Pages from The Pass of the Oaks
–The charm of summer calls us to dine, shop, recreate and enjoy being together. It has been a year like no other for all of us. Now, there is a sense of pent-up desire to return to normal pleasantries and move ahead with the recovery.
We have not been able to gather freely for too long. Thankfully, summer 2021 will be more relaxed as we all remain diligent. The downtown retail stores and restaurants are ready and welcoming. Many long-term and new businesses have needed to take a stand and pivot, circling around to adjust their daily approach to doing business as the recovery goes on. While the idea of parklets may change for some restaurants, through the most difficult Covid guidelines, they have allowed many restaurants to maintain an acceptable level of accommodating their customers and remain in business.
Hugh Black with his daughters Shirley Masia, at left, and Linda Pacheco. Photo was taken in the 1980s. Hugh passed away in 1988.
Pages from The Pass of the Oaks
–At the request and guidance from Hugh Black’s daughters Linda Pacheco and Shirley Masia, I am currently writing a book titled, The Legacy of Hugh Black. It is a fascinating story of Hugh’s strength of character, business sense, love for his family, his ranches, the Black Hatchery, and how he “put poultry to work” to augment his commercial success and generosity for his community.
Hugh was an astute entrepreneur with a kind, generous heart, and a sense of humor. In 1959, dramatic changes came to Highway 101 that had historically traversed Spring Street through Paso Robles. The new highway created a major intersection near the current Mid-State Fair property. Hugh’s Black Hatchery was right in the “thick” of it!