CWM Audio 70
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Homecoming
(Employee Reunion)
July 20-23, 2017
(Employee Reunion)
July 20-23, 2017
Photo courtesy of Bill Johnson
In the summer of 2017 over 250 former employees of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus gathered at Circus World to celebrate their time on the Greatest Show on Earth. Over the course of four days (July 20 through July 23) 53 interviews were conducted across the broad spectrum of personalities that made up the circus including train masters, seamstresses, dancers, clowns, teachers, religious leaders, performers, bus drivers, riggers, and managers.
The interviews cover a period ranging from the late 1960s through the last year of the show and include subjects such as life on the circus train, life on the Gold Unit (truck show), performing in the ring, the closing of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus in 2017, animal activists and their impact on the show and the lives of circus people, circus ministry, various personalities and other anecdotal experiences of life as a employee of the "Greatest Show on Earth."
This project was made possible through an amazing team of volunteers who contributed their time or equipment to this project including: Jenny Barth, Nancy Davies, Erik Gjersvig, LaVahn Hoh, Sue Johnson, Sarah Klemann, Arik Kriha, Jonathan Lipp and
Full Compass, Mary Farrell Stieve, Lydia Rice, Erin Rose, Kyle Neill,
Carmen Niemeyer, Zoe Nissen, and Crystal Willer.
Rights Statement:
Copyright to these recordings belong to the Wisconsin Historical Society. We share them here strictly for non-profit educational purposes. If you have questions related to the copyright status of material included here, please contact us at [email protected].
The interviews cover a period ranging from the late 1960s through the last year of the show and include subjects such as life on the circus train, life on the Gold Unit (truck show), performing in the ring, the closing of the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus in 2017, animal activists and their impact on the show and the lives of circus people, circus ministry, various personalities and other anecdotal experiences of life as a employee of the "Greatest Show on Earth."
This project was made possible through an amazing team of volunteers who contributed their time or equipment to this project including: Jenny Barth, Nancy Davies, Erik Gjersvig, LaVahn Hoh, Sue Johnson, Sarah Klemann, Arik Kriha, Jonathan Lipp and
Full Compass, Mary Farrell Stieve, Lydia Rice, Erin Rose, Kyle Neill,
Carmen Niemeyer, Zoe Nissen, and Crystal Willer.
Rights Statement:
Copyright to these recordings belong to the Wisconsin Historical Society. We share them here strictly for non-profit educational purposes. If you have questions related to the copyright status of material included here, please contact us at [email protected].
NOTE: While transcripts have been reviewed and corrected for noticeable errors, inconsistencies or misspellings may still exist in the document.
WARNING! Some sound recordings may contain language that may be offensive. Listener discretion is advised.
WARNING! Some sound recordings may contain language that may be offensive. Listener discretion is advised.
CWM 70-1
Cindy Herriot Wells and Roy Wells Interview
Subjects include: Circus World (Florida Amusement Park), Circus World Museum, Blue Unit, Disney Fantasyland Circus, Elephants,Gunther Gebel-Williams,Gold Unit, Ruth Harriott, John Harriott, Hugo, Oklahoma, Japan, Paul Kay, King Tusk, Mattel Inc., Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sarasota, Florida.
Cindy Herriot Wells and Roy Wells Interview
Subjects include: Circus World (Florida Amusement Park), Circus World Museum, Blue Unit, Disney Fantasyland Circus, Elephants,Gunther Gebel-Williams,Gold Unit, Ruth Harriott, John Harriott, Hugo, Oklahoma, Japan, Paul Kay, King Tusk, Mattel Inc., Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sarasota, Florida.
1 hour, 2 minutes, 30 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-2
Dinny McGuire Interview
Subjects include: Jim Agona, Big Apple Circus, Blue Unit, Circus Fantasy, Disney Land, Irvin Feld, Kenneth Feld, Mark Oliver Gebel, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Gold Unit, Japan, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- 1981-1985,Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- show closing- 2017, Ring Master, Harold Ronk, Miguel Vasquez, Peggy Williams.
