Published in the Jan. 8, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
After nearly 40 years sitting in the same seat — first with my parents and siblings, then with friends — saying goodbye to Candlestick Park was bittersweet. Those of us who attend on a regular basis know first hand the place is a dump. But it’s been our dump and one that has witnessed some of the most historic moments in Bay Area sports history.
Photo courtesy Chris Farotte
The tailgate crew at the final regular season game (from left, Tim Kelly, Rex Stewart, George Athan, Robert Airoldi, Chris Farotte and Matt Farotte) with Candlestick Park in the background.
Since my dad retired in the late ‘90s and started enjoying the games more on TV in his Capitola living room, my friends and I have taken the helm. We’ve tailgated together at least eight times a year since the late ‘90s, and while the football has not always been the best, Sundays at Candlestick are something I’ll never forget, and it’s not because of the decrepit building. It’s because of the friends I’m with and the games we’ve seen. The losses are cushioned in the camaraderie, while the wins will live in our memories forever.
I saw the last baseball game at the Stick and the final football game. Yet I shed no tears. It’s the people you’re with that help create the memories, not the building. Rest assured,l when it comes time to demolish the old stadium, I’ll have a front row seat and will tailgate one last time.
See you in Santa Clara next year!
• • •
Last month, the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill entertained about 50 students and many of their parents with a visit from Santa and one of his elves.
The kids, ranging from 6 to 14 who are members of the El Toro Youth Center, ate a delicious lunch (provided by Catered by Diana) at their regular lunch. Each child spoke with Santa and received a special Christmas present selected for them. Unbeknownst to the children, a few weeks earlier, the Rotarians were given a list of what each child was hoping to get for Christmas.
The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill has been celebrating Christmas with the El Toro Youth Center for about 14 years. Great job Rotarians and Santa!
• • •
Brad Jones opened his 2006 gift Christmas Eve.
Back in 2006, Brad Jones from BookSmart, was given as a gift a bottle of Jeroboam (a large wine bottle that holds 4/5 of a gallon) #54 of 100 from a special bottling of Centennial Cabernet Sauvignon by Guglielmo Winery.
This formidable bottle has been sitting behind the front counter at BookSmart waiting for the perfect time to open. Knowing the wine probably needed five to seven years to be its best and only wanting to open it for a special occasion, Jones waited until this Christmas Eve to pull the cork.
This year having lost a close aunt and uncle and with the pending demise of the building where BookSmart is housed, Jones and his wife Cinda Meister gathered the family and decided they should celebrate life and a new beginning by toasting with friends and family.
“The wine turned out to be extraordinarily good and satisfying and we thank all those responsible for the gift,” Jones said. “Happy New Year, Morgan Hill!”
We second that toast.
• • •
Congratulations to P.A. Walsh Elementary School for recently earning the Project Cornerstone Asset Champion Award for “Caring School Climate.” Principal Elvia Teixeira and her staff have put into place the 41 Developmental Assets to ensure that every student at P.A. Walsh feels that they are engaged in a vibrant school environment. Children have a better chance of school success when they feel their teachers and school administrators truly care about them.
Well done!
