Saturday, May 27, 2017

Pumpkin Flan from Elote Cafe in Sedona



Testing recipes for the new cookbook is a big part of the preparation. I am astounded to learn that some cookbooks do NOT test the recipes before printing. With Chef Leslie Christiansen at the helm, we are testing the recipes 3 times to make sure the ingredients are available and the directions are clear. She is also writing some very helpful hints to the procedures.


Here's a new dish: Pumpkin Flan tested by Kathy Holcombe. Delicious and very worthy to be in the cookbook!


Recipe tester Kathy Holcombe




Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Wonderful lunch

Linda Corderman, Anne Lupica, Leslie Christiansen, Cathy Shumard
A BIG thank you to Historical League President Anne Lupica for taking the cookbook committee to lunch on Friday. Prior to lunch, we met at Evans Communications who will assist us with the book.
As we enjoyed this magnificent presentation of gazpacho along with salads at lunch, we talked about producing a book. Printing, testing, budget, volunteers, photos, recipes, covers, sponsorships . . . so many items to come together to create the new Tastes & Treasures, A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona, Volume II.




Cookbook co-chairs Cathy Shumard, Ruth McLeod, Linda Corderman, Leslie Christiansen

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Cookbook meetings filled with food, fun

Leslie Christiansen and Cathy Shumard
Thanks to Cathy Shumard and Leslie Christiansen for bringing the delicious Key Lime Parfait/Jalapeno Gastrique with Ancho-Barley Graham Crumble from Gertrude's to our latest meeting at Evans Communications. Nothing like starting the day with dessert!
We talked about sponsorship, launch parties, templates, recipes, photographs, levels of support, budget and learned about words like Quark, Grubstake, pixels, digital format. All exciting progress.

Cathy Shumard, Ruth McLeod, Linda Corderman, Leslie Christiansen

Anne Lupica, Emily Chin, Andrea Evans, Leslie Christiansen, Cheyenne Brumlow, Cathy Shumard, Ruth McLeod

Linda Corderman, Anne Lupica, Leslie Christiansen, Cathy Shumard



Friday, May 19, 2017

Jana Bommersbach Keynote Speaker, Scottsdale Independent article

Arizona author and journalist Jana Bommersbach delivers
the keynote speech at the 2017 Arizona Historical League
annual meeting and volunteer recognition luncheon.
(Independent Newsmedia/Terrance Thornton)
Arizona author and journalist Jana Bommersbach delivers the keynote speech at the 2017 Arizona Historical League annual meeting and volunteer recognition luncheon. (Independent Newsmedia/Terrance Thornton)
Popular Arizona journalist and author Jana Bommersbach delivered the keynote address at the Arizona Historical League 2017 annual meeting and volunteer recognition luncheon.
The event, which was attended by Historical Society officials as well as elected and civic leaders, was held Tuesday, May 9 at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club Pavilion, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway.
The Arizona Historical Society is the state’s oldest historical agency. The group was established Nov. 7, 1864 through an act of the First Territorial Legislature — and serves as steward of state history, fulfilling its mission to collect, preserve, interpret, and disseminate the history of Arizona, according to information provided at the May 9 luncheon.
“The only thing I knew about Arizona was Barry Goldwater — I didn’t like him much then, but I came to love him,” Ms. Bommersbach prefaced her speech. “I didn’t even know who Wallace and Ladmo were!”
But Ms. Bommersbach explained she would come to learn the rich history of Arizona as she embarked on an acclaimed journalism career that appears to have blossomed in 1983 with her being named the “Journalist of the Year” by the Arizona Press Club.
“They were anxious to tell me their stories,” she recalled of her early years reporting and subsequently falling in love with the city of Phoenix and the state of Arizona.
Her biography is filled with notable achievements and prestigious journalism awards spanning a 30-year career, but the book, “The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd” has etched Ms. Bommersbach’s name forever in Phoenix history.
The story of Winnie Ruth Judd enthralled the audience for nearly an hour as Ms. Bommersbach focused on two of her works: the true crime book and a historical novel titled, “Cattle Kate.”
“The only way I was able to re-investigate this case was because Arizona has an amazing historical record,” she told the about 100 people in attendance. “That was one of the first revelations for me with history … the victors are often the people who were behind the issues in the first place.”
Ms. Bommersbach told the tale of mystery and intrigue that was the investigation into the Winnie Ruth Judd case and, along the way, pointed out the importance of keeping accurate records.
“Writing this book without the internet still astonishes me. I would find all of these interesting little tidbits about the history of Phoenix,” she said. At the time of the Judd case, Thomas Road was the northern boundary of the city of Phoenix.
For the audience, it seemed to be another example of the importance of the work of the Historical Society:
“Arizona Historical Society collections not only provide premier resource for recounting Arizona’s past, but are invaluable tools for promoting public understanding of contemporary issues such as water availability, immigration, free trade, mining, ranching and agribusiness, the defense industry, cultural diversity and urban development and revitalization. The Arizona Historical Society — through its exhibits, programs, publications, and outreach — informs and inspires the people of all ages by reminding them of the boldness and daring that characterized countless individuals, past and present, who have made Arizona their home.”
To learn more about the Arizona Historical Society go to arizonahistoricalsociety.org

