This week, it’s the second installment of the four-part series looking back at some notable events in and around Escalon during the past year. We cover April through June in this edition.
APRIL
Several local businesses in Escalon are teaming up for a good cause. Cromwell and Ney Insurance, D’Boni’s Pizza, Escalon Fit, and Oak Valley Community Bank are cooperating in a Giving Pantry Food Drive. Each business is acting as a drop off location for the Giving Pantry, since they have limited hours. Collection of canned food items and emergency food crate items is going on now, with a drop off scheduled at the Giving Pantry at the end of April. The donations will help Escalon Strong keep the shelves stocked at the Giving Pantry.
Though it was a sunny day, there was also a bit of wind so there was somewhat of a chill in the air. That made it the perfect time to stop by the Farmington United Methodist Church to take in the Soup Saturday served up on April 5. “This is put on by the EPIC group but it is fundraising for the church,” said Crystal Moos, who helped coordinate the luncheon. “We have some revitalization projects that we’re doing and this is to help with that.” The EPIC (Everything’s Possible In Christ) women’s group meets regularly, added Moos.
Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club members had the plants displayed and ready for purchase at the club’s annual Plant Sale, hosted Saturday, April 5 at the Escalon United Methodist Church. Lynda Stagno served as co-chair for the sale with Linda Zier. Club co-president Dee Ann Blowers said the sale was a success and she expressed the club’s gratitude for the community’s continued support of the event.
Assembly District 13 member Rhodesia Ransom recently recognized Krista McCoon of Escalon as the 2025 Woman of the Year in a ceremony at the Haggin Museum in Stockton. The late March recognition was part of Women’s History Month, an annual celebration recognizing women’s contributions to California’s progress and innovation. Assemblymember Ranson said McCoon’s efforts to educate citizens about agriculture and its impact on the health, economics, and diversity of San Joaquin County made her well deserving of the honor. McCoon – an Escalon High alum – is the coordinator of the San Joaquin County AgVenture program and works under the San Joaquin Agriculture Commissioner. The program is a county-sponsored agriculture and nutrition education program for third graders.
With temperatures for the day peaking in the mid-70s and abundant bright sunshine very much in evidence, the conditions were perfect for Escalon’s first Farmer’s Market of the season. Booths were set up throughout the Main Street Park area, while musicians performed on stage, food booths were set up in the paved area to the west of the park and there was also an art station for kids. There were more than four dozen vendors signed up to take part in the April 16 event, the first of the five scheduled markets; the Chamber-sponsored event will run each third Wednesday of the month through August. Fresh fruits and vegetables in season, including some organically grown produce, locally made cheeses, honey, homemade jams, sweet treats and more were featured at the various booths. There were also crafts booths, fresh flowers for purchase and some young entrepreneurs taking part.
Backed by dozens of volunteer helpers and blessed by donations from the community, the Saturday April 19 egg hunt hosted at Lorina’s Edible Garden drew tons of kids looking to collect some candy and maybe a special prize. Volunteers had spent time in the morning scattering the brightly colored plastic eggs in three different ‘hunting’ areas, with some of the eggs numbered, corresponding with a prize. All the eggs had small candy treats inside. Those finding the numbered eggs were able to turn them in after the hunt to receive their prize, ranging from stuffed animals to formal Easter baskets.
After a couple of different careers – one in the military and one in education – Will Hecht needed something new for his third act. What he found was combining a love of history and treasured artifacts with his gift of gab to pass on knowledge lent themselves to establishing a store, specializing in antiques, collectibles and an oddity or two. Now, his Heck of a Deal Mercantile is coming up on its 20th anniversary in business. The actual date for the anniversary is Monday, May 5 and Hecht is encouraging residents to come in and peruse the items in the shop … there literally is something for everyone. There is Coca-Cola memorabilia, Star Wars and Star Trek, collectible dishes, housewares, furniture, knick knacks – far too much to mention and too much to see in just one stop. The store is at 2135 Jackson Ave., having moved in to the former Rite Aid space years ago.
