Video highlights Historical League donation of Historymaker books to schools

"Members of the Arizona History League wrote a book commemorating Arizona's Historymakers, many of whom are still alive today. They have donated 2800 books to schools across Arizona for kids to use as a supplement when learning about Arizona's history."  video at http://youtu.be/jlq6G0E8cXs

Mini Cheese Cakes served at Membership Open House

Betsy Davis serving Cheese Cake Bites

Outstanding dessert and beautiful presentation, these are a special treat for company and family. If doubling the recipe, make it one batch at a time.
A recipe for cheesecake can be found on page 170 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook.

Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bites
T= Tablespoon
t= teaspoon

Ingredients:
Crust:  
2 T sugar
½ stick butter, soft
¼ t ground cinnamon
9 graham crackers

Filling:
16 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 lemons, the zest and juice (not Meyer lemons)
½ cup sugar
1 pint fresh blueberries
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream, to dollop on top

Directions Crust:
Preheat oven to 325 F.  Line two 24 count mini cupcake pans with foil cupcake liners and spray the inside with non-stick cooking spray. 
In the bowl of a food processor place the graham crackers, (broken up a bit) sugar, butter and cinnamon.  Pulse until combined and the mixture is the texture of sand.  Transfer the first recipe to a bowl and make the next batch of crust.  Then proceed below. 
Use a Tablespoon to measure and fill the prepared crust into each mini liner, pressing the mixture down with a small bottle; a Tabasco bottle is the perfect size, or you can use your fingers, too. 
Bake for about 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove crust from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool.  Make the second batch.

Directions Cheesecake Filling:
Place cream cheese, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest and sugar in the same food processor.
Process about 30 seconds to combine. Scrape down the inside of the bowl once with a small spatula and then pulse the ingredients again until smooth.  Scrape down the inside of the food processor again.
Use a small ice cream scoop to measure the batter into the cooled crust.  Fill each cupcake liner almost full, about ¼- inch from the top.  Smooth the top with a small offset spatula, spoon or butter knife. 
Bake for 15 minutes or until the center only slightly jiggles; do not over bake!
Remove from oven and allow the cheesecake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 
Fill the second batch of prepared cheesecake crusts when they are in the cupcake tins; baking just like the first batch, for about 15 minutes.  Allow them to cool in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack; allow to cool completely.
Transfer the cheesecakes to a container; cover; chill for at least 6 hours; even better if they can set up overnight. 
Just before serving, remove the paper from the cheesecake and top with a dollop of fresh sweetened whipped cream and place 1-3 blueberries on top. 

Makes about 48
Thanks to Chef Leslie Christiansen for recipe and detailed helpful hints.

Note: One small 6 oz container of blueberries has about 120 plus berries in it.

Historical League Speaker, Author Alan Day at AHS Museum

AHS lobby showcasing Alan Day's father
cowboy hat and Jim Brister's rope

This featured speaking engagement at AHS Museum had a sell out crowd including Alan's sister Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, his son Alan Day Jr. and many more family members. Read what co-authors Alan Day and Lynn Weise Sneyd said about the morning in their Thank You letter.

What a fabulous event!   Alan has done over 45 events since The Horse Lover launched and I’ve joined him on about half of those. We agreed yesterday’s gathering ranks high on our list of favorites. Plus, it is the only event where we sold every book we bought. You have a wonderful group of individuals and a lovely facility. I particularly enjoyed seeing the display that included Alan’s father’s cowboy hat and Jim Brister’s rope.
Please let your board know that Alan and I were honored to be presenters and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Warm regards,
Lynn Wiese Sneyd

Over 2800 Historymaker books donated to schools and libraries

Ruth McLeod, Zona Lorig,
Sarah Speer Madison Schools

On Oct. 29, Jill Hicks, community outreach specialist from Washington Elementary School District, organized an outstanding event with business leaders, superintendents of schools, educators and City Councilmen. The result was a sold out crowd to hear the guest speakers, mingle with dignitaries and network. 1300 copies of Arizona Recollections and Reflections were distributed to over 20 school districts that day including: Pendergast, Paradise Valley, Littleton, Madison, Tolleson, Deer Valley, Glendale Union High School District, and Phoenix Union High School District who picked them up by prearrangement. 

Zona Lorig, Ruth McLeod, Linda Corderman, Jill Hicks

The group saw a power point presentation about the book given by Historical League members Zona Lorig and Ruth McLeod. Linda Corderman, past president of the League and member of Washington Elementary Foundation partnered with us to assist in the donation.
Along with 1500 books previously donated to schools and libraries, the Historical League is almost sold out of copies. Only 100 remain for sale and gift ideas. Whew! At $40 each, donating 2800 books to schools and libraries is a huge contribution.

Author Alan Day guest speaker

Alan Day and Lynn Weise Sneyd

Nobody can talk about horses better than a cowboy and Alan Day knows his horses. The AHS Museum lobby was packed to hear the stories from his new book, The Horse Lover, co-authored with Lynn Weise Sneyd.

League members and guests enjoyed the presentation on October 27.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor attended to hear her brother Alan's talk.

Carolyn Hartman organized the event

Dolan Ellis in Concert at AHS Museum/Papago Park

The first of several concerts, Dolan will perform his ballads at the Museum on Sunday, Nov 9 at 2 pm. Always a supporter of Arizona history, his work is full of stories of Arizona.