Mary and John Garbaciak win 2024 Spirit of Scottsdale Award

 Scottsdale’s Neighborhood Advisory Commission recently named Mary and John Garbaciak and Clayton Companies as the 2024 Spirit of Scottsdale Awards winners. 

Since 2019, this annual awards program has recognized the people and places that embody the “Spirit of Scottsdale,” particularly through neighborhood stewardship and the ways in which a person or organization contributes to Scottsdale physically, aesthetically or socially. 

The 2024 Individual award went to John and Mary Garbaciak, who were nominated for their dedication to beautifying Scottsdale’s roads. John and Mary volunteer as part of the Scottsdale Adopt-a-Road Program, which asks groups to clean their assigned roadway at least three times a year.  

The 2024 Business/Organization winner is Clayton Companies, a family-owned business that has been renovating and developing real estate in Old Town/South Scottsdale for almost 40 years. In 2024 they finished renovating a retail center located on the east side of Hayden Road just south of Osborn Road. 

Since 2019, this annual awards program has recognized the people and places that embody the “Spirit of Scottsdale,” particularly through neighborhood stewardship and the ways in which a person or organization contributes to Scottsdale physically, aesthetically or socially.

The 2024 Individual award went to John and Mary Garbaciak, who were nominated for their dedication to beautifying Scottsdale’s roads. John and Mary volunteer as part of the Scottsdale Adopt-a-Road Program, which asks groups to clean their assigned roadway at least three times a year. John and Mary have been cleaning their roadway – Shea Boulevard from 108th to 116th St. – two-to-three times a month since October 2018.

The 2024 Business/Organization winner is Clayton Companies, a family-owned business that has been renovating and developing real estate in Old Town/South Scottsdale for almost 40 years. In 2024 they finished renovating a retail center located on the east side of Hayden Road just south of Osborn Road. As part of this project, they moved a Polynesian-themed Dairy Queen that was slated for demolition and remodeled the retail center around it. Clayton Companies preserved the building’s unique history, while creating an inviting place for the community.

This year, the Neighborhood Advisory Commission received 12 nomination submissions:

• Joe Previte, founder of Cowork With Friends
• Susan McGarry, HOA president
• Aaron Norwood, LevRose partner
• Joe Prado, president of the Colony Park Homeowners’ Association
• Prevent & Fix
• Cattle Track Arts & Preservation
• Choulet Performance Psychiatry
• Partners for Paiute
• LevRose Commercial Real Estate
• Technical Solutions

The winners were recognized on Tuesday, March 18, with a presentation of the awards during the Scottsdale City Council meeting. The nomination period for 2025 will open in May.

 All News

• JAYDA MCCLENDON, PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST, 
• 480-312-7902
• Publish

George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center Tour

 "A trip down memory lane . . ." Dr. Josephine Pete described the tour of George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center as she shared enlightening stories. "What I enjoyed most was taking it with our league members."

Thanks to Josie for the photos. Thanks to Clede Gorrell and Mary McMahon for organizing this educational and fascinating tour. More at https://www.carveraz.org/

George Washington Carver H.S. teacher and graduates include our own AZ Historymakers: Eugene Grigsby 1992 honoree, Calvin Goode 2003 honoree and Morrison Warren 1997 honoree. Our tour brought their stories to life.

"Despite the deficiencies of Carver's facilities, students were able to acquire quality education. Many graduates of the school have held professional and management positions. Carver graduates include Doug Nelson, Assistant Chief of Police for Phoenix; Travis Williams, City of Phoenix Human Resources Director; Dr. William Maxwell, President of Fresno Community College; Dr. Morrison F. Warren, Phoenix City Councilman, and Professor at Arizona State University; Hadie Redd, Assistant District Attorney in San Francisco; and Calvin C. Goode, the longest-serving City Council member in Phoenix history. Carver High School had a high profile in the African American community.

When Arizona achieved statehood in 1912, only two laws addressed the question of segregation. One of these laws prevented "intermarriage between persons of Caucasian blood and their descendants with Negroes."

The other law provided for the establishment of segregated elementary schools. By 1925, Phoenix had three black elementary schools-Dunbar, Frederick Douglass, and Booker T. Washington.

Phoenix was not required to build a separate black high school and did not for several years. After anti-African American sentiment increased following World War I, it was deemed necessary to separate black and white high school students.

In 1918, the "Department for Colored Students," later known as the Phoenix Union Colored High School, was established." -

K. Weight, City of Phoenix Report"

Thanks to Katie Tovar for these photos inside the museum.

