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.
Holiday Showcase
Christmas at the Barn will be hosted at Lorina’s Edible Garden, 17397 Enterprise Road, from Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 11. There will be vendors galore with items ranging from handcrafted gifts to homemade jams and jellies, books, candles, Scentsy items, jewelry and more. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Also during the sale days, Lorina’s Edible Garden market will be open, featuring dried spice blends, soaps and lotions, home décor, herbs and succulents and gift baskets. For more information, call 209-402-7567 or find them on Facebook.
Weight Loss Support
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. at the Community United Methodist Church on Poplar. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight can contact Audrey for more information, call 209-765-7838.
Golden Agers
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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; contact Ellie DeJesus at 209-277-5584 or Lupe Padron at 209-573-5014. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Gift Giving Ideas
The ‘Merry Month of Christmas Museum Sale’ runs through Wednesday, Dec. 21, hosted by the Escalon Historical Society. Sales of items at the gift shop help to support the museum, and the holiday specials are offered during regular hours, noon to 4 p.m. each Wednesday and Saturday at the museum, 1630 Main St., Escalon. There are children’s themed gift bags of train totes and grandma’s closet; goody-filled Norman Rockwell mugs, handmade Christmas stockings, vintage nutcrackers and a variety of other items. Historical books are for sale, there are T-shirts, puzzles, hats and more.
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.
Good Time Accordion Club
Members of the Good Time Accordion Club will have their next meeting on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 2:30 p.m., at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. A $5 donation is requested at the door; come and enjoy the musical performances. The group meets monthly in Escalon and has members from throughout the area. Meetings are hosted on the first Sunday of each month, with the exception of the upcoming January session, since the first Sunday will be on New Year’s Day. Additional 2023 gatherings are scheduled for Feb. 5, March 5, April 9, May 7, June 4, July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
