Oral history interview with Sanje Sedera conducted by Kristel Peralta, Cecilia Winchell, Ayrton Yamaguchi, and Stefani Evans on April 16, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Sanje Sedera discusses growing up in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, with his family. He shares his educational history, moving from Sri Lanka to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia as a high schooler to learn English before immigrating to the United States to attend Idaho State University. Sedera discusses the political unrest and civil war that took place in Sri Lanka between the Tamil and Sinhalese people, and how he grew to appreciate political activism instilled in him by his paternal grandparents. Sedera shares his employment history working as a manager for K-Mart, an opportunity that brought him to Las Vegas, as well as his entrepreneurial pursuits of owning a mortgage business and becoming a realtor. He talks about the financial crisis of 2008 that led to losing his business, his attempts to run for public office, and how he helped to form Nevada's Asian American Democratic Caucus. Sedera concludes with a discussion of his Buddhist practice and how these philosophies have shaped his life.
Oral history interview with Rosenda Gomez conducted by Stefani Evans on July 24, 2024 for Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Gomez describes her childhood and youth in General Luna, Surigao del Norte, Philippines. She shares about her family's financial struggles, becoming pen pals and eventually marrying an older American man, moving to Texas, and having a daughter. Desparate to leave an abusive marriage, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 and worked at the El Cortez making change. After working in a number of casinos, including Imperial Palace, Stratosphere, and Sunset Station, she returned to El Cortez in 1998. Gomez describes how she later became more involved in the Culinary Workers Union (Local 226). In this interview, Gomez describes the physical work of cocktail service; the duties of shop steward and the benefits of Union membership. She recalls San Tomas celebrations in her town and annual Philippines Independence Day celebrations at home; her favorite Filipino foods, and Spring Mountain Road as it was when she arrived in 1993. She also recalls anecdotes of Jackie Gaughan, owner of the El Cortez. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Oral history interview with Derrick Fronckowiak conducted by Patricia van Betten October 26, 2010 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Fronckowiak discusses living in Blue Diamond, Nevada and describes the house he grew up in at the village. He talks about the fire department in the community and other public buildings around the area. Lastly, Fronckowiak discusses the development of Blue Diamond and the preservation of the rural areas in Blue Diamond.
Oral history interview with Leroy Burt conducted by an unidentified interviewer on July 01, 1986 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Burt’s wife is present during the interview.
Oral history interview with Virgil Brownlee conducted by Patricia van Betten on May 02, 2012 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Brownlee discusses his personal history and living at the Blue Diamond Village, Nevada in the late 1930s. Brownlee describes the homes that were built in the Village, joining the U.S. Air Force in 1949, and living in Bonnie Springs, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Frank Scott conducted by Richard Lloyd Pipkins on January 23, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Scott discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada since the 1930s. He talks about the changes in crime, people settling in the city, and the railroad history of Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Shirley Helmick conducted by Lyle Helmick on May 12, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Helmick discusses her personal history, occupational history, and reasons for moving to Nevada. She also explains events that the United Methodist Church hosts.
Oral history interview with Patricia Ludwick conducted by Jeanette Napoliello on March 30, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Ludwick discusses her personal history since arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1958. Ludwick then discusses the different shows that she attended and the type of atmosphere inside casinos at the time.
Oral history interview with Ann Lynch conducted by Sandra Klimik on October 17, 1985 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Lynch briefly explains how she started working in hospitals as a volunteer in 1959 and then gives an overview of the development of hospitals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Most of the interview is directed at the development and history of Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. Lynch discusses the developers, Irwin Molasky, Moe Dalitz, Allard Roen and Merv Adelson, and their the original goal to build a physician medical building to attract doctors to their planned community, which included the Las Vegas Country Club and gold course, the Boulevard Mall, and the Boulevard Apartments. She describes the opening of the hospital in 1958, and then moves into a more detailed discussion of nurses and how their roles have shifted since the 1960s. Finally, she talks about the city's growth and the economic burden insurance companies and federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid have on hospital profitability.
Oral history interview with R. Guild Gray conducted by James Benson on March 05, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Guild discusses Nevada’s school districts’ history, his teaching background, and the Peabody Study Abroad institute.