I met Ben Graham as a member of the Leadership Clark County Class of 2001/2002. We were the guys from the courts. He has served as a District Attorney for much of his career and I was a newbie to the county from Texas working as the first court information officer for the Eighth Judicial District Court. Needless to say, we had some things in common and it was Ben who had a knack at calming everyone down in my group. It was in that class where we all learned about 'emotional intelligence'; something I've found has given me many advantages when others are acting like children.
It was sometime after the leadership class that I learned about Ben's real charm. Beyond his friendly demeanor, he extends that with friendliness as a goodwill ambassador. Every two years during the Nevada Legislature he delivers chocolate chip cookies to the legislators and their staff. Sure it's a blatant move at friendly lobbying, but who would turn down a plate of cookies? His cookies are looked forward to with childlike glee and he manages to open more doors than are closed to him.
Ben has included me in his cookie runs for the past three years during the holidays. Ever since we moved into the Regional Justice Center, Ben has relied on me to help him deliver cookies to the judges in the building. It's a great morning and I stand back and watch Ben re-introduce himself to new employees and old friends he may have not had a chance to visit with for months.
It's a simple act that results in people connecting with each other and having a conversation. The building is 17 stories tall and during our delivery we hear over and over again how no one ever visits and they miss seeing everyone. (The old building was two stories tall and everyone was standing and sitting on one another. We've traded space and new offices for anonymity.) Ben's little trip carrying cookies for his friends breaks the ice and reminds everyone that they are indeed still connected to each other. I think we'll all be worse off when Ben retires and leaves his cookie ovens behind.
Ben Graham's Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 cups butter or margarine
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
5 cups flour
4 cups nuts
6 cups chocolate chips
1. Mix each ingredient well, then bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
2. Use a small ice cream scoop to scoop out the dough, and only place 1 dozen to each cookie sheet spacing them about 2 inches apart.
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