Debbie Croft: Holiday events fill warmer weekends in the foothills
The weather outside was frightful last weekend, disrupting plans for events in the mountain communities. But this weekend should be sunny and warmer. The following list includes originally scheduled and rescheduled events in Mariposa, Madera and Tuolumne counties:
In conjunction with the tour, a boutique, raffle and refreshments will be held during the same hours at the Church of the 49ers at Parrotts Ferry Road and Jackson Street in Columbia.
Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored. Tickets are still available and may be purchased at Mountain Bookshop and Joan’s Boutique in Sonora, and at Seven Sisters Soap and Candle shop in Columbia. Call (209) 536-0270 or email aauwsonora@hotmail.com for details.
Guest appearances include: Bobby Black, world-renowned master on steel guitar (both lap and pedal) who has performed with more than 100 artists in a career spanning more than 50 years; and singer-songwriter Jimmy Collier, who traveled with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., opened for Pete Seeger, appeared on “Sesame Street” and played in Carnegie Hall. Kirk Moulin, John Kilburn, Eddie Guzman, Arnie Johnson and Cliff Neufeld will complete the cowboy band.
Tickets are available at the church for $15 each. Seating is limited. Call (559) 683-4673 for details.
Johnson was the founder of the Merced College String Orchestra and a former member of Sons of the San Joaquin. He holds the Western Music Association’s Instrumentalist of the Year Award for 2007.
Also on Sunday, Johnson will treat audiences to selections performed from his newest CD, “American Gospel: Songs of My Father,” which will be released in January.
The concert will be held in the Fiester Auditorium of Mariposa County High School at the east end of Eighth Street. Tickets are available at the Mariposa County Arts Council (upstairs at Chocolate Soup), at the Visitors Center (Highways 140 and 49 North) or at the door. For more information, call (209) 966-3155 or go to www.mariposaartscouncil.org.
Santa is planning to arrive at the firehouse at noon. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies will keep tummies from growling while waiting in line for photos.
From 1 to 4 p.m., a complimentary holiday meal will be served at the old schoolhouse. And the Christmas boutique at the IOOF Hall takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. (Proceeds from the breakfast and boutique will be used for restoration of the historic lodge.)
The Gold Country Singers will perform holiday favorites at the Methodist church at 3 p.m. And at 5 p.m. there will be story time in the IOOF Hall. For details, call (209) 878-3792.
This story was originally published December 12, 2013 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Holiday events fill warmer weekends in the foothills."