The Oak Valley Art Society welcomes everyone to its Annual Fall Art Show at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St., on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20. Hours are Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. with a Reception on Sunday with the artists from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. All are encouraged to stop by the library and have a look at the artwork on display.
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The San Joaquin Valley Swiss Echoes, a singing and yodeling club in Ripon since 1947, is having its annual fall concert and dance on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Swiss Hall in Ripon, on the corner of Manley and East Main streets. There will be a variety of folk songs, yodels and entertainment from the 30-member group, with a special appearance by Kapelle Kariott, as they celebrate with a “Cabaret Night” for some silliness and fun. At the end of the evening you can enjoy dancing to the tunes of the Ron Scheiber Mike Inderbitzen Orchestra. Admission to the concert and dance is $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children under 16 are admitted free. For more information call Barbara Masterson at 209-667-1087.
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The Stanislaus Senior Foundation has awarded a grant to, and partnered with, the Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services. This partnership allowed Stanislaus County Aging and Veteran Services to obtain a used van, and with Foundation support, have it repaired to transport low income senior citizens from senior living facilities to participate in a senior lunch program. The program offers seniors free or low-cost meals three times a week. The Stanislaus Senior Foundation will continue to support the program by providing ongoing funding for maintenance of the van. Volunteer drivers operate the van. Currently there is a need for a Wednesday driver. No special license is required. The van operates between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. To volunteer, contact Arthur Ramirez at 209-525-4613.
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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, Oct. 23. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
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The Healthy Aging Association is currently looking for responsible individuals who would like to make a difference in the lives of older adults. Volunteer openings range from one-day events, once monthly or once/twice weekly. The opportunities vary from helping at a health fair to teaching chair exercise/balance classes to older adults. Free training is available for the committed volunteer. To learn more on how you can make a difference with older adults, plan to attend a Volunteer Orientation on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. to learn about the different opportunities. Call (209) 525-4670 or email Healthy.Aging2000@gmail.com for the location and to reserve your space. For more information on the Healthy Aging Association, visit their website at www.HealthyAgingAssociation.org.
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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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The McHenry Mansion Foundation is offering a one of a kind tour of Victorian Funeral Customs just in time for Halloween. Open to the public, the event is scheduled at the McHenry Mansion at 906 15th St., Modesto on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 28 through 30. Tickets are $7 online, at the Visitors Center or at the door. Self-guided walk-through tours of the beautiful historic Victorian McHenry Mansion will start at 5:30 p.m. with last entrance at 7:30 p.m. The Mansion will be draped in black crepe ribbon rosettes and display historic curiosities from the Victorian period and their fascination with death. Ticketed members of the public are welcome to visit the house and experience 19th Century embalming practices, death masks, séances, spiritualism and phrenology. For tickets or additional information contact the McHenry Mansion Visitors Center at 209-549-0428 or go online to McHenryMansion.org.
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Golden Agers weekly dances are open to those 50 and older from throughout the Central Valley and are hosted at the Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe 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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Soroptimist International of Oakdale is accepting applications for its Soroptimist Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women program. This program provides cash grants to women who are working to better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. Women are eligible to apply if they have the primary financial responsibility for themselves and their dependents including children, spouse, siblings, and/or parents, are attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational skills training program, and have financial need. Women throughout the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas are encouraged to apply for an award. Apply online at http://bit.ly/LYDApply or contact Jackie Hair, Chairperson, sioakdale@soroptimist.net, (209) 840-2134. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.
