Page 38 - Greet HWY 68 Loop 03.25

AROUND TOWN

Who Knew That Lettuce Soup Could Taste So Good? WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A VOLUNTEER? Let’s celebrate the great things
happening in the community!
Contact Laurie.Martin@n2co.
Two-4 hours shifts a month. Men and women, young and old,
are welcome to volunteer. Community service hours are given com or phone 272-4620.
The Steinbeck House & Valley Guild to high school volunteers. Positions include cashier, manager,
server, sous chef, and store clerk in the book/gift shop. “You
BY GREET HWY 68 LOOP PUBLISHER, LAURIE MARTIN • PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE STEINBECK HOUSE AND VALLEY GUILD don’t have to have restaurant experience to volunteer,” Kathy
states, “we’re happy to train you until you’re comfortable on
your own. And one of the great things about volunteering here
is meeting people from all over the world who treasure John
Steinbeck’s writings as much as we do.”
With just four paid staff, the Valley Guild relies heavily
on restaurant goers, the sales from the Best Cellar Gift &
Bookstore, and donations from the community. Have you
considered being a patron?

COMING SOON
• March Tea – is scheduled for Saturday, March 8th.
Call now for reservations.
• Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser Saturday, March 22nd
from 8:30 – 10:30: Tickets are sold in advance for $20.
• Saturday, April 5th, is National Caramel Candy
Day: Buy two Steinbeck Caramels in the Cellar
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PATRON? and get a coupon for a free dessert.
Did you know that you can be a patron for just $50 dollars • Tours of the Steinbeck House, a Queen Anne-style
a year? As a patron, you receive the same benefits as a Victorian House, are given by Loop resident John
volunteer - waived corkage fees, meal discounts, and waived Mahoney. Tours are offered on Sundays from 11-2 • is scheduled for Saturday, March
room fees for private events. between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day 8th. Call now for reservations.
weekend. Locals receive discount pricing on the tours.
HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP? • Now on display – a booklet of Doc Rickets and John
Dine at the Steinbeck House and do an online review on Steinbeck was recently discovered and has been placed
IN OUR VERY OWN TOWN sits a literary mecca, The Steinbeck social media. This helps the Guild apply for and receive on display in the Best Cellar Gift Shop & Bookstore. This
House. This beloved house-turned-restaurant draws grants to assist with the running of the House. treasure was written in conjunction with the time that
visitors from around the world to enjoy a meal in the the two friends spent sailing on the Western Flier.
home where writer John Steinbeck was born and raised. WHAT DOES THE STEINBECK HOUSE OFFER?
Celebrities like Oprah, the crew of T.V. show Ghost • Delicious locally sourced meals and local wines WANT TO LEARN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY
Adventures, and visitors from over 94 countries and all 50 served Tuesday through Saturday. With take- OF THIS GEM?
states have made the pilgrimage to experience a little bit of out lunches and to-go boxes available. Call 831-401-9587, select 1 followed by the # symbol, and
literary history, and the volunteers of the Valley Guild have • Teas are held on the second Saturday of each month, with two listen to a Steinbeck Historian share her knowledge!
greeted them with open arms. seatings offered, 11:30 and 1:30. Each tea menu is seasonally The Steinbeck House is listed as a Literary Landmark
The Steinbeck House Restaurant is open to the public inspired and changes monthly. Bold Teas are held on the and a National Register of Historic Places, and the Valley
Tuesday through Saturday, serving lunch between the hours of I had the opportunity to sit with Kathy Kulper, Valley second Saturday of each month Make your reservations Guild’s goal is to preserve and save this treasure for future
11:30 and 2:00. The Best Cellar Gift Shop & Bookstore is also Guild President, over a delicious lunch and learn more... early, as the Teas are very popular and sell out quickly. generations to come.
open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 3. Celebrating 50 During the pandemic, the restaurant had to close. There • Monterey County residents receive a 10% And while you’re enjoying a meal at the Steinbeck House
years, the Valley Guild is an all-volunteer organization with a was grave concern that the Steinbeck House wouldn’t be able discount on their meals every Tuesday. or shopping in the Best Cellar downstairs, keep an eye out for
mission to source and serve local cuisine and wine, offer tours, to reopen due to the loss of many volunteers. At its peak, • The Steinbeck House is also available for private parties Mary, the resident ghost who inhabits the Steinbeck House!
and sell books and gifts in an effort to maintain the Steinbeck 150 people were volunteering at the Steinbeck House. Today, – baby and bridal showers, engagement, and birthday
House for all to enjoy. They recently received a Blue Zone there are 80. “It takes 10-11 people to operate the restaurant parties, the sky’s the limit! They also offer offsite catering. For more information about volunteering and supporting the
designation and are proud to participate in the program, which and shop each day. We are hoping to get more people • Holiday celebrations - Valentine’s Day dinner, Steinbeck House, please visit www.steinbeckhouse.com or call
offers exciting vegetarian entrees. interested in volunteering,” Kathy shares. Haunted Halloween lunch, and more. 831-424-2735.

38 March 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 39