In a charming historic midwestern town, with Main Street and a train running through it, neighbors and window shoppers saunter about town, and relish in the magic of the season. Or take a walk past timeless established lakeside homes noticing warm scenes taking place inside the deeply loved and cared for dwellings along the way. December brings a scene of families preparing to celebrate their cherished traditions. Parents are making a list, and checking it twice, ensuring not one detail goes missed.
A thin stream of smoke may swell from the chimney, signaling the warm home fires are burning. Familiar melodies play on the radio, and a sweet hum-along can be heard coming from the kitchen. A peek around the corner shows a mom putting decorative touches on a sweet ham, and sprinkling parsley on perfectly mashed potatoes. Children wiggle with anticipation of what is to come–some eagerly waiting for their cue to place serving utensils into the delightful dishes adorning a shared table. Crisp gusts of air escort in beloved guests. Joyful stories, laughter, and kiddos' feet running through the house crowd out the holiday music.
Each ‘house’, whether a treasured family home, a place of work, or the local, trusted fire house or police station, celebrates with joyful and reliable holiday traditions. Some community houses, like those of first responders, don’t ever close their doors or settle in for a warm winter’s nap. They have the unique responsibility of ensuring the safety of each person and place, day in, and day out. On holiday nights spent away from loved ones, it’s these ‘house’ traditions that strengthen the bonds among men and women honorably standing by.
Through conversation, there’s a similar story that is told through the words of some of these brave souls. Battalion Chief Dan Teson enjoys working the holidays, and feels like the crew grows closer talking about family traditions. In his 27 years of service, his kiddos have spent holidays without him. Those years they would write a letter to Santa asking him to come a day early. His favorite traditions include three firehouses getting together for breakfast, and a kids Christmas party, where families could come in off-shift and celebrate alongside. “The Chief and Deputy Chief always come around to the stations and thank those working, and the community shows gratitude by bringing various treats," he explained. “The mindset stays on work, but there’s a more laid back feel.”
Fire Fighter/Paramedic Sergio Delgado reflects how the kitchen becomes the heart of the station, and connection is strengthened with their second family. “We all pitch in and cook together. We take care of each other.” Sergio smiles, sharing a story of how the Grinch showed up one year with presents for everyone. “The community really shows up for us. Families bring food and notes from children. It really hits home."
Some holiday traditions he and Deputy Chief Heidi Olsen love are the Holiday of Lights Parade, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and Keep the Wreath Red to promote fire safety. The wreath hangs outside, and starts with red bulbs, and when there’s a fire, the bulb gets changed to white. “We want to see it stay red.” Heidi shares, “We understand this is a career path we chose, and we want to be here with honor and pride. We don’t want people to feel sorry for us, we took an oath, and our families understand that.”
Sheriff Tadelman has been in service for almost 22 years. “This profession takes you away from family, so we remind our guys that they matter, anything we can do to lessen the blows. Shop With a Cop is the best. We have an opportunity to be paired up with a child from our community that needs support. We pick them up in a squad car, and take them to shop for their family. The presents are wrapped by volunteers while the kiddos have breakfast with us. I still have my photo from 2014, and still look at that photo and the smile on that kiddo’s face.”
For first responders, building connection with staff and authentic recognition for those who work on those days is really important. This is sometimes a difficult time for people, and they try to help each other through that time. Sharing stories, a meal, and feeling the appreciation and camaraderie is what matters most.
Retired firefighter David Marshall reflects lovingly on his time spent with the department, relating a sweet tradition of spaghetti Saturdays. Each week, they would take turns getting creative when preparing this dish for everyone to share. They even experimented with black bean pasta, and his favorite, spaghetti squash. Why spaghetti? It’s a comforting meal that can feed a hungry crowd.
And what goes better with Spaghetti than meatballs? This recipe comes from a vintage Italian kitchen, and serves a crowded ‘house’. These can stay warm in a pot for up to a couple of hours, in case someone has to quickly run out, and still be able to come back to nice hot plate of generously comforting food. These are also great on a sub the next day with some fresh grated mozzarella, or even cold, just right off the tip of a fork. Share with those you love, or maybe even with your local first responders 'house', on a holiday, in December, when it matters most. .
Grandma's Famous Meatballs: a holiday tradition
Ingredients:
2 lbs 85% lean ground beef
4 slices good Italian bread, with crust
1 bunch fresh parsley, stems removed
5 large eggs
1T onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp pepper
1T ketchup
1 pepperoni stick sliced thick
lard or avocado oil for frying
Sauce:
1 onion, diced
1-28oz can San Marzano crushed tomatoes
1- 28 oz can tomato sauce
1T tomato paste
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Few sprigs fresh basil
Directions:
- Prepare the sauce. In a generous favorite pot, brown the onion with a little salt and pepper until soft and slightly golden. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer on low.
- In a food processor, pulse the bread slices with the parsley until small crumbs form. In a large bowl, gently fold beef, bread with parsley, eggs, spices, and ketchup. Mix just until combined (don't overmix) and form into slightly larger than golf ball sized meatballs.
- Heat oil in a frying pan. First, brown the pepperoni and add it to the sauce. In the same oil, brown the meatballs on all sides in batches. Don’t over crowd the pan. Add them to the sauce and gently stir them in, being careful not to break them up.
- Simmer on low, stirring occasionally, for at least 1 hour so the meatballs cook through and can flavor the sauce. The result is the juiciest meatballs you’ll ever try.
- Serve topped with some fresh chopped basil and grated Parmigiano Reggiano over a thick Italian semolina spaghetti pasta, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try them with a roasted spaghetti squash.
“The community really shows up for us. Families bring food and notes from children. I really hits home."