 On The Line -- Issue 641 -- June 29, 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 641 -- June 29, 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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Wednesday afternoon has become a significant time for local residents during the summer. Between 3 and 7 p.m. one can expect to see as many as 300 residents going through the market at San Bento and Fourth streets to check out fresh fruit and vegetables.
The Farmers' Market has an interesting history in Hollister. It began in the 1970s and covered half a block on Sixth Street, going west from San Benito Street. It was crowded every time it was open, After a number of years there, it was held at other places: Heritage Center and at the site of some businesses that were destroyed by an arsonist were among them. After not running for awhile it was revived at its present location early in this decade. It opened for the summer on May 16 and has enjoyed good attendance since a cold day last month and several very hot ones this month. An average of 20 vendors or people who see the crowds as a good way to advertise their businesses show up each Wednesday. This week's market (June 27) enjoyed good weather. It was pleasantly warm because of a breeze that was steady without being strong enough to disturb the vendors or for the shoppers, many of whom took a leisurely stroll throughout the site to see everything that is offered. People come for the fresh produce but they also enjoy seeing friends and neighbors, no matter if they had already seen them that week or even that morning. Socializing is still chief among the community's pleasures. In the Republican Central Committee's tent Marvin Jones and Eva Reyna are ready to register voters. Jones says, "It's a bit slow today but we're still here ready to sign up anyone." He invites an acquaintance of his to sit inside for the shade and he gratefully complies. The guest pulls his stock phrase, "Gee, Marv, I didn't know you were a Republican; you're such a nice guy," and they both laugh. Before long Allen Ritter stops to talk for a few minutes. He has more than a passing interest in the Farmers' Market because his late wife, Kathy Ritter, was among the people who ran the first one, and where he sold produce from his garden. Ritter is a former Navy pilot and for a number of years after moving here managed Hollister Airport. He has many friends because he always listens to their concerns and has a sympathetic air. After a few minutes, he lifts his bag and says, "Well, my daughter will be waiting on these snap beans so I'd better go." Another person remarks that his daughter is a vegetarian because she eats only vegetables. Ritter says, "Is that so?" and the man says, "I'm glad she's not a humanitarian," and there's laughter all around. Many people compare quality of the goods offered with that of other stands before buying. It's often difficult to see the difference because each vendor is displaying his finest vegetables and fruit. Swank Farms has some delicious looking strawberries for sale but so does Pinnacle Farms, and at the same price. One woman buys a box of strawberries at one stand, then goes to the other for six ears of corn. "I like to spread my business around," she explains. Another stand that is marked "Hog Farm" offers bunches if asparagus and many shoppers buy them because they are at their best state right now. A girl of about eight hands over a dollar for some carrots and walks proudly to her mother who entrusted her with the task. There is always a good number of children at the Farmers' Market, usually there with one or both parents, although sometimes alone. Most stop by the lemonade stand before they leave and some get the ear of corn on a stick that has proven to be popular with both young and old. Mansmith's van has a number of shoppers queuing up to it for the succulent barbecued ribs sold there. Next to it is a soft drink stand because good meat needs a drink to accompany it. Another stand dealing in food is that of the Veranda, the popular Tres Pinos restaurant. A. Agah, the proprietor, has a number of pastries and other baked goods on display. You know they're good because many of his customers are repeat business. On a row of seats slightly behind his stand in the shade are Charles and Barbara Scott and Denise Cauthen-Wright. The Scotts have recently returned from a trip to Scotland and Ireland. Although they enjoyed traveling in both countries, they seemed to particularly like Scotland. Mrs. Scott tells a friend who has stopped to talk for a minute about the communities they visited. Mrs. Cauthen-Wright, named the Chamber Citizen of the Year two years ago, was advertising manager of the Free Lance for many years until she accepted the post of executive secretary of the San Juan Bautista Chamber about a year-and-a-half ago. When asked how she was faring there, she said that the Chamber had hit hard economic times and cannot afford her salary. "So, right now I'm a lady of leisure," she said. "The pay's not too good but the hours are wonderful." Anyone who knows her at all cannot easily imagine her staying at home because she has been involved with so many organizations and projects since moving to Hollister. She said she is pursuing several promising leads. At the other end of the grounds Eric Tognazzini is watching Sheilah Smilee demonstrate her prowess in massaging to a lady. She later give Tognazzini a partial back massage while he is in his wheelchair. She shares some cookies with a couple of on-lookers, and her sons, Eric and Andrew, pop up like magic to have some before continuing on their way to see what else the Market offers. It will be closed next Wednesday because it is the Fourth if July but will resume normal hours on the 11th to continue its run through the summer. If you haven't yet visited it, stop by to take a look. It's an institution that gives back to the community. |
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