Sunday, March 30, 2025

Wallace & Ladmo Team remembered with new Downtown Phoenix street name

Thanks to Historical League member and Sunnyslope Historical Society president Julia Taggart for making this happen!

We recognized the Wallace & Ladmo Team in 1992 as Arizona Historymakers. Nice to see they are still being honored!



More info, oral history, video, biography at https://www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/patrick-john-mcmahon-wallace-and-ladmo-team


 








Downtown Phoenix street to be renamed for Wallace and Ladmo

Even better, Ladmo Bags will be given away at the public ceremony later this year.

By Benjamin Leatherman

March 26, 2025

The late Wallace and Ladmo have already achieved iconic status in the Valley. Now, the beloved local television personalities — who’s namesake children's show aired on KPHO Channel 5 for 35 years — are getting a downtown Phoenix street named in their honor.


The Phoenix City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved installing ceremonial street signs at McKinley and First streets renaming the intersection "Wallace and Ladmo Way" in celebration of the legendary duo.


The intersection is located near First Studio, the historic downtown Phoenix building that housed KPHO when “The Wallace and Ladmo Show” began airing in 1954.


It's the latest tribute to the iconic duo, who have been a part of local lore since debuting on Phoenix airwaves more than 70 years ago.


Who were Wallace and Ladmo?

For Arizona residents of a certain age, Bill “Wallace” Thompson and Ladamir “Ladmo” Kwiatkowski were childhood icons. Their show, which aired from 1954 to 1989, was smart, subversive and packed with colorfully absurd humor that entertained all ages.


Wallace played the straight man, Ladmo was the lovable goof and villainous spoiled brat Gerald (one of many characters portrayed on the program by Arizona television personality Pat McMahon) was delightfully insufferable.


“The Wallace and Ladmo Show” was a Phoenix institution. Its skits were zany, its humor sharp and its special guests list included the likes of Muhammad Ali and a young Alice Cooper, who performed with his early band, The Spiders, in the 1960s.

And then there were the Ladmo Bags — the sought-after brown paper sacks packed with candy, sodas and toys that were awarded to lucky kids in the audience. Much like the show itself, they became a cherished piece of Arizona pop culture, remembered with nostalgia and joy.


Just ask Julia Taggart of the Sunnyslope Historical Society in Phoenix, which launched a "Wallace and Ladmo" exhibit last year to celebrate the show’s 70th anniversary.


“It’s almost like a cult phenomenon, because people who are younger like me, don't really know how deep ‘The Wallace and Ladmo Show’ runs in Arizona’s history,” Taggart says. “I've had people stay for four hours talking about how much the show meant to them or people who say they never won a Ladmo Bag.”

How “Wallace and Ladmo Way” became a reality

Taggart was the catalyst for the signs. Last year, she began speaking with Thompson and Kwiatkowski’s families, Phoenix officials and former cast members about renaming the intersection near First Studio in time for the show’s 70th anniversary.

“I thought it would just be great to have a ceremonial street sign for the show in front of where it was (originally) filmed,” Taggart says.


First Studio already features a prominent homage to the program: an enormous mural of Wallace, Ladm and Gerald on the building’s north side, created in 2011 by Phoenix artists Nomas, Casebeer, and Jenny Ignaszewski. Taggart believes the ceremonial street signs further enhance the tribute to the show.


“I thought that would be the perfect place for (the signs),” Taggart says. “When you're driving down First Avenue, you’ll see Wallace and Ladmo Way and then see the mural and experience a piece of history.”


Taggart’s efforts hit a few delays — including turnover with the Phoenix City Councilperson representing the part of town where First Studio is located — but she says it's been worth the wait.


“It feels wonderful that it's finally happening,” Taggart says. “I'm very honored to be a part of this and to have the family trust me. It's always a privilege to be able to help preserve history, especially history that is as significant as this.”


A private unveiling for cast members and the families of Thompson and Kwiatkowski will take place in April, Taggart says. A public ceremony is also being planned, though no date has been set.


