In the signature line of Harry Fagel?s emails is a reads: Be the light in dark spaces. This illumines the person that Harry is both as a police officer and a poet in Las Vegas. Harry is native Las Vegan, who has served the community with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for nearly 30 years. He currently is a police lieutenant serving in Laughlin, Nevada. In addition, Fagel is a respected poet, writing both for the public and on commission. He performs in the local poetry scene. He also has showcased his poetry in two published books, released an album, and is a recipient of the Hilliard Endowment Grant from the University Nevada, Reno. Fagel is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and currently lives in Henderson with his wife, Leilani and two sons, Sam and Jake. In this interview, Fagel discusses his family background, how his grandparents came to live in Las Vegas in the 1950s, as well as his relationships with both his mother and father. He recalls his early jobs which included working for his cousin Freddie Glusman?s restaurant Piero?s and for Circus Circus-long before becoming a policeman. His involvement with the Jewish community started young and he shares how it has evolved over the decades. In addition, Fagel reflects upon his career as a law enforcement officer, the progressiveness of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and changes in relations between the police and communities, both locally and nationally. Lastly, Fagel talks in detail about his poetry, its dominant themes, and the local poetry scene.
Ian McLaughlin interviews Robert “Bob” Brown (birthdate unknown) at his home on February 23, 1981 about his experiences living in Las Vegas since 1955. Brown mentions that his background is in the food business, working for various hotels and restaurants in the city. Brown discusses some of the developments of the Las Vegas Strip, including the opening and closing of various casinos, as well as issues relating to the increasing crime rate, rise in air pollution, and growth in population in the city. Brown also mentions some of the entertainers from the Strip such as Wayne Newton and Frank Sinatra, and he describes the various recreational activities available to Las Vegans in and around the city. The interview concludes with Brown’s discussion about how means of transportation have evolved and how the city has grown since he moved to Las Vegas.
On March 1, 1977, collector Sam C. Melchiome Jr. interviewed Jean McColl (born May 24th, 1931 in California) at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview, Jean McColl discusses growing up in Searchlight and then Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses how her family came here as well as the many changes she has seen through the decades living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On February 14, 1979, Concepcion Fernandez interviewed Rosamond McDougal (born in Texas) about her life as a teacher in Las Vegas. McDougal speaks primarily about her time as a teacher in the Clark County School District, her unique class setup and the district’s changes. Moreover, McDougal speaks about the growing number of students and teachers, the superintendent’s role in bond issues, the courses offered, racial integration in the school district (and the casinos), and the building of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. McDougal gives personal anecdotes about her family, her husband’s job at the Atomic Test Site and her time as an organ player in churches around the city. Lastly, she talks about recreational activities, Helldorado, the casinos and department stores.