Guide to the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation Stories from the Sea Project Oral History collection MS.R.205

Finding aid prepared by Zoe MacLeod, 2021
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
(cc 2021)
The UCI Libraries
P.O. Box 19557
University of California, Irvine
Irvine 92623-9557
spcoll@uci.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Title: Newport Beach Public Library Foundation Stories from the Sea Project Oral History collection
Creator: Newport Beach Public Library Foundation
Identifier/Call Number: MS.R.205
Physical Description: 6.64 Gigabytes
Date (inclusive): 2020 December - 2021 January
Abstract: This collection contains oral histories documenting personal memories and encounters with the sea from current and former residents and visitors of Newport Beach. The oral history interviews were collected by UCI student interviewers.
Language of Material: English .

Access

This collection contains digital material. The collection is only minimally processed. Seven of the oral histories are restricted because of missing consent forms. Please contact the Department of Special Collections and Archives in advance to request access.

Publication Rights

Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Preffered Citation

Newport Beach Public Library Foundation Stories from the Sea Project Oral History collection. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. [Date accessed].

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation, 2021.

Content Description

The Stories from the Sea project emerged from a collaboration between UCI Humanities Center, Newport Beach Public Library Foundation,UCI Center for Story Telling, UCI Libraries, and the UCI History Department. It centered around an oral history project to document personal memories and encounters with the sea from current and former residents and visitors of Newport Beach. This collection consists of the oral history interviews collected by UCI student interviewers. The collection also includes abstracts, field notes, and transcripts.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Oral histories
Orange County (Calif.) -- Social life and customs.
Ocean--Social aspects--California--Orange County

 

Oral History of Eli Laya 2020 December 13

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Eli Laya Interviewer: Tionnie Alexander Date: December 13, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:02:23
An oral history with Eli Laya, who originated from the Philippines and moved to America for four years before moving back. Laya talks about the ways in which the beach reminds her of her family and connects her to them. Laya shares that when she was at the beach in America, she was reminded of the beaches back home and the peace that they brought her growing up, as well as of the oceans that her family traveled on and had connections to. She explains that in the Philippines she uses the ocean to feel connected to her family and friends back in America. She also thinks of her time at the beach when she's facing hardships and it reminds her that her family is always with her.
Keywords: beaches, family, peace, Philippines, childhood
 

Oral History of Julyssa Sandoval 2020 December 13

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Julyssa Sandoval Interviewer: Tionnie Alexander Date: December 13, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:13:17
An oral history with Julyssa Sanchez, who discusses their baptism experience that they went through at the age of 13. They explain how they were baptized in the ocean and the experience did not go well as they slipped and nearly drowned. They go on to explain how this experience introduced them to who they were. They realized that baptism did not change their sexuality. They gained a sense of clarity and realized that their sexuality was a beautiful and important part of themself that would never change, and they did not want it to. They also delve into how they now know that they do not have to change who they are to please their family or the church.
Keywords: religion, ocean, LGBT, rebirth, family, coming of age, sexuality
 

Oral History of Diana Pena 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Diana Pena Interviewer: Clarisse Barrion Date: December 7, 2020 Location: East Los Angeles, California and Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:15:33
An oral history with Diana Pena, who is from Lynwood, California. She attended UCI and during her time there she began interning for the Orange County Coastkeeper. Shortly after graduating in 2012, she became Orange County Coastkeeper's Education Director and is now their current Deputy Director. During her interview, Pena discusses her work at Orange County Coastkeeper and the programs they offer for K-12 students, such as kids Ocean Day. She mentions a few of her favorite moments working with young students and the curious questions they have for her. She expands upon the County Coastkeeper and their use of an online platform due to the pandemic. Pena elaborates on her passion for the environment and it's protection.
Keywords: Orange County Coastkeeper, Deputy Director, environment, education, clean water protection, involvement, community service
 

