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.
Garden Club Luncheon
The Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club has its next meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 2 at 1 p.m., and the June session will be hosted in Farmington, at the United Methodist Church, 25626 Elm St., Farmington, off Escalon-Bellota Road. Program theme for the June gathering will be ‘Celebration’ with a salad luncheon and an awards presentation. Members are asked to bring a salad to share, ask a friend to join you in the salad making and accompany you to the luncheon. Drinks, dessert and tableware will be provided. Guests are also encouraged to come and enjoy the luncheon meeting.
70-Year Reunion
It will be a day to remember on Saturday, June 4 when several members of the Oakdale High School graduating class of 1952 – 70 years ago – gather locally to celebrate with a reunion. Hosting the 70th reunion will be Joe Gambini, opening up his Gambini Farms location along River Road to welcome in classmates from seven decades ago. Helping to coordinate the reunion is Carol Davis, who said organizers are ecstatic that over 20 classmates plan to be in attendance. Festivities are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on June 4 for socializing, along with a luncheon around noon.
Museum Benefit
Escalon Historical Society has planned a dinner and dancing fundraiser for Saturday, June 18. The Blue Jean Ball will feature music by the BluesBox Bayou Band and will be hosted outdoors in the relaxing and beautiful setting at the Del Rio Vista Garden, 25306 East River Road, Escalon. Tickets for the Blue Jean Ball will be pre-sale only and are available at a cost of $65 per person. For tickets or more information, call Sandy Russell at 209-838-1275. Tickets can also be purchased at the Escalon Museum, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m.; call 209-838-8070. The museum is at 1630 Main St., Escalon.
Weight Loss Group
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight 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.
Widowed Persons Support
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.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers 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. Drop in, 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.
Valley Artists Gather
Valley Art Association meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, except January and July. They meet in the Boy Scout Hall at 3017 High St., Riverbank. Members and visitors bring their art to share with the group. This non-profit group also promotes the annual Carriage Art Show to raise scholarship funds awarded to college-bound students majoring in art. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 14. For further questions about the group: ValleyArtAssociation@gmail.com
