Valley Home 4-H members had a busy weekend serving up food and soft drinks at their booth at the Oakdale Rodeo as they have been doing for many, many years.
*****
Leading the display of floats for the Rodeo Parade was the Oakdale Historical Society owned historical 1951 assembled in Oakdale Van Pelt Tanker Fire Truck with Oakdale Mayor Pat Paul and Councilwoman Morgan smiling and waving to the crowd from the top of the truck. Oakdale Historical Society president Ralph Damante has worked on the restoration of the vehicle and drove the truck with he and member Glenn Burghardt taking turns hitting the siren button with enthusiasm as the crowd of parade watchers reciprocated with applause!
*****
Members of the Oakdale Garden Club received enthusiastic response from parade watchers with their flower and plant decorated historic truck driven by Oakdale Garden Club president, Marilyn Taylor. The truck was lovingly restored by husband Bob Taylor and carried the Club treasurer, Grace Griggs and 37-year garden club member and 17 times past president, Laura Burghardt. Junior Garden Club members carried the club’s banner accompanied by members and honorary garden trowel’s carrier dog. Unfortunately, the truck underwent a mechanical problem and was unable to finish the parade, however, the children proudly marched on to finish the parade with walking adults and faithful trowel carrier.
*****
Members of our Valley Home 4-H will be back in action again this coming Saturday and will be found manning the Valley Home 4-H booth in front of Tractor Supply in Oakdale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, where they will be selling baked goodies and offering car washing to raise funds for Jason Zenker, son of the store manager, who is in need of funds for his cancer treatments. Jason is 16 years old and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Jeff Zenker, Jason’s father, has been gracious with our Valley Home 4-H Club in the past in fundraising and the Club would like to do something to help Jeff. If you have any questions please contact Ashley and Christina Barreto, Fundraiser Coordinators for Valley Home 4-H at 847-6470.

Valley Home members of the Oakdale Garden Club will be found helping out at the Club’s Booth at Tractor Supply on April 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where they will be celebrating Dogwood Days in Oakdale and offering the trees for sale. Oakdale Garden Club celebrated the first Arbor Day celebration with the planting of Dogwoods throughout the town. This action was led by member Annie Gilbert while the group was still a section of the Oakdale Women’s Club in 1909. Oakdale is the only local area where Dogwoods can be found growing successfully. This weekend the Club will offer seedlings up to 3’ (1 gal pots) at $9, original Seedlings from trees planted 80-90 years ago in Oakdale, various sizes at $18 and trees up to 5’ tall in 5 gal. pots at $35. The garden club will also be offering sunflower seeds to plant for children to watch grow.
*****
The Valley Home MAC meeting will be tonight at the school library on the Pioneer Ave. campus. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and there are several very important items to be heard and discussed.
*****
An Oakdale Car Show will also be held on Saturday, April 21 at Wood Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This show will be unlike any other car show you will experience. At the center of the show will be actual race cars (track and drag) and teams that will make you think you have been transported to a race track. Touch, talk, take photos and learn from the racers what makes this sport so special. In addition, stroll through our car alley and learn about all the different makes and models, grab a bite to eat at our outdoor BBQ or one of the many fine restaurants in the area, listen to some live music, enter the raffle or visit the many vendors that will line the shaded park. A special feature is that some of the exhibited cars are locally owned. So visit the show and get to know our hometown drivers and take some photos of their colorful cars. The Oakdale Car Show is a FREE event for anyone wanting to come hang out on pit row and experience something a bit different.
*****
President Glenn Burghardt reminds you not to miss the Oak Valley Spring Art Show this weekend being held at the Escalon Library. Viewing is noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday with a reception and presentation of awards from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.