The last four months of the year saw no slowing down in the number of community and school events, activities, and programs throughout Escalon, Farmington and beyond. This week, in the final installment of the three-part 2024 Year in Review series, we showcase the top stories from the front page of The Times for the September through December issues.
SEPTEMBER
It was a special night – and perhaps a glimpse into the not-too-distant future – as roughly 30 young ‘Cougars in the Making’ stood side by side with varsity football players on Engel Field. The event was open to kindergarten through sixth grade boys, who signed up for the experience, getting to be a Cougar for the Friday, Aug. 30 varsity game. Sign-ups were taken over the summer and the young participants had their names announced on Friday night by public address announcer Steve Largent; received a uniquely designed “Cougar in the Making” football, and a T-shirt. They also lined up behind the banner and broke through it with the varsity team, running on to the field to take part in the pre-game warm-up. Additionally, they stood with the players during the National Anthem and received free admission to the Friday night game. The program was the brainchild of Kate Powell, whose son Trent is a senior this year and plays on the varsity football team.
It took a bit longer than expected, but persistence paid off for longtime local resident Danny Fox, as his proposal for giving an old park a new name has come to fruition. Fox, who spent several years with the Escalon Police Department and later served as a city councilmember, went to the council with a plan to re-name Brentwood Park, at the corner of Justin and Mission in Escalon, for the late Bob and Dena Lease. Fox said his rationale was the various parks throughout the city that are named in memory or honor of longtime local residents whose impact has been felt in the community. Among them, he said, are the Hogan-Ennis Park/Sports Complex along Escalon Avenue, Swanson Park at Swanson and Sophie, Latta’s Childrens Park at Oklahoma and California, and more.
San Joaquin County Public Health Services has confirmed a West Nile Virus (WNV) infection in San Joaquin County. This is the first confirmed human case in the county for 2024, and the 28th reported human case in California for this year. The 57-year-old male Stockton resident has received medical services at a Sacramento area healthcare facility.
As a train rumbled by and the familiar clanging of the crossing arm bell rang out in the morning air, it all seemed normal. And that, said Escalon Fire Chief Rick Mello, is something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 brought the annual observance hosted by Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District, this year marking 23 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. That was the day hijackers forced two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon. A fourth plane, United Flight 93, went down in a field in rural Pennsylvania, as passengers fought back against the hijackers and kept the plane from reaching its intended target. The department has put on a memorial each year since Mello took over as chief in Escalon; this year there were brief remarks by Mello, San Joaquin County Supervisor Robert Rickman and Pastor Arney Corbin of Trinity Church. Couper Condit also presented a proclamation on behalf of Assemblyman Heath Flora and special guests included representatives of the Escalon Police Department and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department, including Sheriff Patrick Withrow.
It was a nearly picture-perfect day, with sunny skies and temperatures that peaked just over the 90-degree mark, along with a light breeze. And there were cars. Hundreds of them. Classic car enthusiasts rolled in to Escalon’s Main Street Park for the annual Escalon Lions Club Autumn Car Cruise on Saturday, Sept. 14. They didn’t go away disappointed. “It’s just such a fun show,” cruise chairman and longtime Lions Club member Rien Doornenbal explained. “We estimate it was close to 300 cars … we had probably 100 show up the day of the event.” The others were pre-registered, but they always allow room for more, and this year, they kept coming in, said Doornenbal. He said though the entry fee might be a little higher than shows in other areas, he pointed out that all the proceeds go back into the community. This effort by the Lions Club, specifically, benefits scholarships for graduating Escalon students. “Every penny we make goes back into scholarships for the high school,” Doornenbal said.
Escalon City Council members are reminding residents about the placement of Measure P, a one percent sales tax increase, on the November ballot. If approved by voters, the measure is expected to generate approximately $900,000 annually, providing funding for local city services. Interim City Manager Jaylen French noted that the revenue from Measure P “is intended to strengthen the financial stability of the city and maintain the critical services” that Escalon residents depend on. The funds raised through the one percent tax increase would be used to support a range of services, including police patrols, crime prevention efforts, and the maintenance of safe and clean public spaces. Additionally, the measure aims to ensure the safety of school routes through enhanced police presence, as well as the upkeep of parks, facilities, roads, and other infrastructure.
