June 27, 2008

Neighborhood court becomes family

From vacations to cooking club

By Donna H Eliason
Staff Writer

Seven families on Shady Hollow Court, are not only neighbors, but enjoy spending holidays, vacations and other time together. Their relationships began over 20 years ago when new families moved into the court. Some came because they loved the hillside beauty, another needed a larger home for their growing family.

Some of the members of seven families on Shady Hollow Court, who are not only neighbors, but enjoy spending holidays, vacations and other time together.

At first the friendships began with a common focus on kids. Cathy Yaspo says “three of us were pregnant at the same time. I remember we brought blankets out on the front lawns and sat and talked. We watched the kids grow up from day one.” Soon the court was filled with trikes, then bikes and roller hockey games.

The clustered garages hosted plays and play school, presided over by one of the oldest children, Collette Yaspo. “The kids always had playgroups,” says Cynthia Berglund, “and we shared baby sitting so parents had date nights.” As the children grew, the parents’ involvement in PTA expanded to Scouts, Booster Clubs, sports and theatre.

The families look forward to three-day holiday weekends, knowing they’ll enjoy a themed day, with a barbecue, games such as badminton and lots of chatting. One themed event focused on the ‘60s with tie dying. Nineteen-year-old Rachel Berglund says, “I always love the barbecue times. They are relaxing and a way to catch up on what’s happening to everyone.”

They celebrate Oktoberfest with an accordion player and dancing. Every family is involved in a Christmas progressive dinner with an ornament exchange at the last home. There are game nights, Bunco, garage sales, garden clubs, wine tasting parties and a Supper Club where the hosts select a theme and recipes. Participating couples enjoy six hours of cooking and eating together. In 2006 several families traveled together to London and Paris. These memories forge deep bonds.

“Much of our fun is spontaneous,” says Robert Yaspo. “We enjoy each others’ company.” Cynthia Berglund agrees, “The kids all get along together, almost better than if they were siblings. They enjoy being with the adults almost as much as the adults enjoy being with them.”

Some of the children from the families.

Collette Yaspo, a recent Chico State graduate says, “If Mom wasn’t home we could call our neighbors, who were like aunts and uncles to us.” She adds, “I didn’t know how much I’d miss the group until I moved away to school. This is my family. I know when I’m ready to marry, I will need approval from all 7 families.”

This common bond also influenced Rachel Berglund, a SJSU Business and Marketing major. “I hung out with the neighborhood kids during middle school. They kept me on track and out of trouble.”

Cynthia Berglund stresses the importance of adult role models for the children. Three became Eagle Scouts, one received the gold award and several were active with the Children’s Musical Theatre because of the Costellino family influence.

For six years the families vacationed together at the San Jose Family Camp. Now they rent summer cabins together at Bass Lake. They have daily planned potlucks, along with boat and inner tube fun on the lake. Each year a picture is taken of the kids whose ages range from 7-26 years.

What about the future? Cynthia Berglund says, “The Colli family is moving, but if others leave, we’ll have to find vacant houses side by side.”