Ann Stavely, 2007 Inductee

There is one major reason there is a River Bank store in the River of Time Museum. She has spent endless volunteer hours planning the shop space, buying merchandise, being a saleswoman and more. She is a charter member and past president of the Fountain Hills Women’s Club. She assisted in the club’s first major project, a botanical garden west of the Kingstree and Fountain Hills Boulevard intersection. Along with another Hall of Fame member, Jane Haynes, she helped form the Fountain Hills Herb Society. This led to Ann going into business. Teaming with another early day resident, Sara Armstrong, who retired after owning a successful restaurant in Colorado, they decided to put their culinary skills to work in creating a line of “homemade” jams and jellies using fruits and herbs from the native desert. The Desert Kettle opened in 1978 and was an instant success. Their products were shipped all over the country. The business continues today under different ownership. She and husband Earl were members of the first congregation of the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. Always volunteering somewhere, she helped with the establishment of the Fountain Hills High School library when it opened in 1993, cataloging and organizing books.