Senior Escalon Recognition For Dave And Sandy Russell

Selected as the 2023 Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon are Dave and Sandy Russell; they will be honored at a luncheon during Park Fete Week in July. They will also ride in the Park Fete Parade on Saturday, July 15.

Gracie Marx heads up the recognition luncheon and offered some information about this year’s honorees; they are very active in the Escalon Historical Society, among other interests.

Dave and Sandy met in January of 1966 and married the following November. They have two daughters, Tricia and Michael, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They moved to Escalon in 1980 to be close to Dave’s parents in Oakdale.

Dave worked at Owen’s Illinois in Tracy for 30 years and retired in 2010. Sandy was employed at J.C. Penney’s in 1990 and retired in 2003. She was also active as a volunteer at Dent Elementary School and assisted and volunteered with The Rainbow Girls. She loves to crochet and some of her handiwork is displayed in the Escalon Museum. Sandy also helped with book sales. Dave’s fondest memories are mentoring local boys in the neighborhood, as some didn’t have a male role model. Dave had an interest in model airplanes, which were also enjoyed by some of the neighborhood youngsters he mentored, and he remains a member of the Oakdale Airplane Club. Upon retiring he went on morning walks and met Dorothy Miller, who invited him to join the Escalon Historical Society. Shortly after, Sandy also joined. Dave was Vice President for two years and in 2020 he was elected President, a position he still holds.

Dave said he enjoys helping local seniors by his all-around skills as a “handyman.” This is much appreciated by those in need. He also keeps all the mechanical items, large and small, in operational condition in the museum. He has a vast knowledge of machinery of all kinds. This is not a responsibility he takes lightly; and the caboose in Main Street Park is a special pet project for him. Sandy takes care of the memberships, memorials and prints the newsletter for the Escalon Historical Society. Last Christmas they were honored to be chosen as the Grand Marshals in the Christmas Parade. During Sunday in the Park, hosted periodically by the Chamber of Commerce, they give out free popcorn. The popcorn maker was donated to the Escalon Historical Society by Marvin Schmidt. Dave and Sandy enjoy helping wherever they are needed in the local community.

The Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Escalon luncheon is traditionally hosted on the Tuesday of Park Fete Week at the Escalon Community Center; this year’s date is July 11. Ticket information will be available in the June 28 issue of The Times.