Celebration of Life for Pam Ryan

An amazing lady, good friend, strong supporter of Arizona history and past President of the Historical League.  So many came to say goodbye, to remember and to honor her. She will be greatly missed.

Featured in an uplifting TGen video, this is only one photo of many.

Wonderful Recognition Luncheon

Paradise Valley Country Club was the beautiful setting for the luncheon arranged by Delores Tomasek and Sharon Montegary. Guest speaker was Yuma's walking promotion, Tina Clark and she had so much to say about the area. Port Yuma was bustling in the 1800's with the Colorado River flowing into the Gila River, Yuma Territorial Prison, Riverboats coming from the Sea of Cortez . . . Her power point presentation showed us so much history! And so much happening in this century with agriculture. As Tina said, "Next time you are in Yuma, stop for more than gas."

Delores Tomasek welcomes the Historical League members.

Tina Clark presentation was "All Trails Lead to Yuma".

Nancy Evans quips with Tina Clark. Nancy brought the fabulous bromeliad centerpieces.

Linda Cathey accepts the Presidency for 2013-2014 from Past-President 2012-13 Pam Ryan.
Advisor and Past-President 2011-2012 Sharron McKinney passes the "symbolic" gavel.

How did Phoenix grow?

Guest speakers and authors Jim McPherson and Suad Mahmuljin gave us terrific insight to what has been happening with historic buildings, transportation and the growth of the city. Together they have written Downtown Phoenix Images of America filled with photos of days gone by.

Phoenix started growing in 1860 with water from Hohocam canals.  Jack Swilling started his Ditch Company creating canals that were lush and green. You could drive from Phoenix to Tempe in the shade of cottonwood trees. Then came roads and rails.

By 1880's the city streets were full of bicycles, pedestrians, horse and carriages and streetcars. Most building had awnings and trees to shield the sun. Central north of McDowell was open space and a toll road but bicycles were free.

In 1890 and 1891 Phoenix had 2 major floods and the prominent residents moved north of the city from the low-lying areas. Many elegant Victorian homes were never rebuilt in south Phoenix.

The Fleming Building 1896

Pam Ryan presents the authors with Arizona Recollections and Reflections

1929 brought the automobile, traffic jams and service stations.

Thank you to CHP chairs

Standing are CHP Chairs Nancy Evans, Bonnie Newhoff and Mary Parker with Nina Fillipi absent.

After reporting that the Children's Holiday Party brought in over $12,000, the chairs were presented with gifts from President Pam Ryan and Barbara Cardinal (seated). The 30th Annual event was as delightful as ever for children and adults. With amazing raffle prizes and silent auction items, Mr. and Mrs. Santa photos, games, crafts and amazing entertainment along with a delicious lunch at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, we look forward to the event in 2013.

Planning for Historymakers Gala XI

The Historymakers Gala XI is in good hands with co-chairs Jeannine Moyle and Mary Parker. Organizational and fundraising meetings are being held with some exciting changes in the works for this Rec0gition Program.

Attending this meeting were Sharron McKinney, Pam den Draak, Jeannine Moyle, Susan Dale, Ruth McLeod, Renee Donnelly, Pam Ryan, Mary Parker, Joan Robinson and Zona Lorig.

Stay tuned for announcements.

Happy 100th Birthday Arizona at BestFest

Sharing the history of Arizona was fun at BestFest February 11-12 at the Capitol Celebration. Rex and Kay Holcombe, and Ruth and Al McLeod helped Carolyn Mendoza set up the booth. Then the crowds started coming Saturday morning even though it did not officially open until noon.

The biplane fly-over and Motorcycle rally with the Copper Chopper were two of the many highlights.

AHS had the booth right next to ours and drew lots of people to see the original pen that President Taft used to sign the declaration making AZ the 48th state.

Thanks to Carolyn Mendoza for working the entire weekend with help from Sharron McKinney, Zona Lorig, Mariamne Moore, Susan Dale, Pat Faur, Margaret Baker, Nina Fillippi, Ruth McLeod and Pam Ryan. These Historical League members met people and told the story of the League and AHS. Lots of cookbooks, Centennial books, hats and aprons were sold. Thanks also to Larry Baker and Tom and Mark Lorig for help packing up.

Crostini with Cream Cheese, Prosciutto & Fig

At the Historical League Open House, President Sharron McKinney spoke of the many things the League is doing. President Elect, Pam Ryan, co-hosted the event with Leslie Christiansen. Pam presented owners of the historic Craftsman-style home, Shelly and Griff Hearn, with Tastes & Treasures

cookbook and our new Centennial book, AZ Recollections and Reflections, as a thank you for hosting the Open House. The "Before" and "After" photos of their remodeling was impressive.

Another great appetizer served was Crostini with Cream Cheese, Prosciutto and Fig.

CROSTINI WITH CREAM CHEESE, PROSCIUTTO & FIG

Ingredients:

8 oz Cream Cheese, at room temperature

4-6 dried Garland figs, finely chopped

5-6 slices prosciutto, cut in a thin ribbon, or chiffonnade

1 baguette French bread

Truffle Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Method:

1. Preheat oven to boil. Place oven rack near the top.
2. Slice bread about 3/8-inch thick, cut about 24 slices. Place on a sheet pan and drizzle witholive oil.
3. Lightly toast one side of the bread, about 3-4 minutes. Allow bread to cool.
4. Using a butter-knife spread a thin layer of the cream cheese on the toasted side. Sprinkle with the chopped figs and prosciutto.
5. Just before serving, drizzle with a few drops of the truffle oil.