With live music, craft brews, locally produced wines and plenty of hors d’oeuvres, it was a contented crowd that enjoyed the annual downtown Wine and Brew Stroll on Saturday evening in Escalon. Hosted by the Escalon Chamber of Commerce – with primary sponsor Mendoza Ag Services – the Sept. 21 event brought hundreds out to sip and stroll under the early autumn sky. Temperatures dropped down from the high of 90 degrees during the day and a breeze picked up as the attendees began rolling in. Chamber Vice President Jessica Wylie was extremely pleased with the turnout and the overall event. “I think it’s because of the amount of different things we have,” she said of what draws the crowd in on a late summer-early fall evening. “We have 34 different stations this year so that’s a lot of beer and wine and food; so it was a lot of variety this year and I think that’s what people like, they like to try some things and walk around.”
Measure L will be on the ballot for Escalon Unified School District voters come November; the $27.7 million bond would finance construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or replacement of school facilities, as well as the furnishing and equipping of school facilities and acquisition or lease of school facilities. No funds from the bond may be used for general school operating expenses or teacher or administrator salaries, according to an analysis of the measure by the San Joaquin County Counsel. District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez said the district understands this will be a long-term bond, with an estimated cost of $29 per $100,000 of assessed valuation. “With the current bond, we’re basically looking at increasing school safety and security, modernization and new construction, such as classrooms and labs,” Chavez said.
OCTOBER
Some people opened their yard and garage sales early on Saturday, hoping to beat the heat. The unseasonably hot weather may have kept the crowd numbers down slightly but the annual citywide yard sale day in Escalon on Oct. 5 nonetheless drew plenty of shoppers to peruse the wide variety of wares for sale. Books, clothes, furniture, home furnishings, sporting equipment, even cold bottled waters and homemade baked goods were part of the offerings. From one end of the city to the other, residents cleaned out closets, cupboards and found those long-forgotten and no longer needed items stored in the garage to sell to others.
From D’Boni’s Pizza to Nothing Bundt Cakes, McManis Family Vineyards to Raven Sourdough Co., there was something to please everyone’s palate on Saturday evening. Escalon Educational Foundation hosted its third Edible Expo at the Escalon Community Center, offering up food, beverage and dessert samples, as well as live and silent actions. Festivities ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 5. The money raised will benefit graduating seniors at Escalon High School through scholarships and also go to fund a variety of classroom grants throughout the district schools. Multiple silent auction items were drawing bids, from El Portal spirit wear packages to tickets for San Francisco 49ers games, and just about everything in between.
Though it says October on the calendar, the feel in the air – not to mention the temperature on the thermometer – has felt more like summer for the past couple of weeks. But local families didn’t let the weather stop them from attending the Harvest on Main, hosted in the city’s Main Street Park on Sunday, Oct. 6. Put on by the Chamber of Commerce, the event gives kids the chance to take part in a costume contest, decorate a pumpkin to take home, enjoy some crafts and more. This year, Chamber officials also had an extra feature, opening up the Harvest on Main to vendors for a mini-Farmers Market, along with having some food trucks and beverage vendors.
By all accounts, the 2024 Fall Homecoming for Escalon High School was a huge success. The selection of senior Lisa Murga as Homecoming Queen, along with a princess chosen at each of the three underclassman levels of freshman, sophomore and junior classes, the downtown parade, a high school rally, and a big win on the gridiron for the varsity football Cougars combined for a memorable week. At the Friday afternoon, Oct. 18 Homecoming parade, with the Escalon American Legion Post 263 Colorguard leading the way, they were followed by Ray and Cathy Scott, on a float surrounded by other family members, waving to the crowd as they were recognized as the Homecoming Grand Marshals. In the evening, Murga, daughter of Eunice Galvez and Roberto Murga, was crowned as the new Homecoming Queen during halftime of the varsity football game. Escalon defeated new Trans-Valley League foe Ripon Christian, 43-20, in the contest. “It feels like a dream, honestly, the inner child inside of me is screaming, I’m so excited. I didn’t think I was going to be chosen as the Homecoming Queen so this is really an honor and I’m really, really grateful to have this experience,” Murga said. Fellow Queen candidates were Charlotte Shaddix, Riley Ogilvie, Darla Garcia Sandoval and Carolina Sandoval. Chosen as the Homecoming Princesses, announced at the Thursday rally, were junior Skylar Anderson, sophomore Aniston Hunt and freshman Maci Alvarado. Serving as Homecoming Commissioners this year were juniors Gianna Wilson and Natalie Ruiz, who welcomed the big crowd to Engel Field on Friday night and handled the introductions
A special Certificate of Recognition, introduction of some charter members, music and lots of reminiscing were the order of the day on Saturday, Oct. 19 as a large crowd filled the Escalon Historical Society Museum on Main Street in observance of its 35th anniversary. The afternoon program also included a brief update on the status of the Historical Society by current President Dave Russell, kudos for the many volunteers that keep the museum up and running, and a number of prize drawings, along with refreshments. The Certificate of Recognition came from Robert Rickman, Fifth District Supervisor, who represents Escalon on the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. Serving as emcee was Wendy Fenton, welcoming the crowd and highlighting some of the museum milestones. Charter members of the Historical Society, Dianne McCollum, Vickie Mello and Linda Gentry, were all recognized and presented with special 35-year anniversary engraved commemorative pens.