Jazz scene, artist Mary Gray. 

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum

Gift shop

Laundry, a watercolor by OL Stanley.   

African American dolls from the Museum’s collection

Sculpture by John Henry Waddell "That Which Might Have Been"

Historical information along the hallway of the Museum.

Current Exhibit, Photography by Joseph Schwartz 

Jamey Palm, Office and Facilities Manager

Diana “DeDe” Yazzie Devine honored as 2025 Arizona Historymaker

 Surrounded by family and friends, DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native Americans -- is honored as 2025 Arizona Historymakers at the Historymakers Announcement event at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Keith Hainsworth, Diana "DeDe" Yazzie Devine, Danielle Hainsworth

Historical League co-president Pam denDraak, 2025 Historymakers Sister Adele O'Sullivan and
Diana "DeDe" Yazzie Devine

The Historical League announced seven new individuals and one couple who have made significant contributions to a broad range of communities and the heritage of Arizona are:

BOB BOZE BELL -- Writer, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian

DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native    Americans

JOHN W. GRAHAM -- Real Estate Development, Deep and Enduring Community Involvement

SHARON HARPER and OLIVER HARPER, M.D. -- Business/Civic Leaders

SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness

F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- His Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader

ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D. – World leader in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s 

DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D. -- Well-Known Pediatrician, South Phoenix Community Leader

John Graham, Dr. Eric Reiman, Sharon Harper, Sister Adele O'Sullivan, Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine, Ron Raynes, Bob Boze Bell, Dr. Duane Wooten, Dr. Oliver Harper

Sister Adele O'Sullivan is honored as 2025 AZ Historymaker

 With so much support from friends, SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness -- is recognized as 2025 Arizona Historymakers at the Historymakers Announcement event at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Circle the City friends Front Row: Rick Despres, Wendy Nelson, Kim Despres, Sandra Smith,
Sister Adele O'Sullivan M.D.
Back Row: Dr. Bill Ellert, Dr. Marc Leib, Tom Betlach, Hunter Scott

The Historical League announces seven new individuals and one couple who have made significant contributions to a broad range of communities and the heritage of Arizona are:

BOB BOZE BELL -- Writer, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian

DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native    Americans

JOHN W. GRAHAM -- Real Estate Development, Deep and Enduring Community Involvement

SHARON HARPER and OLIVER HARPER, M.D. -- Business/Civic Leaders

SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness

F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- His Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader

ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D. – World leader in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s 

DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D. -- Well-Known Pediatrician, South Phoenix Community Leader

John Graham, Dr. Eric Reiman, Sharon Harper, Sister Adele O'Sullivan, Diana "Dede" Yazzie Devine, Ron Raynes, Bob Boze Bell, Dr. Duane Wooten, Dr. Oliver Harper

Sharon Harper and Oliver Harper, M.D. honored as 2025 AZ Historymakers

  Surrounded by family and friends, SHARON HARPER and OLIVER HARPER, M.D. -- Business/Civic Leaders -- are honored as 2025 Arizona Historymakers at the Historymakers Announcement event at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Christy Harper, Sheila Culhane, Neil and Michele Irwin, Lise Harper, Mike Galloway

Other 2025 Arizona Historymakers are:

BOB BOZE BELL -- Writer, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian

DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native    Americans

JOHN W. GRAHAM -- Real Estate Development, Deep and Enduring Community Involvement

SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness

F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- His Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader

ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D. – World leader in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s 

DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D. -- Well-Known Pediatrician, South Phoenix Community Leader 

Bob Boze Bell honored as 2025 AZ Historymaker

 With a cowboy hat in hand, BOB BOZE BELL -- Writer, Humorist, Artist, Old West Historian -- accepts his honor as one of the 2025 Arizona Historymakers at the Historymakers Announcement event.

Other honorees are

DIANA “DeDe” YAZZIE DEVINE -- Created Innovative Housing, Health Programs for Native Americans

JOHN W. GRAHAM -- Real Estate Development, Deep and Enduring Community Involvement

SHARON HARPER and OLIVER HARPER, M.D. -- Business/Civic Leaders

SISTER ADELE O’SULLIVAN, CSJ, M.D. -- Sister of St. Joseph, Established Innovative Continuum of Care for Arizonans Experiencing Homelessness

F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- His Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader

ERIC M. REIMAN, M.D. – World leader in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

DUANE M. WOOTEN, M.D. -- Well-Known Pediatrician, South Phoenix Community Leader

Media recognizes 2025 Arizona Historymakers

Thanks to Carolyn Hartman for such good work on Public Relations: