John Ansolabehere was always active in the Basque community of Bakersfield. Although John, his seven brothers and two sisters were born in Bakersfield, his father and mother were born in the Basque country. They came to America when they were young adults. John's father was one of the first sheep men in this area. After establishing himself in business here, he went to the old country to get himself a wife. As John tells the story, he brought the three Eyherabide sisters back with him - then he took his pick Marie Eyherabide (Amachi) became his wife. Their home was always open to their many relatives and friends.
The Basque Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and John is having his 86th birthday June 24th (St. John's Day).

When John was a young man it was part of his social life to drive his father to East Bakersfield on Sunday. The afternoon was spent eating, playing cards and doing business over the bar. To this day one of John's favorite pastimes in life is to visit and talk about the past or present in English or fluent Basque. John is an avid reader and an interesting conversationalist with strong convictions.

Around 1938, a group of Basque people and their friends, began meeting socially at one of the various hotels or restaurants in East Bakersfield. Then on March 25,1944, five men met to draw up Articles of incorporation and By-laws for the group thereafterto be known as The Kern County Basque Club, inc. These men were John Ansolabehere, Raymond Castanchoa, Felix Etcheverry, Inocencio Jaurena and Frank Maitia Sr. The two surviving charger members are Frank and John.

For many years, good and wonderful times were had by all at the little old club house on Stine Road. Through Claude and Edith Chappelle, Yolanda Pasquine met John there at one of the monthly dances in 1945. After a great courtship they were married at St. Frances Church in 1949. A reception was held at the Noriega Hotel. Their honeymoon was a cruise to the Caribbean islands on a cargo passenger ship.
in 1972 John retired from farming. A new life of travel began for them. In 1973 they went to Hawaii, Mexico, the Basque country, Yellowstone Park and ended up in Buffalo, Wyoming, it was August and they were introduced to its wonderful Basque community. After that year they had many more trips in their RV rig back to Buffalo, other western states and Canada.

In l974 John was very active in the purchase of the property and the building on union Avenue, then in the building of the Etchola.
In the early days John and Yolanda spent many hours there with Janet and Jean Erassarrett who were in charge. It was a lot of work and they had a great time but that was twenty years ago.

In 1977 John was elected vice-president. He became very active again in club business and its problems. The handball court was the big project at that time.

Through hard work, donation of time and money, dedication of so many members and friends, living and deceased, American born and Basque born, the Kern County Basque with its grand club house and beautiful picnic area is a dream come true. John and Yolanda wish Happy Anniversary, Congratulations and many thanks to all of you. (Written in 1994)

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