Freshly made pizza, arts and crafts, jewelry, a petting zoo, homemade treats and more awaited attendees at the first-ever Fall Festival staged in Farmington. Put on by the EPIC – Everything’s Possible In Christ – women’s group at the Farmington United Methodist Church, the Saturday, Oct. 26 event was a definite success. Coordinating this first-time fest was Crystal Moos, who said she was pleasantly surprised with the response from vendors, with a wide variety coming to set up shop for the day. Festivities were staged in the park adjacent to the church on Elm Street in Farmington. Escalon 4-H brought a few animals for a petting zoo; a trio of goats – Gigi, Gladdy and Glendale – were the favorites, as young visitors enjoyed getting up close to the vocal animals. There was also a pumpkin patch, a costume contest for kids, and the arts and crafts area drew several participants throughout the event.
Though it wasn’t a holiday weekend, the two-day Fill The Boot collection staged by the Escalon Fire Department still raised a sizeable amount of money for the Firefighters Burn Institute. Coordinated this year by reserve firefighter Nathan Rodriguez, assisted by reserve Kaden Christensen, the effort saw several Escalon firefighters armed with their turnout boots, seeking donations throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 26 and 27. “We ended up raising around $21,000; that is our unofficial count, we will only get the official count by the bank when we deposit the cash, change and Venmo donations,” Rodriguez said on Monday. “We had 16 firefighters, as well as the Christensen family to help us count money and relieve people when breaks were needed.” The firefighters staggered their shifts on the collection line, often working in pairs and staged at the main intersection of Highway 120-McHenry-Escalon Avenue, with teams on all corners and venturing in to the street as the traffic signals allowed.
A man was struck by a freight train and killed in Escalon on Monday morning, Oct. 28. On Tuesday, the San Joaquin County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Dana Brown, 52, of Escalon. Among those on the scene were Escalon police and firefighters. Escalon Police Chief Robert Hardgraves said his department got the call at 10:09 a.m. Monday. “We received a call of a train vs. a pedestrian; when we arrived on scene, we located a subject on the side of the tracks that had been hit by a train,” the chief explained.
NOVEMBER
In a fitting final regular season game at Escalon High School, the margin of victory was big and there was an air of celebration. The varsity football Cougars thumped Orestimba, 41-14 on Friday night, Nov. 1, on an evening that also included recognition of senior varsity football players, varsity cheerleaders and senior class band and choir members who contribute to the Friday night festivities. Players were announced and honored prior to kickoff; recognition of the senior cheerleaders and musicians came at halftime of the varsity game. “I’ve been coordinating a lot with the cheer coach this year and she was able to help out with allowing us to also be honored on Senior Night,” music teacher Ashley Crow said of having the band and choir members saluted. “I mean, we’re at all the home games so it makes sense that we’re also honored. I want it to be an every year thing.” The win, with rain starting to fall toward the end of the game, ushered November football into Engel Field in style.
An 18-year member of the Escalon American Legion Post was front and center on Monday, Nov. 11, as Don Forest was honored as the Grand Marshal in Escalon’s Veterans Day parade. Forest has been a resident of the area for about 34 years. “I spent 10 years in the Navy, active duty, and then 10 years in the Air Force Reserve,” Forest said. Dark clouds mixed in with the early morning sunshine, then took over the skies as Escalon’s annual Veterans Day parade stepped off at 10:30 a.m. The full half hour parade made its way from Coley to First to Main and, as the last entries were rolling past the announcer’s stand, the raindrops started to fall. Large drops pelted those leaving the parade and the steady rain continued as the crowed reassembled at the Escalon Community Center. There, a ceremony was due at the Memorial Wall but, in light of the inclement weather, all the action was moved to the Community Center itself, with many in the crowd packing in to the foyer and others finding shelter under the overhang. The program featured an Armed Forces anthem medley by the Escalon High School and El Portal bands, accompanied by the Escalon High School choir. There was the unveiling of new bricks on a monument in front of the Memorial Wall, presentation of a Proclamation from the Board of Supervisors and an address by guest speaker, Pastor Arabella Whitlock of Manteca. She is the lead chaplain of the Manteca Police Department, a teacher, and served nine years in the Army.
