Desert Belle on Sahuaro Lake tour

 

Do you remember, before all the development, when Phoenix and surrounding areas were mostly desert? A trip to Sahuaro Lake will bring it all back. Thanks to Lynn Wood for organizing a very successful scenic trip Thursday on the Desert Belle at Sahuaro Lake.

As he piloted the boat, Captain John gave a well-educated talk sprinkled with humor remarking, “When I learned The Historical League was touring today, I made sure all my facts and stories were accurate.” True words as two of the most knowledgeable history members, Zona Lorig and Norma Jean Coulter, were sitting up front!

Zona Lorig, Norma Jean Coulter with her granddaughter

Enjoying the view before boarding, Ruth McLeod, tour organizer Lynn Wood,

Sandy Loeffler, Mike Wood, Pat Christopherson

Not a bad seat in the house as we toured Saguaro Lake on the Desert Belle. With 27 League members on board there was a lot of conversation and laughter as we soaked in the beauty of nature. The rock walls towered over the calm lake. A big horn sheep was sighted and we searched the sky for eagles but none on this day

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Tour organizer Lynn and Mike Wood with Bonnie Newhoff, Zona Lorig and
Norma Jean Coulter & granddaughter in row behind them

Pat Christopherson and Sandy Loeffler

Sue Eberle

Julie Moore, President Chris Hacket, Sharron McKinney

Mariamne Moore and Scott

Bonnie Newhoff pointed out the Four Peaks that she has climbed many times, shrouded in clouds today.

Nothing like wiping out while waterskiing in front of an audience. In this case a crowded cruise boat filled with Historical League members on Saguaro Lake. Notice he was not wearing a wet suit on a chilly day in November. But he got a round of applause and thumbs up.

The Upper Salt River ends here with the dam creating the Lower Salt. There is always something to learn on Historical League tours.

Susan Dale

Guest speaker Dr. John Mack at November meeting

Imagine you are a nun in 1886 and are called to “civilize” the Yuma Indians. Guest speaker at the November meeting, Dr.John Mack told the fascinating story of a nun who left a comfortable position as a school principal in San Diego. She was sent on a mission to teach the ‘pagan’ Quechuan tribe near Yuma.

League member Katie Tovar said, "Mother Ambrosia of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet became the only female Superintendent of Schools in the 19th century in the USA. Unlike almost all other missionaries, these Sisters learned the Quechuan language and taught the students in their native tongue. The chief, Pascual, became an ally of Mother Ambrosia and was baptized one week before his death. His funeral was attended by the Sisters. Dr. Mack’s paper was entitled Inside and Out: the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Education of Native Children in Yuma.”

President Chris Hackett introduced our informative speaker Dr. John Mack who gave a very educational and insightful talk.

Claire Nullmeyer and Anne Lupica entertained us wearing tiaras as they encouraged us to pre-purchase raffle tickets for Cinderella at Phoenix Theatre Dec. 11.

Norma Jean Coulter chats with Dr. Mack during lunch. Cathy Shumard and Dr. Josephine Pete visit.

Lindy Isacksen and Cathy Shumard

Mary Pat Honey and Dr. John Mack

Pat Christopherson and Pam Betz

Dr. Josephine Pete

Dr. Kristen Rex, AHS Dept of Education

Fall table decoration

Covid 19 Memorial quilt in lobby of AZ Heritage Center

 

YouTube handle for Historical League

 It's official. Our YouTube channel has a "handle".

YouTube.com/@arizonahistoricalleague

Check out the awesome videos of our Historymakers, telling their life stories. The Historymaker Galas are being added soon. Come back for more videos.

https://youtu.be/XWy7Fo-3l5s

Tour of Cattle Track Art Compound

The educational and artistic tour of Cattle Track Art Compound on October 13 was one of many "Behind the Scenes" experiences that League members enjoy.

Organizer Lynn Wood talked about one of the artist, "Brent Bond, Visual artist, furniture maker, Master Printer and proprietor of Santo Press gave a demonstration to the League members of his artwork, printer, and other aspects of his talents."

http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/meet-brent-bond-santo-press-scottsdale

artist Brent Bond

Lynn and Mike Wood

Jan Murray, Karolee Hess, Pat Grogg, Mary McMahon, Clede Gorrell,
Sharon Guastella, Susan Howard

Dr. Josie Pete and Carolyn Mendoza

Delores Tomasek and Carolyn Mendoza

Delores Tomasek

Davie Garrison

Pat Grogg and Mary McMahon

A special feature during the tour was a presentation by Bob Boze Bell. Tour organizer Lynn Wood reports, “He was there being filmed for about 1/2 hour while giving his presentation to us.  He dedicates time with Brent Bond and Mark McDowell, also a visual artist of Cattle Track on the project." The Cascading Collage Concept of Women of the West.  

http://blog.truewestmagazine.com/2022/10/phase-v-of-cascading-collage.html

League President Chris Hackett visits with Janie Ellis on the Cattle Track tour. “Janie is the owner and conservator of the Cattle Track Arts Compound. She lives in the home her parents, George and Rachael, built out of "redwood staves that were salvaged from a water pipeline." She is extremely talented in her own right. She gave a presentation, including early photographs, and she did show us around the premises, which is home to a number of artists, including photographers, printers, painters, ceramists and architects. Here’s a great article from Phoenix Home and Garden to you for background information on this fascinating place.”

https://www.phgmag.com/discover-cattle-track-arts.../...

 

Jan Murray enjoys this photo of the Chapel at Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the carved doors.

Janie Ellis explained, "The Doors we salvaged. Someone bought them and was going to take them to the dump because they had termites in the bottom. We killed the termites and put them up there. Probably 16th century from Mexico. Many layers of gold leaf and paint."

Sedona Schnebly's Apple Pie Dessert

Apple time. They are ripe and abundant so this is the perfect time for baking Sedona Schnebly Apple Pie Dessert, page 371 Tastes & Treasures Storytelling Cookbook II.

We tripled the recipe, making 4 smaller desserts to share with neighbors. Also tweaked the recipe a bit adding oatmeal to the topping; cinnamon, nutmeg and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the apples. Love the stories and history that go with these recipes. www.HistoricalLeague.org/shop.aspx

Lisa Schnebly Heidinger's book about her great great grandmother, Sedona

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

Reach more people with thi

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

 

New Member Orientation and Tour September 28, 2022

New Member Orientation and Tour: A great time to welcome fellow history lovers.

Claire commented, "It was a fun morning with our new members on tour through the Heritage Center. Lots of questions and individual memories shared. Laurie Sue gave a concise overview of the League’s work, play and education opportunities accompanied by Lynn Wood’s wonderful pumpkin spice cake! Rumor has it Lynn's cake was worth the price of admission!

 Past Pres. Claire Nullmeyer, Joyce Bailey, Janice Bryson, Dr Josephine Pete, new member mentor Laurie-Sue Rhetts, Lynn (tour co-ordinator) and Mike Wood, Pres. Chris Hackett