 On The Line -- Issue 647 -- August 10, 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 647 -- August 10, 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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August 8 was like many summer days in Hollister -- a bit on the warm side and with clear skies. However, it had a slight buzz to it because it fell on the second Wednesday of the month.
That is the designated day for the San Benito Chamber of Commerce to hold its mixer, an after-work gathering of congenial souls who like to visit and always find many topics of conversation, no matter how often they see each other. This one was hosted by the San Benito County Health Foundation on Felice Drive off the Hollister-San Juan Road. Although a mixer's hours are officially from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., mixer-goers must have anticipated a good evening because the Foundation's parking lot had most of its spaces filled by 5:15. The Foundation treats thousands of people with a host of health problems every year. No one is turned away for inability to pay, thus many low-income families, who often must choose between paying utilities or buying sufficient amounts of food, can turn to the Foundation for its health needs. It also accepts walk-in cases and processes them as fast as it does those with appointments. Rose Vivian Fernandez. The Foundation's executive director, and staff members greeted the guests and waved toward the serving tables where the Running Rooster Restaurant had set up several tables full of delicacies, including taco shells with ingredients placed next to them, many types of fruit and vegetables and a wide assortment of cheesecake and brownies. Some of the Foundation's 30-member staff circulated among the mixer guests. Kristy Howard and Ruby Soto knew many of them and their warm welcomes made the mixer even more enjoyable. The mixers have become a must-attend event for many regulars. Robert Scattini was there early as he often is and close friends Reb and Jill Monaco were right beside him. They were joined shortly by Jack and Phyllis Swallow. Frankie Valent and Jack Hance, the current vice president and past president, respectively, signed guests in. President Mark Vivian and Executive Director Jessica French both had to be somewhere else that evening. However, Jim West with his camera, Irene Turturici and Kathy Johnson of the board of directors were on hand to lend aid wherever needed. Many people asked Scattini and Monaco about close friend Paul Wattis who has been in and out of the hospital recently. His wife, Willene Wattis, is making him strictly observe the doctor's orders not to push himself, as he is prone to do. Richard Place was at the mixer and a number of people engaged him in conversation because he does not attend them as frequently as he once did. Adding a bit more to the political tinge was Supervisor Jaime De La Cruz and Councilman Doug Emerson. Much of the talk was about the recent Relay for Life at Andy Hardin Field, summer vacations and about children or grandchildren getting ready to go back to school after a couple of months of summer idleness. Helen McAbee looked a little wistful as other mixer regulars Ron and Dianne Rodrigues and Jim and Shirley Horn, with who she socializes, were absent. But she and Cathy Dabo, who has not been at a mixer for several months, seemed to find plenty to talk about. If you have a joke to tell, tell it to Susan Jones and Katherine Napier. The sisters like humor, although Mrs. Jones is apt to show her appreciation with a smile but Mrs. Napier lets go with laughter that sometimes infects those sitting nearby with laughter of their own even if they did not know a joke had been told. Different people inquired about Wolfgang and Ingrid Leitenberger, who are faithful attendants, along with Shannon Grissom and Irene Agredano. The latter was said to be baby-sitting her grandchildren but the others were surmised to be on vacation. Denise Cauthen-Wright is not a mixer regular but is always surrounded by friends when she does attend one. She was a Chamber Woman of the Year several years ago. She is sedate but can turn a laugh when she wants to as she did that night. Upon winning a bottle of wine in the raffle, she pantomimed drinking straight from the bottle and got an appreciative chuckle. Beth Ivey spotted Gordon and Jo Ann Machado as she entered, and was soon talking to them. Presumably, part of the conversation was about the November centennial, as both he and Mrs. Ivey are very active in the hospital's affairs. Ken Underwood, Hazel Hawkins's manager, came in soon after. The person making the biggest splash of the evening was Emery Sparling, there with her mother, Liz Sparling. She will be five months old on the 17th but took everything with aplomb from her perch in a papoose-type carrier on her mother's back. Her nametag was attached to it. Father Ev Sparling was busy at the Farmers' Market, held every Wednesday during the summer. The effervescent Ruth Erickson spoke with many people, as usual, and spent a moment or so with Mickie Luna, who retired earlier this year after a long career with the City of Hollister. Rosa Vivian Fernandez took the floor for a few minutes as she welcomed the guests, told how the Foundation was helping many people, and said that the federal funding has gone into its second year. Rick and Angela Shelton arrived as the mixer was well underway and got many smiles and greetings from a host of friends. During the raffle, Shelton got a big hand when his business card was drawn. A self-appointed wit remarked, "You take the cake, Rick." George Lewis and wife Barbara Nicoara are not often at mixers and so were especially welcome. When she said the Running Rooster food was delicious, a friend remarked, "Yes, the restaurant deserves the Pullet Surprise." She groaned at the fowl pun. Kathy Flores talked briefly with Elizabeth Gage and Linda Fine before all went in different directions to mingle with other people. It is a mixer that will be remembered for a long time. |
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