International Women's Day

International Women's Day and we honor all the Arizona Women Historymakers. They have made a big difference in our state. Sandra Day O'Connor, Erma Bombeck, Jewell Lewis, Polly Rosenbaum, Kax Herberger, Rose Mofford, Stevie Eller, Esther Don Tang, Virginia Ullman, Barbara Barrett, Elisabeth Ruffner, Alice Snell, Maxine Lakin, Joan Lincoln, Wink Crigler, Rosellen and Marilyn Papp, Betsey Bayless, Denise D. Resnik, Mrs. Elizabeth J. White.

 

2024 AHS Postcard Contest Winners

Congrats to the Winners! Great job 3rd graders.

Thanks to Dr. Kristen Rex for all her work on the second Annual AZ Postcard Contest.

Let the celebrations and pizza parties begin!

February business meeting and lunch

 Lunch after our business meeting is a great time to socialize and enjoy delicious foods.

Historymaker Tom Chauncey: The Annual Arabian Horse Show

 The Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (Feb. 15-25, 2024; 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale) has set the pace in the Arabian horse world.

In 1954, Ed Tweed and 20 other breeders formed the Arabian Horse Association of Arizona. Tom Chauncey, Phoenix jeweler, turned broadcaster, turned rancher was a big part of that group and was honored as 1995 AZ Historymaker by the Historical League.

Tom Chauncey established an international reputation for Hereford cattle ranching and Arabian horse breeding, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who raised horses for the White House.

He was introduced to Arabian horses by his second wife, Dorothy (Deedie) Wrigley Rich, a member of the Wrigley gum family of Chicago.

“McCormick Ranch, Gainey Ranch, Chauncey Ranch, and the Wrigleys, are common names in the Scottsdale Area, and most new residents do not recognize that these are tightly associated with the history of the Arabian horse,” said Gary McDonald, who – along with his wife Jennifer – owns McDonald Arabians of Scottsdale. “This town, possibly would not have existed, as it is today, without these roots.”

Fun fact: In 1969 Chauncey bought an Arabian horse, Naborr, with the singer Wayne Newton, paid the record sum of $150,000 and stabled it at Tom Chauncey Arabian Horse Center in Scottsdale.

New Member Orientation February 2024

 Welcome to New Members. Thanks to Josie Pete, Jolynn Clarke, Mary Perona and Laurie-Sue Rhetts introducing new members to Historical League activities and the Arizona Heritage Center. Thanks to Josie for the pictures!

Ed Mell 2008 Historymaker 1942-2024

 Ed Mell (1942-2024): a legend as an Arizona artist, and a very dear and humble man. Arizona landscapes have never looked more fabulous than in his paintings. He will be missed.

Honored as a 2008 Arizona Historymaker, Ed Mell's video, oral history and photos are available at https://www.historicalleague.org/historymakers/ed-mell

Tour of Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Cutler Plotkin Jewish Heritage Center

 Thanks to Clede Gorrell and Mary McMahon for organizing this tour.

AZJHS appreciates the Historical League for visiting the Stories of Survival: An Immersive Journey through the Holocaust. These wonderful ladies were provided a great presentation by Second Generation survivor, Dr. Ettie Zilber!

Ettie Zilber

It was a pleasure to address the Arizona Historical League. From among my 6 different presentations, they chose to learn about the impact of the Holocaust on the second generation. There were many questions and comments. I was thrilled to hear this one-word comment- "Spellbinding," Wow!