Oral History of Gloria Sefton 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Gloria Sefton Interviewer: Clarisse Barrion Date: December 7, 2020 Location: Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:30:45
An oral history with Gloria Sefton, a lawyer who has a background in chemistry and now works for a medical device company in Irvine. After moving to Trabuco Canyon in 1988, she became involved in environmental advocacy to preserve the canyons in their rural space. After winning a lawsuit as a private citizen, she decided to attend law school to become an environmental attorney. She co-founded Saddleback Canyon's Conservancy and is also Vice President of Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks. During her interview, Gloria discusses her journey to becoming an environmental advocate and how she became involved with environmental non-profit organizations. She talks about the litigation processes that occurred in order to preserve the rural areas and canyons in Orange County. She explains the links between clean ups and how the pandemic affected them. She discusses what can be done on a personal level to help save the environment.
Keywords: lawyer, environmental law, Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, environment, fires, Saddleback Canyon's Conservancy, Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, California Environment Act, OC Parks, activism
 

Oral History of Lori Whelan 2020 December 10

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Lori Whelan Interviewer: Clarisse Barrion Date: December 10, 2020 Location: Newport Beach, Orange County, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:15:20
An oral history with Lori Whalen, the Assistant Director of the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach. Whalen is responsible for many programs at the Environmental Nature Center and in the interview she discusses some of the changes to the programs due to the pandemic. Whalen grew up inland in Pasadena, but her family would often visit the Newport Beach area for vacations. In the interview, Lori describes how these trips ultimately led her to this career path. She shares some of her precious memories at 19th Street Beach, from building sandcastles with friends, nearly drowning in the Bay, to a painful run in with a surfer. Despite growing up far from the beach, Whalen describes the impact it had on her life and how her interests have changed over time. She talks about her current relationship with the beach, especially Huntington, as she lived there and would bike there from time to time.
Keywords: Environmental Nature Center, Newport Beach, non-profit, Huntington Beach, horticulture
 

Oral History of Roger Eap 2020 December 17

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Roger Eap Interviewer: Jonathan Cando Date: December 17, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 12:19:110
An oral history with Roger Eap, who was born in 1986 in Long Beach, California. He is the manager and co-owner of the shop Seaside Donuts Bakery. He graduated from UCI with a bachelor's degree in Criminology. His father, the previous owner of Seaside Donuts, is from Cambodia, while his mother is from Thailand. He and his sisters grew up along with the business, which was obtained in the late 70s. During the interview, Mr. Eap touches upon his parents' history and describes the origins of Seaside Bakery. His father was not sponsored by Ted Ngoy, the donut king from Cambodia, but by a family in Michigan. He talks quite a bit about the business, from its menu items to the reason behind its 24/7 business hours. He mentions his thoughts on the culture around Seaside, from the wide array of people the shop caters to to its thriving late night culture.
Keywords: Seaside Donuts, Cambodia, Thailand, beach, food, donuts, immigration
 

Oral History of Giselle Carrillo 2020 November 24

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Giselle Carrillo Interviewer: Camille Cheng Date: November 24, 2020 Location: East Los Angeles, California and Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:12:42
An oral history with Giselle Carrillo, who was born in 1987 in East Los Angeles, California. She worked as a middle school teacher, until she quit her position to pursue her lifelong goal of learning to swim and surf. After learning to surf, Carrillo founded Courage Camps, a surf camp that focuses on providing surf lessons for children and adults who otherwise would not have the resources to learn. During her interview, she discussed how her early life experiences relate to the ocean and surfing and her decision to quit her job and embark on a new journey. She also explains her feelings about founding the Courage Camps and makes a cultural connection with learning and teaching surfing.
Keywords: ocean, surfing, childhood, POC, Mexican-American, East Los Angeles, dreams, possibility, courage, female, passion, Courage Camps
 

Oral History of Louis Harris 2020 November 24

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Louis Harris Interviewer: Camille Cheng Date: November 24, 2020 Location: East Los Angeles, California and Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:08:38
An oral history with Louis Harris, who was born in 1972 in Jamaica, Queens. He is an ocean and skateboard surfing mentor in the Black Surfing Association in Rockaway. During his interview, he discusses his childhood memory of the ocean and the lack of availability of surfing to Black children. He also explains why he decided to work with the Black Surfing Association and teach ocean surfing.
Keywords: surfing, teaching, Black children, Black Surfing Association
 

Oral History of Hans Hagen 2020 December 8

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Hans Hagen Interviewer: Camille Cheng Date: December 8, 2020 Location: East Los Angeles, California and Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:07:33
An oral history with Hans Hagen, who was born in 1971 in Laguna Beach, California. He learned to surf at an early age because of exposure to the sport by his family and living in Hawaii. He currently directs the Mauli Ola Organization and he and his co-workers came to the idea of making surfing a healing process for the people with cystic fibrosis in 2008. During his interview, Hagen discusses his family's relationship with surfing and his understanding of surfing. He explains the process of surf healing for cystic fibrosis.
Keywords: surfing, mental health, physical health, healing, cystic fibrosis, Mauli Ola organization
 

