Who Cares?...

This column began as a piece about summer; the revival of ones spirit as they smile at the sun, embrace each day and perhaps reminisce on days gone by.

More Than A Rescue

The Nissen family of Escalon are hardly strangers to rescuing pets from local shelters. According to mom Michelle their current dog Melody, a Dachshund/ terrier mix is the third dog they have rescued from the Oakdale Animal Shelter. Due to a tragic accident taking the life of their second Oakdale rescue dog, Mia, a Chihuahua/terrier mix found the family back at the shelter in the Spring of 2008. "We had adopted Mia and several months ...

Reflections From The Front

Thank you for calling the Oakdale Leader.

Area Student Leads Trail Ride For St. Jude’s

Amanda Autrey loves horses.

Senior Information Day Slated For June 5

Oakdale senior citizens will gather in a new place on Friday, June 5, but not to attend an exercise or art class. Friday, June 5 will mark the Eighth Annual Oakdale Senior Information Day.

Mommy Musings

My two children are still very young. This June they will reach the prime ages of two and five. The lessons they still have yet to learn in life, decision-making and heartbreak are all well ahead of them.

More Than Livestock

If passion and enthusiasm could be bottled and sold, the student participants of Valley Home 4-H Public Speaking would be set for life. While the group of over one dozen students may vary in age, background and personal interests, they all share one thing in common - a love for public speaking.

Tri-City MOMS

A day at the park filled with sunshine and laughter. Children swing as their mothers gently push them to and fro, while others run and play in the sand.

Moments Remembered From The Sidelines

Those who know me, know that I am not one often at a loss for words. Opinionated, chatty, excessive talker; these are all titles I know have been attached to my name. Column writing I feel is a simple extension of this gift for gab. It is an opportunity to place unsolicited thoughts and opinions into a format read by many.

Redefining A Dream

Even doctors have dreams. For Oakdale pediatrician Dr. Krystyna Belski, a childhood dream of traveling to Kilimanjaro has now taken on a new life. The land she once dreamed of visiting, she now hopes to help. "Since I was a young girl in Poland it was my dream to go on Kilimanjaro," the doctor shared. "I watched the movie, I read the book. It was so exotic for me." In early spring of 2007 Dr. ...

For The Children

One only need look to the varying community projects supported by the Kiwanis Club of Oakdale to understand its mission. First formed locally in 1954, the Oakdale club will celebrate 55 years of serving the community later this year.

Far From Over

Debi Bonsack has spent most of her life viewing the world through the eyes of an artist. Surrounded by her mother and two aunts who were artists, the Oakdale native cannot remember a time in her life when she thought of anything other than being an artist when she grew up.

We Need You

Here it is again. The time of the year, where at the paper we settle down from all the celebrations surrounding Rodeo Week and quickly recover as we prepare for Oakdale's Annual Relay for Life.

Mommy Musings-Ponies, Playthings And Grad Caps

Graduation season is once again here.

Mommy Musings - A Relayer’s Return And Hope

My column is a week late.

Mommy Musings - Explaining The Unexplainable

I'm still recovering from Boston.

Mommy Musings - Horse Trailers And High Heels

And so it goes … another Rodeo Week has been put to rest in the Chapter Book which encompasses my Oakdale life.

Reporter’s Notebook – A Tainted Finish

Monday, April 15 did not start for me as it did my friend and running teammate Cathy McClelland or Oakdaleans Vanessa Walton and Tom Burchell, or Jesse Santana of Riverbank. I did not board a motor coach in my sneakers with a race bib pinned to the front of my shirt in anticipation of running the 117th Boston Marathon.

Mommy Musings – Empowering Adjectives

Transitioning from my Reporter role at the Oakdale Leader was necessary in my life for a number of reasons. The one most at the core were my children. I knew I needed to work full-time. I knew I needed to stay local, but I desperately needed flexibility.

Mommy Musings - Pint Size Therapy

There are some days I think I'm wiser than others, when it comes to parenting.

Mommy Musings – A Moment Captured

Mommy Musings – So They Grow

They're growing up.

Mommy Musings – Guilt Free Mommy

There are a number of things I thoroughly enjoy about being a parent. Many of them I have the pleasure of being able to share here, with our readers. Among my 'favorite' things in the way of living with children, would be their innate ability to point things out which adults may give little thought to. I am of the belief that children not only pay attention, but understand ...

Mommy Musings – Proper Usage of Tools

Generally speaking, I'm an analytical type. More simply put, I think too much. Personally, I think it's inherent with becoming a mommy; however I have many male friends who struggle with the same topic. It's a two part problem for me, as I wake at 3 a.m. to recount what day it is and what I need to remember to stuff in my children's backpacks to which activity or ...

Mommy Musings – No ‘ing’ In Sportsmanship

It's barely February and yet here I find myself, penning yet another 'sports related' column. Truth be told there was a time when new sports reporters passed through our office on a routine basis. During that period I thought it might be fun to maybe 'switch it up' and actually approached Editor Marg Jackson with a proposal of possibly getting my feet wet in the Sports section. Much to ...

Mommy Musings - Holidays At The DMV

My month of December was not dissimilar from most of our readers. It was packed full of parties, shopping, holiday tradition and even a little quality family time.

Mommy Musings – What Awaits You

It's been a few weeks since I've forced my mind to share some thoughts. Truthfully we all need a reprieve on occasion and as the only staffer who does this weekly, there does come a point where I too must take a break.

Mommy Musings - We Made It

We survived. If you're reading this, then the world indeed did not end. Or perhaps it did and now you and I are left with the cockroaches to figure out what's next. Chances are, however, both are highly unlikely, not to mention improbable. I am no scientist, but after living through the let down of the Y2K hype I consider myself 'experienced' in such silliness. Of ...