Historical society celebrates life of Thelma Heatwole

Glendale Arizona Historical Society celebrated the career of Glendale’s famous journalist and author, Thelma Heatwole, on 2 p.m. March 23 at Manistee Ranch, 5127 W. Northern Ave.

Carol St. Clair, Vice-President of the GAHS, facilitated the program with Bruce Heatwole and family joined in with their stories about Thelma.

Thelma started her journalistic career in 1946 as a reporter for The Glendale Herald. She had a 16-year career as a reporter for the Arizona Republic, covering eight cities and Luke Air Force Base. She wrote three books, Ghost Towns, Arizona Hideaways and Arizona-Off the Beaten Path. Thelma received more than 100 awards in journalism and photography from the Arizona Press Women.

She was an active member of GAHS and did extensive research on the history of Sahuaro Ranch to place the site on the National Register of Historic Places. The meeting is held in the afternoon to allow those members that cannot drive at night to attend. This is another rare opportunity for members, guests and interested persons to learn more about Glendale’s history and those who made history. After the program folks enjoyed treats and fellowship.

Video of event at end of this page......

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Ed Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet

Sweet memories, family and friends

Bette Sharpe/Glendale Daily Planet no. 2195.

High school was challenging in many ways, but it also provided a time and a place to build lasting friendships. From the class of Glendale High School class of 1971 Ron Kolb, former Student Body President, Bruce Heatwole (Thelma Heatwole’s son) was an administrator and teacher at Glendale High School and Glendale Vice Mayor Ian Hugh.

Thelma Heatwole was the author of the popular newspaper column Around the Square for the Glendale Herald. By in the day, locals were careful not to get too carried away or goofy or they might read all about it in the newspaper. Consequently, her Around the Square column was usually one of the first things people read when they read the newspaper.