Hello to each of you; I hope you are each having a very good day. What a nice time of the year it is. It’s almost time to get that garden started. Whether you plant a tiny garden with just a few seeds in a couple of buckets or a large garden to feed many … planting seeds, watching them grow, enjoying the bounty; it can sure bring joy to our souls!

*****

We offer congratulations to our Granny Basketball players; the “Grannies” played at Valley Home School this past week and enjoyed a great cheering section. What a fun bunch of ladies.

*****

This week I would like to share the hard work of an amazing group of folks. For years the Oakdale Sober Grad Committee has worked countless hours to give our graduating seniors a safe place to enjoy their high school graduation night. This year Sober Grad Night will take place after graduation on May 23 from 10pm until 5am. For many students, this will be the last time they will be together with their classmates. It is definitely a time to celebrate their friendships, and the excitement of an amazing future ahead of them.

For many of the folks on the Sober Grad Committee, they have worked hard for many, many years to make this special night happen. Several of these very selfless people no longer have children in high school … yet they continue to work to make this night a reality for our Oakdale High School seniors. This group is making a huge difference. The group is led by a very special woman, Sandi Casey. She has dedicated much of her life to creating a safe environment for our children. She, along with a very hardworking group of devoted folks have worked not just one event, but many years of Sober Grad nights.

This night truly saves lives. It gives our kids a chance to celebrate together while making a safe and sober choice of how they celebrate.

For each of you reading this, please consider helping in any way you can. Whether you have a student at the high school or not, your help is greatly needed. Donations of any kind, big or small, can help make this night a reality. Whatever you can do, would be so much appreciated … a donation of money would help purchase needed items; a donation of food would help feed a very hungry bunch of kids.

As of now your help is also much needed in the following areas:

*Vendor Coordinator

*Food Chairperson

*Secretary for the Committee

*Purchase from “Amazon Wish List”

*Volunteers to help set up the day before

*Volunteers to work the night of event (There are three shifts: 10pm-2am, 2am-4am and a tear down crew 4am-6am).

Next planning meeting is April 15 at 6pm at Mountain Mikes Pizza. Please come to this important meeting; help create a safe and fun night for our 2025 Oakdale High School graduating class.

*****

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

Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”