Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Class Of ’98 OHS Reunion
The 25-year reunion for the Oakdale High School Class of 1998 is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at Dying Breed Brewing in Oakdale. Join in the fun; the $25 ticket includes entry into the event, a drink ticket, music with a ‘90s band, and snacks. A food truck will also be available on site at an additional cost. For ticket information, contact Amy Velasco at 209-840-2273.
Summer Season Finale
The Trial of the Wicked Witch will be the final production of the summer, coming up at Hutton’s Hamlet in Oakdale. This musical comedy takes place in the Court of Once Upon a Time. Performances are scheduled for Friday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; the best part of the play is that the audience is the jury and gets to decide the outcome. Hutton’s Hamlet Performing Arts Center is at 132 W. G St., Oakdale. Tickets are $12 for adults; $8 for those 12 and under. Call for more information, 209-848-1216.
Saturday Market
The Oakdale Morning Market is open every Saturday on North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and will be hosted each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. Each week will include a few food truck vendors, as well as a number of vendors offering everything from produce, meat, eggs, bread and a variety of other food as well as fun items to give the market diversity.
Accordion Club Session
Coming up at the next regular meeting of the Good Time Accordion Club, enjoy special guests The Mike Esau Accordion Band. Meeting date is Sunday, Aug. 6, and the gathering will be at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Performers with the Mike Esau Accordion Band will be playing old standards and will be entertaining club members and guests the entire afternoon. In August only, the fun get-together will begin at 3 p.m. due to a conflict concerning the hall. In general, club meetings are the first Sunday of every month at 2:30 p.m. at the church; admission is $5 and free refreshments are provided.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
Saron Lutheran Church is planning a Spaghetti Fundraiser in August, offering it as either a sit-down dinner or you can drive through to pick it up. The date for the event is Friday, Aug. 11 and the meal begins at 5 p.m.; the church is at 1742 North St., Escalon. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under. The menu includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread and dessert. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Saron Lutheran Facilities Fund. To purchase tickets, call the Saron Lutheran Church office at 209-838-7695.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers dance group at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
TOPS Meetings
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Widowed Persons Group
Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-322-2184.
Astronomy Nights
The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks have planned monthly Astronomy in the Park nights through the end of 2023. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset at these events, hosted at Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. There is a $6 cash parking fee but no cost to attend the viewing events; all are held, weather permitting. Future dates and times are all scheduled for Saturday evenings, running through mid-December. Monthly dates include Aug. 19, 7:50 p.m., Lagoon Nebula, Trifid Nebula; Sept. 23, 7 p.m., Saturn, M57 (Ring Nebula); Oct. 21, 6:20 p.m., Star Cluster in Hercules, Dumbbell Nebula. Closing out the calendar year will be Nov. 18, 4:50 p.m., Jupiter, Saturn, Star Cluster and Dec. 16, 4:45 p.m., Saturn, M33 (Triangulum Galaxy). For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Monthly Market Place
All are invited to come to eat, shop and/or sell your wares at Market Place on Poplar, the first Saturday of each month. Hosted at Community United Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar in Oakdale, the event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Market Place offers an opportunity to shop for unique finds or enjoy a selection from Chef Lee’s popular lunch menu for dine in or take out. Interested vendors can contact craftfairinfo@yahoo.com for more information on reserving a $20 booth space. Additional dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