Dinny McGuire Interview
Subjects include: Jim Agona, Big Apple Circus, Blue Unit, Circus Fantasy, Disney Land, Irvin Feld, Kenneth Feld, Mark Oliver Gebel, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Gold Unit, Japan, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- 1981-1985,Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- show closing- 2017, Ring Master, Harold Ronk, Miguel Vasquez, Peggy Williams.
63 minutes, 49 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
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CWM 70-3
Eryn Dewey and Brett Goertemoeller Interview
Subjects include: Animal rights activism, Blue Unit, Chief Mechanical Officer, Circus Train, Joe Colossa, Curriculum, Education, Grade School, Home School, Kindergarten, Railroad, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - closing of show – 2017, School Teacher, Train Master.
Eryn Dewey and Brett Goertemoeller Interview
Subjects include: Animal rights activism, Blue Unit, Chief Mechanical Officer, Circus Train, Joe Colossa, Curriculum, Education, Grade School, Home School, Kindergarten, Railroad, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - closing of show – 2017, School Teacher, Train Master.
58 minutes, 38 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
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CWM Audio 70-4
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 7
(Fr. George "Jerry" Hogan, Dr. David Tetrault, Fr. Frank Cancro, and Fr. Dick (Richard) Notter)
Subjects include: Accidents, Baptism, Bishops of the United States of America, Allen Bloom, Blue Unit, Chaplain, Bernice Collins, Greg and Karen DeSanto (wedding of), Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, Episcopal Church, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Eric Michael Gillett, Tim Holst, management, mass (religious service), Jim O'Connell, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - closing of show -2017, Sister Pesoa, Susana Smith, wedding.
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 7
(Fr. George "Jerry" Hogan, Dr. David Tetrault, Fr. Frank Cancro, and Fr. Dick (Richard) Notter)
Subjects include: Accidents, Baptism, Bishops of the United States of America, Allen Bloom, Blue Unit, Chaplain, Bernice Collins, Greg and Karen DeSanto (wedding of), Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, Episcopal Church, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Eric Michael Gillett, Tim Holst, management, mass (religious service), Jim O'Connell, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - closing of show -2017, Sister Pesoa, Susana Smith, wedding.
1 hour, 33 minute, 4 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-5
Laura Herriott Ortiz and Donna Ward Interview
Subjects include: animals, animal training, Elvin Bale, Baraboo, Wisconsin, Bloomington, Illinois, Harold "Heavy" Burdick, Canepa School of Dance, Carson and Barnes Circus, Circus World Museum, Baraboo, Wisconsin, Antoinette Concello, elephants, Merle Evans, Feld Entertainment Inc., Chappie Fox, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Gil Gray Circus, John Herriott, Mary Ruth Herriott,Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, trapeze, Vicky Unus, Mayme Ward.
Laura Herriott Ortiz and Donna Ward Interview
Subjects include: animals, animal training, Elvin Bale, Baraboo, Wisconsin, Bloomington, Illinois, Harold "Heavy" Burdick, Canepa School of Dance, Carson and Barnes Circus, Circus World Museum, Baraboo, Wisconsin, Antoinette Concello, elephants, Merle Evans, Feld Entertainment Inc., Chappie Fox, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Gil Gray Circus, John Herriott, Mary Ruth Herriott,Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, trapeze, Vicky Unus, Mayme Ward.
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
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CWM 70-6
Colin Murphy Interview
Subjects include: Center ring, elephants, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Madison Square Garden, ring curb crew, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus – 1975.
Colin Murphy Interview
Subjects include: Center ring, elephants, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Madison Square Garden, ring curb crew, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus – 1975.
5 minutes, 41 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-7
Laura Bassett and Joshua Guptill Interview
Subjects include: elephants, Feld Entertainment Inc., floor crew, horse crew, Red Unit, Sasha Hook, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - 2006-2007, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - show closing.
