Due to budget cutbacks at the Springs Preserve, they have had to refocus their educational programming.  One of the programs cut, unfortunately, was "Untold Stories".   The final event was last Thursday's look at Las Vegas High School.

I want to thank everyone at the Springs Preserve who made "Untold Stories" possible and who supported it.  For 2.5 years, I was able to bring the history of Las Vegas alive with panels on a myraid of subjects.  I want to thank all the panelists who participated and I want to thank the class members who came out each month to learn about the place they call home.

There is a slim chance that "Untold Stories" could return in the fall if a grant comes through.  Stay tuned and I will keep you posted.

During the formative years of the city of Las Vegas, there was only one high school, Las Vegas High.  The school was built because of the determination of one woman, Maude Frazier.  Located on 8th Street, many townspeople believed it was too far out of town and was too large.  Maude and history proved them wrong.

It became a beacon of education for school-age kids not only in Las Vegas but all across the valley.  Students were bussed in from Boulder City and other small towns.

The students had their rituals as all high schools do.  The Wildcat Lair was the teen club where dances were held and in the years following World War II, performers from the Strip would stop by and sing a few tunes or tell a few jokes before heading back to the showrooms.

The Rhythmettes were the idea of Evelyn Stuckey.  A precision drill team made up of young girls to help rally school spirit at athletic games, assemblies, Helldorado Parades and more, she made the name Rhythmettes synonymous with excellence.  Under her tutelage, the drill team performed on the Ed Sullivan Show in the early 1960s.

Join us on Thursday, March 4th for "Untold Stories" as we look back at this wonderful, colorful and lively history. 

Our panelists will include a

Rhythmette Cheryl Purdue and other Las Vegas alumni such as John Ullom, Rollie Gibbs, and that delightful couple, Gail and Donna Andress.

Dennis McBride and Paul Carson from the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas have graciously agreed to bring a number of items related to the school as well.

Thursday, March 4th

Untold Stories

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

6:30 pm

$10

We hope to see you there!

We kick off a the new year with our first "Untold Stories" on Thursday, February 4th with a look at African-American Entertainers in Las Vegas.  We will discuss the early days of segregation up through what it is like to perform in Las Vegas today.

Panelists include:

Claytee White:  Director of UNLV's Oral History Program

Skip Trenier:  cousin to Claude and Cliff Trenier and member of the band

Sonny Turner: Lead singer  of The Platters from 1960-1970

Michael Ryan Tyler: Musician who has played with Wayne Newton and others in today's Las Vegas

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

6:30 pm

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

Admission $9

Discounts available if you buy a class pass!

Think you know Las Vegas History?

Well, if you have been attending "Untold Stories" you do know a lot of Las Vegas History.  However, there is a great deal of arcane and little-known history that should be better known.

So, we are putting the focus on that type of history with December's "Untold Stories".  Here's your chance to learn more about street names around the Valley, the more colorful side of shall we say, Block 16 type businesses as well as the social history of Las Vegas from the 1930s to the 1950s.  From living with no air-conditioning to stories about Helen J. Stewart, Queho and more, "Las Vegas History You Don't Know" will be a fun and entertaining way to learn more about the place we all call home.

Also, there will be  "Stump the Panel" where you can ask them questions about arcane Las Vegas history that you know.  Will they be able to add to your knowledge or will you have the stories they don't know.

Join us on Thursday, December 3rd to find out!

Panelists include:

Dr. Michael Green, Professor of History at the College of Southern Nevada.  Dr. Mike is one of the premiere Southern Nevadan historians.

Mark Hall-Patton, director of Clark County Museums and a local author.

Donna and Gail Andress, they have lived in Las Vegas since 1932 when both arrived as children.  They have helped Las Vegas grow from a dusty railroad town into the Entertainment Capital of the World.  In addition, they are both local historians.

Thursday, December 3rd

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

6:30 pm

Admission $9.00 (buy a three-class series pass and get a discount!)

See you there!

On Thursday, November 5th, "Untold Stories" will take a look at Howard Hughes.

The enigmatic millionaire is best known for his buying spree of Las Vegas hotels in the mid-1960s.  We will take a look at Hughes not only in that era but an earlier era, when he used to visit Las Vegas, hang out with locals and drop by the showrooms and casinos of the day.

Panelists include:

Geoff Schumacher, author of "Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia and Palace Intrigue"

Paul Winn, who worked for Hughes and later Summa Corp.

Robert McCaffrey, who knew Hughes in his aviation days:  http://theaviatorhh.com/

Thursday, November 5th

Las Vegas Springs Preserve

Desert Learning Center

6:30 pm

Admission $9 (new, lower price) (Discounts available if you buy a three series pass)

We hope to see you there!