Some rainy weather overnight Friday – and lingering cloudy skies on Saturday – didn’t serve as much of a deterrent, as volunteers still turned out in force to take on a number of community service projects for Love Escalon. Whether it was refreshing the planter boxes along Main Street or at the Park ‘n Ride, cleaning and beautifying the library, cleaning at the Escalon Youth Center or handling one of a number of efforts at Hogan-Ennis Park, there was no shortage of tasks to tackle on April 26. Coordinated through the Chamber of Commerce, the event had several projects and after the opening ceremony, volunteers met up with their project leaders to start on their work.
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section announced its A. Dale Lacky Scholar-Athlete Award winners for outstanding athletic performance, community service and academic success during their four years of high school. The scholarship committee selected four male and four female students as the recipients of a $2,000 scholarship. The remaining nominees are awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Section. Escalon senior Ryan Murphy was one of the $2,000 scholarship winners.
MAY
By a 4-1 vote on Monday night, May 5, the Escalon City Council rejected a plan to develop a multi-unit apartment complex and commercial space along Jackson Avenue. The location, at 2304 Jackson, is across Highway 120 from Hula’s Restaurant and across Elizabeth from Orlando’s Market. And though council members admitted there is a need for more housing – and some that fall into the classification of affordable housing – this was not the right place to develop it. A public hearing on the proposal drew a handful of speakers in opposition to the project, including longtime local resident Renee Snow, who circulated a petition against the proposal. She cited, among other concerns, the increased traffic, a drop in property values for homes in the surrounding area, and worries over the design of the complex. Proposing the plan was the Tracy-based Gurmat Lions, Inc.
Yes, Escalon, there was a Christmas tree. And people in winter coats. They arrived in town on Thursday, May 1 for a day of filming, utilizing the city’s Main Street Park and local business Fox + Mane at 1746 Main as the primary backdrops for the day of shooting. Based locally, Eric Raingruber is a producer, writer and director out of Modesto, with Sprocketless Entertainment. He wrote and is directing the film. “We are shooting a film, it’s a Christmas romance film and the people we’re working with, their films go on all the different channels, Hallmark, Hulu, GAC,” Raingruber said while setting up a scene in the park late Thursday afternoon. “We don’t know exactly where this will premiere but it’s called ‘Storybook Christmas’ and we’re expecting it to go on TV for this Christmas.”
After nearly six years with the Escalon Fire Department, Dan Morriss has moved on, and will be helping create a new department from the ground up. An opportunity to join that brand new fire department to serve the Chicken Ranch Casino was too good to pass up, said Morriss. “The responsibility would primarily just be the tribal-owned property and they are working on an automatic aid agreement with the county for areas in close proximity,” Morriss said. He added that talks have been underway with the tribal council for some time in developing plans for the fire department. Morriss came to Escalon in 2019 as a Battalion Chief; his final day on the job here was May 2 and he started his new job on May 5.
Along with the established stores lining much of Main Street in downtown Escalon, a special Saturday showcase also saw mobile vendors bring a wide variety of businesses to town. Gather Around Main served up a spring edition on May 3 and those strolling the street to visit the businesses had access to a number of shopping opportunities. From the health and wellness programs at EscalonFit to the clothing and unique finds at Pencie & Ginger, there were several types of businesses highlighted. Also coming in were such mobile vendors as Lorina’s Edible Garden with her ‘Traveling Plants’ trailer, the recently established Papa’s Pour House mobile bar and the Tacos de Nieve mobile food business.
Closing out their high school athletic careers in style, a quartet of Escalon High senior Cougars were recognized with the top awards for the Class of 2025. Samuel Jimenez and Genevieve Casazza were selected as the Bob & Mark Loureiro Most Inspirational Senior Athletes, while Karisa McNeil and Ryan Lewis received honors as the Lloyd C. Engel Most Outstanding Senior Athletes. The honors were presented as the final piece of the last sports awards night of the school year.
Recognition and celebration were the order of the evening on Friday, May 16 as the Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District hosted its 16th annual Appreciation Dinner. Staged at the Azores Band Hall, the night started with a social hour, followed by a catered dinner and then a brief program, which included a couple of long-term service awards. Fire Chief Rick Mello presented Dave Velasco, engineer, with his 25-year service plaque. Mello indicated that Velasco – who began as a volunteer/reserve firefighter and was hired as an engineer about five years ago – had just recently worked his final shift with Escalon Fire, as he is moving on to a new department. Receiving a 35-year continuous service plaque was Mickey Schilber; he began with the department as a volunteer and then made the move to the Board of Directors, a position he still holds, having been involved with the department since 1990, said Mello.