Though nothing is official yet – and no one in local races is claiming victory – results of the Nov. 5 election do look promising for the City of Escalon’s Measure P, a one percent sales tax increase. Unofficial results posted by the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters office following the close of the polls on Nov. 5 – and then updated a couple of days later – show Measure P now with a more than 75 percent approval rating. It had 2,100 ‘yes’ votes in the latest figures released by county elections officials, compared to 688 ‘no’ votes. The money generated by the sales tax increase would stay in the city. In the race for Escalon City Council, incumbent Shawn Strohman was leading the polling with 1,489 votes and running second, as of press time, was challenger Jeff Kay with 1,202 votes. Two seats are available on the council. Incumbent David Bellinger was in third place with 1,033 votes and Gabriella Vargas had 861 votes, in fourth place. Again, the results are not yet official, with more votes still to be counted.
Escalon Unified School District’s Measure L did not appear to be headed toward gaining the 55 percent approval needed for passage. The latest vote totals showed a very slim margin for the ‘no’ votes, 2,529 to 2,498 ‘yes’ votes. “From the votes that are counted, it does appear that the bond is not likely to pass,” said Escalon Unified School District Superintendent Ricardo Chavez. “I respect the position of our voters. We are waiting for all votes to be counted before we determine next steps.”
There was blood. There was sweat. There were tears. Senior team captain – and four-year varsity starter – Ryan Lewis held a towel to his face in an effort to stop a bloody nose. He and his teammates, sweaty and battered, took a collective knee as they gathered around head coach Andrew Beam on Friday night, Nov. 15. On a bitterly cold night in Auburn, they faced a bitter reality: their season was over. Then, the tears flowed. But for the varsity football Cougars, the tears were more about their Friday night brotherhood coming to an end than about taking a loss on the gridiron to the host Placer Hillmen. Placer upended Escalon 42-2 in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 4 quarterfinal game.
An annual event for several years, Escalon’s ‘Stuff the Bus’ collection to help support the local C.A.R.E. food bank met with success on Saturday. The one-day drive on Nov. 16 was hosted outside MarVal Main Street Market on McHenry Avenue, with an eTrans bus set up by the store. Shoppers could purchase items to donate or purchase a pre-packed bag of goods, with various price levels, to support the food bank. “We received 117 bags of groceries, eight turkeys, two hams and $200 in cash donations,” said C.A.R.E. Director Sherrie Vaden. The ‘Stuff the Bus’ is designed to help provide food baskets for families in need in the area during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The worldwide Samaritan’s Purse effort, Operation Christmas Child, saw a busy and successful collection week in Escalon. Open for a variety of hours during the week of Monday, Nov. 18 through Monday, Nov. 25, coordinator Pam Mendez said volunteers were kept busy taking in the donations of packed shoeboxes, which were headed for southern California on Monday afternoon. From there, they will be distributed around the world, helping provide some Christmas joy to youngsters. The shoeboxes can contain small toys, toiletries, school supplies, personal notes of encouragement and more. As the week was winding down, volunteers working a shift at Heritage Church on Sunday, Nov. 24 were buoyed by how successful the effort has been.
Comforting holiday aromas of turkey and mashed potatoes wafted throughout the Escalon Community Center on Thanksgiving as the Escalon Ministerial Association, EMA, hosted the annual community dinner. More than 40 volunteers were on hand to welcome diners and serve a delicious holiday meal filled with all of the favorites including turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and some traditional pumpkin pie.
DECEMBER
Second graders did it again; students at Dent Elementary School this year continued a longtime tradition of packing holiday gift boxes for military personnel. Donations came from all second graders at Dent. This is their ninth year doing this project, said teacher Katie Bartelink, one of the organizers of the second grade project. A total of 16 boxes went to Korea, Germany, while others were going to submarines (unknown destinations), as well as Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Virginia.
