Margaret Ostler Stout-Hall’s personality shines in this interview, in which she discusses growing up in Las Vegas’s Rancho Circle. She moved to Las Vegas with her family in 1951, when she was twelve and her father bought Las Vegas’s Seven-Up Bottling Company. She immediately found friends at John S. Park Elementary School and later at Las Vegas High School, where she became a Rhythmette. Margaret describes her Rancho Circle neighborhood, dragging Fremont Street, working at the El Portal Theater, and dancing at the Wildcat Lair. As a Rhythmette, she traveled to New York and Philadelphia to perform on the “Ed Sullivan Show” and the Elks National Convention. Stout-Hall credits Rhythmette advisor, Evelyn Stuckey, for developing a sense of confidence, belonging, and responsibility in the young women she led. It was this confidence that enabled Margaret to go to work for Harry Reid after she suffered a tragic loss. Former Rhythmettes honored Stuckey by lobbying the Clark County School District to name a school after their former mentor; the school opened in 2010.
A group photo of Howard family women. Handwritten description provided on stock card: "L-R: 1) Jessie Pearl Howard Johnson Manor; 2) Nancy Howard Copley; 3) Ollie Howard Lohr; 4) Mary Josephine (Baxter) Howard (seated). Photo probably taken in Oregon, ca. 1906." Additional information handwritten on a separate piece of paper: "1) Jessie Pearl Howard Johnson Manor; 2) Nancy Howard Copley (center standing); 3) Ollie Howard Lohr; 4) Mary Josephine (Baxter) Howard, seated. Aunt Nancy was about 5'7", very tall in our family. Grandmother Mary Josephine was only 4'10" and my mother Jessie Pearl was barely 5' tall. Aunt Ollie was about 5'2". Probably had Jessie and Ollie on boxes. Photo probably taken in Oregon. Jessie probably 14 or 15 when photo taken because family left Ore. when she was about 16 yrs. old. Mother born 1892 so picture ca 1906."