Oral History of Walter Stahr 2020 December 3

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Walter Stahr Interviewer: Natalie Ewe Date: December 3, 2020 Location: Newport beach, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:08:58
An interview with Walter Stahr, who was in 1957 born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and grew up in Arcadia, California. Mr. Stahr was a lawyer for two decades and he's lived in multiple East Asian countries, including Japan and Hong Kong, but now resides in Newport. He is an accomplished author and is working on his third book. He narrates a story from his childhood- a family summer tradition of going to the beach with his friends and family. Mr. Stahr mentions he moved back to Newport to be with his family and he talks about his relationship with the ocean. He also briefly describes the feeling of being a kid and interacting with ice outside.
Keywords: Newport, body surfing, historical author, writing, childhood, family
 

Oral History of Michael Lehman [RESTRCITED] 2020 December 4

Access

Access to oral history is restricted.

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Michael Lehman Interviewer: Natalie Ewe Date: December 4, 2020 Location: Newport beach, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:04:17
An interview with Michael Lehman, who was born and raised in Newport, California. He is currently in his 4th year at UCI, studying chemistry, chemical engineering and ICS. Lehman gives some insight on how growing up in Newport shaped his life perspective. Lehman mentions how his family's and Newport Beach's work ethic influenced him as a person.
Keywords: student, Newport, surfing, childhood, beaches
 

Oral History of Jessica Roame 2020 December 1

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Jessica Roame Interviewer: Andrea Galdamez Date: December 1, 2020 Location: Newport Beach, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:18:15
An oral history interview with Jessica Roame, who is the Education Programs Manager at Newport Landing Whale Watching. Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and works as a naturalist. She speaks about Newport whale watching, conservation of whales, historical facts about whales, and her experiences at sea. She speaks about her work with marine animals and how she aims to educate the public about these great creatures.
Keywords: whaling, museums, otters, boats, sea conservation, whale watching, Newport, environment
 

Oral History of Celeste Dennerline [RESTRCITED] 2020 December 4

Access

Access to oral history is restricted.

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Celeste Dennerline Interview: Andrea Galdamez Date: December 4, 2020 Location: Zoom Sub-collection: UCI Stories Length of Interview: 00:43:42
An oral history interview with Celeste Dennerline, a Balboa Island community member who volunteers at the Balboa Museum and is a balboa Island tour guide. Dennerline spoke about whale history, Newport marine animal history, ships, whaling, and whale crafts. She also mentioned her interactions and connections with whales at sea. She went into great detail about the way whaling in Newport Beach has changed throughout the centuries.
 

Oral History of Mark Massara 2020 December 11

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Mark Massara Interviewer: Chester Ho Date: December 11, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 1:24:00
An oral history with Mark Massara, who discusses the ramifications of the 1972 Coastal Commission Act and how influential and powerful it remains in environmental law. Massara briefly discusses the impact of COVID-19 on this work and its impact on the environment. He brings up the need to get people invested in coastal areas by making them more available to lower and middle class people. He also discusses strategies to help people adjust to climate change. Massara ends by sharing his experiences as an attorney and activist, as well as his advice for future activists.
Keywords: Environment, Sand, Law, Wealth Inequality, COVID-19, Activism, California Coastal Protection Act, Managed Retreat
 

Oral History of Gary Griggs 2020 December 15

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Gary Griggs Interviewer: Chester Ho Date: December 15, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 1:07:00
An oral history with Gary Griggs, a professor, who discusses in great detail the effects and costs of ongoing sand replacement projects, explains possible alternatives that work better, and challenges to implementing these ideas. He talks about climate change, as well as mitigation plans that are being pursued in different parts of America. Griggs also discusses efforts to communicate with property owners in endangered zones. He also explains the functions of beach nourishment, beach groins, and the effect of climate change on these practices.
Keywords: climate change, sand, beach, California, managed retreat, groin, seawall, geology, geography, law, environment
 