Raising over $142,000 in the fight against cancer, residents of numerous Central Valley communities – including Escalon – took part in the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour Relay For Life this past weekend at Johansen High School in Modesto. This year’s theme was Carnival for a Cure and many of the teams offered up carnival games or carnival-themed food, while a special Kids Camp was set up to keep the youngest Relay attendees occupied. Music from several bands was featured on stage throughout the day and the event started with the Opening Ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 17 with activities continuing through Sunday morning, May 18. Presenting sponsor for the 2025 event was Kaiser Permanente.
It was a day a very long time in coming, but Saturday, May 24 brought a satisfying conclusion to a special project, as the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club formally dedicated its Blue Star Memorial marker. Situated at the Escalon Community Center adjacent to the Escalon Veterans Memorial, corner of Escalon Avenue and Arthur Road, a crowd gathered for the 9 a.m. dedication ceremony, with Garden Club Co-President Amanda Taylor serving as emcee. After an opening prayer from American Legion Post 263 Chaplain Casey Den Ouden, Taylor stepped up to the podium to offer some background. “The Blue Star program honors all men and women that serve in the United States Armed Services; the program began with the planting of 8,000 dogwood trees by the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs in 1944,” said Taylor. “It was a living memorial to veterans of World War II and in 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs, which is now considered the National Garden Clubs, Incorporated, adopted this program and began a Blue Star highway system that covers thousands of miles across the continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii.”
Under a bright sunny late spring sky, dozens gathered at Burwood Cemetery on River Road in Escalon for the Monday morning, May 26 Memorial Day service hosted by the Escalon American Legion Post 263. Guest speaker was Legion member Allan Lial, now a resident of Twain Harte, who thanked attendees for taking time out of their day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. He noted the flags placed on the graves of veterans buried at Burwood, including Wendell Theo Eliason, shot down during the Vietnam War. Eliason was Escalon’s lone casualty in that war, killed in action on March 31, 1965. He served in the United States Marine Corps and was a First Lieutenant. He was a helicopter pilot and was struck by hostile fire while flying a mission to evacuate injured American soldiers. Lial, making the trip from Twain Harte to serve as guest speaker on Monday, spent 22 years in the U.S. Navy and is a retired school teacher.
They might not have taken the traditional path to get there … but the graduates of Vista High School nonetheless made it to the finish line, picking up their high school diplomas in a Wednesday evening ceremony, May 28. Hosted in the Performing Arts Center at Escalon High School, the ceremony featured 11 graduates in the Class of 2025 for the Vista Knights. Teaching Principal Gustavo Arzac welcomed the crowd of supportive family and friends and the staff was also introduced, including teachers Nate Bartelink and Martin Louro, counselor Gustavo Jimenez and secretary Theresa Augusto.
Thirteen years of work – including a couple severely impacted by the pandemic – came to fruition for over 200 Escalon High School seniors on Friday night, May 30. The Class of 2025 entered Engel Field as Cougars and left as alumni, with their graduation ceremony the 105th commencement in the history of EHS. Principal Jason Furtado issued the welcome with senior classmates Cortney Ball and Daniel Adams then taking the stage to perform the National Anthem. Senior Class President Ryan Murphy also offered some thoughts to the crowd. “Standing here on this field tonight, it is hard not to point back to the last time this group of kids were sitting in the same seats at our eighth grade promotion; the only difference was that we had a mask on, were spaced six feet apart and we all had little certainty about what high school held for us,” Murphy said. “We entered our high school careers at one of the most difficult times in history and, looking back, I wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way. Because of this hardship, the Class of 2025 was able to show who they are; a strong, resilient group of hard workers who are able to adapt to a changing world and overcome any challenges that follow … we have learned how to overcome adversity and win as a team.” Meanwhile, sharing the stage on Friday were co-Valedictorians – and best friends – Emma Berchtold and Kali Castellanos to give their address.
