Canning Essentials
All are welcome to join with the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club for one of their most entertaining meetings of the year. Snacks, games and prizes galore will kick off the holiday season. Come to Farmington on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m., to taste and enjoy holiday jams and jellies, made by an expert. Cheree Hill will bring her “Jars of Delicious” to sample, as well as teach about the ins and outs of holiday canning. Hill’s tasty presentation will include jams, jellies, fruit butters and pie fillings to savor as well as colorful holiday jam jars and gift baskets to purchase. The meeting will be held at the Farmington Methodist Church meeting hall, located at 25626 Elm St, Farmington.
Sunday Breakfast
The Odd Fellows monthly breakfast in La Grange is always on the second Sunday at the IOOF Hall. Join in on Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for a menu of biscuits and gravy, sausage, ham and cheese omelets and all you can eat pancakes. Complimentary coffee and orange juice round out the meal. The breakfast price is now $8 for ages 13 and up. Child rates have remained unchanged, 6 to 12 are $3, those 5 and under eat for free. Add 50 cents for each takeout order. There’s also a special offer of free breakfast to active military personnel with an ID.
TOPS Meeting
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.
Vendors At Barn
The first of the Christmas at Grandpa’s Barn events is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 through 8 at 17693 Enterprise Road, Escalon. Hosted by Lorina’s Edible Garden, hours are Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy workshops, vendors, food and drinks. The second weekend event runs Dec. 13 through 15.
Library Activities
Festive fun for youngsters at the Oakdale Library as it hosts a “Children’s Craft” on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. Children are invited to create a “Light-Up” Snowman Ornament ideal for hanging or gifting. They will have all the items necessary for making this guy “shine” in your own unique way. All week, Dec. 16-21, don’t forget to “Find the Missing Reindeer Antlers” hidden in the Children’s Library, and get a small prize. Toddler/Preschool Dance Fun is set for Monday, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.
Weekly Dances
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.
Craft Faire Cancellation
Due to lack of interest and scheduling conflicts the La Grange Odd Fellows’ Christmas Craft Fair originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7 has been cancelled. For information on future IOOF Craft Events, call Patty at (209) 604-4444.
Join With Toastmasters
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, Dec. 11. For more information, call (209) 869-8200.
Card Crafts
Stampin’ Up! Card Classes are on the schedule in neighboring Escalon, with opportunities to learn about the craft and create some special cards at unique classes offered by Debbie Megenney and Gerri Andrade. December classes are set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 19, 9 a.m. on Dec. 18 and 20, just in time for the holidays. Call 209-324-6947 for more information or to sign up for classes.
Program Driver Needed
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.
Matilda On Stage
The Stockton Civic Theatre is now staging “Matilda the Musical”. The play runs through Dec. 15 with performances on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. The musical is based on the children’s novel Matilda by Roald Dahl and was initially staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company before becoming a Broadway hit that won five Tony Awards. Rated PG, ticket prices are adults $29, seniors (60 and above) $24, children and students (any age) $17. The box office for the Stockton Civic Theatre-Clyde Nielsen Auditorium, 2312 Rosemarie Lane, Stockton, is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as two hours before performances. The box office phone is (209) 473-2424. You can also purchase tickets online at sctlivetheatre.com.
