 On The Line -- Issue 580 -- April 28, 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 580 -- April 28, 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 Hollister Exchange Club has long had a reputation for aiding you of the area. Its members do it in a number of ways. Over the years at the appropriate seasons they have sold fireworks and Christmas trees for revenue for scholarships and field trips.
But one of its most popular functions has been its annual Crab Feed and Dance. It has been held at the Veterans Memorial Building in the past but it is now put on each year at Bolado Park's Pavilion. Some guests have attended since the very first one, and others have become regulars over the years. Most members turn out for it and bring their wives and families to enjoy the fun that always seems to attend it. Dean Croft and wife Bunny Croft were in charge of the event for many years and did yeoman work to make each one a success. He is still hard at it and she remains a faithful supporter although she cannot work as hard as she once did. David Ortiz is president this year and was at Bolado Park early with many other members to get everything set up in preparation for a crowd of hundreds, Also there early were Rick Shelton, Gary Guerra, Leland Lyter, Bob Stevens, Mac Mota, Sonny Flores and others, including Tom Ament (a long-time member) and Gene Francis. Guests entering saw Ament and Sheila Stevens and others selling arm's length rolls of lottery tickets and many bought them even before they spotted Lyter and Guerra at the dinner's ticket table. Barbara Ament came in about 6 p.m. but had to leave with her husband soon after because she was not feeling well. The bar was already doing a good business with guests taking their beverage tickets there and exchanging them for drinks. Tickets were $3 each and their worth was predicated upon the type of beverage desired. (A half-ticket bought a can of soda). Member Al Williams and friend Gil Perreira were among the beverage dispensers and they seem to know everyone in the county, or at least those who attend the crab dinner. They are also a regular team behind the bar at the annual Portuguese Feast of the Pentecost, coming up next month. Long-time member Gary Nicklaus worked at a number of stations and waved and talked with many friends as the crowd poured in from before 5:30, the official starting time for the dinner. Another long-time member, John Hodges, also was there with his family, including wife Peggy, daughter Joyce Medeiros accompanied by husband Luciano Medeiros, son Michael Hodges with wife Lynne and daughter Katherine. Sister Ann Strickland with husband Jim Strickland sat at a nearby table where Mrs. Medeiros kept their tablemates in stitches. At the other end were Jaime and Angelina De La Cruz, Art Cantu and Leana Sylvia. Although the food is always excellent and the portions generous, at least half the fun derived by the guests and members is in circulating and visiting both before and after the meal. And so it proved again. It is remarkable how much two persons who may have seen each only the week before can talks about subjects that have happened since and those they expect will happen soon. Candidates for public office have a field day. Cantu and Candice Hooper, both seeking the county District Attorney's seat, saw many prospective voters and got in a little campaigning. Hodges, who has been a widely known figure for years as County Clerk but who is retiring from that post to run for the county's Fourth District Supervisor's position, was in his element talking to neighbors and other friends and pressing the flesh in the traditional manner of office-seekers. Linda Fine waved at him and he spent a moment or so with Gerald and Mary McCullough before moving on to the next persons waiting to talk with him. He received a lot of encouragement and a few questions about issues important to the constituents of that district. Brenda Weatherly laughed with him over something. Tom Slavich, who was appointed county Assessor last year after Arnold Fontes retired following many years in office, also greeted Hodges, the man who was Assessor before Fontes succeeded him. Neither of the other two candidates for the Fourth District was there so Hodges plowed that field alone. When dinner was announced, everyone was ready for it with all wearing the plastic bibs provided for the occasion. First came loaf of garlic bread and bowls of salad, followed by flavorful pasta. Then the Scouts of Troop 436 brought in containers of crab legs and the meal began in earnest. With the sturdy forks provided, diners cracked the crab and extracted the flesh. Many cracked then ate while others cracked many legs to get a mound of flesh before eating. Whatever the method preferred, the huge room was filled with the sound of cracking. After awhile some diners seemed to smell salt air and hear the roar of the surf and screams of seagulls. Mrs. Strickland and Mrs. Medeiros lighted the candles under small containers of butter to pour upon the crab flesh and everyone at their table gratefully made use of it in lavish amounts, and still the crab, pasta and bread came on. At Peggy Bettencourt's table where she and sister-in-law Debbie Bettencourt sat with old friends Glenna Porteur and Carol Scagliotti, their dinner seemed to have elements of laughter for they kept up a hilarious repartee. Ev and Liz Sparling enjoyed the meal as did Jim West, Ryan King and Sandy Mota. Someone -- was it John Arballo? -- commented that you could tell the people who had eaten too much crab by the way that they walked sideways when they finally arose. Nancy Brody and Terra Yuste excited comment from people who passed their table. "I'm sure I've seen those ladies before but I just can't remember where," one man said to his wife. She replied, "Why, they work at the downtown branch of San Benito Bank." He smacked his head. "Of course!" Yvette Papenhausen, who runs Subway Sandwiches and is familiar with good food, thoroughly enjoyed the meal as did Jason and Frankie Arballo. Ed and Michele Stephenson always seem to have a good time but looked especially pleased that evening. An auction followed with a bit of a surprise. Gary Nicklaus had done a commendable job as auctioneer in previous years but this time it was Mac Mota at the microphone to auction off many items donated by local merchants. Dadz provided dance music and a number of people took to the floor although some others mixed with old friends and others called it a night early. Rick Shelton remarked, "It looks like another great one." At the club's meeting Monday night at the Country Rose Cafe, it was determined that the event had made a great deal of money although some proceeds had not been tallied yet. What is known for sure is that local youngsters are getting a big hand from the club again. |
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