Column from February 17, 2011

Helping in your own community

We certainly appreciated the support everyone showed the Othello museum at the community diner Sunday. I had several people tell me the reason they were there was to support the museum.

The museum runs on a shoestring budget. We generally take in just enough donations each year to pay the utilities and insurance on the building.

However, that building is now more than 100 years old and in need of serious repair. Just a new roof alone will run about $40,000. We also need to do some work to the foundation and the windows need replaced.

Every little bit helps and those who showed up at the community diner for breakfast helped add some extra funds to the coffer.

Of course, with that donation came an excellent breakfast prepared by chefs Timm Taff, Fernando Moreno and Rob Simmons. Not only are they great cooks, they also keep everyone entertained and feeling welcome.

They designed the monthly event to help raise funds for non-profit groups in Othello. This past weekend was the community diner’s first anniversary. Since it began, many organizations have been recipients of these three men’s kindness.

On that note, did you know today is “Random Acts of Kindness Day?” It’s a day that should be celebrated on more than just Feb. 17. Everyone should take the opportunity to find a “pet” project, whether it be helping one of the local non-profits, volunteering at one of the schools or helping an elderly neighbor with their chores and errands.

How about fixing a special meal for a shut-in? Or bringing cookies to one of the kindergarten classes? Or offering to volunteer on one of the local boards?

There is a variety of ways you can make a difference in your community. Just a few hours a month can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

And don’t forget to support your local non-profits by having breakfast once a month at the community diner. The group that will benefit from the March diner will be Xi Beta Xi, the local chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

The community diner takes place the second Sunday of each month. For $9 ($7 for children in first through sixth grade), you get an all-you-can-eat breakfast of sausage, bacon, fiesta potatoes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, eggs Benedict, omelets and crepes. Children under the age of 5 eat free.

The breakfast takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Othello Senior Center.

Here’s an easy recipe you can fix at home on the other Sundays of the month!

Baked stuffing cups with eggs and bacon

1-1/2 cups prepared stuffing

6 eggs

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

2 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray six cups of a muffin pan with cooking spray.

Place 1/4 cup stuffing into each muffin cup, pressing up sides to make a “cup.” Carefully crack an egg into each cup. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until eggs are set. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon cheese; top with crumbled bacon. Bake until cheese is melted, about 2 to 3 more minutes.

Remove stuffing cups from pan and serve immediately.