Smithsonian Museum Day

September 26, 2009: AHS participates in Smithsonian Museum Day
Museum Day is a one-day event where participating museums and cultural institutions across the country offer free admission to Smithsonian magazine readers and friends with a Museum Day Admission Card. Museum Day is an outstanding way to celebrate the country's cultural offerings. Arizona Historical Society museums in Tempe and Tucson will provide free admission on Saturday, September 26, 2009 to each attendee (plus one guest) who presents a Smithsonian Museum Day Admission Card upon entry. (Either the printed version available in the September issue of Smithsonian magazine or the downloadable version available on the Museum Day website is acceptable.) For more information, visit the Smithsonian Museum Day website at http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/affiliates.html.

Smoked Salmon Pate

I don't even like smoked salmon but this was good. Easy to make and great taste. Serge Vie brought it in for our Master Gardener class. That's Serge with his pate, me with Carrot Bread pg. 197 and Carol Vie with Cranberry Coffee Cake pg. 199

Smoked Salmon Pate pg. 166

2 (7 ounce) cans smoked salmon, or 1 pound hot smoked salmon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoon dried dill weed
salt and pepper to taste

Combine the salmon, butter, sour cream, lemon juice, dill weed, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and beat until combined. Chill, covered, for 8 to 10 hours. Bring to room temperature and garnish with lemon slices. Serve with seasoned crackers. You may store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Makes 3 cups

League Members Bring Cookbook Recipes to Meeting

Lunch is always a great reason to attend the monthly Historical League meetings. Monday, September 14 was no exception with Zona Lorig bringing Romaine Salad with Hearts of Palm and Artichokes pg 160. Yumm. It was delicious and almost all gone by the time I got to the buffet table.

Tobe Daum prepared Blueberry Muffins La Posada pg 62. No wonder the Harvey Girls were so popular, serving such a wonderfully light muffin packed with blueberries. After one taste, I realize why I do not buy muffins in the store.


El Chorro's historic recipe for Tastes & Treasures cookbook for dessert is Chocolate Icebox Cake pg 80. Betsy Davis prepared this 'melt in your mouth' cake and it makes me smile to think of the old Icebox style refrigerators. We have come a long way with convenience appliances but an old fashioned Icebox would still work quite well for this great treat.

Early Phoenix by Kathleen Garcia

League members were treated to a presentation of photos by Kathleen Garcia from her book Early Phoenix. As photos of buildings were displayed, Kathleen talked about their locations and what was now located in their place. Sadly, too many wonderfully-constructed houses have been knocked down in the name of progress.

Most amazing fact to me? Jack Swilling, who came to AZ following the Civil War, saw the potential in the ancient Hohokam canals that ran through the Valley. He raised $10,000 in 1867 and organized a company to bring water to the desert. Wow. How much would that be in today's dollars?

Kathleen had her book for sale and donated $5 of every purchase to the League. She is on the right in the picture with Programs Chair Kathleen Fischer.

Muscular Sclerosis Corks & Chords

Who doesn't like to promote the cookbook and the museum when you are surrounded by lovely people, a beautiful place, food from top chefs and great wines??? Bonnie Newhoff and I had a delightful Saturday evening, Sept 12 talking about a passion of ours, Tastes & Treasures cookbook, in the Mayo Clinic lobby. It was a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis and 20% of the cookbook sales was donated to this worthwhile cause. We nibbled on tasty appetizers from Aiello's, Flemming's, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Arizona Cheesecake, Cake Cafe and more. The live music was a nice touch with a grand piano, a harpist, and a jazz band.

Bobbie Griego, owner of Cake Cafe, had a table and brought us red velvet cup cakes. Yummm. Worth the departure from the diet. Bobbie is an avid cookbook collector and commented that Tastes & Treasures is the best cookbook she has read. She bought 2 copies.

Old Ned News September 2009

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Sandra Day O'Connor devoted to Arizona

Today's newspaper tells the story of her commitment to Arizona and we are so lucky to have her back in the state. Justice O'Connor is ready to help reform Arizona government with meetings at the O'Connor House Project, located at AZ Historical Society Museum, already taking place. Before she left for Washington DC and the Supreme Court 25 years ago, she often brought conflicting parties together to resolve issues away from the courts. That is the hope again as she works to united opposing groups at the O'Connor House in a relaxed, informal setting. Kudos to Justice O'Connor. The new Sandra Day O'Connor exhibit, opening to the public Saturday, October 24 at the Arizona Historical Society Museum, will be a fitting tribute to her.