Dolan Ellis, 2023 Arizona Historymaker

 Dolan Ellis – Arizona’s Official State Balladeer since 1966; composer of over 300 songs about Arizona was recently interviewed by Historical League member Dr. Josephine Pete. The Historical League is proud to recognize Dolan as a 2023 Arizona Historymaker for all that he has contributed to Arizona.

Celebration of the 2023 Arizona Historymakers is October 14, 2023 at Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park, Tempe.

Congratulations to all 2023 Arizona Historymakers:

Frank M. Barrios, Michael M. Crow Ph.D., Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, Ira Fulton & the Fulton Family, Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White

Angel Delgadillo, "Father of Historic Route 66", 2023 Arizona Historymaker

Angel Delgadillo, 2023 Arizona Historymaker from Seligman, AZ in his barber chair, shares his story of leading the effort to recognize Route 66 as "Historic Route 66."

Congratulations to all 2023 Arizona Historymakers:

Frank M. Barrios, Michael M. Crow Ph.D., Angel Delgadillo, Dolan Ellis, Ira Fulton & the Fulton Family, Honorable Terry Goddard, Denise D. Resnik, Jeffrey M. Trent Ph.D., Daniel D. Von Hoff M.D., Mrs. Elizabeth J. White

After a fact-finding and delightful interview by Zona Lorig in his Seligman, AZ barber shop, Angel Delgadillo smiles for the camera.

Gathering for a photo in the Seligman pool hall of the Delgadillo Family are (from left): Diana Smith, Historical League chair of the 2023 Arizona Historymakers Recognition Program; Clarissa Delgadillo Perez, daughter of Angel Delgadillo; Norma Jean Coulter, Historical League member; Angel Delgadillo, 2023 Arizona Historymaker; Historical Zona Lorig, Historical League member; Mirna Delgadillo, daughter of Angel Delgadillo; Elizabeth Kapp, Arizona Historical Society Museum Curator; Nathan Samoriski, Museum Collections Manager at the Arizona Heritage Center at Papago Park.

Angel Delgadillo and his brothers and sisters each played an instrument in the locally famous Delgadillo band for more than 80 years. The love of music continues today as Angel and his children still practice and play for personal enjoyment.

Today, the instruments are on display at the Angel & Vilma Route 66 Gift Shop in Seligman, AZ. Mirna Delgadillo shares the family's performing story with Historical League Member, Zona Lorig. Behind the red framed window wall is the barber shop of Mirna’s father, the 96-year-old Arizona Historymaker, Angel Delgadillo, the "Father of Historic Route 66".

Dr. Morrison Warren 1997 Historymaker on Valley 101 Podcast

When Kaely Monahan of Valley 101/AZ Central needed research to do a podcast of 1997 Historymaker Dr. Morrison Warren, she reached out to the Historical League. Cathy Shumard, our website chair, provided her with photos, video, oral history and people to contact. Dr. Warren's, son Kevin Warren (Chicago Bears President and CEO) joined Kaely to create this insight into early Phoenix City Council and growing up with Dr. Warren as a role model.

Learning about all the amazing things that Arizona Historymakers have done is part of the excitement of the Historymakers Program. 

Valley 101: This week, we’re looking back at Morrison Warren, the first Black man to ever sit on the Phoenix City Council: a man shaped by World War II, sports and committed to education.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/04vzy9fGwQ7jCVtLE46Hz6

After listening to the podcast, Cathy Shumard wrote Kaely commenting, "You are a master podcaster! I loved the way you wove together the voices of father and son with your own interview questions and the background music. 
I never met Kevin and Morrison Warren, but now I know their voices, thanks to you. The bridge building messages are so powerful!"  

Special thanks to the Arizona Historical Society for providing the interview with Dr. Morrison Warren. The video is directed and written by Chris Wooley. The director of photography is Wayne Dickmann. Pat McMahon narrated. It was produced by the Historical League and made possible by a financial grant from Dr. Edward Diethrich.

October General Meeting featured Dr. Lauren Harris

Bonnie Newhoff commented about the interesting presentation at the October meeting. "Our speaker at the October meeting, Lauren McArthur Harris, is a history professor at ASU. She talked about teaching history to today’s students and about the importance of the National History Day competition."

Dr. Lauren Harris with President Chris Hackett

Dr. Harris with Claire Nullmeyer

Mary Parker does a great job with the 50/50 raffle for Family Holiday Party with Cinderella. Members eager to participate at the October Historical League meeting.

President Chris Hackett with Dr. Harris

Claire Nullmeyer with Dr. Harris

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Mary Parker does a great job with the 50/50 raffle for Family Holiday Party with Cinderella. Members eager to participate at the October Historical League

Sharron McKinney, Carolyn Mendoza, Mary Parker

Sharron McKinney, Linda Corderman, Mary Parker, Claire Nullmeyer

Museum updates given at the Oct General Meeting are always well received. We heard from Debbie McKinnion, Jason Mihalic (new Grants Co-ordinator), Salessia McGowan (Volunteer Coordinator). Diana Smith was enthusiastic about plans for the Historymaker Program with the new Nominees to be announced Feb 2023.

Diana Smith and Secretary Norma Jean Coulter

Linda Fritsch and Dianne Linthicum

Sharon Gaustala and Cathy Shumard