 On The Line -- Issue 674 -- February 15, 2008  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
|
|
On The Line -- Issue 674 -- February 15, 2008 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
|
|
Johnny's Bar on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister has been around for more than 70 years. Indeed, some old-timers recall it from their youth when it had bat-wing doors like those in old West saloons.
Over the past two decades it has become familiar to television watcher from throughout the nation as a backdrop for the Independence Motorcycle Rally when thousands upon thousands of motorcyclists descend upon Hollister to commemorate the infamous motorcyclists' raid of the weekend of July 4, 1947. Johnny's also has been home to one of the community's biggest -- and perhaps oldest -- St. Patrick's Day corned beef and cabbage dinner, formerly presided over by attorney John O'Brien (Himself). So it was a familiar scene to many of the guests attending the county Chamber of Commerce's monthly mixer on Feb. 13. While the guests were enjoying the hospitality of Tom Horsfall and Charisse Tyson, the husband and wife co-owners, in the dining room, the bar was doing its usual good business with its regulars. Jessica French, the Chamber's executive manager, and President Frankie Arballo were on hand to greet and register Chamber guests as was Barbara Cosio. Noticeably absent were the mother-daughter team of Irene Agredano and Irene Turturici, the latter a member of the Chamber board, who usually help at the registration. It was evident early that it was going to be a big crowd because quite a few guests showed up by 5:15, 15 minutes before the official starting time. Many made directly to the generous buffet where they were assisted by Virginia Whalen of Johnny's staff. It turns out that she is the daughter of Mike Whalen who grew up in Hollister but is now retired from his truck-driving job and is enjoying the good life in Maui, Hawaii, where he frequently went on vacation. The buffet included raw vegetables as well as meatballs in a rich gravy, chicken wings, a number of dips, including a spinach concoction put together by Tom Horsfall, and corn chips as well as other items. Among early arrivals were Robert Scattini, Ron and Dianne Rodrigues, Gordon and Joanne Machado and Reb and Jill Monaco. They shared a table with Ruth Erickson, who had celebrated her birthday on Feb. 2. Scattini and Machado were looking forward to theirs on Feb. 21, with each claiming he is a year younger than the other. Much of the talk was about politics, with many supporters of Senator John McCain, who has all but wrapped up the Republican nomination, and either Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, two senators who are vying for the Democratic party bid. But Jaime De La Cruz, seeking re-election to the county Board of Supervisors, was present and lent a local excitement to the election. It must be said that he is a mixer regular and attends them even when no election is on the horizon. Cilly Fisher, the current county Woman of the Year, arrived with her close friends, Jack and Francene Markle. Shortly after, Ed and Rose Ford, two more of her close friends, came in and there were smiles and greetings all around. Denise Cauthen-Wright, a former Woman of the Year, was on hand and talked with many friends during the evening. Barbara Cosio, also a former Woman of the Year, circulated and said hello to many people. Gordon Machado is a former Man of the Year as is Jim Sleznick, there with artist wife Gayle Sleznick. Each is quite popular and both enjoy the mixers their schedules allow them to attend. After the mixer had been going long enough to get a glow on, David and Ravenna Huboi arrived and immediately added to it. While he fell into conversation with Scattini and several other friends, she repaired to the buffet for a bite. Even with a good crowd, the dining room was not overcrowded. A few people went out to the rear patio where there were ample tables but most guests remained inside, whether for the conviviality or because they did not know of the rear patio. A few guests took their plates outside and ate but returned to the main action soon so they would not miss anything. Many of the guests are regulars and enjoy the company of other regulars from seeing them frequently over the years. Pam Primont and Jack Hance, Chamber directors, made the rounds and found friends at every table. Sharlene Van Rooy also circulated, as did Shannon Grissom, who has as many friends as she has projects; too many to count. A couple of new faces were those of Keith and Linda Keller. As they were making their way through the buffet line, Mrs. Keller smiled at the old party behind her and said, "You don't remember me, do you?" He nodded. "How could I forget Leonard Poletti's daughter?" She looked surprised and said, "But you've seen me only a few times since I was a little girl." The old party said something appropriate and both Kellers smiled. Frank and Liz Perez were also new to the mixers but they seemed to make friends quickly. Soon they were laughing as the jokes went around, and both said they were glad they had come and were looking forward to more such evenings. Franz and Mary Schneider pleased many people by their appearance because they have attended mixers only infrequently. Both are involved in many community benefits but they enjoy themselves when they socialize. Nasa Jimenez went around the room to talk with many people, and Kathy Johnson also socialized. Monica Sandoval stayed mostly at her table but a number of friends stopped to greet her there. Jason Arballo remained near Frankie Arballo to lend a hand if she needed one. A sad note was injected into the revelry when the word spread that Katherine Napier, there with sister Susan Jones, was moving from Hollister that weekend. "I'm off to Redding," she said, where she will be nearer her grandson. Many people were still there when 7:30, the official ending time, arrived, because they were enjoying themselves. That is the fabric of our society, friends communing and creating memories together. |
 |
