 On The Line -- Issue 651 -- September 7, 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 651 -- September 7, 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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With summer inching along in its last few weeks in San Benito County its residents observe seasonal changes in the community.
School has resumed, of course, as it has in most regions of the country. But here in the county other signs of summer are seen and accepted as a normal part of life. One is the weekly Farmers' Market. It has had a continual if not continuous history since it began in the early 1980s when it was situated on the eastern section of the 300 block of Sixth Street running, a half block east to San Benito Street. Its hours were from mid afternoon until about 6, and many people who lived or worked near the midtown area made it a point to stop by, browse through the produce stands, buy cake and pastries from fund-raising clubs and to listen to music provided by several groups. After several seasons there it transferred its base to the Heritage Center on Airline Highway. Despite the efforts of its supporters business fell off because of the location which was not as easily accessible as the original. It was closed for a season or so, then resumed operation in midtown Hollister at different places. It closed again for awhile, then re-opened at its present home on the green in front of the huge parking garage at San Benito and Fourth streets, where it has been conducted every summer for the past five or six years. Many people have played a big part in the Farmers' Market since its inception. Allen and Kathy Ritter were among the driving forces for the first several as was Ruth Erickson, who has been involved in many worthwhile enterprises. In more recent years, it has attracted community leaders such as Brenda Withal, Liz Sparling and Sharlene Van Rooy. The latter was at the final 2007 market on the last Wednesday of August. "It hasn't caught on this year as well as it has done in previous summers," Mrs. Van Rooy noted. "Our board will discuss the reasons and decide upon our future very soon." Many of the customers come week after week and businesses as diverse as Swank Farms and Mansmith's Barbecue and each of those enjoyed repeat customers every week. It was originally thought that this year's season would run into September but economics curtailed it. Eric Tognazzini was at the final 2007 Market as he has been at all or most of this year's events. Perry and Tess Ludwig from Gilroy expressed disappointment that it was closing earlier than planned. "It's more than just buying produce or bread," he said. "You get to many people from Hollister. Some of them are old-timers like us and it's surprising to find how much you have in common with them." His wife agreed. "I love gardening and I've met four or five ladies here who are also passionate about it." She sighed. "I hope it continues next year. If I d see them again we'll probably pick up pour conservation right where we dropped it today." Marv and Reba Jones of the local Republican Central Committee occupied the tent to register voters. "You have many friends showing up, Democratic as well as Republican, and sometimes you have a lot of kidding going back and forth. I'm going to miss it -- but say," he told Democratic friend, "you can catch me at the county fair next month if you want to change parties." That stretch of greenery is going to look a little bare to the vendors and customers who pass it on Wednesdays but they all hope that the Farmers' Market will reopen next summer for a season of commerce and enjoyment. Another honored summer institution in Hollister is San Benito Foods, a cannery that employs hundreds of people during the tomato season. It begins full-time, that means every day around the clock. People who live near it are reminded summer is indeed here with the great blasts of steam it emits and the rumbling of trucks filled with tomatoes throughout the day and night, and occasional horn blasts from smaller vehicles. But they soon grow accustomed to it and it becomes white noise. It is heard but accepted with good grace because it provides many, many families with jobs. It is not, say, the senseless beat of amplified music one hears everywhere from passing cars or even from homes of people who are insensitive to their neighbors. Not too many years ago, Hollister boasted three canneries and all were busy in canning spinach, tomatoes and apricots as they came into season. Now there remains just San Benito Foods. Tony Ruiz once explained that many prominent local families got their start here because of the canneries. It was the custom then as it is now for families to follow the harvest and cultivate and reap the crops, then head to the next place where they were needed. But some families wanted more than pulling up roots, as it were, several times a year and repeating the cycle several times or more a year. At communities that had canneries, it was possible to change their lives. Papa, Mama and one or two of the older children could work together at a cannery. After paying necessities like shelter, food, clothing, etc., often there would be enough to make a down payment on a house. With that major accomplishment, the father could seek work in the area during the off-season, and the mother could enroll her younger children in school and look forward herself to establish ties in the community through church and the neighborhood. Sometimes in the winter living was a little lean but they did without some things and made longer use of items that wore out. Always foremost in their minds was the knowledge that they had a permanent community. With hard work and a belief in themselves they overcame obstacles, got better jobs as they became known and saw an improved life as a result. It was the way earlier groups had survived, then flourished and that later people were to do, too. And another summer institution that has been going on for more than a century is Labor Day, honoring American workers. No matter that for many who use the long weekend resulting hours and hours are spent in gridlock on going to the beach or the mountains. It is a holiday and they are going to wring the last minute from it no matter how many difficulties it poses. |
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