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.
Pumpkins And Bunco
Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St., Escalon, has a couple of special fall activities on its schedule. The church will be the site for the annual Bunco Night on Saturday, Sept. 14 and is currently taking orders for its Decorated Holiday Pumpkins. The pumpkins are available by pre-order only and they come in two sizes. Large pumpkins cost $30 and mini pumpkins are $10. The pre-order sale deadline for the pumpkins is Sunday, Sept. 15. Pick up dates will be Sept. 23 through Oct. 4; you will be contacted when your order is ready. To order, call Becky at 209-480-1562. Cash or check only. Also, the annual Bunco Night is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 with dinner and sign-in starting at 4:30 p.m.; Bunco begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and include Bunco, dinner and drinks. Raffle tickets will be available separately at the event. For tickets or more information, call Saron Lutheran at 209-838-7695.
Healthy Living Art
The Valley Air District has announced the 2025 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar Contest, calling on young artists, from kindergarten through 12th grade, across the Valley to showcase their creativity. Students are encouraged to submit their artistic interpretations of healthy air living for a chance to be featured in the 2025 calendar.
Winners will receive a $100 scholarship check, and the student whose artwork is chosen for the calendar cover will receive a $500 scholarship check. The deadline for calendar entries is Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. Selected entries will be featured in the 2025 bilingual calendar, highlighting ways individuals can improve air quality and quality of life for all Valley residents. For an example of this year’s calendar and additional information, visit valleyair.org/kidscalendar. For questions about the contest, email public.education@valleyair.org or call the regional office in Modesto at 209-557-6400.
Trunk Or Treat
Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi will be the site for a favorite Halloween-themed event, the annual Trunk O’ Treat, set for Friday, Oct 11. There will be decorated cars, activities for kids, pumpkin decorating, food trucks and candy. This is a pre-registered event, with the link launch set for Sept. 23. The event itself runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information about volunteering is available by visiting sjparks.com or by calling 209-953-8800. To donate candy, call 209-331-2050.
Museum Celebration
The Modesto Children’s Museum, MoChiMu, will mark its first year of family visits, field trips, birthday parties, camps, and more, celebrating the anniversary of their September 2023 opening with a festive Imagination Celebration Gala. The evening promises color and creativity, discovery and drinks, adventure and artistry, all to support the sustainability of this beloved nonprofit. Imagination Celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Modesto Children’s Museum, inviting adults to participate in the adventure and explore the museum for themselves. This is a 21-and-over event only; tickets are $125 per person and cocktail party attire is recommended. There will be culinary stations, bars with signature cocktails, music and dancing, and interactive activities set up for attendees. For more information about the Imagination Celebration Gala, visit https://www.modestochildrensmuseum.org/imagination-celebration
Enjoy Fall Festival
A Fall Festival being put on through the Farmington United Methodist Church is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 26 and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; it will be hosted at Jacob Strojan Park, at 25626 Elm St., adjacent to the church. Vendor spots are currently available, contact coordinator Crystal Moos at 209-404-3531 or email clkx1979@yahoo.com for more information or to sign up. They are looking for both food and craft vendors, with 10-by-10 spaces priced at $40; larger spaces at $50. Sign-ups are requested by Oct. 1. The event will also feature a costume contest for kids, face painting, a ‘trunk or treat’ type candy giveaway and more.
Monthly 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.
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.
Walking Group
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Walkers invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. Fun Bunch walkers are a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. You do not have to be a Fun Bunch member to attend; all are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
TOPS Session
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is 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.
Jammers Gather
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
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.
