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.
Craft Fair Upcoming
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Parish Center in Oakdale, at 55 Oak Ave., will be the site for a two-day craft fair, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 12 and 13. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. This is the perfect time to start the holiday shopping as there will be more than 60 booths, inside and outside, featuring handmade items, some commercial vendors, specialty foods, Christmas-themed items and more. There will also be a Holiday Photo Booth with Santa and a bake sale.
Garden Club Meeting
Members of the Escalon-Farmington Garden Club will gather for their next session on Thursday, Nov. 3. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. The guest speaker will touch on Community Service as their topic and the general meeting for the club will follow the speaker. There will be door prizes, snacks and the opportunity to discuss gardening. For more information, call 209-613-8708 or email: escalonfarmingtongc@gmail.com
Van Allen Breakfast
Bring your appetite and plan to attend the annual Hunter’s Pancake Breakfast, which will be served up on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Van Allen Elementary School. The school is along Highway 120 at Van Allen Road, west of Escalon. Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, ham, biscuits and gravy, and more and is served from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 3 to 10 years old. For tickets, call Lizzi Langum at 209-838-2011.
Saron Lutheran Market
On Saturday, Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saron Lutheran Church on North Street in Escalon will present its festive Kris Kringle Market. This annual event will feature handmade holiday gift items, as well as an assortment of baked goods, fudge and jams. There will also be an opportunity to win a quilt. A lunch of chili, cornbread and pumpkin pie by the slice will also be available for purchase. Santa is scheduled to be in attendance, so bring children of all ages to visit the jolly fellow, receive a candy cane and take a photo.
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. 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.
Weight Loss Support
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 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.