Oral History of John Gillespie 2020 December 15

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: John Gillespie Interviewer: Chester Ho Date: December 15, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 1:07:00
An oral history with John Gillespie, who explains Jean Baudrillard's idea of "hyperreality," which is known in the field of postmodern philosophy and critical theory. He talks about Disneyland and Anaheim as a famous example of this concept and then applies it to the sand replacement projects going on in California's coasts. Gillespie later defines "semiotics" and the "desert of the real" and ends with and explanation of practical applications for hyperreality as a concept.
Keywords: Baudrillard, Postmodernism, philosophy, Critical Theory, Disneyland, sand, beach, semiotics, hyperreality
 

Oral History of Ainsley Vanyzl 2020 December 9

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Ainsley Vanyzl Interviewer: Chloe Low Date: December 9, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:05:33
An oral history with Ainsley Vanyzl, who was born in 2001 in San Francisco, California. She is a second year student at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) as of 2020. Vanyzl previously lived in Australia and Thailand and currently resides in California. During her interview, she discusses different experiences she;s had across the world with the ocean. She briefly explains the experience of taking photographs underwater in the Similan islands. She mentions an experience encountering a penguin at the Galapagos Islands. She also explains why she enjoys scuba diving as a way to experience a new way of life.
Keywords: scuba diving, Galapagos Islands, coralrReefs, Thailand, Australia, Similan Islands, photography, underwater photography
 

Oral History of Cristina Robinson 2020 December 8

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Cristina Robinson Interviewer: Jazmine Martinez Date: December 8, 2020 Location: Orange County, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:06:33
An oral history with Cristina Robinson, an education coordinator from Orange County Coastkeeper who earned her Bachelor Of Science degree in Marine Biology from Cal State Long Beach. As a school liaison, Robinson arranges field trips and in-class presentations for schools that partner with WHALES (Watershed Action Linking Education to Stewardship) and Kids Ocean Day. During her interview, Robinson shares a moment when she found a wild Pacific seahorse, also known as a giant sea horse, during a field trip with students from Estancia High School. Robinson recalls the events leading up to the moment when students found the seahorse and talks about taking the sea creature back to the science center to survey it and release it back into the sea. Robinson also mentions what the program WHALES does for underserved students. She explains the program's objective is to bring nature to students and educate them on what they can do to make a positive impact on nature.
Keywords: Orange County Coastkeeper, WHALES program, Pacific seahorse, giant seahorse, Newport Beach, education, field trips
 

Oral History of Joyce Shepard 2020 December 2

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Joyce Sheperd Interviewer: Inbar Michael Date: December 2, 2020 Location: Newport Beach, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:24:34
An oral history with Joyce Shepherd, who moved to Newport Beach, California when she was 6 years old from Coachella Valley. She was raised in the Newport Beach area, where she attended school and returned to live after college. During the interview, Joyce discusses her passion for sailing as a child, beginning with her sailing lessons at age 8-9 and her racing in the Flight of the Snowbirds at 11 years old. She discusses how she asked her dad for a Snowbird because she loved sailing so much that she wanted a sailboat of her own. Joyce named it "Big Deal" because it was a big deal for her to have received the Snowbird. She recalls how she had a lot of freedom, as she and her friends would go to nearby islands off the coast such as Catalina Island and Shark Island as children.
Keywords: Snowbird, Catalina Island, Shark Island, Newport Bay, Boats, boating lessons, boat racing, crew, islands
 

Oral History of Neo Patel 2020 December 1

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Neo Patel Interviewer: Inbar Michael Date: December 1, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:20:12
An oral history with Neo Patel, a current UCI student. He has a very worldly view, as he states that he has been around the world. He was born in Belgium, has family from India, traveles, and goes to school in the United States. Neo studies psychology and theatre. During the interview, Neo discusses how he encountered a shark while diving in Egypt. He makes note that no one else saw the shark but him, and it wasn't until another diver from the center mentioned that there was a shark sighting, that people believed Neo actually saw a shark. Neo also talks about his time diving in the Bermuda Triangle, and states that the reputation that the Bermuda Triangle has is not necessarily true. Although the water in that area might be different, the high number of shipwrecks there are not due to mysterious forces. There are scientific reasons for what occurs in that general area.
Keywords: scuba diving, shark, equalizing, Bermuda Triangle, scuba dive training, shipwrecks, ocean pressure
 

