Talk about a flurry of activity.
A recent week saw me covering two – not one, but two – events on a Tuesday.
Unheard of, since Tuesday is deadline day for our Oakdale and Riverbank papers. Even more, both events were in Escalon, so that meant a couple of round trips from our Oakdale office to Escalon for coverage.
The Escalon paper goes to press on Monday nights; therefore, the Tuesday events I covered on Feb. 11 weren’t featured in The Times until the Feb. 19 issue. But they were things that needed to be covered. More importantly, they were things I needed to cover.
First, it was the signing of a Letter of Intent by outstanding student-athlete Ryan Lewis. He spent four years on the varsity football team and it is that sport that he was recruited for by Division 1 Fresno State, where he will continue his football career as a Bulldog. After having covered Ryan on the football field for four seasons – watching him win league, section, NorCal and state titles – and also chronicling him on the basketball court along with his scholastic activities, there was no way I was missing that ceremony. An invitation was extended to me by the family to attend; they were quick to note they wanted me there as much as a friend as opposed to a newspaper editor, and I had the chance to pose with Ryan after his signing. He always ended every interview I did with him with a handshake and a “Thank you so much” – this time I told him I wouldn’t accept a handshake; he wasn’t getting away without a hug.
Later the same day, a dedication for the newly refurbished varsity baseball field on the Escalon High School campus and a retirement ceremony for the Number 9 jersey worn by the late Greg Largent. Greg was a longtime educator at El Portal Middle School and coached many sports at the high school level, most notably his years with the EHS baseball program that produced plenty of league and section crowns and two state titles.
During baseball season, we had our weekly phone interview on Sundays; sometimes he would have to get the dog to be quiet, sometimes we would start out by talking about the Giants and how they were doing before getting to a review of his team’s games for the week. His wife Cindy and former EHS teacher and coach Bob Loureiro – from whom Greg took over the reins of the varsity baseball program – joined together to cut the ribbon that dedicated the field. That in itself was a massive undertaking, as project coordinators raised “100K in 100 days” to bring the field revival effort to fruition. Greg’s family, including his dad, brother, two sons, daughters-in-law, four grandsons and wife Cindy, were all there. It was an emotional ceremony and yet cathartic in a way; the spirit of Number 9 is going to be in that Cougar dugout this season, of that I have no doubt.
Both events showcased the culmination of hard work, perseverance and dedication. They also highlighted those things that make our small communities special. Whether it is longtime business owner Steve Medlen and his iconic House of Beef in Oakdale being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Chamber of Commerce or the historic 100th career win for Riverbank varsity girls basketball coach (and former Lady Bruin player) Janelle Luu as her team continued its playoff run – these are the things that the best memories are made of. These are the things that matter here; these are the moments to celebrate.
Marg Jackson is editor of The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at mjackson@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.
