Belmont-Story-Project

Interview by Alison Smith of Aviva Brescher at BMC.

Dr. Lai first volunteered abroad in the aftermath of the South Asian Tsunami, in 2005, and has since been a part of nearly 30 global humanitarian relief efforts. In this interview, she discusses the South Asian Tsunami; her work in Liberia and Sierre Leone during the 2014 Ebola outbreak; her time in Bangladesh in 2018, helping Rohinga refugees fleeing religious persecution in Myanmar; and her most recent volunteering stint in Yemen, in 2019, where a cholera outbreak has occurred due to the ongoing civil war.

Veteran Hal Learson speaks with librarian Nancy McMenemy McColm about growing up in Portland, ME during the Great Depression and WWII, and his 30+ years of service in the U.S. Navy.

Belmont resident, Sharisse Zeroonian reads from 2 of her short stories, "Rock of Gibraltar", and "Drowsy".

Local artist Ottavio Forte discusses his time working as an electrical engineer on the Apollo 11 program, and his hobbies - beekeeping, wine making, and sculpting. He is interviewed by librarian Nancy McMenemy McColm.

Chemist and teacher Jim Roth discusses his work on the Apollo program and his volunteer work with the Massachusetts Lions Eye Research Fund, and Belmont's Conservation Commission.

Sandra Rosenblum shares what it was like to see Thai villagers "in full holiday mode" over the 1969 lunar landing. She also talks about how the "space race" influenced her daughter's education and career. She is interviewed by Librarian Nancy McMenemy McColm

Sharisse Zeroonian shares her memories of growing up in Belmont and discusses her career as a filmmaker and writer. Recorded on August 31, 2019.

Listen to friends Fran Yuan and Jean Gauthier talk about Fran's work on social justice causes, and Jean's highs and lows living in Belmont, as part of the LGBTQ community.

Belmont Assistant Chief of Police James "Jamie" MacIsaac speaks with Joanna Tzouvelis about growing up in Belmont and his 20+ years in public safety.

Dr. Kwan Kew Lai shares how she was surprised to find that mankind had landed on the moon when visited her local information center/library

Dr. Brecher shares her memories of being a NASA Principal Investigator and having the opportunity to experiment on moon rocks brought back from the Apollo missions. She also discusses what it was like to be a women working in a science field, back in the 1960's and 1970s.

Kim Archer describes a road trip he and some college friends took from PA to FL, to see the Saturn 5 rocket launch on July 16, 1969.

Jack Ananian shares a few lunar landing memories, one of which involves working for a local company, Bolt, Berenek, and Newman, on a project that he was told would help the Apollo astronauts.

David Ching discusses his work for RCA from 1959-1961. During that time he lived and worked on a remote volcanic island collecting test data on missiles launched from Florida. This work, which was done in preparation for early Apollo missions, was at the time top secret.

U.S. Navy Veteran Bill Magsum describes his memories of the first lunar landing, and the tumultuous summer of 1969.

Catherine Robinson remembers being awestruck listening to a crackling radio station, when it was announced that we had successfully landed a man on the moon.

Stephen Shestakofsky describes watching the lunar landing with his grandmother, torn by wanting to see history and pass the NY bar exam, which he was due to take the very next morning. He also remembers the significance of the landing with regard to the United States being in a "space race," with the Soviet Union.

Ron Sacca speaks with Joanna Tzouvelis about his family's six generations in Belmont (and counting), his own fond memories of living here for more than 65 years, and his hopes for the future.

Listen to life-long Belmont resident Athena McInnis discuss her historic home, the Thadeus Frost House, and life in Belmont, then and now.

Irving and Shirley Gerber speak with their grandson Michael Souza about growing up in the 1930s and 1940s, how Belmont has changed over their 70+ years living here, and their secret to a long and happy marriage.

Dr. Paul Solomon speaks with his wife Phyl about his work as a Belmont Selectman, being a pediatrician, and blending their two families when they married.

Phyl Solomon speaks with her husband Paul about her career, family life, and establishing a number of intergenerational programs here in town.

