Maricopa Co. Library has Arizona Recollections and Reflections

Susan Dale and Ruth McLeod delivered 17 Centennial Legacy Project books to Mallory Smith this week. We are so pleased to say that all 17 books were underwritten by our sponsors so we were able to donate them to the libraries in this county. These libraries include

Aguila Branch (Aguila, AZ)
El Mirage Branch (El Mirage, AZ)
Fairway Branch (Sun City, AZ)
Fountain Hills Branch (Ft. Hills, AZ)
Gila Bend Branch (Gila Bend, AZ)
Goodyear Branch (Goodyear, AZ)
Guadalupe Branch (Guadalupe, AZ)
Hollyhock Branch (Surprise, AZ)
Litchfield Park Branch (Litchfield Park, AZ)
North Valley Regional Branch (Anthem, AZ)
Northwest Regional Branch (Surprise, AZ)
Perry Branch (Gilbert, AZ)
Queen Creek Branch (Queen Creek, AZ)
Robson Branch (Sun Lakes, AZ)
Southeast Regional Branch (Gilbert, AZ)
Sun City Branch (Sun City, AZ)
White Tank Branch (Waddell, AZ)

In February 2011 the Historical League published  Arizona Recollections and Reflections, An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration, honoring our Historymakers. A leather-bound 320 page book, it is an important reference for all ages in school and public libraries. The book includes a 56 page timeline that spans pre-statehood to Arizona's 100th year and incorporates the accomplishments of individual Historymakers as well as the book's sponsors during each of the ten decades. Featured in the book are the Historymakers' biographies, formal portraits and candid pictures as well as the histories and photographs of the book's fourteen sponsors.

This book has been well-received by teachers and educators as a reference and resource book. Elementary school students in fourth grade are state mandated to receive instruction in Arizona history. Learning about primary sources and how to analyze individual stories in relation to historical events occurs in middle school. High school students study major changes in society and can relate the effect that had on Arizona Historymakers. www.HistoricalLeague.org/historymakers

We continue to look for sponsors who would like to help us out with this project - getting every school library and public library in the state of Arizona a copy of Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration.

Lisa Schnebly Heidinger Guest Speaker

Dee Steen and Margaret Baker have brought us outstanding guest speakers at our monthly Historical League meetings. The October meeting was filled with delightful stories from Lisa Schnebly Heidinger, granddaughter of Sedona Schnebly. Dee presented her with a gift of Arizona Recollections and Reflections, the League's Centennial book.

 Lisa wrote the Centennial book, Arizona 100 Years Grand, filled with photos, stories and timelines of Arizona from 1912 through 2012.

It is a marvelous book printed by O'Neil Printing and Roswell Bookbinding. These are the same two highly qualified businesses who helped us create Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration. Both books are leather-bound using the highest quality paper and are officially designated Arizona Centennial Legacy Projects.

Lisa stayed after the meeting to sign her book. It was well received by the League.

Donating AZ Recollections & Reflections to Libraries

Thanks to our generous sponsors we are able to donate Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Centennial Historymakers Commemoration to school and public libraries across the state. Most recent funding has come from The John F. Long Foundation, the Jerry Colangelo family trust and Lucy Walkup. Handing them out at Carnegie Library for a Librarian workshop was so rewarding. The librarians were very appreciative to receive a book with such insight into the Historymakers. They commented it was very valuable to 4th grade through high school.

This is part of our Centennial Legacy Project. Norma Jean Coulter and Patti Goss assisted Zona Lorig and Ruth McLeod for the event Sept 14-15.

Zona and Carolyn at ACHE Convention with League books

Zona Lorig and Carolyn Mendoza continue to promote Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration and Tastes & Treasures A Storytelling Cookbook of Historic Arizona.

They set up a table at the AZ Council for History Education Convention in Mesa on Saturday, August 18 with displays and information.

Thanks to generous sponsors, the Centennial book is now available to libraries across the state. Complimentary copies will be given to libraries. We are in the process of gathering addresses and contact information for those who request Arizona Recollections and Reflections.

