Hi everyone, I hope you are all well and enjoying this beautiful Christmas Season!

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Our Valley Home Lighted Christmas Parade is this coming Saturday, December 20th at 6:30 pm. No signups … parade entries need to be in line by the park/school at 6:15 pm.

Immediately after our parade, three times around the block, we head back to the park. Our Grand Marshal will light our very special little community Christmas Tree. We will enjoy our sweet Bonnie’s Cookie exchange. All are encouraged to bring a dozen … take a dozen. At 7:30pm we will walk (or drive) around the corner from the park to the Lutheran Church. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Lieutenant and Pastor Brock Condit will lead us in a non-denominational prayer for local 14-year-old Jett and for all who are fighting a battle of any kind.

All are welcome; come as you are and I hope to see there.

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I am so excited to announce our 2025 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal. This year our Grand Marshal is Mrs. Karen Bianchi. Karen is a longtime Valley Home resident who dearly loves her community. In October 1975 Leonard and Karen Bianchi moved their family to the Valley Home Road property and established Bianchi Club Lambs. Chris, Kelly, and Mike enrolled in Valley Home School. They were members of Valley Home 4-H under the guidance of leaders, Patty Charles and Brigita Knudsen. This very large and active club offered a variety of projects. Leonard and Karen were the sheep leaders. During this time, the Valley Home 4-H planted the eucalyptus trees that border the playground on the new school campus. A few years later, Chris and friends built a chain-link fence along the back of the school to keep coyotes and stray dogs out. The Bianchi’s property had an aging house, a rundown barn, and many weeds and thistles. Within time the family cleared the land and rebuilt the large barn that still stands today. Many live auction lambs and sales were held there to market the lambs from Bianchi Club Lambs. Along with being active in 4H and active in FFA, the Bianchi kids were often successful sheep exhibitors at the Stanislaus County Fair, Cow Palace, and the California State Fair. For four years in a row, they had the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the California State Fair and for several years, members of the Valley Home 4-H won several championships at the shows.

Although Leonard passed away in 2006, Karen remained on the ranch. And in March 2021 she sold the home place to her son Chris and his wife Kim and divided the sheep between her three children. Recently, Chris and Kim completed the building of the home. You see their beautiful home near the school on Valley Home Road. Karen lives there with her family with lots of entertainment from her grandsons. Another generation to raise and show lambs for Bianchi Club Lambs. Tyler, Troy and Trevor are all involved and very active in 4H and FFA. They manage the activities at the ranch. They are members of Sierra 4-H and Oakdale FFA.

Chris and Kim are the co-leaders of the Sierra 4-H sheep group along with community leader Gina Bruederle, who was also once a member of Valley Home 4-H. Bianchi Club Lambs continues and is thriving. Some of the finest sheep available. To contact Karen, Kim, or Chris you may call 209-996-6552.

We all look forward to seeing our 2025 Valley Home Christmas Parade Grand Marshal, Mrs. Karen Bianchi as she comes down the parade route.

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As always, you may reach me by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com or by text or telephone at 209-985-5233.

Merry Christmas to each of you!