Column from December 23, 2010

Taking time to help others

The end of last week was certainly busy as we began making last minute preparations for Christmas.

Thursday, I interviewed Maria Carmen Rubalcava as she is retiring from more than 40 years with the local union. Everyone knows her as Carmen and she’s provided assistance to many people over the years.

We headed for the Tri-Cities to do some shopping Friday. In the first store we stopped at, we ran into several people from Othello. I guess everyone was trying to fit buying presents into their schedule.

Then, on Saturday, it was time for the annual Christmas baskets delivery at the fire hall. Merritt Johnson, who heads up the project, said more food was donated this year than he’s seen recently.

That’s good news for those who struggle each year to feed their families. It means they received plenty to prepare a few meals without having to worry about where they money for food was going to come from.

Plus, the many toys donated were given out to the children at those homes. Some of the kids might not have gotten a present from Santa if it weren’t for the Christmas baskets.

This is such a wonderful project. It began in the 1970s over a cup of coffee. Several of the local men were discussing how they could bring some cheer to those who didn’t have much in the way of food or toys for the children during the holiday season.

They started with a handful of names and now, more than 300 baskets are delivered each winter by dozens of people who take time out of their busy schedules to drive the boxes to those receiving them.

It takes countless hours of labor to get ready for the yearly project. And those duties are performed by many volunteers who are more than willing to give up precious time to help others. They are certainly appreciated.

Isn’t that what the true meaning of Christmas is all about? It’s not the gifts under your own tree or the party with all you can eat or drink. It’s the joy on a little one’s face when he or she wakes up to find Santa stopped at his or her house and brought even one little toy.

Each of us should be able to find some little way to help others this holiday season. As for Carmen, she will continue to help the workers who are members of the local union until Dec. 30 – her last day on the job.

After that, she will have more time to cook for others – she loves making tamales for her friends and family. It doesn’t sound like much, but if you’ve ever tasted Carmen’s tamales, you know they are a little taste of heaven.

Carmen loves to cook and she gave me her recipe for bunuelos to share with my readers. She said these flaky goodies are very common during the Christmas season.

Buñuelos (fritters)

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons sugar

1/3 cup butter or margarine

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Oil for frying, at least 1 inch deep

Sugar mixture: ½ cup sugar, 2 teaspoons cinnamon or pinch of powdered cloves

1. Stir dry ingredients together; set aside.

2. Melt butter.

3. In a large bowl, beat eggs, then mix in milk. Gradually stir in dry ingredients. When thoroughly mixed, add melted butter and with hands, work butter into dough.

4. Turn out onto a lightly floured board and knead gently until smooth and elastic. Divide dough and roll into 30 to 50 balls. With a rolling pin, roll each ball into a thin circle.

5. Fry in hot oil (400 to 425 degrees). Turn to brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

6. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Best served while still warm. They may also be served with a syrup made of piloncillo or brown sugar, flavored with cinnamon or with cinnamon and cloves.