Historymakers Oral Histories on www.HistoricalLeague.org

One of our Centennial Legacy Project commitments is to have all 58 Historymakers Oral Histories on www.HistoricalLeague.org. It's a BIG job but Zona Lorig and Joan Robinson continue to work on it. All the official portraits, biographies and some pictures have been on the website but now there is more.

Joe Beeler and Esther Don Tang's pages have recently been updated to include their Oral Histories. It is exciting to see this happen. Now these amazing stories are available to the public through www.HistoricalLeague.org. Teachers, students, history buffs, geneologists, researchers and families can enjoy these interesting life histories as told to us - "In Their Own Words."

UC Davis library wants Historical League's Centennial book

How exciting to get a call from the library at University of California, Davis. They are requesting Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration. Of course, I am shipping our Legacy Project book today.

Congratulations to co-editors Zona Lorig and Joan Robinson. It was a pleasure working on this book with you. And a BIG thank you to all the Historical League members who started the Historymakers Recognition Program in 1991 by collecting this valuable information, memorabilia, artifacts and photos for the Arizona Historical Society Museum at Papago Park. This valuable Program continues today.

ASU Alumni enjoy AZ Recollections and Reflections Centennial book

ASU's University Club is full of history so it was the perfect venue on Feb 9 to tell the story of Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration.
Gwen Goebel and the ASU Alumni group that attended were most supportive. We enjoyed a lovely lunch prior to the presentation and met many people including Kirk Baughan, chair of ASU Estate and Gift Planning.

Joan Robinson has created a power point presentation that Zona Lorig and Ruth McLeod have given to many groups. It talks about the Historical League and the AHS Museum at Papago Park. Our Legacy Project goal is to honor our Historymakers with this Centennial book as well as the Historymakers Video, Historymakers Gala and www.HistoricalLeague.org.

The Centennial book appeals to a wide range of people interested in the history of this wonderful state. The beautifully leather-bound book incorporates the people and businesses who have played an integral part in the growth of AZ.

Megan Gately moving forward with education at AHS

Megan Gately, Education Program Co-ordinator at AHS, is full of ideas and energy. With the rapidly approaching Centennial celebration, she has even more activities. She has helped the Historical League many times, most recently helping me fill out forms to be a official vendor for Mesa Public Schools. We are looking forward to having them see our Centennial Legacy Project book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections, An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration.

Megan is now getting much needed support staff with Nancy York, Megan's new intern from ASU and Nikole Brasch, Educator.

Historymaker/Navajo Code Talker Keith Little 1925-2012

The Navajo Code Talkers and Keith Little were given a wonderful tribute at the Historymakers Centennial Gala February 11, 2011. Keith attended along with fellow Code Talkers Joe Kellwood and Sidney Bedoni. The Code Talkers were honored in 2005 and the Centennial Gala 2011 brought all honorees together for a special recognition.

We realize that the passing of these courageous men must not end the acknowledgements they deserve and we continue to honor them with our Historymakers Recognition program and exhibits at AHS Museum.

When asked why he chose to go to war, he answers simply: "[because] the Japanese made a sneak attack on the US," adding that he wanted "to protect our people, land and country."

Their stories are told in the Historical League's Centennial book, Arizona Recollections and Reflections which is a Centennial Legacy Project. The chapter in Tastes & Treasures from Cameron Trading Post also talks about the Navajo people.

Margarita Pie topic on talk radio

The interview with www.blogtalkradio.com/big-blend-radio/2011/07/23/food-history-travel was fun with lots of interest in Margarita Pie and Rancho de la Osa in Sasabe. The hosts did not know the Jesuit mission built in the late 1600 at Rancho de la Osa is the oldest building still in use in AZ. I was nervous about the interview since they know lots of history, so I felt good when I could give them some new information.

The interview was to promote Tastes & Treasures cookbook and Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Historymakers Centennial Commemoration book.

H. Alan Day, co-author of "Lazy B" with his sister Sandra Day O'Connor, preceded me on the talk show. He is such an interesting speaker. Both he and Sandra talked at a Historical League meeting a few years ago and it was fascinating. His passion now is rescueing wild horses and he tells us about this in his new book.

For all you foodies, here is the sought-after Margarita Pie recipe. Easy to fix and looks so impressive.

