As this 2014 year closed and we begin to plan our activities for 2015, we would like to share our activities during the summer and fall of 2014. Our mission is to enhance beef’s image and educate our community about good, healthful ways to improve their health and that of their families. The CattleWomen have been busy within this community with lots of activities and events to make our community a better place to live.
During the summertime wrangler Jami Pura—with her sidekicks Sandy Rose, Jae Eade, Sandy Williams, Debbie Loos, Mindy Sotelo and Cathy Alameda along with Jami’s little girls Emery and Brett Pura—volunteered to assist in the San Benito County Library Summer Reading Program. Jami read one of a series of books entitled, “The Chaney Twins’ Ag Books” written by twins Rianna and Sheridan Chaney. The book was called “Little Star… Raising our First Calf.” At the end of the program Jami and her sidekicks handed out Beef Jerky to the 90-plus spectators that attended.
CattleWomen participated in the Farm Bureau Golf Tournament by sponsoring a hole and serving beef sandwiches to the golfers as they passed through that specific hole. Lots of fun and laughter made a great day for all the participants.
Our wonderful county fair was the next event on our schedule. CattleWomen provided $500 as a fair sponsor along with a $150 award for the Ladies Calf Branding during the Family Rodeo.
CattleWomen hosted a pre-fair food booth in the Pavilion Café on Tuesday and Wednesday before the fair officially opened. The food booth provided food to those workers and individuals who were developing their exhibits and feature booths, students/4Hers who bring projects for exhibition along with FFA and 4H students who house their animals at the fair. We provided tri-trip sandwiches, giant hot dogs and chips along with water. Wranglers Nenette Corotto, Sharon Hawkins and Martha Tobias, along with sidekicks Kim DuPont, Sonja Lee Taylor, Helen Matulich, Jami Pura, Jae Eade, Diane Rodrigues, Cheri Holiday, Carol Strohn, Heather Callens, Bonnie Rich and Becky Cooper, were on hand to provide food to the herds of hungry workers and helpers.
The CattleWomen’s Feature Booth was created by wranglers Tina Bourdet and Dee Cee Bourdet along with sidekicks Sharon Hawkins and Martha Tobias. The fair theme was “Pies, Pigs and Paintings”. The feature picture in our booth was of a cheerful, smiling pig that said “Eat Beef”. Each day there were lots of healthful free beef recipes in the colorful booth for interested visitors.Â
On Sunday during the fair, wrangler Charlotte Cabral along with her sidekicks Nick Peters, Debbie Peters, Jayme Stewart, Sandy Rose, Debbie Loos, Jae Eade, Lisa Tobias, Cheri Holiday, Mary Lou Coffelt, Nenette Corotto, Martha Tobias, Heather Callens, Beverly Bayly, Kelly May and Peggy Bettencourt, were in charge of the Junior Livestock Judging event. This event helps youth begin to understand how to review and make judgments on the quality of animals. Groups of youth were escorted around to review pigs, sheep, goats and beef. Each participant had to judge the quality of the animal starting with the least acceptable to the finest animal. There were around 70 youth participating in this event. This provides experience using the knowledge they have been developing within their specific organizations.
CattleWomen also sponsored the “Carcass Competition Contest” for beef animals sold at auction.
November 2, 2014 CattleWomen held their 9th Annual Fall Fashion Show Luncheon and Raffle at San Juan Oaks.   The program began with a comical skit “Getting Ready for the Fashion Show” presented by Beverly Bayly and Carol Strohn.  Dara Tobias was the Master of Ceremonies. Ranchers Feed donated items for a Live Auction. Margaret Prewett donated a lovely handmade quilt for the Door Prize.   Local merchants who provided the fashionable clothing for models were She’s, Irma’s, Tres Pinos Ranch Supply, McAbee Feed, Bella Charm, L. A. Hearne Co. and Bitterwater 4-H Club.    A raffle was held with over 35 prizes donated by various merchants and members.  The Fashion show Committee Chair was Wrangler Jayme Stewart with sidekicks Charlotte Cabral, Jae Eade, Debbie Loos, Sandy Williams, Nenette Corotto, Darby Ricotti, Cheri Holiday and Martha Tobias.
The final event for 2014 was our annual Christmas Party, which was held at the home of Jessica and Eric Brem. Their lovely festive home was packed with CattleWomen and oodles of food, food, food!  The 2015 officers were officially presented at this meeting and will be as follows: President/Legislation: Jae Eade, Vice President: Heather Callens, Secretary, Charlotte Cabral, and Treasurer: Marie Pera, Parliamentarian: Martha Tobias, Historian: Cheri Holiday, Beef Promotion: Jamii Pura, Media: Nenette Corotto, Delegate Director: Helen Matulich, Area Directors: Dianne Rodrigues (West), Sandy Williams {South), Sharon Hawkins (North), Sally Silva (South).
Hope the New Year produces a lot more rain than 2014. Right now we seen green on the hills but it is just a hint of what is needed for cattle grazing. Need Lots of Rain!!  THINK WET!—DO A RAIN DANCE!—AND PRAY FOR THAT LOVELY WET STUFF TO BEGIN AGAIN. HOPE THE NEW YEAR IS FULL OF GOOD HEALTH AND LOTS OF RAIN!!
Nenette Corotto, San Benito County
