Datebook lists upcoming events and items of interest for residents of Escalon, Farmington, Collegeville and the surrounding area.

The next Sunday in the Park gathering hosted by the Escalon Chamber of Commerce is scheduled on Aug. 4, running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Main Street Park. Celebrating ‘Cookie Day’ and ‘Friendship Day’, attendees will be able to make ‘ranger cookies’ as well as decorate sugar cookies. There will be crafts for the kids and face painting, the Escalon Historical Society will have their old fashioned popcorn popper in operation and will also have the historic caboose open for tours. EscalonFIT will have a family workout session at 10:30 a.m., prior to Sunday in the Park; call 209-838-9915 or email for more information, info@escalonfit.com.

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The summer’s final production at Hutton’s Hamlet in Oakdale will be performed on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3. Come enjoy the ‘Adventures of the Fearsome Pirate Frank’ with tickets available at $10 for adults and $5 for those 12 and under. Tickets are on sale at the Hutton’s Hamlet music store, 149 Church Ave., Oakdale. This musical comedy features a crew of nightmare sailors, zombie pirates, singing sirens, and even Spiderman. This is the fifth and final play of the summer at the local youth theatre. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 with two shows, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 3.

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Get dinner and support a good cause – a drive-thru tri tip dinner fundraiser is being put on by the Escalon Youth Center on Friday, Aug. 9. Meal pick-up will be available that day between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and the center is at 1328 Escalon Ave. Prices for the meal are $50 through Aug. 3; $55 after Aug. 3. Dinner includes one cooked tri tip roast, five baked potatoes, five servings of baked beans, a loaf of French bread and a two-liter bottle of soda. This is a pre-sale ticket event; dinner ticket must be presented at the time of the meal pick-up. Call for more information or to purchase tickets, 209-691-8191.

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Escalon United Methodist Church will host its annual ice cream social on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Along with the homemade varieties of ice cream, there will be a number of dessert options, from brownies to pie and cake. No cost to attend; donations are 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. 7. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.

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The San Joaquin County Agricultural Hall of Fame is requesting nominations for outstanding agricultural leaders and mentors in the community. Now in its 35th year, the Agricultural Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have contributed to agriculture and to their community in significant ways. Each year, awards are given to at least three living recipients, as well as posthumous ones.  Nomination forms are available from the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce website, and need to be submitted by 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9 in order to be considered. For more information, call Timm Quinn at 209-292-8423 or visit the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, www.stocktonchamber.org website and click on the Ag Hall of Fame link in the events drop down menu.

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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are now hosted at St. Frances of Rome Church, 2827 Topeka St., Riverbank. 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. The Golden Agers meet from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

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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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Coming up on Saturday, Aug. 17, it’s an Organ Sampler Concert, hosted at a pair of locations in Sonora. The Sonora Bach Festival presents organist Dr. Daryl Hollinger at 2 p.m., at The Red Church, 42 Snell St., hear Haydn and Lübeck on the Red Church’s historic 1973 Flentrop Pipe Organ. Then, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 13880 Joshua Way, hear Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne by Dieterich Buxtehude and more on St Matthew’s 2016 Allen Digital Organ. There will be a lecture-recital at both locations. Free admission; a donation will be taken. For more information, visit www.sonorabach.org or call 209-536-6330.