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

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

The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The Madera Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence. From December 14 through New Year’s Day, Madera Police Department will have addi

For The Madera Tribune From left, Madera Police Department Officer Mayorga, Officer Mao, Records Clerk Galindo and Officer Diaz show off the stars they picked off the Star of Hope tree from the Madera PD lobby. Pick up and drop off a gift by Monday to help a child in need.  The Madera Police Department announced the launch of “A Star of Hope,” a collaborative holiday giving initiative designed to bring joy and hope to local children in need.  This year, the department has joi

Courtesy of Nick Salinas Madera County workers put the County emblem on the County of Madera Christmas Tree, which will be lit on Friday at 6 p.m., just before the annual Christmas Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Christmas nostalgia is the sentimental longing for past Christmas celebrations, often triggered by sights, sounds, and traditions. Often, we spend time and effort to create these conditions that we long for, only to be disappointed by the less-than-optimal result.

‘Tis the season for gaining weight. It starts before Thanksgiving and lasts until after the ball drops in New York on New Years Day. There are parties and dinners, and get-togethers with spreads of appetizers and desserts, chocolates, cheeses, breads, chips, wines, and other spirits, cakes, pies, potatoes, egg nog, and much more.  The list goes on, and depending on the culture of the gathering, it could be much more extensive than what I have just described. Many years ago, w

For The Madera Tribune The Madera County Historical Society will host a Christmas Gala at the Courthouse Museum, 210 W. Yosemite Avenue, on December 7. The Madera County Historical Society will host a Christmas “Night at the Museum” Gala at the Courthouse Museum, 210 W. Yosemite Avenue, on December 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. About two-dozen museum rooms will be decorated with Christmas trees, lights, wreaths and more. Guests may enjoy appetizers, a no-host bar, and a performance by

Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, a special day set aside for recognizing and giving thanks for all the many good things in our lives. It is by far my favorite holiday of the year. I have many fond memories of Thanksgiving Days during my life. As I was growing up in central Florida, my family always spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt Sybil and Uncle John’s house in Dade City, which was about 40 miles from where we lived. Aunt Sybil was one of my grandmother’s four sisters. Her husband