Interviews

I headed over the Club4100 on Thursday, the 26th to interview Paul. When I got there I found out that Staci had been there talking to George Mills and other regulars and that Nick and Corey were still there meeting people and doing interviews. I also found out that Paul had already been interviewed which I need to follow up on and see how detailed it was. I was a little upset to hear this news because I had specifically gone down there to interview him, and he said it had already been done. I then found out that, everyone in the bar had been interviewed. Of course, I was a bit unsettled, wondering where I should begin. I started talking to George Mills and even though he had told his story a few times to other people,he was willing to tell me as well. He also agreed to a taped interview.

The interview consisted of me learning all about his life and how he came to love Club4100. He lives down the street from the place and started going there in 1961. He practically raised his children in the club, bringing into the much loved Easter dinners. His son (now 56) grew up to be the well known Keith Mills, and he has a daughter (now 52) as well. He made it clear that everyone who went to the club grew to feel like one big family. He still feels that it is second home, even with new owners. Raj, one of the owners, was sitting next to us the entire interview and George kept reaching over to let him know how much Raj means to him. Especially since Raj is keeping the place and its history the same.

He also told me that the first owner, Kutros, used to have a swimming pole where the venue space is located now. The pool used to be used for crippled children at a nearby hospital, they would come and swim. Children would use it during the summer and at Easter as well. It seems like such an amazing idea, and crazy to imagine it once being an actual pool.

George also told me about his relationship with Oprah and how he helped take video of her while she was applying to be on television. He told me he will try and bring pictures of her the next time I see him. He said that she thought of him and his wife as family and would hang out a their house sometimes. Pretty exciting!

One thing that made sense to me was George's explanation as to why the clientele may have changed over the years. He said that because people in the neighborhood do not move out, only get older, health issues prevent them from living the same lifestyle. Most of the children grow up and move away, therefore there is less likely a chance for a rotation of clients. Many of George's friends are too sick to walk over the club and outsiders are less likely to just stop in for a drink or meal. This was of great concern to him, but he was happy to see that we are all trying to revive that, trying to bring in new clientele.

I am also happy to say that I have made a dent in spreading the word about Club4100. One of my regulars, Scott, was saying that he did not know where to get some lunch. I suggested Club4100 and that he could say he knew me and the project if he wanted. He actually went, he called me from there saying he was having a great time and that the owners were so welcoming and excited about a new person eating there. I talked to them later that night and they were saying my friend was so nice and how happy it made them. I told them that we are all trying to spread the word!

I hope to get some of my concerns about oral history out on Tuesday, I also hope that me translating my interview with George is not a problem.

interview tonight

Tonight I am interviewing Paul who I met at Club4100! I am going to try and come up with some good questions today and prepare myself for anything that may happen. I am so glad that Paul seemed excited about the project and is willing to do the interview.

On another note, my co-worker and friend (also named Katie), is very interested in doing video work for this project. She just got a degree in film/video and would love to use it so I am hoping people in class have some neat ideas about what she may be able to do. Filming during the event seems definite, but other ideas are welcome as well!

I will write more this weekend after the interview.

Spring break tasks

Spring break went by super fast, I know that I did not get nearly as much done for the project as I would have liked. I am looking at this week back in class as a jump start into getting all the little details for oral history sorted out and hope to feel more confident after Tuesdays class. I did go to the club though and make some connections! I met the owners and heard about how and why they obtained the club. They are super nice, we even hugged before I left. I felt comfortable in the bar and could tell that they are looking forward to the event. Any reservations I may have had about this project have vanished! I feel like I understand why locals would make Club4100 part of their weekly routine. In fact, I met a couple who do just that. Paul and Anne Federline visit the bar every day! They knew all about the club, its previous owners and seemed close to the new owners already. Anne had a stack of Keno cards in front of her and Paul said that coming to this specific bar and playing Keno makes his wife happy so that is why they come. I asked Paul if I could interview him this coming Thursday and he said yes! I even told him that it would be recorded and he was fine with that. Something to look forward to and prepare for.

I also got my CITI certification which is one less thing to worry about.

In class we had brought up trying to connect with Duke, another club regular. He was not as the bar when I was there and did not return my calls. Hopefully, If I run into him, he will still want to do an interview. I did hear about another guy, Gill, that helped build the bar and everyone there seemed to think he would be interested in an interview. One of the owners is going to try and get his info for me by Thursday.

I came up with the questionnaire to pass out, but I wanted to make certain it was in an acceptable format. This is the one area I was hoping I would have done a little more with because I don't want to fall behind in getting the oral history we need.

I hope that other people will want to seek out interviewees with me, I am going there on Thursday and would love some company.

Over break

We seem to be well on our way towards our event, very exciting! I have much to do for oral history over the spring break and I need get myself started right away. I am hoping to get my IRB training done right away, tedious, but important. I also want to pay a visit to the club and try and meet a man named Duke that I hear is full of loyalty to the club and stories to follow. I also want to pass out the questionnaire with a brief description of our project as to round up those who may want participate in oral histories.

The first days

We are starting the process of planning our 4100 preservation project. So far, we have been revising our mission statement and project description. Luckily, the owners seemed excited about the project and our class seems hopeful about a successful project. I signed up for the history portion of the project and I am wondering where to begin, there is probably a lot to explore!