Scope and Contents On September 14th, 2016, Houston History Magazine interviewed seven Wheatley alumni to discuss the now non-existent Turkey Day Classic football game that used to occur between Phyllis Wheatley Senior High School and Jack Yates Senior High School. The group reminisced upon the extravagance and glamour of the events leading up until and after the game such as the Pep Rallies, Thanksgiving Day Breakfast, Thanksgiving parade, the game itself, halftime honoring Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley, and...

Scope and Contents In Fall 2016, Houston History Magazine interviewed five alumni of Yates High School to discuss the Turkey Day Classic football game that saw the competition between Phyllis Wheatley and Jack Yates High Schools. The group recalls the happenings within the Third Ward during the week leading up to the big game, and excitement surrounding those events. The group gives vividly imagery of attending the game, performing at halftime, and playing in the game. The group also reminisces on their school...

Scope and Contents HFD EMS Assistant Chief David Almaguer discusses how he became a paramedic, the impact of Life Flight on Houston medicine, his memories of Red Duke, and the role Houston EMS has played in its 45-year history. Almaguer’s first fire-safety experience was in an elementary school demonstration and was followed by a Southwest Houston church fire in his community one week later. Working throughout his college years at the fire department, he was initially an EMT and had no plans to become a...

Scope and Contents Bill Hausinger dispatched Otis L. Owens and Glen Morris to respond to Houston’s first EMS call on April 10, 1971, at 12:30 a.m. The interview opens with a recording of that first call. They then share their experiences in joining the department, serving as firefighters and EMTs, and the values that they have learned along the way. They discuss the challenges faced by African Americans, as well as the initial resistance to bringing EMTs into the fire department. Doing 50-60 runs a day while...

Scope and Contents As a part of a series of EMS Oral Histories, Frank Mettlach discusses basic biographical information and a brief description of his life before becoming a paramedic, taking classes and on the job training at various fire stations. Throughout the interview, Frank compares EMS training and methods from the early years to now, and elaborates on contributions of Medical Directors Dr. Pepe and Dr. Persse to the field. Frank’s personal stories and thoughts make up the bulk of the interview and...

Scope and Contents Nancy Beck Young interviews former Democratic Senator Don Adams about Texas politics during his tenures in the state House and the Senate. He begins his reflections by recalling the Constitutional Conventions which started shortly after the Sharpstown scandal. The Senator compliments numerous peers that had inspired him, as well as several who were difficult to deal with. Adams also discusses his role on several Congressional Committees and details the most important bills he helped...

Scope and Contents item contains two transcriptsNancy Beck Young interviews former Governor Bill Hobby about Texas politics, his race, and his campaign as governor, and the proceeding of the state House and Senate during his career. He begin by speaking on his thoughts regarding the shift in Texas as a democratic state to a Republican state and his thoughts on the future of the state of Texas and its politics. Other topics include...

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Paulina de Paz interviews Adrian Shelly, executive director of Air Alliance Houston, at his office on October 16, 2015. Shelly discusses his own early life and education history before focusing on the creation and goals of Air Alliance Houston. He then enumerates the group’s educational curriculum, outreach efforts, and research goals as well as their cooperation with other organizations.

Scope and Contents In this interview, Nancy Beck Young talks with former Texas Governor Mark White on a variety of topics related to his career, as well as state and national politics. He discusses the political shift that occurred in Texas which was once dominated by the Democratic Party. Governor White talks about his tenure as the attorney general of Texas during the first and second governorships of Republican Bill Clements. He discusses how difficult it was to work with Clements and illustrates the...

Scope and Contents On October 11, 2016, Nathan Fannin interviewed Bill Worrell to discuss his career in broadcast and professional basketball in Houston. Worrell speaks about his beginnings at the University of Houston, and current involvement with the university, his early broadcasting days with KPRC, and eventually commentating professional baseball and basketball for the Astros and Rockets. After competing with the University of Houston to gain fans in the city, Worrell points to Elvin Hayes as the prospect...