 On The Line -- Issue 616 -- January 5, 2007  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 616 -- January 5, 2007 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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American children of the 1930s and ?40s faithfully observed a Christmas Eve tradition. At 7 p.m. they gathered around the radio to hear "A Christmas Carol" with Lionel Barrymore portraying Ebenezer Scrooge.
The minds of young listeners readily accept whatever is placed before them, and the old story, though new to many, offered a whole gamut of emotions, from fear and sympathy to elation for new listeners. One passage was almost unbearable to youngsters, that of Jacob Marley's ghost making its laborious way up Scrooge's staircase, with the chains and money boxes bound to him sounding a dismal clanking that struck to the soul. But on Christmas Day in San Benito County, Marley's ghost was a kindly, beneficent spirit that permeated O'Reilley Youth Center with an almost palpable presence for the 22nd annual community Christmas dinner. Marley Holte, the founder of the feat as Charles Dickens would have termed him, died early this fall, but his legacy clearly lives on. He and his wife began it in the Christmas season of 1985 by taking the money each would have used for the other's presents to feed those who might not have had a decent holiday dinner otherwise. That was held at the Hollister Community Center and within a few years another annual dinner was added at Thanksgiving. The original site was not large enough to accommodate the growing number of persons who attended the dinners so they were moved to the present location. Although the original intention was to see that financially strapped people would not be neglected, it became evident at the very first one that some people who could afford it were also there to partake of the joy attending Christmas with others. Many of the latter offered to pay for the meal but Holte waved those offers away. "This is a feast for the spirit as well as the body," he maintained. Those who persisted were allowed to donate whatever amount they wanted to future dinners. By its second year, the dinner attracted even more diners as well as volunteers. Many stores and companies as well as private citizens who could not be there on that day donated food, money or items such as napkins and other accessories so they also could be part of the celebration. From the very first the dinner was more than just good nourishing food; it featured turkey as the main entree with stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, rolls and butter, punch, coffee and pie. Diners could eat as much as they wanted. It was all free with no questions asked. Leftover food was taken home by those who wanted to do so. Soon bags of groceries with canned goods, non-perishable items, fruit and vegetables and a meat entrée were included, usually enough to feed a family, or at least to bolster its nutritional needs, for a couple of days. At the very first dinner a volunteer conceived the idea of wrapping the turkey carcasses in foil and sending them home with those who wanted them. They were the basis for a good hearty soup. Because Christmas is very special to very young children, gifts of toys became a part of the celebration. They were not old toys but new ones, still in the package, and marked so that Santa Claus could give a proper gift for the age and gender of the recipient. Music has always been part of the Christmas dinner and for many years John Gutierrez -- "Johnnie Gi-tar" as he is known professionally -- entertained the crowd with songs in Spanish and English while he accompanied himself on his guitar. Through the years, there has been no shortage of volunteers. In fact, so many signed up to help that they had to be assigned shifts lest the food preparation areas became overcrowded. Time restriction did not impair the enjoyment of their duties, Holte several times said in a mock scowling attitude, "I should charge you a fee for helping." So, even though he was no longer present, the spirit of the community dinner carried on, and many volunteers of previous years laughed and talked together while slicing turkey or mashing potatoes. It is camaraderie embellished by the knowledge that they are helping others. Among the volunteers there on Christmas day were Mandy Rose, John Gregg and Gayle Patrick, a tender triumvirate, each of whom knows the duties thoroughly and carries them out well, Ron Rodrigues and Ruben Lopez have volunteered many times and they perform their tasks well. Larry Brown is the undisputed potato master, and can be heard keeping up a running commentary through a cloud of steam that envelops him. Dan Holte enjoyed the day and received many compliments about his father's generosity and thoughtfulness. He smiled and thanked each person, volunteer or diner, who talked of him. Kirk Tognazzini, who often helps at community functions that benefit others, has been a long-time volunteer as has been Carole Willette who has become the first lady of the serving staff over the years. Noticeable by his absence that day was Richard Guzman, a volunteer at the very first dinner who has missed only two, or possibly three, in its history. If it is Thanksgiving or Christmas, one can find Orlando Rostran helping out with his warm smile, accompanied by daughter Esther Rostran. Jon Mansmith is also a fixture at the dinners, usually with wife Juanita Mansmith. Although she was not there on Christmas because of family business, he brought his truck and smoked many turkeys for the feast. Back after an absence of several years was Louie Sumaya, who took a few minutes off outside to talk about military experiences with John Rose. The latter's wife, Dottie Rose, was helping out inside meanwhile and she and Lori Simonson greeted each other as they worked. Londa Paulson and Jaime Marques found seats together after their stint was finished and were evidently enjoying themselves; part of it was from being together, another part from eating a good meal, and not a small portion having been a part of a wonderful enterprise. Someone donated hams, and someone else tri-tip beef to go with the turkey so diners had a choice of meat. A few indecisive ones took all three. Youngsters from the high school and others from the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts wandered through the tables with containers of food, so diners did not have to queue up for the meal. Holte's name was invoked many times throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Without saying it, long-time volunteers and other friends had the same thought: "Marley would have loved this." |
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