My Favorite Recipes by Dee Bryson: Meet Sue Wilcomb

Mark and Sue Wilcomb with sons Bryce, George (Brandon) and Joseph.

Sue Wilcomb grew up in Santa Clara, Calif. Her husband, Mark, grew up slightly northwest of her in Sunnyvale, Calif., in Silicon Valley, a place that is now well known for the many high tech companies that are found there.

Both Mark and Sue fondly remember working at Marriott’s Great America, where they first met. While having wonderful memories of their childhood, they recognized that California, especially the area where they were raised, was becoming a completely different place. With this in mind, they first came to the Palouse to attend school, but quickly fell in love with the area. After finishing school, Mark was offered a position at WSU, and they have called this area home for the last 33 years.

The Wilcombs have lived in Palouse for the majority of their time here. Mark and Sue have three sons, Bryce, George (Brandon), and Joseph. Mark serves as the Associate Director of Finance and Operations at the Alumni Center. He also serves on the Palouse city council and has served in several positions in his church. Sue has kept very busy, between motherhood, serving in her church, community service and her job with the Council on Aging.

Sue works every Wednesday, serving many seniors in her community and enjoys assisting them and cooking for them. The Council on Aging hosts a luncheon at noon every Wednesday. It is held in the Palouse Community Center. Guests are welcome to join them for lunch.

For more information call the Council on Aging at their Colfax number, 509-397-4611. Volunteers who would like to help serve are always appreciated.

Sue also serves as the secretary to an organization that she holds dear to her heart, the Round Table Club. This is an organization that has served the community since 1911. The members of this club work to raise funds for scholarships that are awarded each year to local students as well as serving the community in many other capacities, including collecting food for the food pantry.

This year the Round Table Club was also able to donate to their local chapter of the Robotics Club. Sue said she gains so much personal satisfaction working with such exceptional individuals who demonstrate compassion and love for their community and are always looking for ways to improve it.

The club hosts a Christmas craft sale and bazaar every year which is always held the first weekend in December. They also have an ice cream and pie social at the community park in July. All proceeds directly benefit the community.

In addition, Sue has recently started a venture as a health coach. She and Mark have lost more than 100 pounds together and made significant improvements in their health. Sue is excited to share her passion for improved health with those around her.

Sue has submitted two recipes she prepares for special occasions. They are requested from her often.

Recipes

Cookie Dough Dip

Addapinch.com

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 Cup butter, softened

1 Cup powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1-1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 Cup chocolate chips

1 Cup toffee bits

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve with apples or graham crackers.

WESTERN CAKE

This is an old recipe from a neighbor in California by the name of Laurel Browning. It’s been a favorite for many years and this recipe is often requested after fixing it

for special occasions.

Pour one cup hot water over eight ounces of chopped dates. When cold, add one teaspoon baking soda.

Cream together one cup butter, one cup sugar and one teaspoon salt.

To the creamed mixture add two eggs, one teaspoon vanilla, one-and-one-half cups flour, two tablespoons cocoa and the cooled dates and water mixture.

Pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with one-half cup chopped nuts, one cup chocolate chips and one-half cup sugar.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.

The original recipe called for margarine, but I’m not a fan of that, so I substituted butter.