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The Mary Griffith Toleno Photograph Collection contains photographs of Nevada from approximately 1875 to 1964. The materials include photographs of Fort Churchill, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, the New York Mine in Silver City, Virginia City, buildings in Lovelock, Nevada, and locations in Carson City, Nevada and Reno, Nevada. The materials also include photographs of the Griffith family and friends.
Archival Collection
Born in Brooklyn, New York on October 29, 1931, Dorothy Frassmann talks about her life and experiences.
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The George E. Franklin Sr. Papers consist primarily of two original manuscripts by George E. Franklin (1890-1971), an English-born writer and former Las Vegas resident. Franklin published From Cotswolds to High Sierras (Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton Printers, 1966) and The Fallacy of Appeasment (New York: Carlton Press, 1968). The collection also includes an undated newspaper article announcing Franklin's donation of the manuscripts to Nevada Southern University (now the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.)
Archival Collection
Diana Saunders was born Diana Salshutz in the Bronx, the northern most borough of New York City. She was raised in a Jewish neighborhood and recalls how her maternal grandparents pickled pickles, tomatoes and other traditional Jewish delicacies for Wolfie?s Deli. By the time she was twelve years old, Diana was bustling through the city to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer. Encouraged by her mother Rose?her father Sidney was not as eager for this pursuit?Diana was accepted into High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. In addition, she was accepted at the School of American Ballet where she studied classical ballet during the leadership of renowned choreographer George Balanchine. Her first professional performance was in the Nutcracker for American Ballet. At the age of seventeen, Diana was on her own, confident in her dancing potential, and eager to study jazz dancing. This led her to Matt Mattox and to her important mentor, Luigi (Eugene Louis Faccuito). In time she was a featured dancer for Steven Lawrence and Eydie Gorm?s show Golden Rainbow. This was soon followed by a position on Sammy Davis Jr.?s television show in the 1960s. Diana also studied musical acting and showed talent for comedic performance. In the 1970s, Diana crossed paths with Las Vegas venues. She relocated to Las Vegas in 1974 when Donn Arden offered her a dancer position in Hallelujah Hollywood at the MGM. She met and married musical theater actor/singer Joe Bellomo, whose career spanned four decades. He passed away of complications of early onset Alzheimer?s in 1996. Always true to her personal mantra?Wake up; Dress up. Show up?Diana maintains a busy schedule. At the time of this of this interview, she is currently a manger of gondoliers at the Venetian. She brings to life that career and also talks about being a part of the former Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Diana shares stories of long career as a dancer, from substituting in the black dancer line to continued study of dancing with Anglo Moio. She also talks about the AIDS fundraising event Golden Rainbow, having dinner at Rabbi Shea Harlig?s home and observations of local theater.
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