In this interview, George reflects upon his life in Las Vegas, particularly the period as ma?tre d? of the Sand?s Copa Room. Joined by his daughter - and former United States Democratic Congresswomen-Shelley Berkley, George shares stories of working in the gaming industry during this unique era, including those of Frank Sinatra and Wayne Newton. He also talks about his life as a professional gambler.
Born on February 28, 1925 in Sommerville, New Jersey, George Levine?s family moved to his childhood home, Manhattan?s Lower East Side, when he was six months old. George served on a United States Navy aircraft carrier for thirty months during World War II. After returning home, he met his first wife Estelle, with whom he had two daughters, and soon moved to Kiamesha Lake, New York to work at the Concord Resort Hotel. In 1963, George and his family moved to Las Vegas and took his first job at Mr. Sy?s Casino. Six months later he began waiting tables at the Sands Hotel and Casino. He worked his way up the ranks and was ma?tre d' from 1979 until the hotel closed in 1996.
On March 7, 1980, John Everett interviewed his father, cab driver Dale Everett (born January 29, 1924 in Danville, Illinois) at their family home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers past local historical data. During the interview, Mr. Everett discusses the weather, wildlife, and hunting. He also shares his views on prostitution and gambling in Las Vegas.
The Willard H. George Furrier, Ltd. Scrapbooks are comprised primarily of three leatherbound scrapbooks containing black-and-white and sepia toned photographs taken from the 1920s through 1955. The scrapbooks feature actresses from Hollywood, California wearing furs designed and created by furrier Willard H. George. Actresses of note include Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, and Greta Garbo.
The Morton "Mort" Saiger Portraits and News Articles (1960-1987) consists of four newspaper and journal articles about Saiger and the Last Frontier Hotel Casino, two professional photographic portraits of Saiger, and a presentation plaque from the International Golf Club.
The Rancho High School Class of 1962 Collection (1956-2017) consists of materials donated by students of Rancho High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. The collection contains school event clippings, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, pamphlets, physical and digital photographs, and school jackets and sweaters. Additionally, the collection chronicles the lives of many students after graduation through school reunion documentation from the 1970s to 2017. The collection also includes planning files for class reunion celebrations including the 40th, 50th, and 55th reunions.