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.
Shawn Willis (1972 - ) grew up in a culturally diverse area outside of Detroit, Michigan. She has made Las Vegas her home since 2004. Since moving to Nevada, she ?acknowledged? her Judaism and built a robust network within the Jewish community as an entrepreneur and tireless leader. From 2015 ? 2017, she held the position of Director of the Jewish National Fund of Las Vegas. The Jewish National Fund is a worldwide organization that was founded in 1901 to meet the strategic challenges of building in Israel and developing the infrastructure for ecology, special needs and heritage preservation. Among the local initiatives that Shawn led was a program on water conservation. In this oral history, Shawn candidly speaks of being a convert to Judaism. She also shares how she introduced herself into the Las Vegas community in a vibrant way through her marketing expertise and business. Shawn currently serves on the UNLV Foundation?s President?s Associates Council and is an active person in the Las Vegas community. Shawn is a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy.
Robert Aalberts grew up in a small town called Bemidji, Minnesota. He enjoyed all kinds of outdoors sports in winter and summer. He attended school there from kindergarten through his bachelor's degree. Robert obtained his master's at the University of Missouri, and then taught geography at the University of New Orleans. After 4 years there, he decided to attend law school at Loyola University, and received his law degree in 1982. His first job out of law school was as a corporate lawyer for Gulf Oil, but after two years he decided to return to teaching. He taught at Louisiana State University in Shreveport tor seven years. While there, he published several textbooks, wrote articles for business journals, and also wrote for law reviews. Mr. Aalberts was encouraged to come to UNLV by a friend who worked here, and he got the chance to do just that in 1991. When he first arrived, there was no law school, and he taught legal environment of business, real estate law I and II, and became editor in chief of the Real Estate Law Journal in 1992. Today Robert continues to teach, write, edit, do research in the new law library, and serve on various committees. He has served in the past on promotion and tenure committees, and currently serves on a committee which seeks to improve teaching on campus. He also enjoys various sports events on campus and informal get- togethers with colleagues.
Robert Stuart interviews Jackie Abell (b. 1924) about her experiences growing up in Virginia City, Reno, and Overton, Nevada. She specifically discusses her experiences growing up on a ranch, railroading, above ground atomic testing, flooding, and wild animals.
Maureen Conner interviews educator Beula Jane Adams (b. 1902) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Smithfield, Nebraska, Adams relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932. During the interview Adams explores and highlights the role of education in relation to the social development of Nevada. Adams discusses presidential visits, early above ground atomic tests, and her involvement in local politics. Adams also discusses religion and how she became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian.
Robert Melcer interviews Charles Adams (born 1930 in Juliet, Illinois), at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The two discuss various topics, including Adams’s move to Southern Nevada, the growth of Las Vegas, the educational system, the growth of the English Department at the university, cultural and recreational activities for locals, raising a family in Las Vegas, and prostitution in Southern Nevada.
Katherine D. Beal interviews truck driver and fireman Wesley Troy Adams (b. 1930) at his home in Henderson, Nevada. Born in Modena, Utah, Adams relocated to Nevada in 1959. Adams discusses LDS church organization and affiliation, celebrations in Caliente, Pioche, and Panaca. Also during the interview, Adams offers insight into raising a family in Southern Nevada, Bottle House in Pittman, atomic testing, and shares his philosophical views on life. Adams wife is also present during the interview.
Robin L. Hayes interviews her Greek-American grandmother Georgia Adras, born 1916, in Farmington, Utah. Adras relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1936. This interview covers education, religion, ad raising a family in Nevada. During the interview Adras also discusses the building of the Boulder Dam, road conditions, grocery shopping in the early days, and the Strip.
Patricia Gaydosh interviews her neighbor Thelma C. Aiken, formerly Thelma C. Liggitt (b. 1899), at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Osceola, Iowa, Aiken discusses moving to Henderson in 1942. Aiken also offers in-depth descriptions of housing, schools, early above ground atomic tests, gambling, and the closing down of the BMI Plant in Nevada.
Debra J. Cox interviews George Albright, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1909, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. After living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Reno, Nevada, Albright relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1931. A former county commissioner, Albright discusses the Las Vegas Convention Center, Clark County Recreation Board, tourists and conventioneers, the land, and the Las Vegas economy.