Valley Home residents have enjoyed an exciting year of events! In January the O.H.S. Decathlon Team met at Valley Home members Evan Boggs and Ryan Burghardt’s homes, to gear up for the event with 6 hour practice sessions. Former resident Chad Burghardt joined the Navy and during training, out of 933 recruits, graduated with one of the highest honors, the Navy League Award for superior performance of duty in addition to other awards.
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February brought the exciting news that the O.H.S. Decathlon Team was proclaimed the county winner for the 9th consecutive year, with both Evan and Ryan bringing home special honors. Team members then readied for State competition. The annual Valley Home 4-H Valentine Day Box social was a delicious success!
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A large crowd filled St John’s Church to enjoy an afternoon of silent movie fun on St. Patrick’s Day, with Dave Moreno playing the organ and Matias Bombal offering movie history. Audience members enjoyed hearing “Danny Boy” beautifully sung by Wallace Barnhill and viewing Harold Lloyd in the movie “Speedy.
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April offered lots of fun for all at the annual 4-H Easter Egg Hunt!
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Garrett Bryhni told us that the Valley Home 4-H team really put their hearts into the Relay For Life event held at O.H.S. in May. Joe and Linda Perez represented Valley Home at the Bi-Annual MAC meeting at Knights Ferry and Joe told of the many projects that Valley Home has been involved in.
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Lots of excitement in June as our 8th grade class got ready to leave for Washington, D.C. Valley Home 4-H was well represented at State Presentation Day. Dedicated volunteer workers begin framework for the pavilion at the Valley Home Community Park.
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July found Ron Smith, Justin Trunnel, Kevin Hart and John Thompson at work on the new underground sprinkler system in front of the V.H. School Multi-purpose room, and our 4-Hers busy getting ready for the County Fair. History was made when work commenced on the V. H. Community Center Pavilion. We all had a great time at the fun filled V.H. PTC sponsored Graffiti Back 2-School Night.
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Oakdale Garden Club members volunteer to plant 4 types of Oak trees at the V.H. Community Center in response to a request from the V.H. Community Center Board. August found residents very proud of all our 4-H’ers and their winning efforts at the Stanislaus County Fair. Glenn and Laura Burghardt provided an exhibit featuring Oakdale’s Connection to the Civil War at the Oakdale Library.
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V.H. 4-H officers met to plan the year’s activities. Burglaries continue to plague our community in September.
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October found the V.H. Harvest Festival and Scarecrow contest in full swing with Gina Betschart serving up delicious goodies at the food booth. Valley Home 4-H held their Annual 4-H Banquet and Officer Installation with members receiving recognition for their work and introduction of new members.
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Our 4-H’ers hosted a very successful fundraising Spaghetti dinner in November made possible by the hard work of Ashlyn Bertao and her family, with funds going to benefit the Sheriff’s K-9 unit. Joseph Perez, chairman of the V.H. Community Center Board reported a power pole has been installed at Valley Home Community Park, and next step is establishment of power boxes and trenching for power and water lines.
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Grand Marshal for this year’s Valley Home Community Lighted Christmas Parade was Elsie Martin who led a parade of gaily decorated floats on the parade route. Following the parade participants and viewers retired to the Valley Home Multi-purpose Room to enjoy a delicious pot luck dinner.
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It was a great Valley Home Year!
