 On The Line -- Issue 622 -- February 16, 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 622 -- February 16, 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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Ever since the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce established its mixers as a monthly occasion rather than just randomly, there have been many very good ones and a number that were excellent.
The mixer held on Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, rated pretty high in terms of friendliness, excellent food and general camaraderie. Hosts were officials and staff members of Bay Area Glass and Doors in the 800 block of Industrial Drive, and the hospitality was first-rate. Eddie Lemos and Gordon and Kristen Wynn welcomed guests and saw that all were taken care of. Emily Crawford also busied herself in making visitors happy. Michelke Cordova of the Chamber office beamed at everyone. Among the first arrivals were Robert Scattini and Jim West. Scattini is the former mayor of Hollister and is also the county marshal. Both men are extroverts and West is also a member of the Chamber board. Liz Sparling, looking more radiant by the day, talked with guest as they arrived. She is the Chamber's executive director but it is in her role as mother-to-be that many of the women talked to her. She and Ev Sparling will become parents of a daughter somewhere in the middle of March. A self-appointed wit said to her, "With your first name -- Elizabeth -- and you husband's name both beginning with ?e', and your daughter to be named ?Emery," all of you will have the initials, ?E. S.'" Mrs. Sparling nodded. "Then," the man continued, " what if as a young lady she falls in love with and marries a man named ?Potter' or ?Perkins'? Her initials on the bathroom towels will read ?ESP' and friends will be a little uneasy around her." Mrs. Sparling is unfailingly courteous so laughed at his joke, but not as loud as he did. Others within hearing who had been afflicted with his idea of humor before merely shook their heads and did not encourage him by as much as a smile. Irene Agredano arrived soon after and took her place at the registration table albeit Barbara Cosio was not there as she almost always is. Her daughter and namesake, Irene Turturici, a Chamber board member, stood by ready to help if needed. President Mark Vivian did also, as did his predecessor, Frankie Valent-Arballo.. Another Irene, Irene Sanchez, was on hand with husband Al Sanchez. They have not attended many mixers but are welcome guests when they do. She is the daughter of Tom Garat and Judith Fries, and a number of guests asked about them. Mari Davis circulated with others and talked for awhile with Kathy Johnson. Beth Ivey smiled at them as she arrived and they included her in the conversation. It was good to see Nadine DeRoza as she is not a mixer regular as she previously had been. In the meantime, Catherine Dabo arrived and she and Ruth Erickson found a table together. Guests lost no time in getting a glass of wine or a cup of coffee before repairing to the food line. It featured an excellent clam chowder with croutons nearby, creamy pasta, and spicy meatballs. In the meantime two boys with trays circulated through the crowd offering miniature roast beef sandwiches and small pastry cups. One of the hors d'oeuvres was a small shrimp in a pastry cup with a zesty sauce that proved popular. Chocolate cake and a variety of fruit cobblers were served later. In addition to normal conversation, two other topics made the rounds. One was of John Hodges' retirement dinner two days, his birthday, at San Juan Oaks. Hodges was County Clerk/Auditor/Recorder for 24 years and chose not to seek re-election to the post that Joe Paul Gonzalez now holds. Many of the mixer's guests are going. Another topic that raised concern among those who had not heard of it before was of Cilly Fischer's accident late last month. She suffered a fall and broke her neck. After being cared for at a rehabilitation facility for awhile before she was released to the care of her daughter, Bonnie, at Mrs. Fischer's Ridgemark home. A call there earlier in the day found her in good spirits despite having part of her body in a cast. "I'm too ornery to kill," she said but added, "I can do a bit more each day and am in better spirits each day." Some of her neighbors and closest friends, Jack and Francene Markle and Ed and Rose Ford, were at the mixer, and Markle commented on Mrs. Fischer's spirit and courage. "Cilly's a very special person," he said. Ron and Dianne Rodrigues huddled with close friends Jim and Shirley Horn and Helen McAbee. All have known the others their whole lives and see each other frequently but always delight in their company. Gordon and Joanne Machado were present and Machado spoke of the recent death of Ancel Kuckenbaker. The latter's wife served on Hollister's city council as Machado had, and Machado and Kuckenbaker both were in the Marine Corps. Ron Cullen circulated with friends as did Doug Emerson and Paul Hain. A guest who received a big welcome from many was Catalina Ortiz Lemos. Some people who do not know her personally have heard her voice often as she renders the national anthem at Bolado Park for the opening of the annual Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo. Elizabeth Gage arrived after the mixer was well underway but fell into the mood of it. She is a lady who has excelled in a number of fields, speaks several languages and is a good writer. Sue Jones and Katherine Napier were at the mixer together as they often are. Mrs. Napier relishes puns although she groans when one is sprung upon her. She conferred with Mrs. Sparling about childbirth, an area mere men can never really understand. Ty Holmquist showed up, too. He's on the quiet side but enjoys seeing others enjoy themselves so attends mixers fairly regularly where many opportunities for enjoyment present themselves. The ever-vivacious Dee Hone laughed her way through the assemblage, trading gossip with this one, making a joke with that one and generally having a good time and seeing that others are having a good time, too. Bill and Gloria Regentz seemed to like the food, a compliment from them as they have been preparing and dispensing very good food for years at their Four Corners Restaurant. Marv and Reba Jones are also mixer regulars, and one never need doubt their political affiliation as they are ardent Republicans. Mrs. Jones was wearing a badge stressing her preference for Rudy Giuliani for President in 2008. Chris Beevis of nearby Ben Caputo Printing was there to see how his friends and neighbors were doing. He and others provided the food for the affair and lent moral support to it. All in all, the guests had a great time and enjoyed excellent hospitality. The mixers continue to bring the members of the community closer together in good surroundings and company. |
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