Dr. David Alper discusses his three decades in Belmont, as a podiatrist, volunteer, and director of the Town's Board of Health. He is interviewed by Joanna Tzouvelis of the Belmont Citizen Herald.

State Senator Will Brownsberger talks with his daughter Carly about raising a family in Belmont, his work on the Board of Selectmen, and being a MA state senator.

Josephine Fang discusses memories of WWII in her native Austria, emigrating to the United States in the 1950s, her career as a library science professor, and raising a family here in Belmont, MA, with her late husband, Paul Fang.

Anne Covino Goldenberg and Joanna Tzouvelis discuss Anne's work as a community organizer in the Fair Housing movement in Belmont, Massachusetts, as well as her three decades working for the United Way.

Anne Marie Mahoney discusses her work in Town government, growing up in Belmont, MA, and facilitating a bereavement group following the death of her own husband. She is interviewed by Joanna Tzouvelis, of the Belmont Citizen Herald.

Two-time World Marathon Challenge winner, Becca Pizzi, discusses her racing experience.

Rabbi Earl Grollman, author, activist, and grief counselor discusses his participation in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, in Selma, Alabama, and Belmont, Massachusetts

Emily Ross discusses her experience being a parent of young boy in Belmont, MA, her academic experience in America and New Zealand, and remodeling an early 20th century home here in Belmont.

Skip Viglirolo, life-long Belmont resident, hockey player and coach, and former Public Works employee, shares some of his memories.

Gordon Shaw speaks with long-time friend and fellow Belmontonian, Angelo Firenze about what it was like in Belmont, Mass, starting in the 1940s.

Ernie and Nancy Fay's experiences and memories of Belmont.

Henry Kazarian speaks of his life in Belmont since 1935. His work with the Council on Aging, being a baseball umpire, and a Town Meeting member.

MaryAnn and Edward Kazanjian reminisce about life in Belmont, MA. MaryAnn Kazanjian has been a Belmont resident since 1946 and she and Edward have lived here throughout their 48 years of marriage. Together, they discuss their early memories of Belmont, MA, with friend and fellow Belmontonian, Paul Boghosian.

Nancy Madanian Reppucci, board member at Belmont Historical Society is being interviewed by her son, Matthew Madanian Reppucci. Nancy tells what it was like to grow up in Belmont starting from late 50s while sharing interesting stories about her teachers and neighbors. At the end she explains why she never wanted to leave Belmont and how much she has enjoyed raising her family here.

Irene Carver discusses her memoir "One Good Tree," with her sister Kate Genovese. One Good Tree focuses on the Vietnam era, a time when both women lived in Belmont, Massachusetts.

Laura VanderHart interviews her neighbor Charleen Livingstone, who has lived in Waverley Square, Belmont, MA since 1956. Recorded at BMC's Waverley Square Podcast Studio.

Ronald Curhan, a Professor of Marketing Emeritus from Boston University interviews his wife, Joan Curhan, who shares her personal story how it felt to grow up in Belmont when she was a young girl till her later years.

Angelo Firenze, a former Belmont Selectman and Wega Firenze, a former Belmont High School Teacher, discuss early memories of Belmont, MA, and changes they have seen take place in their community.

Angelo Firenze, a former Board of Selectman, and Wega Firenze, a former Belmont High School Teacher, discuss their memories of Belmont, Massachusetts. 1950s and 1960s. Part 1 of 2.

Maryann Scali is interviewed by Kate Ellis about a part of her childhood spent in Belmont, MA as a high school student. This is a demo of the type of interview that was done at the introduction of the Belmont Story Project held on March, 31, 2016 at the Belmont Public Library.

2/25/16: Lynette Benton, writing instructor at the Belmont Council on Aging, interviews Chris Lubicz-Nawrocki about his life. This interview was conducted at Belmont Media Center's Studio B in Waverley Square, Belmont, Mass.

2/25/16: Lynette Benton, writing instructor at the Belmont Council on Aging interviews Karla O'Brien about growing up in England and living in Belmont, Massachusetts.