From Velcro ax throwing to cornhole, Henna tattoos to commemorative Cougar paw painting, there was plenty to keep graduates busy at their Sober Grad Night party, Friday, May 30. The party stretched in to the early morning hours of Saturday, May 31 as the traditional hypnotist show wrapped up the party and the high school careers for Escalon seniors. The Class of 2025 had well over 100 members attend the party, which kicked off at 9:30 p.m. and had activities in the cafeteria, outside on the tennis courts and in the area between the cafeteria and the gym. Music, food, a cornhole tournament and more were featured.
JUNE
While there isn’t much of a break anymore in California’s fire season, the ‘official’ start of the 2025 season arrived over the weekend, on June 1. It followed on the heels of the area’s first triple digit heat of the year. “Locally it has been a very active fire season already,” explained Escalon Fire Chief Rick Mello, before the season officially began. “Even with all the rain this winter, it got dry real fast this year, we had a lot of wind so everything dried almost instantly.” Escalon has a weed abatement program that is currently ongoing, said the chief, with notices sent to residents whose property need weeds and/or tall grass addressed. As far as fires to date, the chef said Escalon has been on several calls, with a lot of mutual aid responses along with a few river bottom, grass and vegetation fires in their own district.
Some county funds are coming to Escalon, to benefit local grassroots organization, Escalon Strong. At its meeting on Tuesday, June 3, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors approved Supervisor Robert Rickman’s proposal to provide $10,780 to Escalon Strong to help cover costs of materials for the expansion of the Escalon Strong Community Garden. Rickman represents Escalon in District 5 on the county board.
A portion of Yosemite Avenue is getting a facelift this summer, while the Escalon Library is getting a new roof. Both projects were previously approved by the Escalon City Council. Members awarded the Yosemite Avenue ‘Sidewalk Infill, Waterline and Street Overlay Project’ to the Elk Grove-based Yancy-Gwerder Inc. at the May 19 council meeting and work is already well underway. “This project is part of the City’s recent efforts to install sidewalks in areas that do not currently have sidewalks near schools to improve pedestrian safety to and from schools,” City Manager Jaylen French said, with the Dent Sidewalk Project being the first area complete.
The Fourth of July is right around the corner; and three of four available Fireworks Booth slots are spoken for in Escalon. The sale and use of Safe and Sane fireworks is allowed in the city. The Escalon Parks Foundation, which automatically receives a booth, will be located again in the Escalon Shopping Center parking lot, 2251Jackson Ave., Escalon. Also selected to host booths this year were Trinity Church Assembly of God, with its booth to be set up in the Vineyard Square Shopping Center, 1900 McHenry Ave.; and the Escalon High Sports Boosters will have a booth set up in the solar panel parking lot on the high school campus, corner of Escalon-Bellota Road and Yosemite Avenue. Sales of the Safe and Sane fireworks allowed to begin on Saturday, June 28 and run through midnight on Friday, July 4.
San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s (District) mosquito-borne disease surveillance program recently collected the first West Nile virus (WNV) infected mosquitoes for 2025 in San Joaquin County. The mosquitoes were located in Manteca and Tracy, zip codes 95337 and 95376. These positives fall right in line with the beginning of summer, said officials.
Temperatures that got close to 100 degrees in the area on Wednesday did cool slightly as a breeze came up in the late afternoon, setting the stage for a warm night at the Escalon Chamber of Commerce Farmer’s Market. The June 18 gathering in the city’s Main Street Park was the third market, having started back in April and the second one offered in May. Two more are still to follow, the third Wednesdays of July and August; July 16 and Aug. 20. It was another solid crowd that turned out for the event, staged from 5 pm. to 8 p.m.
A first of its kind event for Escalon, the local Gather Around Main organization, in cooperation with Don Bionaz – a new resident of the city – hosted a Friday night Concert in the Park and ice cream social on June 20. With Sweet Mama Rachel and the Homemade Jam Band providing the classic rock and folksy blues-style music, Bionaz and his fiancée Stefanee Bartolotta providing the ice cream and toppings, it was a festive crowd that settled in to enjoy the show. Two additional concert nights are planned, in July and August.
The third quarter of the year, July through September, will be in the spotlight in the Jan. 21 issue of The Times.
