 On The Line -- Issue 567 -- January 27, 2006  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 567 -- January 27, 2006 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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The 85th annual San Benito Chamber of Commerce dinner/dance, the first big social event of the year, was held Saturday, Jan. 21, at the San Juan Oaks Golf Club, with nearly 350 persons attending.
The highlight of the evening was recognizing Barbara Nicoara and Jim Sleznick as Woman and Man of the Year. Each has been an outstanding volunteer in many programs that have improved community life, and each has served in important posts requiring compassion and diligence. Four businesses also received recognition for their service to the community over the years: Damm Softwater Service, Inc., Retail; Johnny's Bar & Grill, Hospitality; Graniterock, Manufacturing; and Bishop-Lusink Insurance, Service. Social hour at 6 preceded the dinner, and most of the guests took part in it. Three popular ladies (a wag identified them as "Three Little Sisters") Kathy Dabo, Gertrude Boyd and Betty Breen, greeted many friends as they stopped by their table. Ray and Pat Mariottini entered to the calls of many. They always look good and she was especially radiant that evening. Harry and Kerry Lorincz Tobias fell into conversation with them and Steve Sanders and wife Fran Taluban joined in. The Tobiases were quietly married on Oct. 8 after years of keeping company. Jack and Francine Markle came by and she stood on one side of a male friend while Ms. Taluban was on the other, and remarked to the male friend: "Look --you're the center of a Fran-wich." Much laughter all around. If Mrs. Markle is anywhere, it's a good bet that Cilly Fisher and Rose Ford will be close at hand, and -- voila! -- there they were. Also part of that circle are Salvador and Irene Agredano. Bill and Mary Damm accepted congratulations on their water company being recognized. Her mother, Maxine Query, and children Kristen, John and Adam, came in for their share of compliments, too. As guests poured in, Liz Sparling, Chamber executive director, and board members Linda Daughenbaugh, Mark Vivian, President Frankie Valent-Arballo, Jack Hance, Jessica French, Scott Fuller, Katherine Vais-Bedolla, Bette Grace, Ruth Humber, Yvette Papenhausen, Irene Turturici, Dorothy McNett, John Klauer and Mari Davis greeted them. Wolfgang and Ingrid Leitenberger were among the early arrivals and circulated with friends. They are a popular couple and because they are friendly, others respond to them in the same way. Franz and Mary Schneider smiled and laughed with many friends as guests continued to arrive. Earlier that day they had attended the open house for the Homeless Shelter, and saw others in the crowd who had been there, too. Leonard and Monica Moles are another popular couple. He enjoys seeing his wife's vivacity and people appreciate his quiet appreciation of life. They talked with Robert Scattini for a few minutes before going on to meet other friends. Jesse and Lourdes Cordova were seated at Table 32 but because their chairs were directly under a speaker, they spotted friends at a nearby table with two empty spots and moved there. Later Jim and Monica Johnson took their vacated seats at the table that also included Louise Roy, with daughter and son-in-law Denise and George Barton. Seated opposite them were Roger Bruce and Nancy Fields, and at the other end were Joseph and Ana Ventura Phares. Mrs. Johnson is a Hollister Council member while Mrs. Phares is the mayor of Watsonville who is seeking the Assembly seat that Simon Salinas will vacate at the end of the year because of state-mandated term limits. Even so, table conversation touched only lightly upon politics. Husband Juan Urangua escorted Salinas Mayor Anna Caballero, who is also seeking the Assembly seat. Like many good husbands of women in public office, he stood by to give her moral support. And, speaking of prominent local women, artist/author Shannon Grissom was there with husband Dwight Grissom. She was as full of enthusiasm as ever and her newest project is a series of three monthly workshops on how to paint. They will start in February at San Juan Oaks. Kent Child and wife Kathleen Sheridan seemed to know everyone who came by and they talked to most of them. Get Ms. Sheridan to tell you her joke about three applicants to Heaven and you will smile for a week, Also present were Gordon and Joan Machado who looked over the items offered for the silent auction. Not far away was Helen Chouinard of Helen's Photography who was taking pictures of couples who wanted souvenirs of the evening. Richard Place escorted neighbor Jill Cameron, and sitting close by were Marvin and Reba Jones. Jim West waved over from his table and Ryan King stopped by for a moment to say hello to a friend he had not seen for nearly a year. King is the son of Linda Lee King, widely known locally for her journalistic endeavor. Dave Baumgartner as master-of-ceremonies moved along with the program as Phil Fortino had done for a number of years. Father Rudy Ruiz gave the invocation and Don Marcus led the Pledge of the Allegiance. Representatives of state Senator Jeff Denham and Assemblyman Simon Salinas presented certificates to the honorees of the evening, and Mayor Robert Scattini represented the City of Hollister. Supervisors Anthony Botelho and Don Marcus performed the same office for the county. Jane Cruz shone her trademark smile on many guests and they returned it. Frank and Sharlene Van Rooy circulated freely but because so many people know them their progress was slow. Rich and Trisha Brem left smiles in their wake in their progress around the room. He is a past Chamber president and enjoys jokes. She is a good wife and smiles indulgently at anecdotes she must have heard at least several times before. Sue Rocha and Nasa Jimenez talked for awhile about something and whatever it was it evoked laughter from both. Men always get a little nervous when women laugh heartily together if they don't know what the subject is. The San Juan Oaks kitchen staff always puts out a good meal but this time it surpassed itself. Even the most finicky eaters liked the garlic prawns, glazed chicken and the filet of beef with béarnaise sauce. Salad, rolls and vegetables accompanied it and chocolate mousse was the perfect ending. After the program and the dinner were over, a number of guests danced or talked, reluctant to leave a good atmosphere. Dee Hone and Barbara Cosio, Women of the year for 2003 and 2005, respectively, were enthusiastic about the program and the honorees and the sense of purpose that prompts the Chamber to stage the event each year. |
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