Debbie Croft: Valentines and winter sports, history and sleight of hand

On this Valentine’s weekend, what are your plans? Where will you and your sweetheart celebrate? And when’s the last time you spent a day in the high country on the slopes, playing in mounds of white stuff?

There’s plenty to enjoy in the Sierra communities this month.

At Gallery Row in Oakhurst, art, music and the spoken word will be presented on Saturday, Feb. 13, in “A Day With the Artists.”

Join Jon Bock, Linda Zupcic, Andrea Marjala and Camille Cole from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as they display unique artistry. See what inspires them and how they create. Jewelry, printmaking, origami and mixed media are featured in this exhibit at Williams Gallery West. There is no cost to attend.

In the evening at Stellar Gallery, enjoy a live performance at 6 p.m. by Good Medicine, the folk duo of Frank and Deb Sipes. From North Fork in Madera County, the Sipeses are a popular group in the Central Valley and Northern California.

Lee Underwood, a poet and musician living in Yosemite, will read his recently published anthology “Diamondfire” from 7 to 8 p.m.

Admission for the evening performances is $5 at the door. Reservations are recommended, due to limited space. Williams Gallery West and Stellar Gallery are at 40982 Highway 41 in Oakhurst. Call 559-683-5551 or email admin@galwest.com for more information.

For a Valentine’s Day breakfast, enjoy fresh eggs with ham or sausage, unlimited pancakes, fruit and a beverage in historic Coulterville. This fundraiser benefits the Coulterville History Center.

Breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, at Coulterville’s Old School House, located at Broadway and Cemetery roads. The cost is $5 general, $3 for children or $15 for a family (two adults, two children).

A presentation on the history of Mariposa will be held at the Odd Fellows Lodge on Monday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. Local historian Tom Phillips will cover the history of the downtown area between Fifth and Sixth streets, from the Gold Rush era through the early 20th century. This is part two of a series.

The lodge is at the corner of Sixth and Main streets in Mariposa, above George’s Fremont House. The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Phillips at 209-966-2721 or tbp@sti.net.

The June Lake Winter Festival celebrates the season on Feb. 27. California’s beautiful eastern Sierra is covered in snow, and more is in the forecast – making for a fun-filled, memorable day in this winter wonderland.

Exciting events for families include a winter triathlon, a snowmobile poker rally and snow sculpting. The triathlon combines laser rifle shooting, Nordic skiing and a fat bike segment. Prizes will be awarded in various divisions.

“June Lake is such an incredible place in the winter,” said Ralph Lockhart of the Double Eagle Resort & Spa. “We are grateful for the bounty of snow we’ve received this year. It really sets the scene for the winter festival and gives us a reason to celebrate.”

In June Mountain’s family fun zone, food, music, kids’ games, sledding and more activities will be available. For details, go to www.VisitJune.com or facebook.com/junelakewinterfestival.

Magic is coming to the Groveland Hotel on Feb. 27. The Bay Area’s top female comedian, Heather Rogers, isn’t only a skilled presenter, she’s talented musically and magically. Rogers is award-winning, entertaining, amazing and funny. And her shows sell out, from Las Vegas to Washington D.C.

Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. Preshow table-top magic begins at 7 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. Call 209-962-4000. The cost is a $10 cover plus the purchase of one dinner entrée. Reservations are required.

It’s not too soon to mark your calendar for the 67th annual Hornitos Enchilada Dinner. The aroma of roasted beef wafts through town as the Patrons Club starts preparing their famous enchiladas.

The meal and festivities begin at 3:30 p.m. on the first Saturday in March (the 5th). The crowd lines up every year at the Stag Hall, early in the day in this official western ghost town.

DJ Mark and Cottonwood Creek will provide entertainment. The cost is $15 general and $7 for children; take-out dinners are available, and chicken pie can be substituted. See www.mariposaevents.com for details.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 10:47 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Valentines and winter sports, history and sleight of hand."