Laura Bassett and Joshua Guptill Interview
Subjects include: elephants, Feld Entertainment Inc., floor crew, horse crew, Red Unit, Sasha Hook, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - 2006-2007, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - show closing.
1 hour, 19 minutes, 26 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
SOUND RECORDING Part 3
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
TRANSCRIPT Part 3
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CWM 70-8
Lewis Glover, Lisa Glover, Marissa Hitchcock, and Julie Harter Interview
Subjects Include: Dancer, Dance Captain, John Dedo, Elephants, Mark Gebel, Tina Gebel, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Danny Herman, David Larible, life on the circus train, Madison Square Garden, Pyro Technician, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1984 1992-2005,Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - show closing – 2017,show girl, railroad, train.
Lewis Glover, Lisa Glover, Marissa Hitchcock, and Julie Harter Interview
Subjects Include: Dancer, Dance Captain, John Dedo, Elephants, Mark Gebel, Tina Gebel, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Danny Herman, David Larible, life on the circus train, Madison Square Garden, Pyro Technician, Red Unit, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1984 1992-2005,Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus - show closing – 2017,show girl, railroad, train.
45 minutes, 47 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
SOUND RECORDING Part 3
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
TRANSCRIPT Part 3
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CWM 70-9
Barbara Pflughaupt Interview
Subjects Include: animal rights activism, Kim Basinger, Richard Chipperfield, Graham Thomas Chipperfield, Coney Island, Kenneth Feld, Nicole Feld, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Rodney Huey, Kaleidescape, David Larible, Phil McKinley, Publicist, Michu, National Public Relations Agency, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1990-2004, Kevin Venardos, Montel Williams.
Barbara Pflughaupt Interview
Subjects Include: animal rights activism, Kim Basinger, Richard Chipperfield, Graham Thomas Chipperfield, Coney Island, Kenneth Feld, Nicole Feld, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Rodney Huey, Kaleidescape, David Larible, Phil McKinley, Publicist, Michu, National Public Relations Agency, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1990-2004, Kevin Venardos, Montel Williams.
59 minutes, 50 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-10
Sister Bernard Overkamp and Sister Dorothy Fabritze Interview
Subjects include: Blue Unit, circus ministry, Circus Vargas, Kenneth Feld, Tom Dougherty, Father Jerry Hogan, Tim Holst, Kelly Miller Circus, Mass (religious service), Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, prop crew, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 2004-2017, Sister Joel and Sister Priscilla, Teamster, wardrobe.
Sister Bernard Overkamp and Sister Dorothy Fabritze Interview
Subjects include: Blue Unit, circus ministry, Circus Vargas, Kenneth Feld, Tom Dougherty, Father Jerry Hogan, Tim Holst, Kelly Miller Circus, Mass (religious service), Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, prop crew, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 2004-2017, Sister Joel and Sister Priscilla, Teamster, wardrobe.
1 hour, three minutes, 32 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
SOUND RECORDING Part 3
SOUND RECORDING Part 4
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
TRANSCRIPT Part 3
TRANSCRIPT Part 4
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CWM 70-11
Theresa McClain Interview
Subjects include: Blue Unit - 2006-2008, Costumes, Feld Entertainment Inc., Gold Unit - 2008-2012, Head seamstress, Load In, Railroad, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Wardrobe.
Theresa McClain Interview
Subjects include: Blue Unit - 2006-2008, Costumes, Feld Entertainment Inc., Gold Unit - 2008-2012, Head seamstress, Load In, Railroad, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Wardrobe.
37 minutes, 6 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-12
LaVahn Hoh Interview
Subjects include: archivist, Baraboo- Wisconsin, Allen Bloom, Circus World Museum, circus historian, Clown College, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus, Feld Entertainment Inc., Kenneth Feld, Rodney Huey, Johnny Pugh, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- show closing- 2017, teaching.
LaVahn Hoh Interview
Subjects include: archivist, Baraboo- Wisconsin, Allen Bloom, Circus World Museum, circus historian, Clown College, Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus, Feld Entertainment Inc., Kenneth Feld, Rodney Huey, Johnny Pugh, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus- show closing- 2017, teaching.
