On March 15, 1981, Steven L. Smith interviewed Edward A. Collins (born on March 16th, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois), at the Dunes Hotel and Country Club. Collins relocated to Nevada in 1955. The interview covers gender equality in the field of culinary arts in Las Vegas. Collins describes the changes he saw take place in culinary over the years. He also discusses Bugsy Siegel’s impact and influence on the emergence of big shows in the hotels on the Strip. Among other jobs, Collins worked as a captain in a showroom at the Frontier Hotel. He discusses Las Vegas before and after Howard Hughes and Bob Maheu appeared on the scene.
R. Ian Ross, better known as Ross, and wife Irmalee have dedicated their lives to serving, and improving, their community. Both Ross and Irmalee’s families moved to Las Vegas, from Los Angeles and Reno respectively, drawn by the opportunities presenting themselves in the growing city. While in college, Ross would spend his summers as busboy at the Sands hotel, where his mother worked as beauty consultant and salesperson. Ross attended law school, and soon after finishing, started a law firm with Jerry Snyder and Oscar Goodman. After a couple of years, Ross took a position with the City Attorney’s Office while also starting his own private firm. He later served as an assemblyman in 1977-78. In addition to his work as an attorney, Ross has engaged in various real estate ventures over the years, largely in North Las Vegas. He served as the president of the North Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and dedicated himself to developing this part of town. During this time, Irmalee was an active member in various social organizations, including Junior League, of which she still is a member. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 50 years, from ‘mob days’ to the present, Ross and Irmalee have accumulated unique experiences, and developed keen insights, about the growth, change and development of Las Vegas. Unlike others, they embrace the city’s continuing evolution as a community.