Meet Hollister resident Sally Hail, a mother of two, wife,
teacher, theater director, music lover and actress.
Hollister – Meet Hollister resident Sally Hail, a mother of two, wife, teacher, theater director, music lover and actress.
Hail, who moved to Hollister from Gilroy in 1999 with her husband Larry, spends most of her time home-schooling their two children, Sara, 13, and Jeremy, 10. The move came after the urging of a friend and turned out to be a great decision, along with an exciting career change.
“We cashed in our chips, mortgaged our house and started our own business,” Hail said. “Here, you just want to get involved in the community as much as possible.”
The business, Pinnacle Traffic Engineering, is the only one of its kind in Hollister and it’s mostly her husband’s concern. Pinnacle Traffic Engineering helps other businesses interested in moving into the area plan and design the needed traffic lights and roads needed for the operation, Hail said. And while her husband is busy at work, Hail is busy with her own endeavor.
In 2003, Hail organized a home-schooling group called The Learning Circle, which is open to all. The group has grown since its inception and now includes 16 families. They meet weekly for field trips to the theater or local pet store or any number of scholastic classes.
Hail and her husband had originally enrolled their children in Southside School District, but later opted for home schooling.
“It just wasn’t working for our lifestyle,” Hail said. “Life is learning and you don’t need to be sitting in a classroom with 40 students to learn.”
When she’s not teaching, Hail is likely to be found on stage. She has been in nine different local plays with the San Benito County Stage Company, starting with “The Sound of Music” in 2001. This week, her schedule is packed with rehearsals for “Arsenic and Old Lace,” in which she plays the role of Elaine.
Theater, Hail said, is often a family activity. Hail, who is also a member of the stage company’s board of directors, is looking forward to the company’s next production, “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”
“We’ll probably audition as a family, which is really cool,” Hail said. “And it cuts down on baby-sitting costs.”
Doing things together as a family is one thing the Hail’s do well. But, during the Fourth of July weekend, Hail and her husband part ways.
“The kids and I go every year to the High Sierra Music Festival,” Hail said. “But Larry stays and does the rally because he’s built himself a Harley.”
The High Sierra Music Festival, a five-day concert featuring jam bands from across the country in Quincy, Calif., is a favorite with the kids, Hail said.
“They love it,” she said. “It’s like a five-day camping trip.”
Regardless of whether they’re under the spotlight or rocking out at a concert, Hail said she tries to teach her children two things.
“Honesty and open-mindedness,” she said. “I want them to keep an open-mind and give everything a chance.”
Brett Rowland covers public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or [email protected].