Oral History of Isaac Tovar 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Isaac Tovar Interviewer: Alyssa Navarro Date: December 7, 2020 Location: West Coast, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:36:47
An oral history of Isaac Tovar, who was born in 1999 in Santa Maria, California. He became a student at the University of California, Davis (UCD) in 2017 and studies managerial economics. Tovar was a vegetarian for four years and transitioned to veganism in 2017. Tovar's connection to the UCI Stories from the Sea Oral History project is that he grew up on the West Coast. In this interview, he discusses his lifestyle as a vegan and how growing up on the West Coast affected his vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. He also offers insight into the transition from a vegetarian to vegan lifestyle, as well as the good and bad health aspects. In addition, he gives his opinions about the popularity of aquariums, fishing, and seafood restaurants on the coast and how they affect the vegetarian/vegan movement.
Keywords: vegan, vegetarian, lifestyle, coast, West Coast, ocean, sea creatures, animals
 

Oral History of Haley Wood 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Haley Wood Interviewer: Alyssa Navarro Date: December 7, 2020 Location: West Coast, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:05:08
An oral history of Haley Wood, who was born in 1999 in Santa Maria, California. She is currently a marine biology student at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Wood has been a vegetarian for seven years. Wood's connection to the UCI Stories from the Sea Oral History project is that she grew up on the West Coast. In this interview, she discusses her lifestyle as a vegetarian and how growing up on the West Coast affected her vegetarian lifestyle. She also offers insight into the good and bad health aspects of the vegetarian lifestyle. In addition, she offers her opinions about the popularity of aquariums, fishing, and seafood restaurants on the coast and how they affect the vegetarian/vegan movement.
Keywords: vegan, vegetarian, lifestyle, coast, West Coast, ocean, sea creatures, animals
 

Oral History of Aliyeah Navarro 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Aliyeah Navarro Interviewer: Alyssa Navarro Date: December 7, 2020 Location: West Coast, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:09:31
An oral history of Aliyeah Navarro, who was born in 1997 in Santa Maria, California. She began studying fashion and design at the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2020. Navarro has been a pescatarian since 2015. Aliyeah's connection to the UCI Stories from the Sea Oral History project is that she grew up on the West Coast. In the interview, Navarro discusses her lifestyle as a pescatarian and how growing up on the West Coast affected her pescatarian lifestyle. In addition, she offers her opinions about the popularity of aquariums, fishing, and seafood restaurants on the coast.
Keywords: pescatarian, vegan, vegetarian, lifestyle, coast, West Coast, ocean, sea creatures, animals
 

Oral History of Elizabeth Ha [RESTRICTED] 2020 December 8

Access

Access to oral history is restricted.

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Elizabeth Ha Interviewer: Vian Thanh Nguyen Date: December 8, 2020 Location: Westminster, California; Orange County, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of interview: 00:45:14
 

Oral History of Allison Frank Provence 2020 December 16

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Allison Frank Provence Interviewer: Jessica Oh Date: December 16, 2020 Location: Colorado, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:27:58
An oral history with Allison Frank Provence, who was born in 1966 in Los Angeles, California. She is a mother of three, a teacher, and a business owner who currently lives in Colorado. She grew up at a family-owned vacation home at Newport Beach from when she was 2 years old. Their vacation home was located at the Balboa Bay Club, where she met a few well-known figures. During those times, her family owned 3 boats--but the one she chose to share stories about was small family boat, the Itsy Bitsy. During the interview, Allison talks about boat stories, how the Itsy Bitsy was a great way of meeting people, and her time in Newport Beach and Balboa Island. When she lived in Newport, one of her and her friends' goals was to ride a hobie cat, a kind of sailboat that was popular in the 60s and the 70s.
Keywords: sea, ocean, boat, Balboa, Newport Beach, Balboa Island, sailboat, Balboa Bay Club, family boat
 

Oral History of Julia Hoigaard 2020 December

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Julia Hoigaard Interviewer:Lesley Olivo Date: 2020 December Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:30:04
An oral history with Julia Hoigaard, who was born in Minnesota and grew up around lakes. She was always surrounded by water but it wasn't until she was 18 when she saw the ocean for the first time. Now having lived near the ocean for about 50 years, she has a deep respect for its power and describes it as being a "forgiving place" with transformative abilities. She talks about her first time seeing a beach, the day she saw the California state fish in Newport, her preference for west coast beaches over east coast beaches, and a how waking up one morning on the beach changed her.
Keywords: Newport Beach, encounters with the sea, Garibaldi fish, Seal Beach
 

