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Valley Home News for December 12, 2012
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It was a cold and foggy evening on Saturday, however, it didn't dampen the spirits of all those who gathered to view our annual Valley Home Community Christmas Parade. Christmas spirit and warmth filled the air as residents gathered and lined the streets to watch the colorful annual Christmas Lighted Parade as it wound its way through the center of town.

The community Christmas in Valley Home was compared by more than one person to a Norman Rockwell painting. What a great evening! It was definitely a step back in time, and an evening of renewed friendships, young and old alike coming together for a special night. Dinner was a delicious meal with many tasty side dishes, to be enjoyed with traditional turkey, hams and dressing. A wonderful special treat was the hot from the oven tamales donated to our community from Taqueria XPress in Riverbank. They were very much enjoyed by all!

The evening started off with a beautiful lighted parade through downtown Valley Home. There was a delightful Dr. Seuss entry pulled by the most amazing beautiful horses, a spectacular candy cane float carrying 18 delightful merry makers, a shining red sleigh loaded with gifts for all, a group of mini motorcycles entertaining the crowd, the Valley Home News car carrying our Correspondent, Laura Burghardt, the beautiful Oakdale Historical Society Van Pelt fire truck driven by Historical Society president Ralph Damante, a brightly decorated gingerbread house float carrying the 2012 Grand Marshals, Marcel and Kathy Dickens, smiling and waving at the crowd of parade watchers. Next came a decorated "mule" tractor pulling happy kids singing Jingle Bells, several entries with horses, goats and dogs, and adding to excitement of the evening festivities was a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus seated in a glistening red sleigh and the final entry brought shouts of glee from the parade goers as the huge shining red and black Valley Home Rural fire truck rounded the corner with sirens blasting and lights flashing!

As the Valley Home 4-hers brought the parade to a close, the familiar strains of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer could be heard coming from Valley Home Park. Primary group 4-Hers, Emma Wucherer and Cooper Bartholomew led the group in singing Classic Christmas songs as our Grand Marshals, Marcel and Kathy Dickens lit our beautiful little Valley Home Christmas tree! All agree that it was a very beautiful evening in Valley Home.

Our grandson took some photographs of the Christmas Parade and they will be given to Winnie Mullen to share with interested residents.

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The night was marked with more excitement as several 4-Hers and parade goers eagerly jumped into their cars, and headed out of town to watch the big game. The Oakdale High Mustangs, including our alumni, Austin Jones, Nik Garza and Jordan McCain won the game and now head down south this week to compete for the State Championship! Go Mustangs!

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Recently someone stole the tailgate from a 2001 PU burgundy in color and broke one of the tail light lenses. It was parked in front of the garage. It was parked in the Valley Home community area and this should remind all residents that our vandalism continues.