The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Pat Pfeiffer - Correspondent

Note to Hiles News readers downstate: Fall colors are approaching their peak, so plan to pay us a visit soon. There are still lots of color to come, and more good weather, too. Hope to see you soon!

Farewell, Friend

This past week family and friends of Erma Tauer paid their respects as one of Hiles’ oldest residents was laid to rest in the Hiles Cemetery on Saturday. Erma was mother to Judy Roberts, Bill, Carl and Tim Tauer and grandmother and great-grandmother to many, and sister to several of our Hiles neighbors as well. She lived in Hiles since she was a very small child, and only left in the last few months of her life to reside in a nursing home in Rhinelander, where she passed away. She was born Erma Bonack. A full obituary is in another part of this paper. So I will only say here that sincere sympathy goes out to her large family. She was known by nearly all in Hiles and her legacy in the form of a fine family is a big part of this community.

Recipes Needed

Margaret McCarthy tells me that so far she has only one recipe donated toward a cookbook that the Playground Committee plans to sell to raise money for their proposed improvements of the town’s playground. Now, I think I don’t have to tell you that one recipe is not much of a cookbook.

She has found the company that they plan to have print up the cookbook, but they need more than this to work with. She is hoping to have it published by next Mother’s Day, May 2009.

The premise of the cookbook is recipes for kids. This includes foods and dishes that kids would like to eat, and also simple recipes that kids would be able to make themselves.

Today’s kids are pretty smart and capable, and except for a few dangerous electrical appliances that might not be safe for the very smallest children, they are able to cook a lot of stuff. The one thing to be sure of is that the directions are clear and easy for them to follow. Exotic or hard to find ingredients and alcoholic beverages would not be appropriate, but that leaves a lot of good food that could be included in this cookbook. So let’s get those recipes rounded up and sent to Margaret McCarthy. Some ideas might be after school snacks, quick and easy breakfasts, summer fun foods, desserts, main dishes that make vegetables taste good., dairy foods, fun salads and so forth. How about ideas for easy to decorate birthday and special occasion cakes? There is just no end to the kinds of food kids like to prepare and eat, for themselves and their families and friends.

If you need any more information, call Margaret at 649-3227. Get out those recipes your kids love to eat—ask your grown-up kids, too, what their favorites were.

Calendar and Almanac

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Domestic Awareness Month, German-American Heritage Month, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, Clergy Appreciation Month, Polish-American Heritage Month, Raptor Month, National Chili Month, Squirrel Awareness Month (We’re Aware!), and Positive Attitude Month! Among many others!

If you would like a more comprehensive list, go to www.brownielocks.com/october.html. There is always a wonderful list of observances on this site.

It is Universal Children’s Week.

Oct. 2 — Guardian Angels Day

Oct. 4 — 1 p.m., Hiles Service Club Meeting, at the Museum

Oct. 4 — 6:30 p.m., Red Hatters meet at Pine Lake Pub

Oct. 6 — National German-American Day — Sauerkraut for supper?

Oct. 8 — Native Americans Day

Oct. 11 — Hiles Harvest Dinner — Potluck dinner at 5 p.m., Hiles town hall

Chili Month

I look forward to cooler weather when homemade soups are welcome, and my favorite is chili.

(Margaret, this one was one of my kid’s favorites, and the one recipe my son asked for when he left home. It is easy for kids to make, too, so please feel free to save this one for the Kids Cookbook.)

Easy Chili Con Carne

1 to 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (chuck is preferred)

1 or 2 Tablespoons oil

1 large can crushed tomatoes

1 can red chili beans

? cup dehydrated minced onions

? teaspoon garlic powder

2 Tablespoons chili powder

1 Tablespoon cumin

? teaspoon marjoram

1 teaspoon seasoning salt

? teaspoon black pepper

? teaspoon allspice

1 or 2 teaspoons sugar

About 1 cup water

Directions: Brown the ground beef in the oil in a large pan like a Dutch oven, stirring to break it up. Add the onions at the start of the browning. Add the rest of the seasonings and the tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until hot. Add the beans and water and heat until hot. Chili con Carne, means chili with meat. If you like “Chili Mac,” cook some macaroni separately and serve a scoop (about 1/3 of a cup) of macaroni in each bowl of chili. Chili con cesa means chili with cheese. To serve this way, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each bowl. Some people also like a dollop of sour cream on top of a bowl of chili.

If you like your chili a little spicier, increase the chili powder and cumin, or add hot sauce or crushed red pepper to the recipe.

Note to Mom: Chili is a good way to add vegetables and legumes to the diet, and dairy products (con cesa). Serve with whole wheat crackers and peanut butter and a cold glass of milk to increase the nutritional value of the meal. If the child is making this recipe, note that there is no chopping, but if the young cook likes to prepare vegetables they can chop up fresh onions, a rib of celery and about a quarter of a green pepper and add it into the beef as it browns.

Don’t Worry

“Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts; the sight of the deep-blue sky and the clustering stars above seems to impart a quiet to the mind.” Jonathan Edwards

“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.” Benjamin Franklin

“Imagine every day to be the last of a life surrounded with hopes, cares, anger and fear. The hours that come unexpectedly will be much the more grateful.” Horace

“The mind that is anxious about future events is miserable.” Seneca

“Ask yourself this question: ‘Will this matter a year from now?’” Richard Carlson, writing in “Don't Sweat the Small Stuff”

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.