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Cauliflowered potatoes

Pam Fischer writes, "I was going to have the leftovers tonight and was thinking about what to have with it.  Was going to do rice, but trying to eat less carbs, soooo I remembered seeing a way to make cauliflower into mashed “potatoes”.  It was AMAZING!!  I substituted plain yogurt for the sour cream to make it healthier."

Cauliflower Mashed "Potatoes" Recipe

Ingredients:
1 head of cauliflower
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons light sour cream
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
freshly ground black pepper
snipped chives

Directions:
Break the cauliflower into flowerettes, cook in saucepan in 2 inches of water for 12 min, until really tender.  Pour off all fluid and pat as dry as possible with paper towel, then add other ingredients and mash.  YUMMY!!
Servings: 4 Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes
Options: Add Skinny Cow cheese wedges.
Top with shredded Swiss or Cheddar cheese.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

New Board of Directors for 2017-2018

2016-2017 Board of Directors: Leslie Christiansen, Rebecca Stone, Nina Filippi, Pat Faur,
Judy Blackwell, Anne Lupica, Katie Tovar, Linda Fritsch, Margaret Baker
The Recognition Luncheon is a time to say Thank You to the 2016-2017 Board and Hello to the New Board of Directors for 2017-2018.
2017-2018 Board of Directors: Laura Helder, Rebecca Stone, Pam den Draak, Diana Smith,
Linda Cathey, Nina Filippi, Anne Lupica, Renee Donnelly, Mary Garbaciak

Friday, May 12, 2017

Recognition Luncheon wrap up

From the welcoming table to raffle tickets to lunch to speakers to Jana Bommersbach book signings to awards, the Recognition Luncheon was the place to be on Tuesday, May 9. It was filled with cheerful greetings, warm hugs, good conversation and lots of laughter. Kudos to chair Mary Garbaciak and her committee.


Claire Nullmeyer and Cindy Tidwell-Shelton

author Jana Bommersbach signs her books

Julie Moore and Mary McMahon with 50/50 tickets


President-elect Nina Filippi


Museum director Tawn Downs presents gift to Pat Faur

Andrea Evans, Deb Hester and Pat Faur

Anne Lupica and Claire Nullmeyer

Kelly Corsette and Anne Woosley

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Boots and Bangles Recognition Luncheon members and guests

Barb Ziehler
With a theme "Boots and Bangles" the ladies were inspired to dress up. Nothing like photographs to tell the story of the lovely luncheon organized by chair Mary Garbaciak and her industrious committee.

Board of Directors 2017-2018
Laura Helder, Rebecca Stone,Pam den Draak
Diana Smith, Linda Cathy, Nina Fillippi
Anne Lupica, Renee Donnelly, Mary Garbaciak




Cindy Tidwell-Shelton, Diana Smith

Stan and Nancy Evans with happy cookbook owner

Jan Murray and white hatted luncheon committee members

Claire Nullmeyer, Cindy Tidwell-Shelton, Jody van Rijn,
Lee Ann van Rijn, Michele

Mary McMahon counts 50/50 funds

Ruth Ann Hogan, Pat Faur, Deb Hester, Susan Howard

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Recognition Luncheon big success

Mary Garbaciak, Jana Bommersbach
Clede Gorrell, Barb Ziehler, Donna Esposito
Chair Mary Garbaciak knows how to throw a party! Boots and Bangles was a wonderful luncheon with amazingly entertaining guest speaker Jana Bommersbach, wonderful raffle items, 50/50 draw, cookbook sales, membership photo albums, flowers and fun. But the best part is always spending time with Historical League members and guests.
President elect Mary Garbaciak, Jody van Rijn


Susie Brinegar, Mary Garbaciak, Pat Faur, Mary McMahon, Ruth Ann Hogan,
Deb Hester, Clede Gorrell, Donna Esposito, Jan Murray


guest speaker, author Jana Bommersbach

Jana signing books for guests


Jody van Rijn, Lee Ann van Rijn , friend Michele

Julie Moore, Mary McMahon selling 50/50 tickets

Laura Helder, Susie Brinegar were busy selling cookbooks

Linda Cathy looking at raffle items



Mary Garbaciak welcomes guests

McCormick Ranch golf course and pavilion