Transcript of interview with Shirley Faye Helmick by Lyle Helmick, May 12, 1978

UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick i An Interview with Shirley Helmick An Oral History Conducted by Lyle Helmick Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas Special Collections and Archives Oral History Research Center University Libraries University of Nevada, Las Vegas UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick ii © Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2019 UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick iii The Oral History Research Center (OHRC) was formally established by the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada System in September 2003 as an entity of the UNLV University Libraries’ Special Collections Division. The OHRC conducts oral interviews with individuals who are selected for their ability to provide first-hand observations on a variety of historical topics in Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. The OHRC is also home to legacy oral history interviews conducted prior to its establishment including many conducted by UNLV History Professor Ralph Roske and his students. This legacy interview transcript received minimal editing, such as the elimination of fragments, false starts, and repetitions in order to enhance the reader's understanding of the material. All measures have been taken to preserve the style and language of the narrator. The interviewee/narrator was not involved in the editing process. UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick iv Abstract On May 12, 1978, Lyle Helmick interviewed his mother, Shirley Helmick (born March 7, 1930 in Colorado), in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two discuss Helmick’s personal history, occupational history, and reasons for moving to Nevada. The interview concludes with Helmick explaining events that the United Methodist Church hosts. UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick 1 This is an oral history project, completed in partial for the requirements of History 117: Nevada History. The name of the person who is being interviewed is Shirley Fay Helmick. The date of the interview is 5/12/78. The place of interview is 5140 East Hallet Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada. The address of the interviewer is 1704 East Canosa Avenue. This is an oral history project in partial fulfilment for the requirements of History 117. Okay. I am the narrator and my name is Shirley Helmick, and my present address is 5140 East Hallet Drive, and I have resided at this present address for the past sixteen years. I was born in Montebisto, Colorado, March 7th, 1930, and spent most of my childhood and early adult years in Center, Colorado. The members of our family include my husband Carl, who is forty-eight, a son, Kent, who is twenty-seven, and a son, Lyle, twenty-four. What do the members of your family do as far as occupations go? My husband is employed for the Federal Aviation Agency at McCarran Field, and our oldest son, Kent, is employed with Safeway Plus, going to the University of Nevada, at Las Vegas. Our son Lyle is employed at Mayfair Market on Boulder Highway and also attending the University of Nevada, at Las Vegas. ‘Kay. Could you give us some of your family history please? My parents Loretta and Cloyd Willis were born and raised in the San Louis Valley, which is in Colorado. They are Irish-Dutch in nationality. I have two sisters and one brother in our family. My sister Patty passed away in 1961. Both my sister and Virginia Rhodas and Jack Willis still live in Center, Colorado, along with my fa—mother. Hold on. Do most of your family live in the San Louis Valley? Yes, both my husbands and my family are all mainly located around Colorado. Where did your family reside from, before that? UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick 2 My husband’s side of the family are from Iowa, and are located around Bloomville where most of them are farmers. And my side of the family are from Missouri. My grandfather came over from Ireland and remained here a few years and decided to go back for a while. And then his second trip back to the United States, he decided he would make that his home and remain there until his death. ‘Kay. Could you give us some ethnic background on your family? My husband’s side of the family are German decent, and most of them have lived in Colorado. Mine are Irish-Dutch, and have remained around Colorado. ‘Kay. Could you tell us the extent of your education, and exactly where your education—or what towns it originated in? I attended grade school, junior high, and high school where I received my diploma in Center, Colorado. ‘Kay. Have you lived any other places besides Las Vegas? Yes. In 1955 we moved to Ankeridge, Alaska, where my husband was employed as Foreman of the Ford Motorcar company, and then in 1956, he went to work for the Federal Aviation Agency at (Unintelligible) Island, which is about twenty miles out of Ketchikan. And we lived at (Unintelligible) Island for five years, then my husband been on a job in 1961, here in Las Vegas, and we moved here and have been here ever since. ‘Kay. What is your particular occupational history in Las Vegas? I worked at (Unintelligible) in Henderson shortly after we arrived here. Coranette’s is a variety store in Henderson, and I work there as a sales clerk. In 1965, I obtained a childcare license and had to care for about four children in our home up until about seventy-one—1971. From that time on, I have just enjoyed being a housewife and homemaker. UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick 3 How many houses and do you have any type of property other than the house you own here in Las Vegas? We own our home here at 5140 Hallet, and in 1965 we purchased the house next to us which was 5132 Hallet, and rented it for seven years and sold it in 1975. For what reason mainly did you purchase this house? Was this an investment or was it something—? We saw that it would be a very good investment. Mm. Do you own any other houses in the Las Vegas area? Or any other types of properties? We own a second mortgage on another home here in Las Vegas. Mm. How long have you owned your house in Las Vegas, Nevada? For sixteen and a half years. Do you anticipate moving from Las Vegas in the near future? Or do you plan to stay here the rest of your life? Or do you know approximately how long your— Well we will be here until my husband retires and after that, he would like to spend the summer months, where it would be cooler. But we will probably remain here during the winter months. But as far as that it goes, it’s better (unintelligible) to find what hard plans are. Do you have any special hobbies or interests? Oh my hobbies include ceramics, which I attended classes for two years, and I enjoy crocheting, and embroidering, and just house work, also. You are a member of the church. Could you tell us what church you’re a member of and what activities you do for the church, and how long you’ve been a member of the church? UNLV University Libraries Shirley Helmick 4 I am a member of Griffith United Methodist Church, which is located on Seventeenth and Oakey. And some of the activities that I have been involved in are, especially for the last two years, have been quilting, and there’s six of us ladies who meet every Thursday at the church and quilt for other people and also make quilts for our Fall Bazaar. What do you do in your Bazaar? What exactly is it? It is our main means of earning money for our church, and there are all kinds of booths. We have a white elephant, a plant booth, a quilting booth, a fancy work booth, which I’m going to be chairman of this year, we serve refreshments in a tea room, and we have a baked goods and candied food, and it’s plus making money—it’s a wonderful time of fellowship spent together. (Audio ends)