For The Madera Tribune Shirley Lawson gives MCSO Deputy Martin a hug after she received a Random Act of Kindness. Lawson was pulled over for a minor moving violation, and was apologetic. She received her card and cried without even seeing the monetary gift. She couldn’t stop hugging Deputy Martin. For the 12th annual Random Acts of Kindness with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and donations from Agriland, more than money was given out — love.  Agriland and its employees ga

For The Madera Tribune Julius Dominici. It must have seemed like a cruel joke, and indeed it was cruel, but it was no joke. The young Italian immigrant had come to America, found work and sent for his wife and child. In 1911 the mother and son arrived in Madera and the family was together once again. Then in 1914, the father returned temporarily to Italy to put the finishing touches on some personal business, and the government suddenly snatched him up and put him into the It

As we draw closer to our nation’s 250th birthday, it’s worth reviewing the evolution of our revolution. Let’s briefly study the history of American immigration. 1619. England begins the mass involuntary immigration of African slaves to America. 1776. Excluding Indians, every American was an immigrant before we declared independence from England on July 4. There were no American citizens. Twenty percent of the population were Black slaves. The Declaration of Independence criti

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

For The Madera Tribune Howard Clark, shown here at his desk at the Madera Tribune, vigorously opposed the integration of Madera’s city owned swimming pool. Tension was in the air in Madera in 1947. The long-standing exclusion of African-Americans from the City’s swimming pool was being challenged, and the integration attempts weren’t setting well with some of the town’s power brokers, especially the publisher of The Madera Tribune. Howard Clark, whose father had founded the p

When I was a junior in high school, my English teacher, Mrs. Donaldson, told my class that she’d been browsing in a book store and found a book that perfectly described the typical American teenager. Of course, she was not talking about us, as we were all superior human beings. The title of the book was “Where Did You Go? Out. What Did You Do? Nothing,” by Robert Paul Smith. According to Amazon.com , it was a “hugely popular bestseller when it first appeared in 1957.”  I don’

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

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