The sweet spot Thursday in Manteca was along the south side of Industrial Park Drive just beyond the almond huller at Van Ryn Avenue.

It is where you will smell a scent that makes classic perfumes such as Chanel No. 5 seem more like Lysol.

After 11 months of darkness since COVID-19 became a household word, Mother Nature is again serenading us with the sweet elixir of almond trees starting to bloom.

There are orchards on virtually every fringe of Manteca. But this orchard is special. It is on an oasis of unincorporated farm land surrounded by the polar opposite of business parks and a freeway that carries upwards of 90,000 vehicles a day.

It is a place you need to walk — or bicycle — by. You could drive by with the windows rolled down but the treat to your senses will be fleeting.

The best way if you drive there is to park in the Spreckels Park BMX lot off of Spreckels Avenue or on in the Manteca Industrial Park given Industrial Park Drive through the farming operation of almonds and alfalfa fields is a no parking zone. Keep in mind this is private property. Respect that and respect the trees.

Walking along Industrial Park Drive is a great way to enjoy two scents punctured with a drop or two that late winter brings to Manteca. First there is the smell of rain freshened cool air. But as you walk closer to where the trees are you will catch your first whiff of the intoxicating scent that bees make a beeline toward in their quest to produce golden honey. The scent becomes stronger as you walk along the edge of the neatly kept orchard with trees all in a row and deep bright green patches of grass starting to show.

It is a prelude to what’s in store in the coming days and weeks for those fortunate in Manteca and Ripon to live near almond orchards or in the right spot where gentle prevailing nighttime wind passing through thousands of acres of blooming blossoms creates an almond breeze 10 times sweeter than what you’ll find next to cow’s milk in the dairy section of your favorite grocery.

Leave the bedroom window slightly ajar and you can often enjoy the sweet scent caressing your nose to lull you into a blissful slumber or awaken you with a scent sweeter than any dream.

A lot of the world is topsy turvy due to COVID-19. Organized outdoor sports are sputtering to get underway. Concerts are a no go. The Ripon Almond Blossom Festival has been cancelled.

But what isn’t sputtering along, what isn’t not happening, and what isn’t being canceled is Mother Nature.

The blooming almonds that range from early to late varieties are the precursor to a kaleidoscope of color and a smorgasbord of tantalizing smells Mother Nature will be rolling out as the weeks and months unfold.

Enjoy what has been the norm for ages.

It will help put things in perspective.

Give yourself a treat.

Go for a walk.

Sunday Dutch Bros

sales benefit Second

Harvest Food Bank

Dutch Bros Manteca on Sunday, Feb. 14, will hold its annual Dutch Luv Day to raise funds to help fight hunger.

A dollar from every drink sold will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank. 

Second Harvest Food Bank is committed to fighting hunger by providing and distributing food to those in need. On average, a $1 donation helps provide three meals to people facing hunger. 

“Serving our communities is the heart of what we do at Dutch Bros,” said Travis Boersma, co-founder and executive chairman of Dutch Bros Coffee. “As we continue to grow as a company, our commitment to make a difference in our communities grows right along with it. I’m stoked to see how our broistas, franchisees, operators and customers come together this year to share the Dutch Luv.”

Dutch Luv Day started as a canned food drive in 2007. It’s grown over the last 15 years to raise more than $1.8 million for nonprofits dedicated to feeding the hungry.

“Second Harvest Food Bank is proud to partner with Dutch Bros for Dutch Luv Day,” said Jessica Vaughan, director of development at Second Harvest Food Bank. “The funds raised will help us continue sharing the love through our Fresh Food 4 Kids Program. Fresh Food 4 Kids provides nutrient rich food options to families in need through school partnerships. Partnerships like this allow us to continue feeding our future.”

In 2020, Dutch Bros raised $483,346 for its Dutch Luv campaign. This allowed local organizations to serve 1,450,038 meals for hungry members of their community.

Dutch Bros have also gained approval to open locations in Ripon and Lathrop.

  To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com