Dude Ranch Rides

Rancho De La Osa is a beautiful place providing lots of entertainment for the League members.
Kay Holcombe looks comfortable in the saddle but we teased Julie Tribbey about her "wild" horse.
The cute Pennsylvania Cowboy with the beautiful chaps almost got Delores Tomasek to join the ride but she declined.
Janie Burke prepares to mount her horse while Jeannie Fletcher is so relaxed she is taking photos.
Rancho de la Osa had a large selection of "broken in" cowboy boots if you forgot to bring your own as Kay Holcombe, Pam Ryan and Jeannie Fletcher demonstrate. The ride was over rolling hills along the Mexican border fence and electronic camera towers.

Orphan Trains 1854-1930

For over 75 years, these Orphan Trains rolled along, delivering their precious young riders to new homes. Thousands of children were transferred from the over-crowded orphanages and homes in the large cities in the northeastern United States, to live with new families on farms.
Historical League member Kathleen Fischer invited Norma Poling to share the touching story of her mother and the Orphan Train at the League meeting on May 3.

characters left

Timeline

Facts

There are no facts. Add Fact

Facts

Reorder Stories

There are no stories. Add Story

Prev Next

In the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of New York. They were a mixture of orphans, foundlings, waifs, half-orphans, and street urchins.

Photo of Home for Destitute Children, Brooklyn, N. Y.

There were two main organizations that arranged for these children to be sent West. One was The Children's Aid Society and the other was The New York Founding Hospital. It was hoped by these organizations, that by sending these "orphans" out West to find new families they would have a better chance of leading a happy and productive life, than if left to fend for themselves on the streets of New York.

This Orphan Train movement began in 1854 and continued until 1930. It is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 children were relocated to new homes via the Orphan Trains.

More info at http://www.footnote.com/page/1272_the_orphan_trains/

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.

Orphan Train from NYC

Norma Poling tells the story of her mother, Mabel Gumersell at the Monday, May 3 Historical League meeting. As an orphan, Mabel was sent on an Orphan Train to the Midwest by the Children's Aid Society in New York City. Her home became Bigelow, Missouri in 1901.

Norma received B.A. and M.A. degrees in Education from ASU and was inducted into the College of Education Hall of Fame in 2003. She served as President, CEO and Past President of the Orphan Train Heritage of America.

Kahlua Ice Cream Pie

What could be better than this on a hot summer day? This pie is a easy and impressive. Recipe from Camelback Inn's Sunday Brunch, page 67 in Tastes & Treasures.



Kahlua Ice Cream Pie
4 ounces chocolate chips
1 1/4 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups crisp rice cereal
3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 pint vanilla ice cream
Kahlua or coffee-flavored liquer to taste
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
Chocolate candy bar
Melt the chocolate chips and butter in a double boiler over steaming water, stirring until smooth. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Add the cereal and almonds and stir until coated.
Press over the bottom and up the side of a 9 inch pie plate. Chill in the freezer.
Beat the ice cream in a bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment until softened. Stir in the Kahlua and spread in the chilled pie shell. Whip the whipping cream with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and the confectioners' sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer until soft peaks form. Spread over the ice cream. Scrape a vegetable peeler over the candy bar to make chocolate curls. Sprinkle the chocolate curls over the whipped cream. Serve immediately or store in the freezer.
Note: You may substitute chocolate mint ice cream for the vanilla ice cream, or use layers of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry ice cream instead of using just vanilla ice cream.
Serves 6 - 8.

Lindy Isacksen makes SW Bacon/Cheese Strata

Southwestern Bacon and Cheese Strata page 118 Tastes & Treasures cookbook

Lindy served this to company and it was a big hit. Nice to be able to make it ahead of time so you can spend time with your guests.

10 cups cubed trimmed white bread
14 eggs, beaten
4 cups milk or half-and-half
16 slices hone or mesquite-flavored thick bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard, or 1 tablespoon Dijon mustaard
1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeno chile
2 cups (8ounces)shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Mix the bread, eggs and milk in a large bowl and let stand for 20 minutes. Add the crumbled bacon, white pepper, dry mustard, jalapeno chile, Cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese and mix well. Spoon into a 9X13-inch baking dish sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 to 10 hours. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and place the dish on a baking sheet for ease in handling and for catching any spills.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the strata for 45 to 60 minutes or until the center is firm and the top is golden brown. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a drizzle of salsa.

Serves 8

Volunteerism

In the words of Albert Einstein, ". . . the only ones of you who will be truly happy are those who have chosen to serve."

The Historical League is a group of amazing volunteers who work tirelessly all year to preserve history and support the Arizona Historical Society Museum.

According to January 2010 Phoenix Magazine's article on Valley Health Care, "Studies have shown that volunteering increases a person's self-esteem and lowers stress levels." So you get healthy by volunteering.

Hats off to a wonderful group of people "who have chosen to serve."