Cribbs, Mad Dog Myrtle, Two-Gun Tommy, Petty-Larceny Jane, and many more. The show is a perfect blend of song, story, and action.
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Organizers are already planning for the annual Ice Cream Social hosted each August at the Escalon United Methodist Church on Jackson Avenue. Date for this year’s event is Saturday, Aug. 4 and the social starts at 6 p.m., featuring homemade ice cream and a variety of sweet treats. All are welcome; no charge to attend but donations are gratefully accepted.
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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, Aug. 1. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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The Great Valley Museum on the West Campus of Modesto Junior College is offering training for new docents to share information about the habitats, animals, and plants of the Central Valley with museum visitors. Docents are trained to lead guided tours for school and adult groups. A background in science is not required, just enthusiasm for working with people. For more information or to register, call (209) 575-6196 or go to GVM’s “Volunteering” page found at www.mjc.edu/gvm.
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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.