MARGARITA PIE

Pretzel Crust

1 1/2 cups finely crushed pretzels

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

Pie

1/2 cup fresh lime juice

1(14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

2 tablespoons gold tequila

2 tablespoons Triple Sec

2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

Green food coloring (optional)

For the crust, pulse the pretzels and sugar in a food processor several times to combine. Add the butter in a steady stream and process until well mixed. Press over the bottom and up the side of a 9 inch pie plate sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

For the pie, combine the lime juice, condensed milk, tequila and Triple Sec in a bowl and mix well. Fold in the whipped cream. Tint with green food coloring, if you desire a deeper color. Spoon into the crust. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 4 hours or up to 1 week. Garnish with additional whipped cream and lime slices.

Note: Do not use fat-free or low-fat pretzels in the crust or the crust will not hold together when cutting. You may substitute graham crackers for the pretzels.

We added green coloring but swirled it (not mixed it in uniformly) so it gave a marbled look.

Serves 6 to 8

Kudos for ARIZONA Recollections and Reflections

From Gloria in Phoenix . . .

I've been leafing through the beautiful Arizona Recollections and Reflections book you gave me yesterday, and am staggered by the interesting information and wonderful photographs! What a TREASURE! Thank you, beyond words! Gary has also spent an hour with it out on the patio, and was equally as fascinated as I. I can't think of a more wonderful gift.

Also from John in Minneapolis . . . "My father in law was a history teacher. He would have loved this book. Very well done and very interesting."

History that's Fun to Learn -Shipping Centennial books

With orders for ARIZONA Recollections and Reflections coming in, the books need to be shipped out. We are enjoying the ease of shipping through the post office using priority mail with the mailman picking them up. Zona and I had 20 to ship one day so we took them to the post office.

The Historical League is pleased that the book is an official Legacy Project. ARIZONA Recollections and Reflections gathers rare photographs and stories of history makers and companies that shaped the Arizona we live in today.

Centennial Book gets reviewed by Louise McCall

It is so rewarding to hear from readers of the new Legacy Project tribute to Historymakers, ARIZONA Recollections and Reflections. History that's Fun to Learn.

Louise McCall, widow of Robert McCall Aerospace Artists 1919-2010, writes, "It is marvelous and makes me very proud to be part of it. I can see Bob smiling and saying 'an excellent job'." Louise is an excellent artist in her own right, designing murals and paintings that are displayed in several public places including Virginia Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

Volunteers go above and behond

Working towards the Arizona Centennial Historymakers Gala and Reception Program has been a 2 year journey for Historical League volunteers. The chairmen always contribute more but this year our volunteers have gone far beyond the usual donation of time, talent and resources.
Pictured here is our "Computer Guru" Joan Robinson with "Writing Guru" Zona Lorig. Margaret Baker and Pat Faur are two of many who have helped edit the AZ Centennial book and Historymakers Gala program. Thank you to all involved.

Centennial Historymakers Commemorative book

With deadlines looming, the volunteers working on this book have been amazing. Thanks to all of them but especially Linda Cathey and Norma Jean Coulter proof reading here with co-editor Zona Lorig. Computer guru Joan Robinson-Blumit continues to astound us with her talents in creating this 320 page book as co-editors Ruth McLeod and Zona look on.
This book is part of the Centennial Legacy Project and it is a huge committment involving thousands of hours but well worth it. Arizona Historymakers have been honored for their contribution to the growth of the State. This book details their accomplishments and stories.

Centennial Legacy Project Official

Celebrations are in order as the Historical League now has two officially sanctioned Centennial Projects. The Historymakers Gala will be the official kick off of the Centennial on February 11, 2011. Plans are underway for a truly wonderful event you won't want to miss.

The second project is my favorite - The Legacy Project. Oral histories from all 56 Historymakers will soon be available at www.HistoricalLeague.org containing many wonderful stories and memories from some amazing Arizonans. Thanks to so many volunteers from the Historical League for working so hard on this project.

Zona Lorig and myself continue to work on transferring these stories from paper to digital format. We also share a laugh over "dueling laptops" as we chat about the progress. Joan Robinson-Blumit is the key to this fabulous project with her knowledge of computers and the internet.