Louise McCall supports AZ Recollections and Reflections

Historymaker Robert McCall had incredible artistic talent. His wife, Louise, has her own amazing art and will be featured at the Phoenix Art Museum exhibit April 4-7.

We appreciate the continued support Louise gives to the Historical League with donations to the our program to provide Arizona Recollections and Reflections Centennial book to all libraries in the state.

AZ Women's Hall of Fame 2013 Honorees

The Arizona Women's Hall of Fame is proud to honor women who have contributed to Arizona's history during their lifetimes.

March 14, 2013 Honorees:
Rose E. Collom (1870-1956) Botanist, authority in the native plants of Arizona

Jean Chaudhuri (1937-1997) Indian activist, author and storyteller

Helen Sekaquaptewa (1898-1990) Hopi author, matriarch of the Eagle Clan

Jacque Yelland Steiner (1929-2003) Legislator, Founder of the Children’s Action Alliance

Dorothy Elaine Powell (1921-2003) Community and social activist, advocate for elderly.

The museum is located at the Carnegie Library Center on Washington near to the Capital. 

Historical League members Pam Stevenson and Norma Jean Coulter are volunteers and supporters of this organization.

A series of custom made quilts featuring images of the inductees dating back many years is on display. More information at www.azlibrary.gov/azwhf

Mini Easter Bunny bread with chocolate surprise

Fun for the whole family....
MINI Easter Bunny Bread

Ingredients:
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
1 cup warm 2% milk (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
5-1/2 to 6-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
16 small milk chocolate eggs
ICING:
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon water
1 drop red food coloring

Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, sugar, oil, egg, salt and 4 cups flour. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. For each bunny, shape a 3-in. ball for the body; press a chocolate egg into each ball. Shape dough around egg so it is completely covered. For each head, shape a 2-in. ball; press a chocolate egg into each. Shape dough around egg so it is completely covered. Add a 1-in. ball for the tail and two 2-in. x 3/4-in. pieces for the ears.
Place bunnies 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
 
For icing, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and water; tint pink with red food coloring. With a small new paintbrush, paint a nose and whiskers on each bunny. 

Yield: 8 servings.

News of the death of Eddie Basha saddens Arizona.

EDDIE BASHA (1937-2013)
Honored as Historymaker 2001

Humanitarian and Grocer Extraordinaire, Eddie Basha was head of Arizona’s only family owned supermarket chain. A multifaceted man, he also avidly collected contemporary Western American and Native American art and shared his collections via his private museum. He can trace his Arizona roots back to Territorial Arizona and his grandparents who were immigrants from Lebanon.

Acknowledging his father as his mentor, Basha has given broadly to his home state in the name of education and children. His service includes the Chandler School Board, the State Board of Education and the Arizona State Board of Regents. A dedicated passion for history had not lessened since he earned a degree in this subject from Stanford University. Because of Basha’s diverse interests and skills, he was often recruited by civic groups and organizations for board membership, or to enter the world of Arizona politics where he made a near-miss run for Governor. He has fed the hungry and involved himself in building stronger economic and social bonds between Native American and other minority communities in Arizona. Basha, a strong family man, has almost done it all.

Peeps are more than marshmallows.

 Spring is here and the whole family can help make your Easter displays. Here are a few ideas but it is more fun to create your own . . .

AZ Recollections and Reflections in Tucson schools

Librarians are loving the Historymakers Commemorative book donated by the Historical League. Seth Lansky with Follett Resources has been heaven-sent to hand deliver these books to school libraries around the state. He has workshops with schools but told us he waits until the end of the meeting before handing out our donated book. "The first time I handed out the book at an inservice with library folks, we spent most of the remaining meeting time sharing Arizona stories.  The book is a show stopper.  I now distribute Arizona Recollections and Reflections at the end of my meeting."

Thanks to the many generous people and companies that contributed to this program to donate this book to school libraries and public libraries in Arizona.

League tour of Cosanti

We learned so much in such a short time . . . Amazing place and Roger Tomalty was a great tour guide. He has a passion for Architecture, having worked with Paolo Soleri since the 1960's. At 94 years of age, Soleri is still creating and it is fascinating to watch the bronze bells being poured at the foundry.

Mary Garbaciak did a fabulous job again as tour chair and presented Roger with a copy of Tastes & Treasures cookbook. He was very interested in our book since he has many recipes and wants to write a cookbook for Cosanti.