CHOWCHILLA – For those who love a good ol’ country fair, it’s not too long a trip to the valley for “Country Nights and Carnival Lights,” the theme for the 2016 Chowchilla Madera County Fair. The excitement begins Thursday, May 19, and will run through Sunday, May 22. This year’s action packed entertainment will include bull riding, mutton busting, pro ...

BASS LAKE — Bass Lake is about to burst with activity as businesses host a day of open houses and celebration around the lake on Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All the local lake businesses are expected to have specials and fun activities scheduled. It’s the first time the lake has been full of water for ...

OAKHURST — Relay for Life returns to Eastern Madera County on Saturday, May 14 at Yosemite High School on the track at Raupp Field. This year there’s a slight twist that may come as a relief to some — rather than an overnight event, EMC Relay opening ceremonies start at 9 a.m. and the event ends at midnight. As anyone who’s ...

BASS LAKE — It’s an exciting weekend with water levels back up, as the 26th Annual Bass Lake Antique and Classic Boat Show returns to the floating docks at the Pines Marina, sponsored by the Bass Lake Lion’s Club and Bass Lake Watersports. Somewhere between 40 and 60 of the finest preserved and restored watercraft to be found on the ...

AHWANNEE — Singer, songwriter, humorist and small town philosopher Antsy McClain writes what he knows: The good life. Antsy will be sharing a slice of that good life at The Coolwater Ranch on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. and passes are now available at Oakurst Feed and Mountain Feed and Nursery in Coarsegold. Staging his live shows from a ...

MARIPOSA — The National Wildlife Federation’s California Director, Beth Pratt-Bergstrom, will be signing copies of her new book, “When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors: People and Wildlife Working it Out in California,” on Thursday, May 19 at a special reception at Savoury’s Restaurant in Mariposa from 5-7 p.m. Pratt-Bergstrom, a long-time Midpines resident, has worked in environmental leadership roles for over ...

We were on the hunt for those beautiful big white blooms of the dogwoods. We headed to Yosemite Valley to see what we could find. Where: Yosemite National Park Distance: 7.25 Miles Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Elevation Range: 3,983 to 4,285′ Date: April 26, 2016 Maps: El Capitan and Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Topographic Quads As we drove in, we were watching ...

Submitted by Wendy Denton — When my husband Ken was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, we pledged to be conscious and awake throughout the journey together. Through images, we captured feelings, ideas, sadness, humor, and outright fun along the way. Our hope is to inspire others to be creative, talk about the experience of cancer more openly, and even have moments ...

Written by Elizabeth Gabriel — MARIPOSA — Mariposa Master Gardeners have been sprouting seeds and transplanting up a storm since February to get ready for the annual plant sale on May 7. Because of our now-it’s-spring, now-it’s-winter-again weather, you may be wary of getting a start on your summer garden. Remember, Mariposa’s historic “last frost date” can come in early ...

BASS LAKE — Paddle your way to cash and prizes on beautiful Bass Lake as Bass Lake Boat Rentals hosts their first annual “Paddle Palooza” on Saturday, May 7. “This is a great day for everyone who wants to have some fun on a paddle board — referred to as a ‘SUP’ in our biz — kayak or canoe,” says ...