PEO chapter honors Elisabeth Ruffner

Jeannine Moyle writes, "Here is a picture of Historical League gals who gathered at a P.E.O. state convention in May at the Mesa Hilton. Elisabeth Ruffner was honored for 60 years of service in a P.E.O chapter. It was fun to have so many League gals present to honor one of our Historymakers. This is yet another honor bestowed on her. P.E.O. is Philanthropic Educational Organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of education for women."

Pictured from left to right: Jeannine Moyle, Zona Lorig, Margaret Pogue, Lindy Isacksen, Linda Fritsch, Kathleen Fischer, Linda Cathey and Elisabeth Ruffner (seated)

Paul Messinger guest speaker at March meeting

This man has such knowledge of the Phoenix area. He was a walking encyclopedia . . . or should I refer to Google?

One of my favorite stories was about the history of Camelback Cemetery (also referred to as Scottsdale Cemetery) on East McDonald Drive. The soil is caliche and VERY hard so in the early days (late 1800's) they used sticks of dynamite to blow up the ground to make a grave. I wonder what the neighbors thought of that method?

After his talk, Kathleen Fischer presented Paul with a copy of Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

We always have delicious salads at meetings but this was a feast. Lovely Leprechaun decorations graced the table along with a 3 leaf clover centerpiece grown by Judy Lewis.

Kathleen Fischer's Black Bean & White Corn Salad

This was a big hit at the Historical League meeting in February and I have found lots of variations of it. Kathleen made it easy and pretty.

Southwestern Black Bean Salad

Salad:
2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 cup frozen white corn, thawed
1 diced red pepper
5 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
1 large garlic clove, crushed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients and refrigerate. Best if made the day before.
8-10 servings as a side dish

For another variation try Tastes and Treasures Black Bean and White Corn Salad with Ancho Cilantro Vinaigrette page 183