So, I always thought it would probably be a hobby at best, because again, I knew I had to put food on the table and support myself. So, my undergraduate degree, which was going to be in math was the way I thought I’d support myself. And then from there… Read More
So, do you have any specific memories of Lincoln Park Zoo, the people, things maybe that were unique that you were allowed to do that you think fondly of?… Read More
Well, I mean, a lot of the babies that I helped raise in the nursery gave me wonderful experiences, and bottle raising things and watching them grow up and having some satisfaction that I helped these little creatures grow and we’d have a lot of fun. I also remember thinking… Read More
Yes. Okay. And did you- It went on for a couple of years, but it was always part-time. And you mentioned that you also were working at the lighthouse with the signs. Was that part of your- Well, I wound up because it was in proximity. I would do anything… Read More
I just was happy to be at the zoo, you know?… Read More
And so if they told me, go out and rake the lawn or sweep the sidewalks, I said, “Fine, whatever.” How did this time at Lincoln Park Zoo, you said you were studying to be a mathematician, influence your career decision to work in zoos?… Read More
Well, I was, I guess I’ve always been a very pragmatic person. I was studying to be a mathematician because I knew I could get a job. I didn’t ever think I could ever get a job in zoos, or I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be in… Read More
So, you can- you a paying position for a part-time job?… Read More
Oh, yeah, part-time ’cause again, I was in school the whole time I was there. Read More
So, you’re still doing the same type of work, but yet, but now being paid?… Read More
How would you describe it?… Read More
Well, I mean, to me at that point in time, it was this big, wonderful place. It was older, the buildings were older, but they didn’t strike me at that point of being, knowing what we know today, they didn’t strike me as being inefficient or inappropriate in any way. Read More
And when they said, okay, but I didn’t get much money and I didn’t do it very often. Read More
There were a handful and they were mostly older gals that were volunteering. And then there was the zoo attendants, like Pat that were working in the children’s zoo. And then I started, I liked reptiles. I think I liked reptiles ’cause the building was nice and warm anyway, and… Read More
So, as you were traveling around to these various places they would put you, were you doing keeper jobs?… Read More
I was doing miscellaneous keeper jobs, just kinda helping the keepers, carry the bucket, tilt the load, go check this, go look at that. Read More
And what kind of zoo did you find when you first got there?… Read More
Yeah, I stayed enjoying dog shows and still just finished showing my last groups of dogs a few years ago and said, “Okay, I think now I don’t need to do this anymore, but yeah.” you mentioned that you would hang out at the lion house at Lincoln Park Zoo… Read More
Well, there was young lady that I had come to know. I don’t even know where we met at this point. I can’t even remember, but we’d known each other a long time, and her name was Susie Reef. And Susie was at the zoo and Susie said to me,… Read More
Were there are a lot of volunteers at the zoo at the time?… Read More