Las Vegas Rotary club: 1) Sam J. Lawson (Shirley Swanson 2/21/80); 2) Cyril Wengert; 3) Walter Bracken; 4) ?; 5) William Ferron; 6) Dr. Mildren; 7) From left - Ed Clark; 8) Bill Pike; 9) Right end - James Cashman
Rotary International meeting, including Cyril Wengert seated 2nd from left. From left to right: 1) Sam Lawson; 2) Cyril Wengert; 3) Walter Bracken; 4) ?; 5) W. E. Ferron; 6) ?; 7) Ed Clark; 8) Bill Pike; 9) Jim Cashman.
Individuals stand in front of Frazier Hall, UNLV's first building. Identified from left to right: 1. Corinne Johnson, 2. Walter Long, 3. Fritz Bell, Director, 4. Dorothy Dorothy. Johnson shakes hands with Long, and Dorothy holds a stack of papers. The building's name can be seen at the top of the image. Inscription with photo reads "Corrine Johnson, not 'Bell', owner of Johnson's Department Store on Fremont Street." [identified by Dorothy Dorothy 11-1-84]
In 1939, Wilma (Frank) Bass was born in New York City, where she began her involvement in theater at the age of ten. Almost twenty years later, she met Burt Bass (1932- ) when both worked for a photography studio, one of Burt first post-high school jobs. Burt opened his first professional photography studio in 1962, shortly after he married Wilma in 1960. The couple soon had two daughters – Jill and Wendy – and moved to Las Vegas in 1974. Burt initially worked for his brother-in-law Ed Frank's check cashing businesses and later opened his own photography business, Burton Studio. He later added services such as fingerprinting, background checks, and photographs for identification cards. Wilma worked as a jewelry salesperson, first at the Gold Factory then at Nieman Marcus. Socially, she was very involved with Temple Beth Sholom’s Sisterhood, using her theater talents to write, direct and produce various shows for the Sisterhood, ORT as well as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization. In this interview, Burt discusses his photography business, the migration of its storefront around town, and his colorful landlords, including individuals like Moe Dalitz and Art Marshall. Wilma talks about her sales career in the local jewelry industry, and more extensively, she shares memories of her involvement in the Jewish community with theater productions. Much of the discussion revolved around related news articles and personal photos from their relationships and activities within the Jewish community. The couple also shares stories of friendships with local entertainers, including Jerry Lewis and Neil Sedaka.
The Las Vegas businessmen for Six Companies Inc. Handwritten on back of image: "Probably Nellis AFB (Air Force Base). Front row (from left): J. Cashman 3) Fred O'Donnell 7) Leo MacNamee 8) Bill Pike 10) Cyril Wengert 12) Walter Bracken 18) Ed Ciliax 21) Pop Squires 24) F. Garside 27) Archie Grant 30) Kel Houssels Sr. 31) Ernie Cragin.
Black and white image of several people posing for a photograph. Handwritten text on the image indicates some of their names: 1. Tweed Wilson; 2. Mrs. Ball; 3. Joe McQuade; 4. Spud [Lake]: 5. Jim Wilson; 6. Olive [Lake]; 7. Wanda [Ball]; 8. Lois Ball; 9. Ada [Lake]. Note: Image is from a family photo album that was loaned to UNLV Libraries Special Collections and returned to the family on July 17, 1984.