55 minutes, 2 seconds
NOTE: Nancy Davies interview (referenced in this interview) was conducted in a separate session. See CWM Audio 70-14.
NOTE: Nancy Davies interview (referenced in this interview) was conducted in a separate session. See CWM Audio 70-14.
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
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CWM 70-13
Alice Clark Brown Interview
Subjects include: Chicago, Illinois, Antoinette Concello, Dancer, Elephant, Kenneth Feld, Alex Gautier, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Otto Griebling, Pie Car, Public Relations, Susie Quinn, Railroad, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - 1971-1973, Harold Ronk, Web act.
Alice Clark Brown Interview
Subjects include: Chicago, Illinois, Antoinette Concello, Dancer, Elephant, Kenneth Feld, Alex Gautier, Gunther Gebel-Williams, Otto Griebling, Pie Car, Public Relations, Susie Quinn, Railroad, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus - 1971-1973, Harold Ronk, Web act.
45 minutes, 11 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM 70-14
Nancy Davies Interview
Subjects include: Americana Amusement Park, Middletown, Ohio, barker, Big Apple Circus, Chicago, Illinois, Tito Gaona, grinder, Catherine Hanneford, Tommy Hanneford, Strupi Hanneford, Jonathan Lee Iverson, Bello Nock, publicist, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Red Unit, spieler, Tommy Hanneford Circus, Cindy Wells, and Roy Wells.
Nancy Davies Interview
Subjects include: Americana Amusement Park, Middletown, Ohio, barker, Big Apple Circus, Chicago, Illinois, Tito Gaona, grinder, Catherine Hanneford, Tommy Hanneford, Strupi Hanneford, Jonathan Lee Iverson, Bello Nock, publicist, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Red Unit, spieler, Tommy Hanneford Circus, Cindy Wells, and Roy Wells.
35 minutes, 9 seconds
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SOUND RECORDING Part 1
SOUND RECORDING Part 2
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TRANSCRIPT Part 1
TRANSCRIPT Part 2
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CWM Audio 70-15
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 1
(John Dedo, Romulus Portwood Jr., Sam Drummond, and LaDonna Leyva)
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 1
(John Dedo, Romulus Portwood Jr., Sam Drummond, and LaDonna Leyva)
43 mintues, 44 seconds
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VIDEO RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM AUDIO 70-16
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 2
(Sarah Chapman, Nathan Slabaugh, Donna MacDonald, JoAnn Lomoriello Galasso, Francoise Edwards, Melanie Montana, Mike Melssen,
and Jeremy Papay)
53 minutes, 23 seconds
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 2
(Sarah Chapman, Nathan Slabaugh, Donna MacDonald, JoAnn Lomoriello Galasso, Francoise Edwards, Melanie Montana, Mike Melssen,
and Jeremy Papay)
53 minutes, 23 seconds
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VIDEO RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM AUDIO 70-17
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 3
(John Russell, Lee Stevens, Barbie (Seal) Vasek, Lorna Spellman, Brian Miser, and Craig Miser)
1 hour, 1 minute, 12 seconds
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 3
(John Russell, Lee Stevens, Barbie (Seal) Vasek, Lorna Spellman, Brian Miser, and Craig Miser)
1 hour, 1 minute, 12 seconds
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VIDEO RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM AUDIO 70-18
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 4
(Darah Velesbir and Jeanne de Keyserling)
35 minutes, 31 seconds
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 4
(Darah Velesbir and Jeanne de Keyserling)
35 minutes, 31 seconds
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VIDEO RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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CWM AUDIO 70-19
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 4A
(Janet Madsen Vickers, Sharon Sellitto, and Christine Seylier Duke)
54 minutes, 5 seconds
Homecoming (Employee Reunion) Group Session 4A
(Janet Madsen Vickers, Sharon Sellitto, and Christine Seylier Duke)
54 minutes, 5 seconds
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VIDEO RECORDING
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TRANSCRIPT
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