Most importantly, Ladmo Bags will be given to attendees, according to Phoenix City Councilman Carlos Galindo-Elvira.






 

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Winner in Marana/Twin Peaks Elementary Third Grade AZ Postcard Contest

 Historical League is proud to support the 3rd grade AHS Postcard Contest! Congrats to Andy Zhao.

Third Grader Wins Arizona Historical Society Museum's Postcard Contest!
Thanks to Arizona Historical Society V.P. of Education Dr. Kristen Rex for all her efforts promoting Arizona history.


F. Ronald "Ron" Rayner honored as 2025 Arizona Historymaker

With a charming smile F. RONALD “RON” RAYNER -- Innovative Crop Management Practices Nationally Recognized, Community Leader -- is honored as 2025 Arizona Historymaker at the Announcement event. Along with his family he spent the afternoon greeting his many supporters and fellow Historymakers. 

Right to Left: Historymaker 2025 Ron Rayner and wife Heather.
                                                                Robert Rayner (Ron's brother) and wife Sharon 

Arizona Historymakers have made significant contributions to a broad range of communities and the heritage of Arizona. The other 2025 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

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

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 Devine, Ron Rayner, Bob Boze Bell, Dr. Duane Wooten, Dr. Oliver Harper - 2025 Arizona Historymakers

Back row L to R: Sabrina Rayner and husband Ross Rayner. Historymaker 2025 Ron and wife Heather Rayner.
Robert Rayner and wife Sharon Rayner. Margaret Baker.     Front row: Larry Baker
Margaret Baker writes, "Ron, brother Robert, and son Ross are natives of Goodyear - I'm a native of Phoenix, Larry and Sharon are natives of Buckeye." Since the early 1900s the Rayner family has been very active in farming in the West Valley as has Margaret Baker's family. Arizona natives have a unique story to tell.

Rayner family viewing the 2023 Arizona Historymakers Exhibit 

Historymaker Co-Chairs Diane Smith and Diana Smith welcome attendees







Friday, March 28, 2025

700 students in 40 classrooms participated in the AHS annual 3rd Grade AZ Postcard Contest.

Remember being in 3rd grade?

Two Greenlee County third-graders were among 14 selected statewide to have their artwork celebrating their home state printed and offered for sale as postcards.

Imagine you were a winner in the AZ 3rd grade postcard contest and your teacher didn't tell you. Cassandra Hernandez surprised her student, Skylar James, when the YouTube announcement video played and her name was announced. "Her eyes lit up and the whole classroom went crazy," Hernandez said. 

AHS invited third graders across the state to creatively celebrate Arizona through the 5 Cs, historical events, landscapes, people or animals. Teachers from participating classes selected one entry to submit to the historical society, where a panel of retired teachers used a rubric to select 18 finalists before narrowing that number down to 14 winners.

The winners' entries will be turned into postcards that will be available in the gift shop of the Arizona History Museum.

Each student also will also receive a visit from historical society representatives for an award presentation and a classroom pizza party. Winners will receive a gift bag, and their teachers will receive a gift as well.


Kristen Rex, AHS vice president of education, said the contest is aimed at third graders because that is the earliest grade in which history and social studies are introduced into the school curriculum. The reason for encouraging the student to design postcards is actually linked to Arizona history: Early settlers didn't have cell phones and computers, so they frequently communicated via penny postcards.

Dates for the pizza parties haven't been set yet, but Duncan's Barker acknowledged it's going to be a big deal for her pupil Addie.

"She's very excited," Barker said.Full story at https://www.eacourier.com/.../article_950126de-fb9f-11ef... 

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Historymakers Bob Boze Bell and Marshall Trimble talk about their Arizona stories

 History comes alive as Arizona Historymakers Bob Boze Bell 2025 and Marshall Trimble 2014 share Arizona stories.


Wednesday, March 26, 2025

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

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

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