1993 Historymaker Erma Bombeck

If you haven't read The Grass is Greener Over the Septic Tank or If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I Doing in the Pits? by Erma Bombeck, you are missing out.

There is no denying that Erma Bombeck had a way with words. Her family gave us her Bean Dip story and recipe for Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. Found on page 181, Erma's humor shines through.

Here are two of Erma's famous quotes about food, “There are four basic food groups, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.”
“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.”

Erma Bombeck was honored as a Historymaker in 1993 along with Senator John Rhodes, Bud Jacobson, Bill Kajikawa, Dwight Patterson and Jack Williams. AZ Heritage Center is proud to archive their oral histories, photographs and memorabilia from the Historymakers Recognition Program.

Tour of Pueblo Grande

Fascinating Historical League tour of Pueblo Grande. Such ancient dwellings in the middle of Phoenix. Thanks to Pam Stevenson for organizing this wonderful tour.

Got Lemons this time of year? Make Lemon Loaf!

The citrus trees are loaded with lemons this time of year in Arizona. The air is sweet and most of us are sneezing with allergies.  But we have LEMONS. Lots and Lots of Lemons. What to do?

Luscious Lemon Loaf from page 198 Tastes & Treasures Volume I
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tsp lemon extract

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 5 X 8 " loaf pan with baking parchment paper. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Combine the sugar, butter and eggs in a mixing bowl. Beat using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl occasionally. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, walnuts and flavoring.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until the loaf tests done. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: you may drizzle with a mixture of 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 tsp half and half and 1 tsp lemon juice. Pierce the loaf with a fork to let the delicious drizzle sink deep inside. Top with sliced lemons and blueberries.
Makes 1 loaf.

Membership Open House at 'Skyfire'

Vern and Cille Swaback with event organizers Susan Dale and Pam den Draak

Linda and John Fritsch

This sold out evening at the home of Vern and Cille Swaback in north Scottsdale was magical. With black clouds billowing in the sky, the scent of rain and very chilly winds, it looked doubtful during the afternoon set up. But by 5:00 pm, the sun shone through, bathing 'Skyfire' in a glowing light. Food was served from recipes in the recently published Tastes and Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. Thanks to organizers Susan Dale and Pam den Draak for creating a lovely event with beautiful view and fabulous home, a chance to socialize, enjoy the presentation from renowned architect Vern Swaback with Vern signing his new book "Designing for the Life of Community
at a Time of Great Change" and have several new people join the Historical League. We are also thrilled to have Vern Swaback as an honoree in the 2019 Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program. The Gala will be held February 23, 2019 at the Arizona Biltmore.

Susie Brinegar

Mary, Karen, Renee and Mary

Cille Swaback, Barbara Davis

Bonnie Newhoff, Cindy Tidwell-Shelton, Leslie Christiansen

Tom Lorig, George Filippi, Dean Hebert

March Cookbook Meeting celebrates new book

After 2 1/2 years working on Tastes and Treasures II, the cookbook committee is pleased with the book.

Comments like "I received mine yesterday! Can’t wait to get started trying the recipes. Beautiful photos of the area...family histories behind some of the recipes and much more...truly a treasure chest!" Cathy P.

"Got my book, went home, started around 12:30 pm and read it cover to cover. The dishes in the sink can wait.  Had hubby pick up dinner!" Julie M., Phoenix, AZ

, Utica, N.Y.
 "While the first cook book was extremely well done this one is even better. It is very professional looking, has some great stories and recipes.  We will be proud to give it as gifts."
Gerry and Peggy M., Phoenix, AZ

"I had a chance to sit down with the book this afternoon. It is truly exceptional! The cookbook committee must be so proud." from Anne L, Phoenix, AZ

Now we focus on marketing and getting the book into stores and filling online orders. Special Events are a big part of the book marketing too and everyone likes to sample the granola we bring.

Drew delivers Tastes & Treasures II to Arizona Inn

Arizona Inn is featured in the new Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. When they ordered a box of books, Drew Nullmeyer was available to deliver them to their historic Tucson location. Historical League member Cathy Nullmeyer has enlisted her wonderful son as a new volunteer!

Elote corn dip from Elote Cafe, Sedona

Friends are coming over. Want to really impress them with a great appetizer? Try this yummy warm

dip from Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. It is a recipe from Elote Cafe in Sedona, housed in the historic Sedona Arabella Hotel. Note that the town of Sedona was named after Sedona Arabella Schnebly. Likewise Schnebly Hill Road. More history on page 40.
Of course, my girlfriends wanted the recipe and were happy to take home the new Tastes & Treasures II cookbook filled with lots more recipes and histories. Also interesting was the guys enjoyed Elote Dip even more!!

Reviews of Tastes & Treasures II

Wonderful comments are coming in about Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona.

I received mine yesterday! Can’t wait to get started trying the recipes. Beautiful photos of the area...family histories behind some of the recipes and much more...truly a treasure chest! Cathy Soosi Poccia, Utica, N.Y.

