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Gratitude
The Gilroy Rotary Club donated $52,500 to more than 15 local schools and organizations during a recent meeting. The funds will go toward such items as art supplies at South Valley Middle School, a new dishwasher for the Culinary Academy at Rebekah Children’s Services.
Ecology Action
Listed under: Environment Transportation Water Sustainability
A milestone from Gilroy Dispatch
A milestone from Benito Link
Anniversary
Bill’s Bullpen is celebrating its 35th anniversary in Hollister and Bill Mifsud Jr. remains irrepressibly enthusiastic about the shop he runs, which his father, Bill Sr., started in 1987.
Congratulations
Hollister High School students in the CMEA Central Coast Section High School Honor Band have taken regional honors.
In Memory Of
Gilroy remembers Coach Avis Kelley, who always encouraged everyone around him to make that extra effort to improve themselves in all facets of their lives.
A milestone from SanBenitocom
Hollister’s Jenny Cullumber—who has welcomed foster children, exchange students and other youth into her life over the years—was named the 2023 California Mother of the Year by American Mothers, Inc.
Birth
On Jan. 7, San Benito High School District held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to name the Science and Robotics Building at Hollister High School after Mary Ann Barragan for her contributions to the district.
Jennifer Lopez and Anthony Acosta of Gilroy welcomed Alex Acosta-Lopez as the first baby born in 2023 at St. Louise Regional Hospital.
From Benito Link
Searching the Sky
Amateur astronomer David Baumgartner writes about another year under the stars in his series for BenitoLink.
San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park Turns 40
Kerry Tobais, San Benito County Historical Society treasurer, celebrates the milestone in an article written for BenitoLink.
The San Juan Bakery celebrates more than 80 years of serving the community.
From 📝 California Local Editors
Pauline Valdivia, the executive director of Hollister’s Jovenes de Antaño, died Sept. 23 at the age of 79.
The CattleWoman of the Year award went to Cheri Holiday, a longtime member and advocate for the beef industry. She was recognized at the CattleWomen’s Summer BBQ on Sept. 17.
New Business
On Sept. 23, the San Benito County Free Library held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 24-hour library kiosk at 3064 Riverview Way.
San Benito County was awarded $2.4 million from California State Parks, which will will go toward creating Riverview Regional Park in Hollister.
Two San Benito County wineries made Wine and Spirits magazine’s 2022 list of the world’s top 100 wineries. Calera Wine Company makes its 10th appearance and Eden Rift Vineyards makes its first.
CIA-educated chef Aaron Ricketts is opening Hapa Bros., San Juan Bautista’s first food truck, along with his brother. Both are fourth-generation members of the Teshima family.
Jennifer Colby is bringing a new art showcase to San Juan Bautista with the opening of Luna Gallery. Its first show, “Dreamscapes,” runs through Sept. 4.
Fire Safe Council volunteers worked with prescribed burn experts to remove hemlock from the Harvey and Gladys Nyland Property, with the aim of restoring native plants.
Retirement
John Kouretas, owner of Paine’s Restaurant and Bar in Hollister for 42 years, is selling the restaurant to Gustavo Gonzalez, owner of La Catrina Mexican Grill, and retiring.
Sweet Cheeks Candy Company opened its doors June 18 in San Juan Bautista’s Bluebird Hotel with a festive ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Musicians Nic Calder and Paul LaCorte, who perform as HonkyDonky & HeartBreaker, celebrated 10 years of making music with a “Bandiversary” show July 2 at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse.
San Benito County Office of Education has recognized Certificated and Classified Employees of the Year on May 31 from schools across San Benito County.
Twenty-eight graduating seniors were awarded over $25,000 in scholarships at the San Benito County Chamber Foundation’s first in-person Scholarships Awards Night.
Gavilan College recently received an anonymous $40,000 gift—one of the largest one-time donations even given to the school.
Mayra Zendejas, executive director of the YMCA of San Benito County, celebrated her 15th year of working for the organization on April 30.
Noah Fort, an 18-year-old Hollister resident, crushed a Guinness World Record live on an Italian television show.
New Job
Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital has announced the appointment of Mary Casillas as chief operations officer/vice president of Ambulatory Service.
The Gabilan Chapter raised $100,000 for the Kinship Center, its largest check to date, from the 2021 Wine & Food Tasting and the Community Foundation Auction.
Angelo Hillstock, a junior at San Benito High School, scored among the top finalist recitation submissions in the statewide Poetry Out Loud competition.
Jacob Lima, an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 455, collected jackets, hoodies and other clothing to distribute to Community Homeless Solutions, My Father’s House, and the Emmaus House.
A fundraiser for Hollister’s Bulldog Boxing Gym raised $2,100—funds intended to help owner Zeke Lopez reestablish the business after Bulldog’s eviction last June.
Taylor Farms was been recognized as Walmart’s 2022 Supplier of the Year within the Food category.
Lynn Mello is retiring from San Benito County Public Health Services. After serving as the director of nursing, she now plans to focus on lavender farming.
San Benito County Chamber Foundation has hired Eduardo Navarro as its new executive director.
Trouble Maker Toys and Comics is the new kid on the block in San Juan Bautista.
Ismael Hernandez is honored through a new chapel at Hazel Hawkins.
Those in the Hollister region purchasing an Anderson Homes house can now give back to the charity of their choice during a certain time period.
A new business has come to San Juan Bautista: Bliss Blendz offers smoothies, coffee and salads.
The late Robert Darrell Wilson and Terry Klein, two animal welfare providers in the county, will be honored at a drive-up tribute on Nov. 14.
Gavilan College has announced the honorees for its 2021 Community Spirit Awards.
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