Code,800089_801013
Subject,Roman Zorska
Date,11/30/09
Interviewer,Michael Rotman
Abstract,"Roman Zorka talks about immigrating to Cleveland after World War II, the impact the Lithuainian Cultural Garden and on his life, and the impact that the Garden has had and continues to have on Cleveland."
Tags,"Lithuanian Cultural Garden, Cultural Gardens, Hough, University Heights, Lithuania, ethnicity"
Special Notes,"Interviewer quiet throughout; interviewer change at 41:46; Cuts out at 54:00, comes back in to middle of a story."
miniutes:,
0,"Intro. Born in Lithuania in 1937; came to Cleveland in December 1949- has lived in Cleveland area ever since; Schooling: St. George's Lithuanian Catholic Chrurch until 8th grade, Addison Junior High for 1 year."
1,"Went to East High School on E. 82nd and Decker; Attended Fenn College (precursor to CSU) got a degree in Chemistry in 1961; Discussion moves to his work history: Standard Oil Research Center in Warrensville Heights, Diamond-Shamrock Corp in Lake County, SCM Corp in Strongsville."
2,"Retired in 2007; before he left Standard Oil began grad school work at University of Akron part time- Masters in Polymer Science; Discussions moves to Lithuania- left in 1944, spent 5 years in refugee camps, ""Displaced Person"" or DP camps. "
3,"Lived on Eastside in Cleveland city proper- Hough area, later in Glenville. Has lived in Euclid, South Euclid, finally University Heights; in 1969 lived on E.97th and St. Clair with his aunt, who imigrated in 1913; Talks about areas of Cleveland that were ""Lithuanian""- St. George's (now closed) on Superior and E. 67th."
4,He lived on Longview Ave. between 70th -71st; Wade Park Lexington area was an old Lithuanian neighborhood; area around E.185th- younger people moved to places like Richmond Heights; Talks about merger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help with St. George's; Talks about University Heights being highly Jewish.
5,Mentions Jesuit Church and John Carroll University; demographics have changed.
6,"Talks about there being less ""self imposed ghettoes""; Talks about becoming invovled with Lithuanian Cultural Garden; [6:41] Reads his notes on Lithuanian history (for context)."
7,cont.
8,cont.
9,cont.
10,cont.
11,cont.
12,cont.
13,cont.
14,"Talks about the migrations into Cleveland area- 3 waves; 1st- turn of the century, '20's-'30's, instrumental in starting LCG; 2nd wave- after World War II ('49-'50), feels this group was more educated (mentions that the 1st wave were ""farm boys"")."
15,"(2nd wave) Came here to avoid being sent to Siberia, mentions they were very patriotic. 3rd wave-since Lithuanian Independence, feels they came mainly for economic reasons; Discusses why it is important to have a CG;"
16,"Mentions LCG working well with the city of Cleveland, 5th Garden to get permission- 1st garden t get Federal aid."
17,Talks about how the LCG became a means for Lithuanians to be recognized and a means for them to educate others about Lithuania; Talks about his impressions of CG- mentions it continues to be important.
18,Mentions bust in the garden; reiterates importance of garden to Lithuanian identity; Talks about mild tension between waves. 
19,Discussion returns to waves and the difference between them (also talks about his own arrival in US).
20,Talks about 2nd wave and politics- lobbying Washington.
21,Begins talking about his arrival in Cleveland and his first trip to CG.
22,cont.
23,cont.
24,Talks about LCG Committee.
25,Talks about being a delegate to the Federation [of CGs]- talks about Committee consisting of whomever wants to work (rather than being elected); brief mention of some of the duties invovled.
26,Talks about Paul Sukys; Talks about problems in the city in the '60's -'70's- mentions vandalism in the Garden.
27,Talks about replacing busts with stone busts.
28,Talks about how the different waves got support for the Garden.
29,Discussion of busts and those that sponsored them.
30,"Talks about still driving by LCG quite often, mentions visiting dignitaries in the '60's; mentions there is still interest. "
31,cont.
32,Discusses melting pot of US; talks about events throughout the year; Mentions needing people to take care of the Garden and the various needs the Garden has.
33,cont.
34,cont.
35,cont.
36,cont.
37,Talks about the dedication of people invovled with the LCG.
38,Talks about different groups and their Gardens.
39,cont.
40,"[""Asked are Gardens 'is or are'""] Believes it is ""is"", but the whole better than the sum."
41,[Interviewer swtich]
42,Talks about the process to get a Garden.
43,cont.
44,cont.
45,Uses the Cleveland Heights Public Library bridge to make a point.
46,Returns to the 2nd wave's patriotism.
47,Mentions events again and a choir.
48,"[47:50] Spring 1950 talks again about coming from the refugee camps, 12 years old, but only in 2nd grade."
49,Talks about feeling at home in LCG.
50,Talks about other Gardens again.
51,[50:40] Talks about how Cleveland is unique; very happy to see Gardens starting/continuing; hope for continued support. 
52,Talks about a recent visit and changes incoming.
53,Mentions that Gardens are something for Cleveland to be proud of.
54,[Cut] Mentions of someone who died in 1927.
55,end.