The redwood picnic tables for the Valley Home Community Center Park have arrived and they are beautiful! Eight of them were handmade by a supplier living in Chinese Camp and this brings to mind an almost unbelievable bit of historical connection. In the early history of this area and before Oakdale became a town with its own post office, the residents here resided in Camp Washington. A search for the location of this site would lead you to Chinese Camp as it was the post office headquarters for this large Enumeration District. So 150 years later the connection is re-kindled. The tables will not be put in place until after the Thanksgiving holiday when they will be anchored into the concrete floor of the pavilion. One of the tables was specially made to provide compliance for handicapped visitors who may be in wheel chairs and wanted to use the facility. Valley Home wishes to thank the builder for this added convenience.
Word has been received that the flagpole for the park will be arriving this week so more things are falling into place as the project nears completion. Have you noticed that the grass seeds planted a couple of weeks ago are up and giving the ground a delicate green tinge of color?
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Friday, December 3rd will find our Valley Home residents braving the chilly weather and lining up in front of the Texas Ave. school campus to view our Community Lighted Christmas Parade which will begin at 6:30 p.m. With the nights beginning to get pretty chilly, we are reminded to bundle up, pack along some folding chairs, relax and sit back to enjoy Valley Home’s Annual Community Lighted Christmas Parade. We can’t think of a nicer or more colorful way to welcome in the Holidays. The parade seems to acquire more sparkle with each passing year! The question this year is who will be selected to appear as the Parade Grand Marshal? Previous Grand Marshals were Glenn and Laura Burghardt in 2006, Joe and Linda Perez in 2007, in 2008, Valley Home school bus driver Bonnie Gellerman, appeared, driving the beautifully lighted ‘Christmas’ School Bus, with its horn saluting the crowd of parade watchers, and in 2009 honoree, Elsie Martin led the parade, chauffeured by her son in a memorable vehicle. Who will be the honored Grand Marshal selected for this year’s parade?
Parade watchers are invited to head over to the Valley Home Multi-Purpose building to meet with friends and neighbors following the parade to enjoy the Annual Community Potluck Dinner. Everyone is encouraged to bring a favorite dish to share. Valley Home 4-H will provide Turkey, Ham, drinks and paper products. One couldn’t ask for a nicer way to begin the Holiday Season than to enjoy good food and an opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors!
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Valley Home P.T.C. members are busy getting ready for their Annual School Christmas Store where Valley Home students are given an opportunity to purchase gifts for their family members at a nominal price and gift wrapped by Santa’s helpers, AKA P.T.C. members. The students can preview the gift items on December 13th with the Christmas Store open for business December 15th thru the 16th.
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Happy Anniversary from all their Valley Home friends and neighbors to Kathy and Philip Shepherd!
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Happy Birthday wishes are sent to Pete Bartholomew, Carrie Tharpe and Stefanie Burghardt, who all celebrate their special day this week!
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Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!
