Tara L. Shepperson interviews local antique store owner Edith Giles Barcus in the living room of her home about Goldfield, mining, purple glass, thirst in the desert, her family history, and her birth in Colorado.

Mary Beth Nitzschke interviews Marjorie Barrick (b. 1917) in her den at her home about the sociological view of Nevadans in the gaming industry. Barrick also discusses UNLV’s beginnings, Las Vegas history, founding Child Haven, Owning Flamingo and the Fremont, “the hotel people,” and the lack of cultural activities in the 1950s.

William D. Marshall interviews Helen M. Baucum (b. 1920) at her office, about her life as a local Nevadan. The interview covers Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, and Henderson.

James M. Greene interviews Charles A. Baumert (b. 1908) at his home in Dixie Deer Estates, Utah vicinity-Pine Valley, Utah, (Central Utah), about Hoover Dam work, Boulder City history, and closing Six Companies Inc. operations at Hoover Dam.

Michael and Alison Chambers might be recent Las Vegas residents, but they have history with the city, having eloped in Las Vegas on December 24, 1982. After spending their lives in California, with a brief stint in western Massachusetts, the couple moved to Las Vegas twenty years later. Both Michael and Alison grew up in the Los Angeles area, graduating from University of Southern California and Mills College respectively. Although Michael received his degree in architecture, his career trajectory transitioned to the financial industry. When Michel and Alison visited the McNeil neighborhood while house-hunting last year, it was immediately clear that the community would be their new home. They both enjoy the close-knit nature of the community, and have become active in the neighborhood association and its social activities. The Chambers’ have quickly integrated into the community, taking advantage of the city’s offerings, including the Art District, downtown renovations, photography club, hidden restaurant gems, and locals discounts.

R. J. Johnson interviews Bill Belknap (b. 1920) at his home about Southern Nevada through the eyes of an established local photographer. Belknap discusses Colorado River, Nevada State Advisory Commission, WWII, Henderson Power Plant during WWII, El Rancho 1940s, Tule Springs Archaeological Project 1966-1967, Atomic Testing, Lake Mead, Boulder City, music and Jazz in Southern Nevada, teaching at UNLV, photography, and the Grand Canyon.

William “Billy” Christ, born in 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, is an accomplished bass player. His parents, Louis and Estemia Christ, were both from Albania and immigrated to Detroit in 1929. Christ’s father was a restaurant owner and his mother worked alongside his father in the restaurant business. Billy started playing the bass in high school and studied with the Detroit Symphony. Billy decided at an early age that he wanted to become a full-time musician. He attended Wayne University to study music and after two years he decided to join the Gene Krupa Band in New York. While living in New York, Billy had the good fortune to play at historical venues such as Apollo Theater, Copacabana, and Bop City. After only a few years, he left New York to join Lena Horne in San Francisco and then Billy made his way to Las Vegas in 1960. Christ’s first job in Las Vegas was on the strip at the Flamingo with the Russ Black Orchestra. Performing in Las Vegas allowed Billy to gain greater access to talented musicians and the opportunity learn from these virtuosos. As a result, Billy quickly matured into a skillful bass player and ultimately went on to work with legendary greats like Paul Anka, Tony Benett, Sammy Davis, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. Billy currently lives in Las Vegas and performs weekly at The College of Southern Nevada on Wednesday nights. He has been married to his wife Alene since 1958. When asked about his philosophy on life, Billy responded, “I try not to worry about things and just take it a day at a time and try to be the best person I can be. And play every day.”