Tuesday in Hollister: Where Did You Shop?

This building stands on the northwest corner of Sixth and San Benito Streets. It has been home to three department stores, at least. How many can you name? If you have no memory of any department stores, because you're just too young, then what shops do you recall being in this building?

Come back on Thursday to compare your answers with mine.

Dunne Park

What spire is that? That of Sacred Heart Church.

On Tuesday, who had memories of playing as a kid at Dunne Park again? Perhaps you were recalling yourself flying high on the swings or splashing in the wading pool, rolling down that slight slope from Sixth Street, hitting tennis balls or chasing them down, catching a fly ball or rounding the bases, or. . .?

That's where this week's Tuesday in Hollister should've brought you: Dunne Park! 

Dunne Park was named after James F. Dunne, a well-known rancher who died in 1925. His ranch was on San Felipe Road, just north of Dunneville Corners, where Shore and San Felipe Roads meet.  Dunne's widow, Viola, who died in 1930, willed $75,000 to the city of Hollister to build a memorial auditorium. How did the auditorium become a park instead? Anyone know?

The beautiful rose beds that have been at the park since I can recall is described as being a memorial rose garden. I always wondered who we should be remembering. Perhaps it is for James F. Dunne.

Dunne Park was dedicated in 1941, according to "The Historic Downtown Walking Tour" pamphlet (by the San Benito County Historical Society, I believe). Before the grounds on Seventh and West streets became the downtown community park,  Sacred Heart Church was located there. Anyone have photos of the church there?

Recently, the Hollister Youth Alliance received a $100,000 grant to develop a plan for restoring Dunne Park that would increase its use. For more details, read the article Restoring a Neighborhood Treasure  at the Weekend Pinnacle Online.

Okay, one more look at Dunne Park. This was taken during the "Music in the Park" concert last month. Click on it for a larger view.

Coming This Weekend: The San Benito County Fair

The 2008 San Benito County Fair

"Let's Stirrup Some Fun" is the theme of this year's county fair. Are you ready?

The fair opens on Friday, October 1 at 10 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 3. Whoo-hoo! 

Friday is Kids Day. All kids 12 and younger get in free.  Saturday is Armed Forces Day. If you're in any branch of the military, show your military ID for free entry into the fair. For more details about hours and rates, click here. And, click here for a schedule of events and performers for the whole weekend.

Here are two more links to check out:

• San Benito County Fair Facebook page
• San Benito County Fair Photo Albums

Tuesday in Hollister: Where Are You Hanging?

How many of you, Take 25 readers, know that Hollister has its own fragrant rose garden?

Go ahead, tell the others: Where is it? And, while you're at it, tell about your fun memories of the place?

What's that spire up ahead?

Shop Locally and Support the Haybalers and Other Non-profit Groups

Many of you have probably heard about the budget cuts to the Haybalers sports program at San Benito High School.  Many of us would like to help, but our budgets are tight as well. So, what to do?

Here's one way: Whenever you shop at Nob Hill, a percentage of each purchase can be donated to the San Benito High School athletic program. You could be buying several bags worth of groceries or just a bottle of soda pop.

Here's how that could be: The high school athletic department is participating in the Quality of Life program sponsored by Raley's, of which the local Nob Hill market is part. (It is also known as the Q-Card Scrip Program.) Raley's contributes 1 percent of a shopper's monthly purchases up to $300; 2 percent for purchases between $300 to $500; 3 percent, between $500 to $600; and 4 percent on purchases over $600. As you can see, that adds up a pretty penny for the Haybaler sports program. You can use your card at any Nob Hill, Raley's, or Bel Air Market.

So, how do you start becoming part of this fun? First, you need to get a Quality of Life card and then register it online at Raley's Web site. When you're at the checkout line at Nob Hill, present your card to the cashier, who in turn will swipe it into the computer. That's it.

Here's how to obtain a Quality of Life card: You can pick one up at the Student Activities Office, or have your child get one for you. By contacting Becky Doty, Athletics Department Clerk, at (831) 637-5831, extension 351 or bdoty@sbhsd.k12.ca.us, you can have the card mailed to you.

For more details, click here  to head over to the athletic department Web site. You'll need to scroll down to the section "E Scrip for Athletics."

For details about the Quality of Life program, click here. 

Other Local Organizations
When I registered my card, I noticed that that the following schools and organizations are participating in the Quality of Life program, too. You can manage your account to divide your contributions between two organizations or among several groups. If you're interested in obtaining a card from a different organization, contact it. Here are the groups:

• Calaveras Elementary PTC
• Calvary Christian School
• Cerra Vista Parent Teacher Organization
• Cienega Union Elementary
• Friends of the San Benito County Library
• Gabilan Chapter—Kinship Center
• Hollister Baseball Academy
• Hollister Dual Language Academy Parent Club
• Hollister FFA
• Hollister Seventh Day Adventist Christian School
• Ladd Lane Parent Club
• Presbyterian Cooperative Preschool
• R.O. Hardin Elementary School
• Rancho San Justo PTO
• Rancho-Maze Band Boosters
• Sacred Heart Parish School
• Southside School
• Spring Grove PTO
• St. Luke's Episcopal Church
• Sunnyslope School