Hi everyone; I hope you are all doing well. What an exciting week it has been. Throughout the week it was so much fun to sit on my front porch, I watched as so many beautiful rigs rolled down Valley Home Road headed to the rodeo grounds. Wow, we sure live in a special place.

During the week leading up to the rodeo, even as all those beautiful rigs were heading towards Oakdale, the town came alive with so many exciting events. Cowboys, cowgirls and regular townsfolk come out to be a part of this great tradition. So much fun all week long. On Friday, so many cowgirls and cowboys came in for the ‘slack’ events; parking areas were all completely full. It was amazing, as far as one could see pickup trucks and horse trailers lined even the road outside the rodeo grounds. Beautiful cowgirls, handsome cowboys came from near and far to make their mark on Oakdale Rodeo history. Saturday morning found crowds … huge crowds … lining the sidewalks for the annual Rodeo Parade. The parade did not disappoint; children with American flags waved them high in the air, with hundreds of folks clapping and cheering from the sidelines. Red, white and blue were definitely popular colors at the very patriotic parade.

Saturday afternoon saw contestants from all over the country show off their skills in the Oakdale Rodeo arena. Marg, our Oakdale Leader editor was right there … always right in the thick of things. It was definitely a Rodeo Weekend to remember. I would like to send a huge “Thank You” to our amazing Mayor Cher, truly a friend to all. Thank you, Cher, for all you do for all of us … including us in Valley Home.

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News from Valley Home School Board member Chris Hempleman … Much excitement as our classes were able to go on a wonderful ski trip to Dodge Ridge … other classes were able to go to a very special San Francisco Giants game. Now our students are looking forward to our school Jog-a-Thon.

A heads up to each of you; there are important things happening concerning our Fire District. We really need to hold a “Town Hall” type of meeting or gather in some fashion to discuss our firehouse. I am working on getting a meeting for us arranged; I hope you all can come, our opinions count. More information to come … it will also be posted as soon as available on Facebook … Valley Home Bulletin.

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Please remember each of you are invited to Easter Services here in Valley Home; we would love to have you.

Our St John’s Lutheran Church, Lone Tree Road

Services: Maundy Thursday 12 noon, Thursday, April 17th

Easter Eve Services, Saturday, 6 pm, April 19th

Sunday Service, Easter Sunday 8:30 am, April 20th

Regular Sunday Services … Every Sunday, 8:30 am

All are welcome

Our Valley Home Missionary Baptist Church, 13331 Valley Home Road

Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 am Sunday, April 20th

All are welcome

Speaker Bro. Steve Vasquez

Refreshments following service

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Please remember our East Stanislaus Fire Safe Council invites each one of us to their meeting this Monday evening, April 21st, at 6 pm. The meeting will be held at the Bianchi Center in Oakdale. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

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

Until next time, “Happy Trails To All!”