 On The Line -- Issue 582 -- May 12, 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 582 -- May 12, 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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San Benito County residents know that summer has officially arrived when the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo stages again at Bolado Park. It is preceded by the parade that marches down San Benito Street with thousands of local folks and many out-of-town visitors cheering it along.
The parade will be held on the late afternoon of June 22. The three days of the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo will begin the following day, June 23. The Elks' barbecue will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. But an even earlier harbinger of the annual event is the pre-rodeo dinner put on by the Saddle Horse Association every year. The association's officers, along with chairmen of specific events and local dignitaries invited. It was held this year on May 8 at the restaurant above the space where the swimming pool used to be. Cooks under the direction of Mark and Cynthia Fancher start preparations in mid-afternoon to make each dinner better than the previous one. One wonders how it is possible because each of the dinners over the years has been very good. Yet, the Fanchers and their staff continue to set the bar high, then go over it again with a new mark for the coming year. Just about 6 p.m., Paul and Willene Wattis emerged from the parking lot to go up the ramp to the restaurant. Yet, as early as they were, Robert Scattini was even earlier, and Reb and Jill Monaco were not far behind. Up until shortly before 7, the guests kept coming and many greetings attended the new arrivals from friends inside, with some taking advantage of the open air in seats outside the door. Charles Tobias, president of the Association, greeted the guests as they came in, as did Kelley J. Ferreira, the Association's permanent secretary/manager and manager of Bolado Park. Bill Hawkins was there. He is a bit of local history as his great-grandfather, Thomas S. Hawkins, came over the plains from Missouri in 1860 and was the leading citizen of Hollister until his death in the 1920s. Fulton Picetti, the senior member of the Association, was also there as he has been for many years. Picetti was newly discharged from the Army as an officer during World War II and became a member in 1946. Other representatives of an old county family (both branches came the decade before the county was formed from part of Monterey County) were John Hodges, there with sister Anne Strickland and husband Jim Strickland; brother James Hodges with wife Renee Hodges; and their only cousin from their mother's side, Pat Marchino, visiting from Indiana. At the table adjacent to theirs were Jim and Margaret O'Donnell, He is the son of Jack and Pearl O'Donnell, and his family includes many notable members from the 19th and 20th centuries. John Hodges is the retiring county clerk who is seeking the supervisor's seat in the county's Fourth District, currently held by Reb Monaco. Another office seeker present was Art Cantu, who hopes to be elected the county's district attorney. In a small county like San Benito, it is not unusual to find friends divided on issues and candidates. Those seeking office realize that and are not surprised, although they may be disappointed, that people friendly to them are voting for someone else. Steve Johnson and Randall Brooks, often seen barbecuing steaks for Bolado Park events, mingled with other friends, including Emile Casillas who is no mean barbecuer himself. Many friends sought out Helen Casillas, wife of his late brother, Manuel Casillas. Brooks had another role that evening, however, and one that he has performed before. He was tending bar with Ed Rollins and several other volunteers. Rollins and an old friend spotted each other and many smiles and a few reminiscences passed between them. Caili Beebe, the current rodeo queen, and her runner-up, Jennifer Graves, circulated among the guests and greeted many. The latter's mother, Becky Ford, said her daughter was competing again this year for the title. Robert and Bev Graves were on hand, too, and he spoke and laughed with many friends. Graves was Hollister's postmaster for many years from the late 1960s, and his son, Michael Graves, was a county supervisor for two terms. When Mark Fancher announced that dinner was ready to be served, the line formed in a twinkling. There were so many guests that some of those first in line had already finished their meal by the time that the last ones were served. But the Fanchers are known for making their meals as ample as they are delicious and a number of guests availed themselves of a second helping. In addition to the beef, the menu included salad, broccoli, and mashed potatoes and gravy that were so good that some diners asked for an extra helping. One old flatterer said to the young lady serving the potatoes, "You are truly beautiful. Would you put another spoonful on?" Bread and butter, coffee and cheese cake and carrot cake were plentiful. Between the eating with rolling of eyes to signify how delicious everything was, guests talked and reminisced about many topics. Hodges, who rides in the pre-rodeo parade every year and who was a rodeo participant when younger, got laughter when he observed, "Many a rodeo rider's dreams of big prize money ends with a single buck." Russ Smith at his table smiled in appreciation. Smith moved from the county in 1976 but was well known as a rancher and participant in the Association's activities before he moved away. Memories of many late members including John Baumgartner, Russell Hodges and Tom Medeiros were brought out and many smiles and a few sighs attended them. The first rodeo was held as part of the county fair in 1929 but the second was held at what was later to become Bolado Park. Ever since, save for a hiatus during World War II, the Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo has been among the county's most cherished traditions. Some of the oldest names are still present but in the second, third and even fourth generation. Many people, including everyone there that evening, hope that it will continue for many generations yet to come. |
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