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 Meet
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Community Garden Club invite all interested to attend their Thursday, Oct. 3 meeting, being hosted at Zinc House Farm along Highway 120 west of Escalon. Starting at 1 p.m., the meeting will wrap up by 3 p.m., and the feature will be a tour of the Zinc House Farm. The guest speaker, from the farm, will be first on the agenda, followed by snacks, and then the business meeting closes out the session. There will also be a drawing for door prizes. The club meets regularly on the first Thursday of the month, except for a brief break in the summer. All area gardening enthusiasts are encouraged and welcome to attend.
Saturday Tour
Six area gardens will be open for touring on Saturday, Oct. 5. The annual fundraising event planned by Oakdale Garden Club is the opportunity to tour six gardens in the East Oakdale area from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Ticket/booklets are $25. The Oakdale Garden Club is a very active group with activities and projects for the community. Tickets are available from any Garden Club member, in Oakdale at A Touché of Flowers (822 W. F St.) and Plant Patience (654 N. Yosemite) along with Morris Nursery in Riverbank, Westurf, and other nurseries in Ripon, Manteca, and Turlock. For more information, contact Linda King, Event Co-Chairperson, at 916-802-0607 or OakdaleCAGardenClub@gmail.com
Autumn Gathering
A special ‘Oakdale Autumn Gathering’ is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at Kerr Park on North Stearns Road, Oakdale; hours will be from noon to 9 p.m., and organizers said there will be something for everyone including a Kid Zone, entertainment and laser show. Admission is free for the entire family and there will be more than 40 vendors with wares for sale along with various local businesses including: Seed 2 Cup Coffee, Waffle Bros. and Sourdough & Co. Local musicians performing are scheduled to include Jamie Byous, Neil Buettner, and the Wet Bandidos. Organizers said proceeds from raffles at the event will benefit several local families in the form of gift cards for their Thanksgiving dinner. For more information, visit: www.oakdaleautumn.com
Holiday Bazaar
Set aside the date and plan to attend the Escalon United Methodist Church Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 26. The event will be hosted at the church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon and run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; this year marks the 27th annual holiday bazaar. Featured will be handmade crafts, gifts and holiday items, needlework, a drawing for an opportunity quilt – with tickets for the drawing available on site – wood crafts, homemade jams/jellies and frozen ready-to-bake homemade pies. Those attending can also enjoy a soup and pie lunch, with bread and beverage included, for $12. For more information, contact the Escalon United Methodist Church at 209-838-2792.
Dancing Group
Members of the Golden Agers dance group meet 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. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Weight Loss Support
Members of the local TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Monthly Music
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continue until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Micke Grove Halloween
Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi will be the site for a favorite Halloween-themed event, the annual Trunk O’ Treat, set for Friday, Oct 11. There will be decorated cars, activities for kids, pumpkin decorating, food trucks and candy. This is a pre-registered event, with the link launch set for Sept. 23. The event itself runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. More information about volunteering is available by visiting sjparks.com or by calling 209-953-8800. To donate candy, call 209-331-2050.
Fun Bunch Walkers
The Escalon Senior Fun Bunch Walkers invite everyone in the area to join them for their weekly walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a park in Escalon. They meet at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. Fun Bunch walkers are a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. You do not have to be a Fun Bunch member to attend; all are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Irish Jam
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Widowed Persons
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.
