The Madera Tribune publishes obituaries in nearly every edition, as does all other newspapers. Many of the obituaries are sent to us by our esteemed Jay Chapel Funeral Directors, who are wonderful in assisting families in writing obituaries for their newly and dearly departed loved one. I’ve heard many people say they subscribe to the newspaper so they can read the obituaries, making sure theirs is not in it.  It’s a cute joke, but I wonder if there is something more to it th

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Bea Jones gives her husband Bill a hug on their 80th wedding anniversary. There was a big celebration at Cedar Creek on December 23, as Bill and Bea Jones celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary. The couple has lived at Cedar Creek for about three years, and remain active in their social life among other residents at the retirement home. Bill Jones married Beatrice Mitchel on Dec. 23, 1945, at the office of the Justice of the Peace in Harr

Ceeseven, Wikimedia Commons Crab meat makes a delicious filling for fried wonton appetizers. For those who would like to ring in the New Year with some nibbles, here are a few tried-and-true recipes that have been kicking around in my family for years. So far, nobody has gotten tired of them, but perhaps they are just too polite to complain. Whatever the case may be, they always manage to disappear. They are not like the chocolates my cousins used to take one bite of, then hi

Around the holidays, and particularly at the end of the year, many of us tend to reminisce about times of our youth. Each Christmas tends to be much of the same, and yet each year has its unique memories.  My parents had a framed cross-stitch, which I now have in my home. It was always hanging on the wall of their bedroom. I don’t know where they got it, but it is very special to me, not only because it hung in their room, but because of the saying, “Remembrance is the sweete

grongar, Wikimedia Commons Who can resist biting into a freshly-baked cinnamon roll? Most of us love the scent of spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger, as evidenced by the popularity of scented candles, room fresheners such as sprays and potpourri, and the aroma of comfort foods like spice cake, cinnamon rolls and other such things. Does anyone remember the once-popular craft of making pomanders? Those were the fragrant oranges studded with whole cloves all the

Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune Try a platter of fresh corn chile relleno tamales for your holiday meal. A lot of people stick with family traditions for holiday meals, but I am noticing a willingness to explore beyond, and perhaps add something new. You never know when something will be a big hit and become a new tradition. I think I am right about in the middle, as I like to do both. It is also interesting to check out foods and ingredients from various cultures. I admi

So, it seems the U.S. Treasury has finally done it. They have decided to stop making the penny. I am curious to know what this transition will do for those of us who like to pay cash for things. Will we get the correct change back? Will they round up or will they round down? Who will get the benefit of the rounding, the customer or the store? These are all important questions.  The news about the penny made me think about how valuable a penny can be. I remember a time, early

The poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, which first published in 1823, has contributed to the feelings and excitement over the Christmas season. The poem described a household who had prepared for Christmas Day, and had retired for the evening in anticipation of a visit from Saint Nicholas, better known to us now as Santa Claus. In the story, the time came when Santa arrived at the house. He landed on the roof with his sleigh and all his reindeer, then went down the chimne