A Kingston holiday tradition is alive after more than 60 years.
In 1952, Selma Steele’s famous fudge was first distributed to the townfolk of Kingston. First it was the local postmaster, Virgil Newman, who received a tin of the chocolatey treats. Then, the fudge was given to the local butcher, a grocery store, two barber shops, a cafe, the volunteer fire departments, gas stations and the lumber yard.
Steele’s sweet-but-secret Norwegian fudge recipe was a hit among those who counted themselves lucky enough to receive one of her foil pie tins filled with the fudge. Today, after 66 years, the Steele family’s holiday tradition lives on as Cheryl Steele works diligently to whip up some 40 pounds of fudge each year for Kingston’s locals.
Cheryl Steele said she made a promise to her mother-in-law, Selma, that she would carry on the tradition each year. With her promise in mind, Steele spent a drizzly Thursday morning on Dec. 13, at her Kingston home, overlooking Appletree Cove, working to keep her word for the 32nd time.
Helping Cheryl was her husband, Gary, Selma’s son. The Steeles’ dining room table was an assortment of various dishes with pink Post-It notes bearing the names of the lucky recipients-to-be.
“I made 25 pounds yesterday, and we’ll take that all out.” Cheryl said as she and Gary cut the thick sheets of fudge into bite-sized pieces, and then scattered the pieces onto the numerous plates.
“We’ll get rid of it real quick, and then we’ll start again,” Gary said.
Anyone looking to sneak a peek at the Steeles’ recipe will be sorely disappointed though. As part of the promise, Cheryl agreed to keep the recipe a secret, that is, until the time comes to pass it down to her own daughter-in-law.
Among this year’s fudge recipients will be the new postmaster, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s Kingston station, local offices of doctors and dentists, the Village Green Community Center and the Kingston Bookery, just to name a few.
“It’s just a nice way to catch up with friends that are working, and they always look forward to it,” Cheryl added.
