 On The Line -- Issue 586 -- June 9, 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 586 -- June 9, 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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Among local celebrations that date back more than a century, the annual Portuguese Festival is one of the most cherished. Its two-day observance concludes on Pentecost Sunday, June 4 this year.
Legend maintains that Queen Isabel of Portugal was a compassionate woman who did whatever she could to alleviate the sufferings of her poorest subjects, and visited them personally to better learn of their problems. One remote village learned that it was to be visited and wanted to welcome her, the legend continues. However, villagers could raise only enough money to buy one portion of beef and some bread. They decided to give her the beef and to sop the bread into its broth for their meal. The legend concludes by saying that their generosity of spirit resulted in a miracle: the meat was multiplied into a quantity more than enough for all the people. Over the centuries since, Portugal's sons and daughters still commemorate the miracle with a feast of beef, and the bread immersed in its broth, the traditional sopa. Wherever Portugal's sons and daughters have established communities throughout the world that feast is held on Pentecost Sunday. But other customs are celebrated, too. A queen and her court are selected on the first evening, and a dance is held to honor them, in Hollister at the SDES Hall. On the following morning, the local lodge and others from throughout the Central Coast gathered in front of SDES Hall for the traditional parade. The queen, Michelle Stevens, and her side maids, Sharon Silva and Ericka Fernquist, took the places of honor in the procession, smiling and greeting family members and other friends as the cameras clicked away to preserve the memorable moment. The parade headed east for a few blocks, then north to Fifth Street from where it turned eastward to end at Sacred Heart Church. Participants celebrated an 11 a.m. Mass presided over by Father Rudy Ruiz. In the meantime, many people had gathered at the SDES Lodge and much conversation and laughter among them. Even as the Mass was being held two blocks away, the first shift of diners was being fed in the lodge's basement. Carlos Oliveira, Mike Machado, Manuel Bettencourt, Kirk Tognazzini and other veteran waiters went back and forth among the tables to replenish the large containers of beef, and of broth with sopas and cabbage. The cabbage was introduced a few years ago for the benefit of those who wanted a vegetable to balance the meal. This year cooks also boiled collard greens, which went over well with many diners. At the bar, Gil Ferreira, Vince Miguel, Dan Dooling and Leo Soares among others tended bar with the dexterity of seasoned drink handlers. They have performed the same office for many years at the lodge and have helped at other celebrations as well. Upstairs while another line waited to be admitted to the basement, the parade returned to the lodge. After music played and speeches were made, it broke up and participants mingled with those already gathered. The upstairs refreshment booth was doing well with Kevin Silva, Mike Mifsud and Leo Alvernaz waiting on friends and dispensing greetings and joking with each beverage served. Tony Silva kept an appraising eye on the doings, hastening here or there or where needed to lend a hand. Brother Manuel Silva also saw to many people's needs and brother Joe Silva was similarly on the scene. Monaca Machado, wearing a broad-brimmed hat as protection against the sun, talked with many friends as people circulated back and forth and found seats on many chairs and benches set up in the shade. Although it started as a rather hot afternoon, a breeze arose around 2:30 that cooled the temperature nicely and people welcomed it. Even though most sat in the shade the sun was strong enough to color the skin red or tan, depending on how much of it one already had. Debbie Martin Giachello, the current president and first woman president of the lodge, had returned from the parade and spoke with many well wishers. A few she hadn't seen since before her marriage and there was much hugging and other displays of affection all around. Ron Rodrigues was on hand and was joined later by wife Dianne. He and Manuel Netto exchanged memories of their days together at San Benito High School a few years back and other old friends came and joined in the conversation. Cindy Silva and Lillian Pereia found a few minutes together inside the lodge and were talking of different topics when the latter's daughter, Liz Markfield, with her daughter, Felicia, joined them. Meanwhile, the tables in the basement were cleared and another round of diners filed in. Among them were county Treasurer Mary Lou Andrade and county Clerk John Hodges. Mrs. Andrade was in the final two days of her campaign as was Hodges, who although retiring as Clerk is running for the Fourth Supervisorial District seat. The waiters hurried among the tables to deliver containers of beef, sopas with broth, cabbage and collard greens. Everyone fell to with a good appetite and many of the diners had second helpings and a few, thirds. Although some people left after that, many stayed for the traditional auctions to raise money for the lodge and its programs. With frequent deliveries from the beverage stand, people bid on many items in the auction. Each brought much more than the particular items would have brought if just being sold. Plates of cookie or sweet bread often went for $50 and even more, while afghans and quilts brought over $100. Some bottles of wine from private stocks of members brought $50 and $60. Among bidders were Joe and Karen Tonascia, Marchel Nelson, John Sander, Joe and Beatrice Garcia, Mike and Monaca Machado and Carlos and Alice Oliveira. By the time the last of the donated items were auctioned off, thousands upon thousands of dollars had been raised. The day ended with another serving of food in the basement, and everyone agreed that it has been one of the most pleasant celebrations in recent memory. There is something wholesome about the celebration that keeps it alive and attracts people who are happy to be part of it. |
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