Debbie Croft: November events in the foothills

A lot of family activities are planned during the next couple weeks, wrapping up one season and preparing for another.

The Trans Valley Youth Football League Super Bowl will be hosted by Mariposa for the seventh year. Bob Kirchner and a dedicated group of parents and volunteers organize this event. Local businesses sponsor by providing donations, loaning equipment and offering services.

Teams from Modesto, Denair, Ripon, Hughson, Hilmar, Patterson, Mariposa and other regional communities will gather at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds for the final playoffs of the season.

Sheri Parker-Toledo’s two boys played in the league, with Mariposa Bears, for eight years. She’s thankful for the character traits they developed, but also for the community’s continued support.

“This program couldn’t run without the volunteers,” she said.

The league emphasizes responsibility and good sportsmanship in children ages 6 to 14, while teaching the fundamentals of football and cheerleading. The league is composed of 25 teams from across the Central Valley.

Check the league’s page on Facebook for the game schedule and other information.

In Mariposa the John C. Fremont Hospital Volunteers will hold their annual Santa’s Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Senior Center, 5246 Spriggs Lane.

Handcrafts, preserves, baked goods and gently used items will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served. Proceeds from this event, and others sponsored by the hospital volunteers, are used to purchase medical equipment.

The Mountaintop Christmas Craft Boutique will be held at First Baptist Church on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7. This annual event transforms the church fellowship hall into a charming holiday shop filled with handcrafted items and home-baked goods, all ready to purchase for holiday shopping and decorating.

The boutique will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Enjoy a beverage and cookies while you browse. All proceeds fund the church’s women’s ministry and assist in community outreach to local nonprofit organizations.

First Baptist Church is at 5005 Frank Wilson Road, behind CalFire off Highway 49 North. Follow the signs; entrance and parking are free. For details call the church at 209-966-5780.

“James and the Giant Peach” is the newest production of Mountain Youth and Community Theatre in Tuolumne County. It’s an imaginary tale of a young boy and his insect friends as they journey inside a humongous piece of fruit.

Show times are on the weekends of Nov. 6-8 and 12-14.

MYACT is a nonprofit organization formed to provide children, youth and adults educational opportunities in the performing arts. For more information, visit www.mountainyouthact.com/index.html or call 209-874-6408.

At the Golden Chain Theatre in Oakhurst, “Fiddler on the Roof” will be performed every weekend in November. This poignant story of family life in a close-knit Jewish community entertains audiences with music and humor mid national and cultural conflict.

GCT is a nonprofit community theater group, and founded as a result of a vision held by local residents 50 years ago. Volunteer actors and actresses bring to the stage a mix of melodramas, comedies and musicals.

Call 559-683-7112 or see www.goldenchaintheatre.org for dates and times, tickets and directions.

And looking ahead to Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, entrance to our national parks is free. Visit the NPS website for details: www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm.

Also, celebrate our military heroes on a train ride behind an ex-military diesel locomotive, with veterans serving as crew members. Departure times are 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Jamestown’s 1897 Railtown State Historic Park near Sonora. Check www.railtown1897.org for more information.

At the cemetery in Columbia State Historic Park, the Columbia Foot Dragoons will explain the significance of Veterans Day and and fire a single shot in honor of those who served. The ceremony starts at 11 a.m.

This genuine Gold Rush town has been preserved and is open year-round. See www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com for details.

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 10:51 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: November events in the foothills."