Serves 12 as an appetizer

Scottsdale ArtFest features League books

We have a booth at Scottsdale ArtFest Nov 19-20 downtown by the library. The Historical League will be selling Tastes & Treasures cookbook, Arizona Recollections and Reflections, Centennial aprons, hats and visors.

Join us and enjoy all the wonderful arts and crafts booths from 10 am - 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Carolyn Mendoza has volunteers lined up to help her with sales - Pam Ryan, Bonnie Newhoff, Sharron McKinney, Nina Fillipi, Pat Faur, Lindy Isacksen, Margaret Pogue, Delores Tomasek and Judy Blackwell. Our volunteers are the best.

Historic Home to host Membership Open House

The Craftsman-style Hearn Home on W. Northern is the venue for the 2011 Historical League Membership Open House. Guest Speaker and former Director of AHS Museum at Papago Park, Reba Wells Grandrud, is very knowledgeable about the Sunnyslope area and will tell us

more about the home. We are excited to tour the fully restored

homeand learn all about the challenges and successes of the project complete with

"before and after" photos.

Tastes & Treasures cookbook will be for sale along with Arizona Recollections and Reflections An Arizona Centennial

Historymakers Commemoration, Centennial aprons, hats and visors. Several of the foods served are from the cookbook.

Thanks to co-chairs President Elect Pam Ryan and Leslie Christiansen for organizing a lovely afternoon on Thursday, Oct 20.
For more information contact Pam at pardir@cox.net or Leslie at wackomama4@gmail.com

Pam Ryan brings Luscious Layered Dip to Historymakers Gala Wrap up party

This dip was a hit at the Historymakers Gala wrap up party. Thanks to Pam Ryan who got the recipe from League member Leslie Christiansen. The trick was in the plating from the spring foam pan and Pam did it with ease.





LUCIOUS THREE LAYERED DIP

Ingredients:
¼ cup cold water
1 package unflavored gelatin
Avocado Layer:
2 large avocados, cubed
¼ cup green onion, sliced about 1-inch pieces
2 T fresh lime or lemon juice
2 T mayonnaise or sour cream
1 t salt, more to taste
Splash hot pepper sauce
Sour Cream Layer:
1 cup sour cream, at room temperature (low fat is OK, but not non-fat)
¼ cup sweet or yellow onion, finely chopped in food processor
Red Pepper Layer:
3 red peppers, (you can use one red, yellow & orange pepper)
Roasted in a 375 F oven for 30 minutes, peeled and seeded
¼ cup red onion, chopped
¼ cup cilantro, roughly chopped
2 T mayonnaise or sour cream
1 T fresh lime or lemon juice
1 t coriander
1 t cumin
1/8 t chipotle powder, or to taste
1 t salt, more to taste
Method:
1. Lightly oil an 8-inch spring-form pan or spray with non-stick spray.
2. Put the cold water and gelatin in a heat-proof bowl, stir with a fork to dissolve.
3. After about 5 minutes, place the bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water; (not boiling) in a few minutes the gelatin will melt. Keep on the stove, on your lowest heat.
4. The gelatin will be divided between the 3 layers.
5. AVOCADO layer: put 1 of the cubed avocados, green onion, lime/lemon juice, mayonnaise, salt and hot pepper sauce in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to almost a puree. Season to taste with salt; add more salt & hot pepper sauce, if desired.
6. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the 2nd cubed avocado, along with 1 T of the melted gelatin. Spread over the bottom of the prepared pan, refrigerate while you make the next layer.
7. SOUR CREAM layer: stir together the sour cream, onion & 2 T of the melted gelatin. Carefully spread over the avocado layer and chill.
8. RED PEPPER layer: put the roasted red peppers, red onion, cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice, coriander, cumin, chipotle powder and salt into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the red peppers look like confetti. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Stir in the remaining 1 T gelatin. Spread on top of the sour cream layer.
9. Cover and chill until firm, at least 6 hours; overnight is best.
10. To serve, run a thin knife around the inside of the pan, then remove the sides of the spring form pan. Place the mold, still on the base of the pan, on a decorative platter (place a folded wet paper-towel under the dip to keep it from sliding). Serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.

ArtFest a Success

Scottsdale's ArtFest at the Civic Center library is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Tastes & Treasures cookbook. Carolyn Mendoza did a fabulous job of running the sales and co-ordinating volunteers to man the booth for two days with very good results. Despite the wind and weather forcing an early closure on Sunday, the Historical League brought in $960 worth of sales of cookbooks, Centennial aprons and baseball caps. We are also able to "spread the word" about the Historical League, AHS Museum at Papago Park, Historymakers Centennial Gala and Children's Holiday Party. With lots of help setting up the tent, it was a fun event. Thanks to volunteers: Margaret Pogue, Linda Isaksen, Pam Ryan, Judy Yauch, Steve Yauch, Al McLeod, Deb Hester, Ruth Ann Hogan, Nina Fillips, Mariamne Moore and Bonnie Newhoff. We couldn't do it without you.

Rancho de La Osa

Pam Ryan and Jeannie Fletcher organized a fabulous overnight trip to Rancho De La Osa in Sasabe, AZ. Twenty eight League members enjoyed the history, culture, conversation and good food at this historic inn that has a chapter in Tastes & Treasures cookbook. Owners Richard and Veronica Schultz were most hospitable, sharing their home and appreciation for the values of the Old West.