Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. We welcome submissions of one-time or ongoing gatherings in the region. To have an event featured, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Museum Events
Members of the Escalon Historical Society Museum welcome all area residents to stop by and tour the museum, at 1630 Main St., Escalon, to learn about local history and browse the gift shop items. The regular museum hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Also, a reminder that the first Wednesday of each month is designated as Reminisce Day with attendees encouraged to share stories from the community’s past, with refreshments served. The next Reminisce Day will be observed on Wednesday, June 3.
Golden Agers Gather
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group is always looking to expand its membership. They 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.
Summer Reading Kickoff
The Oakdale Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge is underway and all are welcome to join the celebration with a special event at the library, 151 S. First Ave., Oakdale, on Thursday, June 11 at 11 a.m. Children are invited to learn about kinetic energy, Emperor Nero, and freezing points while making ice cream. All ages can learn about the Summer Reading Challenge and upcoming summer events at the library. The Oakdale Family Resource Center will also be there to provide yard games, information, as well as free lunches and books for kids. Designed for ages 5 and up. Space and supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sponsored by Friends of the Oakdale Library and The Oakdale Center for Human Services.
Garden Club Wrap
Members of the Escalon Farmington Community Garden Club will be gathering for one final time before going on their summer break for the next few months. The club is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 4 at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Meeting time is 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the gathering will feature a year-end potluck luncheon. The club will go dark for July and August; meetings will resume in September.
Tuesday Markets
Back for the summer, Tuesday Downtown Markets are being offered every Tuesday evening in June and July in Riverbank. There will be food, crafts, music, and activities for kids. Each Tuesday night event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the series officially kicked off on June 2 and the next event will be offered on June 9.
Brennan’s Parlor
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.
Band Performance
The Oakdale Community Concert Band will next perform on July 14. The concert will be an audience favorite featuring patriotic music and coincide with an ice cream social. The free performance starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale. All are invited to attend.
Widowed Persons Support
Open to those throughout the area, the 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 209-318-5100.
Join The Jam Session
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 continues 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.
Walking Group
Conversation and exercise – all area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
TOPS Meeting
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members 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.