"Got my book, went home, started around 12:30 pm and read it cover to cover. The dishes in the sink can wait.  Had hubby pick up dinner!" Julie M. Phoenix, AZ

"While the first cook book was extremely well done this one is even better. It is very professional looking, has some great stories and recipes.  We will be proud to give it as gifts".
Gerry and Peggy M., Phoenix, AZ

"I had a chance to sit down with the book this afternoon. It is truly exceptional! The cookbook committee must be so proud." from Anne L, Phoenix, AZ

“It is stunning. The photography, the layout, the cover…elegant and yet approachable.  And so many legacy recipes!  I am so proud to have gotten to be a part of it. Thank you.” Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, Phoenix, AZ

“We were hosting company last weekend and I made the most delicious meal from Tastes and Treasures II.  It was from the Harvey House Cafe at the Grand Canyon - their marinated grilled chicken and creamy rice. (p 59).  My husband said the meal tasted just like it came from a restaurant and I said, ‘It did!!!!’ Needless to say there were no leftovers!  I love that cookbook and can't wait to try more recipes.”  Thank you again.” Kim G., Scottsdale, AZ

"So happy to see you were able to do it (publish Volume II) again." Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore, Phoenix and Tempe

“I've never seen a more beautiful or useful Arizona cookbook -- Historical League's Tastes & Treasures II now available with beautiful hard cover and tons of photos, ring binder inside for easy use and page turning. Recipes from 24 Historic Venues, 28 Cherished local Legacies and 19 state Historymakers. A great find for any home cook or history buff.” Gifts to Go, Tammy Fraser, Surprise, AZ

Selling Tastes & Treasures II at Windsor Square Home Tour

Historic homes in Phoenix and an historic AZ cookbook went well together at the Windsor Square Home Tour. Thanks to Andrea Evans for getting us a space.
Rain started off the morning during set up at 7:30 am but clear skies appeared by 10:00 am and it was a lovely day. We were energized to met lots of people interested in history and cooking with Tastes & Treasures II, and joining the Historical League. Thanks to Mariamne Moore, Ruth McLeod and Susan Dale for managing set up, sales and tear down.
Another vendor was John Jacquemart, long-time Historical League supporter selling his wonderful book, Phoenix Past and Present.

Historical League Archives at AZ Heritage Center

Records are important to keep. Since its beginning in 1979, the Historical League has done important things, raised funds for the Arizona Historical Society museum at Papago Park [now the Arizona Heritage Center], sponsored events, started programs, told the story of Historymakers, and so much more. Archivist Linda Whitaker emphasized the importance of having Historical League history archived at the museum to tell our story too.  We found out that "what should be saved are ordinary committee annual reports, invitations, photos, etc., that represent the life of the organization - how we lived it - the flesh and blood."
Thanks to Zona Lorig, Linda Whitaker, Margaret Baker and Mary Parker for gathering all this information from League members, sorting through it and saving important relevant material. It may take some time to go through all these files, paper and digital,  but the end result is worth it.

Tastes & Treasures II sales at AZ Statehood Celebration

Norma Jean Coulter and Ruth McLeod prepare the sales table

Celebrating AZ Statehood at the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park, Feb. 13, was also the premiere of Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. Thanks to Norma Jean Coulter, Laura Helder and Pat Christopherson for selling cookbooks that evening.

Tom and Cathy Shumard, Norma Jean Coulter and Ruth McLeod set up the display

Tastes & Treasures II Cookbooks stored at Museum

Thanks to the valiant effort of Jolene Beard, two pallets of books are safely stored on the shelves at the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park. Interesting that we have a VERY HEAVY historic safe from The Bank of Arizona to keep guard!

YES . . . that is 1,000 books!

Love her strong arms and smiling face!

Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona has arrived.

More places to find Tastes & Treasures II cookbook

Ruth McLeod, Barb Ziehler
and El Chorro's Melanie Volker

Kai at Wild Horse Pass and El Chorro in Paradise Valley are both featured in Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. The book is available at their locations. Write Ons in Phoenix also carries the book now. And you can always order at www.HistoricalLeague.org/SHOP.aspx

Heard Museum Book Signing

Photo from Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair book signing with Leslie Christiansen and Cathy Shumard yesterday. Thanks to Norma Jean Coulter for setting it up.
Fun and a little chilly, but always good to share the history, recipes and food memories found in Tastes & Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona. After two years working on the book, there are lots of stories to share!

Available at www.HistoricalLeague.org/SHOP.aspx

Stockyards Steakhouse carries Tastes & Treasures II

Enjoying the moment are Ruth McLeod, owner Gary Lasko standing. Barb Ziehler, Linda Corderman seated in booth.

Stockyards owner Gary Lasko was one of the first venues to be involved with the new cookbook. We were so pleased to visit with him and deliver 20 books. 

Despite his rather small gift shop, he re-ordered 30 more books in two days and we couldn't be happier to deliver them to him. Delivery often includes a stop for lunch, drinks, dessert . . .

Barb Ziehler in front of "gift shop" in Stockyards lobby

Who says the Stockyards is only about beef?
Decadent and delicious, warm pecan pie with rum sauce is perfect for dessert.

Tastes & Treasures II at Lon's at the Hermosa

Patt Walker and Ruth McLeod admire the gardens

With their beautiful front door on the cover of Tastes and Treasures II: A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona, Lon's was ready to start selling the book. Public Relations manager Melanie Volkers loved the cover and we chatted about the views from Lon's front door. There are so many wonderful photo opportunities at this historic restaurant and resort.

Patt Walker, Barb Ziehler,  Norma Jean and Ruth McLeod (behind the camera)
enjoy a toast to Lon's and the front cover of Tastes and Treasures II.