Pencie and Ginger, the Escalon-based women and children’s boutique, recently announced its December fundraising initiative to support the Children’s Crisis Center in Oakdale. Throughout the month, Pencie and Ginger will be donating a portion of proceeds to the center, providing essential support to vulnerable children and women in the local community. This cause is deeply personal to Megan Silva, owner of Pencie and Ginger, who served as a co-chair for the Children’s Guardian Fund Dinner several years ago, in 2008. She reflected on her time spent with Elsie Martin, founder of the Children’s Guardian Home, whose inspiring dedication to helping children and families has stayed with Silva throughout the years. “This year, with the unfortunate cancellation of their largest fundraiser dinner, the center needs our community’s support more than ever, especially during the Christmas season,” Silva shared.
Coordinated by the Escalon Sunrise Rotary Club and hosted in cooperation with local churches, dozens of area seniors were treated to a special holiday treat on Friday night. The Dec. 6 gathering at Escalon United Methodist Church featured entertainment, a lasagna dinner, prize drawings and gift bag giveaways for all those in attendance, along with the opportunity to sing Christmas carols and enjoy some good conversation. “Really good turnout, looking like everyone is having a good time, we have a lot of returning individuals so that’s fun to see,” said Rotary Club member Dave Mantooth, one of the organizers, adding that they typically plan for about 60 diners.
Clear skies and cool temperatures set the stage for a successful Christmas on Main celebration in downtown Escalon; the festivities hosted in and around the Main Street Park area on Saturday, Dec. 7. There was no shortage of activities, from the time the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch singers took to the stage for a few tunes to the holiday light parade, food and merchandise booths open for business, and the guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus, taking time to visit with youngsters. Escalon Chamber of Commerce put on the event, which got underway at mid-afternoon Saturday and continued through the early evening. The centerpiece was the holiday light parade, which this year featured a couple dozen festive and unique entries and saw one of the largest crowds in recent memory turn out to enjoy it. Local churches, community service organizations, the EHS marching band, classic cars and more were included, and the Bracco family once again spent the year collecting stuffed animals – some 450 of them this year – to distribute to children as they drove along the parade route. Chosen as Grand Marshal was Megan McNinch, who helps coordinate several Chamber of Commerce event throughout the year.
In a special Escalon City Council meeting on Monday night, Dec. 9, Mayor David Bellinger bid farewell, stepping down from the dais and making way for newcomer Jeff Kay. Incumbent councilman Shawn Strohman and Kay were the top two vote getters in the Nov. 5 election, winning the two available four-year terms on the council. Bellinger ran for re-election and newcomer Gabriella Vargas also sought a council seat. Strohman received the most votes in the November election, with 1,771 and Kay was second at 1,492. Bellinger polled 1,222 votes with Vargas receiving 1,052. The results were certified by the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Serving the past two years as Mayor, Bellinger called the special meeting of the council to order on Monday night at 7 p.m. and, after the council adopted a resolution declaring the results of the election – which also included overwhelming passage of Measure P, a one percent sales tax for the city – Bellinger was presented with a special Certificate of Recognition and commemorative plaque. City Manager Jaylen French made the presentation, noting Bellinger’s “heart for the community” and his four years of “dedicated service” on the council. Later in the special session there was the swearing in ceremony for Strohman and Kay. French administered the oath and after Strohman and Kay took their seats on the dais, Mayor Pro Tem Andy Hagan was nominated for mayor by council member Malinda Walker and voted in to the position. Walker was then nominated by Strohman to serve as Mayor Pro Tem and also was voted in to that position.
From infants to teens, a total of 135 area children got some special holiday gifts, courtesy of the annual toy collection program hosted in Escalon. A cooperative effort of the Escalon Fire Department, Escalon Police Department and Escalon American Legion Post 263, this year’s toy drive successfully met the needs of 56 families within the Escalon Fire District. There were 66 girls and 69 boys signed up for the distribution. Age groups included infant, one- to three-years old, four- to six-years old, seven- to nine-years, 10- to 12-years and 13- to 15-years old. Greatest age category of need for the girls was seven to nine, with 18 girls signed up. For the boys, the highest need was in the 10 to 12 age group, with 21 boys registered. The giveaway operation started early Thursday morning, Dec. 19, as the volunteers gathered at the fire station on Coley Avenue and the toys were sorted into age groups, as well as by gender. Then, with the list of how many bags were needed for each age group and gender, the bagging began. Those families receiving gift bags for their children had to sign up in advance; the drive-thru distribution began at 10 a.m. Thursday, after all the bags were filled with toys and ready for delivery.