Oral History of Linda Khachatoorian 2020 December

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Linda Khachatoorian Interviewer: Lesley Olivo Date: 2020 December Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of interview: 00:45:54
An oral history with Linda Khachatoorian, who recounts stories from her father's life. She is the daughter of Hugh R. McMillan whose family had a large part in the construction of Newport Beach. His family had a general store, a bait and tackle store, and had the first restaurant in Newport Beach. Hugh R. Mcmillan was also part of the first 4-year graduating class of Newport Harbor Highschool. Hugh R. Mcmillan is the author of Beach Rat Days, a book where he talks about his childhood and has donated a lot of his personal collection of photographs to the University of California, Irvine. In this interview, Linda Khachatoorian talks about how her history report led to her fathers book, the publishing of Beach Rat Days, her father's clam digging spot turning into Lido Isle, her families work with the McFadden brothers, and her involvement in the "Newport before the OC" Facebook page.
Keywords: Newport Beach, Lido Isle, clam digging, Beach Rat Days, Newport Harbor Highschool, Hugh R. McMillan, the McFadden Brothers
 

Oral History of Michael Manny 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Michael Manny Interviewer: Jezebel Ramirez-Robles Date: December 7, 2020 Location: Imperial, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:37:35
An oral history with Michael H. Manney, who is a retired US Air Force Officer who served for twenty-three and a half years. Manney moved to Riverside County in 2013. He now works as a high school teacher and, since 2017, as a Core Investigator at Orange County Ghosts and Legends (OC G+L). During his interview, Manney shares many supernatural experiences he and others have had over the years. A few stories were with his work at OC G+L, including a story of a female worker being touched by a young spirit upon the Star of India. Manny also discusses different types of technology, such as a portal box and Boo-Buddy. He shares his own experiences on Steamboat Berkeley and Queen Mary. He also describes some of the equipment he uses to communicate with the spirits.
Keywords: supernatural, Orange County, ghosts, Queen Mary, Star of India, spirits
 

Oral History of Michaela McCurry 2020 December 8

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Michaela McCurry Interviewer: Jezebel Ramirez-Robles Date: December 8, 2020 Location: Imperial, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:12:58
An oral history with Michale McCurry, who is a Core paranormal Investigator with Orange County Ghosts ad Legends (OC G+L). She was friends with the executive director and lead investigator, Cris August, for fifteen years and would go on tours with him and his team. She eventually joined the team in 2017 after being asked twice. During her interview, McCurry shares her personal supernatural experiences when onboard the Star of India, the world's oldest active sailing ship. McCurry also explains instances where she has been directly contacted by spirits that live on Star of India, including the captain and a young boy.
Keywords: Star of India, San Diego, supernatural, spirits, ships, historical landmarks, technology
 

Oral History of Steve Schupak [RESTRICTED] 2020 December 14

Access

Access to oral history is restricted.

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Steve Schupak Interviewer: Olivia Ramirez Date: December 14, 2020 Location: Newport Beach, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:36:47
An oral history with Steve Schupak, who was born in 1965 in Hollywood, California. He began sailing at Orange Coast College and subsequently began his membership with various yacht clubs in Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. Schupak has gone on to build Harbor 20 boats, competed in sailing regattas, and has now turned his attention to judging sailing regattas. During the interview, Schupak discusses his most memorable judging experience in 2018 when he was part of the judging team for the World Sailing Championships in Denmark. Throughout the interview, Schupak recalls his times on the water and his deep connections to the Newport Harbor Yacht Club and the members he calls his family.
Keywords: Newport Harbor Yacht Club, sailing, boat, Harbor 20
 

