So much to do – it must be summertime
Graduations are taking place; Father’s Day is this weekend; local swimming pools are open; and ice cream sales are up. Must be summertime! There’s much to do in the Sierra foothills, whether you’re looking for business or pleasure.
Meet Yosemite’s new concessionaire – Yosemite Hospitality LLC – at the summer quarterly meeting of Yosemite Gateway Partners.
Join business owners, local government officials and Yosemite National Park staff on Thursday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Yosemite Lodge. There, guests will learn Yosemite Hospitality’s long-term plans for our national park.
Registration and networking is held the first hour; presentations begin at 10 a.m. Contact info@yosemitegatewaypartners.org for details and to reserve your spot.
“State Fair” is on stage in Columbia at the Fallon House Theater. Broadway masters Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote the Oscar-winning movie musical, but it wasn’t adapted for the stage till 50 years later.
Set in Iowa in 1946, the story highlights the simple pleasures of home and family, working the land and being part of a close community.
The production opened Friday, June 17, and runs through Aug. 7, with performances on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m.; and Thursdays at 2 and 7 p.m.
Free cotton candy will be offered to guests on opening weekend, while supplies last. A special “talk back” performance will be held on June 30.
Admission prices range from $32 to $37, with discounts available for seniors, students and children. For tickets and complete information, visit www.sierrarep.org or call the Box Office at 209-532-5120.
In July, audience members can show their “State Fair” tickets to receive $1 off entrance to Sonora County’s Mother Lode Fair, which runs July 8-10.
The Lafayette Lodge of La Grange is hosting a Summer Craft Fair Saturday, June 18, at the Odd Fellows Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. located at 30018 Yosemite Blvd. For information call Patty at (209) 604-4444 or Chris at (209) 853-2128, or email renwah@sonnet.com.
Mariposa Arts Council presents Music on the Green. Saturday, June 18, Mike Hammar and the Nails take the stage. Then Mariposa welcomes M2C on Friday, June 24, and Bodie 601 on Saturday, June 25.
These free concerts at the Art Park start at 7 p.m. Bring chairs or blankets for outdoor seating. The park is on the west side of the intersection of State Highways 140 and 49 South.
Visit www.mariposaartscouncil.org/calendar/ for details or call (209) 966-3155 or (800) 903-9936.
Walk to show your support of life in the upcoming Walk for Life benefit event, sponsored by the Helping Hands Pregnancy and Parenting Centers of Mariposa and Oakhurst. This year’s walk takes place at Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park in Madera County on Saturday, June 25.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. Snacks and beverages will be provided. All proceeds will support the work of Helping Hands. Pledges and donations may be made online. Contact Jill at (559) 641-6800 or helpinghands@sti.net.
The Yosemite Area Audubon Society board of directors invites the public to its annual meeting on June 25 at the Sierra Meadows Country Club, 46516 Opah Drive in Ahwahnee. A pre-meeting birding walk will take place from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. The meeting starts at 9 a.m.
Enjoy learning about the variety of programs, including youth education, the annual Citizen Science projects and nest boxes. Plans and ideas for next year will also be discussed. Cat Krosschell and her captive raptors will join the group that day.
RSVP by email to cswarth10@gmail.com, and indicate the names and number of individuals who plan to attend. Discover more at www.yosemiteaudubon.org/.
Debbie Croft writes about life in the foothills. Follow her on Twitter @ghostowngal or email her at composed@tds.net.
This story was originally published June 17, 2016 at 1:54 PM with the headline "So much to do – it must be summertime."