Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Wind Ensemble Performs
The Central California Wind Ensemble will present Americana, with Martin Alexander Arellano, Music Director, on Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. The show will be staged at CSU Stanislaus Snider Recital Hall. Featuring guest conductors Rogelio Garibay Ochoa and Abigayle McKinney, the show is admission free and all ages are welcome.
Enjoy Garden Luncheon
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club will meet to wrap up their season, with awards to be presented and a potluck luncheon to be shared on Thursday, June 6. Club members will gather at the Farmington United Methodist Church, 25626 Elm St., Farmington, at 1 p.m. The potluck luncheon will begin the event, followed by various awards for club members that have been supportive this club year. All interested in gardening or learning more about the club are invited; bring your favorite potluck dish, enough to serve about a half dozen; the club board will provide tableware, drinks, etc. For more information, contact Co-President Lorraine Nicholson at 209-613-8708 or lorainenicholson@att.net
Sierra Rep Show
Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora is presenting The Drowsy Chaperone, at the East Sonora Theatre, through Sunday, June 9. Hailed by New York Magazine as “the perfect Broadway musical,” the five-time Tony Award-winner follows a fanatic musical theatre lover played by SRT’s Executive Producer Scott Viets. As he tries to cure his case of the blues, he stumbles onto his favorite show album, a 1920s musical called The Drowsy Chaperone only to have it spring to colorful life in the middle of his drab studio apartment. For more information, including ticket prices and show times, call the Box Office at 209-532-3120 or visit tickets@sierrarep.org.
Golf Benefit
Spots are still available to take part in the Oakdale Equine Rescue ‘Par For The Horse’ golf tour fundraising event, scheduled on Monday, June 10 at the Del Rio Country Club, 801 Stewart Road, Modesto. Cost is $200 per player or $800 per foursome and this is a four-player scramble event. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon and dinner will be served following the tournament. Proceeds of the event will benefit Oakdale Equine Rescue.
Historical Society Fundraiser
All interested can get their tickets now for the Saturday, June 29 Blue Jean Ball II, a fundraiser to support the Escalon Historical Museum. The evening, at Del Rio Vista Garden, 25306 East River Road, Escalon, promises to be a “jam packed” night of fun, according to organizers. Happy hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with a catered dinner served beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Saturday, June 22 and are pre-sale only, no tickets available at the door. Following dinner, there will be dancing, music, a door prize and the raffle drawings. Music for the evening will feature Joni Morris, sponsored by Pacific Southwest Irrigation. Tickets are $65 per person; get tickets at the Escalon Historical Museum, 1630 Main St., Escalon or by calling Sandy Russell at 209-838-1275. More information on the event is available by calling the museum at 209-838-8070. They are also looking for items to use as raffle prizes, contact the museum for more information regarding how to donate.
TOPS Meetings
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Musical Jam
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Muggle Walk At Park
The third Sunday of the month features a unique event, offered through the San Joaquin County Parks Department, Professor Sprout’s Muggle World Herbology Walk. The program takes place at Oak Grove Regional Park Nature Center, and walks are scheduled for Sundays, June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18. Explore the ‘Dark Forest’ – the Native Plant Garden and Trail – with Professor Sprout, learn about magical properties of native plants and how some are related to the Muggle World. No reservations are required for this free event. The family-friendly program runs 45 minutes. Oak Grove Regional Park is 4520 W. Eight Mile Road, Stockton. As a reminder, there is a $6 cash parking fee at county parks. No pets, please. For more information, call 209-953-8814.
Merced Fair Upcoming
The Merced County Fair recently announced its action-packed line-up for the 2024 Grandstand Entertainment presented by Table Mountain Casino Resort, Coors Light, Save Mart and O’Reilly Auto Parts. Admission into the Grandstand is $5; children five years or younger can enter the Grandstand for free with a paid adult ticket. Fair admission must be purchased to attend the Grandstand shows. The 2024 Merced County Fair presented by Valley Children’s Healthcare will take place June 5 through 9. Tickets are on sale now on the Fair’s website, or at the Merced County Fair’s Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more ways to save on a trip to the Fair at www.mercedcountyfair.com/discounts.
Weekly Dances
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Toe Tapping Music
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Widowed Persons Group
Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-322-2184.