Oral History of Paul Wormser 2020 December 3

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Paul Wormser Interviewer: Francisco Romero Date: December 3, 2020 Location: South West, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:16:13
An oral history with Paul Wormser, the Library Director at Sherman Library and Garden. Sherman Library and Garden is a small research library focused on the history of the South West. He shares some of the fascinating stories that Newport Beach has to offer. He has worked at the institution since 2013. He talks about how the more time he spends there, the more connected he feels to the regions of California. Mr. Wormser details the ideal places he would give someone a tour of if they were visiting Newport Beach for the first time, including Richards Market and Corona del Mar. He briefly discusses various landmarks, such as the Pacific Coast Highway.
Keywords: Richards Market, The Goldenrod Footbridge, Corona del Mar, Arborn's Harbor market, landmarks, markets
 

Oral History of Nduati Macharia 2020 December 29

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Nduati Macharia Interviewer: Hedieh Sorouri Date: December 29, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:05:56
An oral history with Nduati Macharia, who is a fifth-year English student at the University of California, Irvine. During this short interview, Macharia briefly shares some childhood memories of being near the ocean. He described how it was a source of happy memories when he was younger, and how his view and perception of the ocean changed as he now realizes its vast beauty. He also describes how much he despises the sand.
Keywords: camping, childhood, vast ocean, sand, memories, sea encounters
 

Oral History of Maryam Mansouri 2020 December 1

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Maryam Mansouri Interviewer: Hedieh Sorouri Date: December 1, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:20:16
An oral history with Maryam Mansouri, who immigrated from Iran 25 years ago. Mansouri is a doctor of Acupuncture who owns her own practice in Orange County, California. During this interview, Mansouri talks about her experience on a cruise ship in Alaska. She also discusses the role the ocean played in her immigration journey. She recalls her memories of flying from Iran to America, and how she saw the ocean for the first time as she looked out the window during the plane ride. Having never been near the ocean during her time in Iran, she vividly describes what it is like to be living near one and the impact it has on her, specifically her religious beliefs. All in all, she highly recommends that everyone go on a cruise at least once in their lifetime so that they can be surrounded by the beauty and vastness of the ocean.
Keywords: cruise, beautiful, immigration, religiosity, memories, religion, small business
 

Oral History of Moein Hosseini 2020 December 7

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Moein Hosseini Interviewer: Hedieh Sorouri Date: December 7, 2020 Location: Irvine, California Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:16:25
An oral history with Moein Hosseini, who was born in Mashhad, Iran. He is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Civil Engineering at Northwestern University Transportation Center. During this interview, Moein delves into how the ocean and large bodies of water stand apart from other elements of nature because of all the memories he associates with them. The ocean was a source of comfort for him during his immigration journey. He describes how it was incredibly difficult being far away from his family when immigrating from Iran to pursue his educational goals, but the ocean essentially became another family member to him.
Keywords: immigration, home, family, memories, religion
 

Oral History of Mugdha Flores 2020 December

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Mudgha Flores Interviewer: Jessica Tai Date: 2020 December Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:24:57
 

Oral History of Isabel Houghton 2020 December

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Isabel Houghton Interviewer: Jessica Tai Date: 2020 December Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of Interview: 00:10:32
 

Oral History of Patricia (last name unknown) [RESTRICTED] 2020 December

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Access to this oral history is restricted.

Scope and Contents Note

Narrator: Patricia (last name unknown) Interviewer: Angelene Obedoza Date: December 2020 Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of interview: 00:13:12
An oral history with Patricia, a freshman at Skyline College. Patricia talks about her ties to the ocean and how this has helped her understand her culture. She was able to share some interesting stories from her interviews with her dad and grandma, which has opened her eyes to the complexities of what it means to be Filipino. Because of this, she is hoping to continue learning more about her culture and is taking classes and participating in extracurricular activities that will allow her to do so.
Keywords: immigration, Philippines, Filipinx, ocean, student, culture
 

Oral History of Dillon Tran [RESTRICTED] 2020 December

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Narrator: Dillon Tran Interviewer: Angelene Obedoza Date: December 2020 Collection: Stories from the Sea Length of interview: 00:05:36
An oral history with Dylan Tran, a junior at University of California, Irvine. Tran disucesses an interesting encounter with a jellyfish. He was swimming in the ocean as a member of junior lifeguards, when he saw what he thought was a plastic bag. He swam past it and didn't know it was a jellyfish until one of the other students in the program was stung by it. At the moment, he was pretty shaken up, but he's able to joke about the situation now, although he does believe this experience is what cemented his belief that the ocean "is not for him."
Keywords: student interview, UCI, beach, jellyfish, junior lifeguards, Laguna Beach